If you want to work and live in the U.S. for an extended period after graduation, obtaining an H-1B visa is your best option as an international alumni. As part of the H-1B visa application process, it is required that your employer sponsors your application. As you search for opportunities in Austin,Texas, consider applying to jobs at these top 10 companies that sponsor H-1B visas.
What is H-1B Visa Sponsorship?
A temporary non-immigrant work authorization, the H-1B visa is considered a “dual-intent” visa. This makes the H-1B one of the most popular pathways for international students hoping to pursue permanent residency through a green card. Given its popularity, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) enforces an H-1B cap, limiting the number of H-1B visas that are issued through a lottery system each year. Most H-1B applications are submitted by early March, and decisions are usually released in late March/early April. The chances of your H-1B application being selected is known to be low. In 2024, only 15% of eligible registrations were selected, out of nearly 750,000.
Why Work in Austin?
As the “City of the Violet Crown,” Austin is a thriving city with a technology, music, and entrepreneurial driven economy. It is home to big name companies like Apple, Intel, and Google, making the city an innovation hub, and its lively music scene makes it a popular destination for music festivals and global events. In 2021, over 20,000 millennials moved to Austin, as a result of the pandemic, driving Austin’s tech boom and also making it a top destination for young adults. Like every city, there are pros and cons to working and living in Austin. As an international student, here are some to consider:
Pros:
- Job Opportunities: Each year, Austin moves up the list of cities with the hottest job markets. The variety of industries in the city make it an attractive place for young professionals as well, with jobs in music, entertainment, business, entrepreneurship, software, and more. With several large companies and start ups relocating and expanding in Austin, Austin’s economy is thriving and the job opportunities seem to be endless.
- Inclusive Culture: Even though Austin is within the southernmost portion of the United States, which is typically more conservative, Austin is praised as being a diverse, inclusive, and friendly city. With Austin’s high percentage of young professionals, and overall friendly attitude, international students will find that there is no shortage of new people willing to get to know you.
- Cost of Living: In comparison to other major U.S. cities, Austin’s cost of living is relatively lower than most, a great alternative to more expensive cities like New York, San Francisco, or Los Angeles. Austin’s rental and housing markets are some of the most stable in the country.
Cons:
- Driving City: Generally, Austin’s public transportation is less than ideal. This makes Austin a major car city. That being said, there are ways to get around in the city, such as city buses, shared bikes, or carpooling groups.
- Weather: Perhaps one of the most notable things about Austin is the heat, particularly in the summer, and parts of the fall and spring. For international students from more mild or seasonal climates, Austin’s heat can be a hard adjustment.
Top 10 Companies Sponsoring H-1B Visas in Austin in 2023
| Rank | H-1B Visa Sponsor | Number of H-1B Applications | Average Salary for H-1B Employees |
| 1 | Apple | 501 | $153,049 |
| 2 | Amazon.com Services | 320 | $126,823 |
| 3 | Tata Consultancy Services | 266 | $96,030 |
| 4 | Advanced Micro Devices | 250 | $146,436 |
| 5 | Charles Schwab And Company | 214 | $123,715 |
| 6 | Visa Technology & Operations | 212 | $129,112 |
| 7 | Intel | 204 | $123,400 |
| 8 | The University Of Texas At Austin | 203 | $97,374 |
| 9 | Infosys | 194 | $78,668 |
| 10 | Wipro | 185 | $73,039 |
- Apple: The cutting edge tech giant leads the list for number of H-1B applications in 2023. Apple’s Austin employees include software engineers, data analysts and architects, solutions architects, hardware engineers, technical staff, and much more.
- Amazon.com Services: Amazon.com Services is the side of Amazon that specializes in corporate relations and the Amazon e-commerce website. Positions at Amazon.com Services include jobs in operations and project management, finance, information technology and systems, business intelligence, and more.
- Tata Consultancy Services: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is a company that specializes in consulting, IT services, software development, and business solutions. Jobs at TCS include positions in IT, consulting, project and product management, software engineering and development, and more.
- Advanced Micro Devices: Advanced Micro Devices is a semiconductor company that specializes in designing processors and computer hardware. Jobs at Advanced Micro Devices include positions in engineering, software development, product development, project management, and software engineering.
- Charles Schwab and Company: Charles Schwab is a company that offers investment management, wealth management, trading, and banking services to individuals, companies, and organizations across the globe. Popular jobs at Charles Schwab include positions in finance, investment management, risk advisory, and more.
- Visa Technology & Operations: Visa is globally known for being a payments technology company, popularly utilized for their debit and credit card offerings. Visa offers electronic payment services and solutions to individual consumers, business, governments, and organizations. Jobs at Visa include positions in product management, customer service, software engineering, cybersecurity, data architecture and analytics, and more.
- Intel: Intel is a technology centered, multinational corporation. Intel is one of the globe’s most prominent semiconductor manufacturers, specializing in computer hardware, system processors, artificial intelligence, and several other technology entered efforts. Jobs at Intel include positions in software engineering, mechanical engineering, field applications, research and development, and IT.
- The University of Texas at Austin: The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) is one of the largest public research universities in the U.S. Jobs at UT Austin include positions in research, administration, academic affairs, development, teaching, and more. See Interstride tip below!
- Infosys: Infosys is a next-generation digital services and consulting multinational corporation.Infosys has become one of the largest IT services corporations in the world, and their Austin location often offers positions in data analysis, project management, software development, cybersecurity, and more.
- Wipro: Wipro is a global technology and consulting services company that focuses on building solutions to address digital transformation needs. Jobs at Wipro include positions in cloud computing, data architecture, software engineering, and more.
