Landing a Visa Sponsorship job as a corporate attorney in the US now offers a direct path to impressive salaries, with starting pay around $142,600 a year. Demand for international legal talent keeps climbing, especially among top law firms and tech companies. These employers are actively seeking experienced attorneys who need visa support to fill specialized legal roles.

Visa sponsorship isn’t just a bonus—it’s often the key that unlocks careers for skilled lawyers from abroad. With U.S. firms competing to attract the brightest legal minds, now’s a great time to explore your options. This guide walks you through the process and highlights what you can expect from today’s legal job market.

Understanding US Corporate Attorney Visa Sponsorship

For many international lawyers, securing a Visa Sponsorship job as a corporate attorney is the best way to launch a successful career in the US. Understanding the visa process is critical, especially with the many steps and legal details involved. This section will help you get clear on how the H-1B visa works for attorneys, highlight the unique benefits of visa sponsorship, and answer key questions about family and green card eligibility.

H-1B Visa Process for Corporate Attorneys: Break down LCA, I-129 petition, timelines, and key requirements

Landing a Visa Sponsorship job as a corporate attorney often depends on the H-1B visa, the most common route for foreign legal professionals in the US. Here’s what you need to know:

Labor Condition Application (LCA)

• Before hiring you, a US law firm or corporation must file a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor.
• The LCA certifies that you’ll receive the prevailing wage and that hiring you will not hurt US workers’ conditions or pay.
• The process includes disclosing terms of employment and your work location.

Form I-129 Petition

• With an approved LCA, your employer files Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• This petition includes:
  • Proof of your law degree (JD, LLM, or equivalent)
  • Evidence of state bar admission (if required)
  • Details about your work experience and future job role

H-1B Cap and Lottery

• Each year, there are 65,000 standard H-1B slots, plus 20,000 just for applicants with US master’s degrees or higher.
• When applications exceed the cap, a lottery decides who can move forward—making early and correct filing critical.

Timelines

• Registration: March–April (most employers start prepping months before)
• Petition review (regular): 6–9 months
• Premium processing (for a fee): Results in 15 days
• Visa stamping and entry: After approval, apply at a US consulate, then travel and start work on your approved date

Key Requirements for Corporate Attorneys

• You need at least a US or foreign equivalent law degree.
• Admittance to a US state bar may be needed (varies by employer and role).
• Your employer must commit to sponsoring and paying required wages.
• Keep all documents organized, including diplomas, bar cards, resumes, employer letters, and job descriptions.

Duration and Extensions

• Initial H-1B: Up to three years
• Renewal: Up to six years total
• Extensions beyond six years may be possible if your green card process is underway, such as after a PERM or I-140 petition.

Visa Sponsorship jobs can move quickly if all documents are ready, but competition is tight and the process is complex. Advanced planning pays off.

Sponsorship Benefits and Dual Intent: Discuss dual intent, eligibility for green cards, and options for dependents

Visa Sponsorship jobs stand out because the H-1B is one of the few “dual intent” visas. Here’s what makes it so appealing for ambitious attorneys:

Dual Intent

• While some visas require you to prove you’ll return home, the H-1B lets you pursue permanent residency (a green card) while working in the US.
• There’s no need to hide your long-term goals—your intent can be both short-term employment and permanent settlement.

Pathways to a Green Card

• Your employer can start the PERM Labor Certification process, showing there’s no qualified US worker available for your job.
• After PERM approval, they’ll file Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker.
• When your “priority date” becomes current, you can apply for adjustment of status (Form I-485) to become a lawful permanent resident.
• You can stay and keep working while your green card application is pending, thanks to the H-1B’s dual intent.

Family Benefits: H-4 Dependent Visas

• Your spouse and children (unmarried, under 21) can join you in the US on H-4 visas.
• H-4 spouses can apply for employment authorization in many cases—offering work flexibility for your partner.
• H-4 dependents can attend US schools and universities, helping your family adapt and thrive.

Why Dual Intent and Family Options Matter

• The combination of career stability, future green card potential, and family inclusion makes the H-1B a top choice for legal professionals.
• Unlike other visas, you don’t have to keep your plans for permanent residency a secret or risk denial for signaling long-term intent.

Visa Sponsorship jobs are not just about launching your legal career—these roles open doors for your family and create a pathway to call the US home, all while building professional security and long-term stability. With the right preparation and employer support, you’ll have every opportunity to succeed.

Salary Expectations and Top Employers for Visa Sponsorship Jobs

Securing a Visa Sponsorship job as a corporate attorney opens the door to strong salaries, upward mobility and access to powerhouse employers. Plenty of variables shape your earning potential in this field, with real differences depending on where you work, your legal specialty and which firms you target for employment. Understanding these salary benchmarks and learning about the top sponsors helps you make informed decisions that support both your current lifestyle and long-term goals.

Salary Benchmarks and What Impacts Pay

The average salary for corporate attorneys in Visa Sponsorship jobs sits comfortably above $142,600, but that’s just the starting point. What you actually earn is shaped by key factors:

• Firm Size and Prestige: Large immigration law firms and global corporate firms pay at the higher end. For example, Fragomen reports average salaries around $155,479, Berry Appleman & Leiden averages $170,174 and some highly specialized roles command more than $200,000 annually.
• Job Location: Where you practice makes a real difference. Attorneys based in cities like New York, San Francisco or Washington, D.C. routinely see offers $20,000–$40,000 above the national average. States with many multinational HQs drive up pay.
• Specialty and Experience: Attorneys focusing on niches with high demand, such as business immigration compliance, investor visas, or handling complex H-1B and L-1 cases, can see higher pay. Seniority, track record of successful filings and expertise managing teams all impact your worth.
• Industry Demand: Demand for legal expertise in immigration law has never been higher, thanks to evolving immigration policies and the never-ending flow of international talent. Organizations value attorneys skilled in strategic legal planning and compliance, and those who help companies hire and retain critical workers.
• Tech Adoption: Firms using legal-tech tools like Docketwise or LawPay to boost efficiency and caseloads report higher billables, translating to increased pay for attorneys able to manage complex workflows.
• In-House vs. Law Firm Roles: In-house corporate counsel roles at tech companies such as Google, Meta or Amazon often pay above the national average and may include stock grants, bonuses and flexible work perks in their packages.

Here’s a breakdown of current salary data and what impacts your bottom line:

• National average for Visa Sponsorship job as corporate attorney: $149,812 (2025)
• Top firm (Fragomen) average salary: $155,479
• Berry Appleman & Leiden: $170,174 average
• Entry level at major firms: $110,000–$140,000
• Experienced/senior counsel: $170,000–$200,000+
• Tech company counsel: Commonly $160,000–$200,000+

Keep in mind: High demand for business immigration talent is driving pay up. Specialize, hone your skills and target top employers to maximize your earning power.

Leading Law Firms and Companies Sponsoring Attorneys

Landing a Visa Sponsorship job means working for employers who actively file the highest number of successful H-1B petitions. These firms and companies set the standard not only for salary but also for career development and visa sponsorship reliability.

Top Law Firms Sponsoring Visa Attorneys:

• Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP
  • Submitted over 40,940 LCAs in 2025
  • Average salary offer: $155,479
  • Known globally for exclusive focus on employment-based immigration
• Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP
  • Submitted 22,118 LCAs
  • Average salary offer: $170,174
  • Handles complex business immigration for tech, finance, startups and industry leaders
• Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart
  • Over 13,500 LCAs
  • Salaries average $149,535
  • Notable for business immigration and corporate compliance
• Green and Spiegel U.S.
  • Consistently recognized among top firms for North American immigration law
• WR Immigration
  • Nationally recognized and ranked for business immigration

Top Companies Sponsoring In-House Legal Counsel:

• Tech Giants
  • Amazon, Meta Platforms, Google, Microsoft, Apple
  • Average in-house legal salaries: $150,000–$199,000+
  • High number of H-1B filings due to global talent needs and compliance requirements
• Professional Services
  • Ernst & Young, Deloitte, Cognizant
  • Frequently seek attorneys skilled in immigration, labor law, compliance and regulatory issues

What Sets These Employers Apart?

• High volume and repeated success rate for H-1B filings increases job security for international attorneys
• Strong adoption of legal technology and data-driven compliance tools
• Broad networks, mentoring, learning and sponsorship for green card applications
• Many offer benefits above salary, such as bonuses, profit-sharing, and family visa sponsorship

Takeaway: If you’re focused on the best Visa Sponsorship job opportunities, set your sights on leading immigration firms or global corporations with proven sponsorship and upward mobility. The right employer boosts both your earning power and the speed of your US legal career.

Application Strategy: How to Land a Visa Sponsorship Job as a Corporate Attorney

Standing out in the search for a Visa Sponsorship job as a corporate attorney takes planning and perseverance. US firms want the best talent, but the immigration process means you must be organized, knowledgeable, and proactive. Take these steps to sharpen your application strategy and get noticed by employers ready to support your visa journey.

Research and Tailor Your Job Search

The right strategy makes all the difference when looking for real-time Visa Sponsorship jobs as a foreign attorney. Relying on general job boards often leads to lost time and dead ends. Instead, use specialized resources designed for international candidates.

Here’s how you can find genuine sponsorship opportunities:

• Explore Niche Job Boards: Platforms like MyVisaJobs, USponsorMe, and H1BGrader focus on US employers actively sponsoring international talent. You can filter listings by legal field and sponsorship willingness.
• Leverage Mainstream Boards Wisely: Sites like LinkedIn and Indeed let you use search modifiers (like “visa sponsorship”, “H-1B”, or “foreign legal counsel”) and filter results for the legal sector. Many roles also include “sponsorship available” in the posting, making it faster to target relevant options.
• Visit Company Career Pages: Top law firms and global companies often post Visa Sponsorship jobs directly on their own websites. Bookmark pages for major sponsors and set Google alerts for new postings.
• Stay Updated in Real Time: MyVisaJobs offers annual reports on employers sponsoring the most attorneys, complete with job types and salary ranges.
• Network With Purpose: Join LinkedIn groups and alumni circles for international attorneys working in the US. Direct referrals from your network often skip the HR queue and land you in front of decision-makers faster.

A successful job search is never one-size-fits-all. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight bar admission, legal specializations, and any US work experience. Employers want to see that you meet their requirements and understand what sponsorship involves.

Demonstrate the Right Skills and Specializations

Employers looking for attorneys with Visa Sponsorship jobs aren’t just focused on legal smarts—they want proof of real-world skills and special expertise. Highlighting the right mix gets you noticed in a crowded field.

Essential skills and areas of focus include:

• Compliance Expertise: US businesses face strict regulatory and corporate compliance rules, making attorneys skilled in compliance, risk management, and documentation especially attractive. Show specific examples of managing audits, developing policies, or leading compliance training.
• Global Mobility and Immigration Law: Firms need lawyers who understand international business, cross-border employment, and the complexities of transferring employees between countries. If you have experience with visa petitions (H-1B, L-1, O-1), PERM Labor Certification, or global mobility programs, put this front and center.
• Employment and Labor Law: Many roles require lawyers who know US employment contracts, immigration-related labor issues, and anti-discrimination law. Mention bar admission in a relevant jurisdiction and direct experience counseling on US labor law compliance.
• Contract Drafting and Negotiation: Companies prefer candidates who handle everything from NDAs to joint venture agreements. Stress your experience with corporate contracts, mergers, and acquisitions.
• Strong Communication and Cultural Skills: Multinational teams value lawyers who adapt quickly, bridge cultures, and explain US legal practices to global clients or colleagues.

Key specializations that stand out:

• Business immigration law
• Corporate compliance and governance
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Tech and privacy law for in-house roles at global companies

Prepare examples for interviews showing how your expertise matches employer needs. Quantify successes—“managed compliance for a 200-employee tech startup,” for example—so your skills translate clearly.

Work With Recruiters and Immigration Attorneys

Trying to land a Visa Sponsorship job on your own can slow you down. Working with recruiters and immigration attorneys lifts your chances in several ways:

• Recruiters Specializing in Legal Placements: Some recruiters focus only on legal jobs for international talent. They know which employers are open to sponsorship and help position your qualifications to match key openings.
• Access to Hidden Opportunities: Recruiters can connect you with jobs not yet posted online, especially within top law firms or US-headquartered companies ramping up global hiring.
• Immigration Attorney Guidance: A dedicated immigration lawyer reviews your credentials, explains how to meet state bar requirements, and helps you avoid mistakes that can sideline your application. Some attorneys even introduce clients directly to employers with sponsorship experience.
• Expedite Paperwork: When the job offer comes, you’ll need help navigating the visa petition process, from Labor Condition Application (LCA) to H-1B I-129 forms. Immigration attorneys make sure nothing gets lost in translation and that every form is correct and on time.
• Build Your US Presence: Recruiters and attorneys often have connections to professional associations, mentorship programs, and alumni groups that can open more doors. Lean into these communities for ongoing advice and introductions.

Getting the right support isn’t a shortcut—it’s a sign to employers that you’re serious, prepared, and invested in your US legal career. Combining professional help with targeted job search steps unlocks more opportunity and puts you at the front of the line for the most sought-after roles.

Conclusion

Visa Sponsorship jobs for corporate attorneys offer an unmatched opportunity to build a career in the US with financial stability, strong benefits and a path for your family’s future. The legal job market values international skill sets, practical experience and the drive to work through complex regulations. Support is out there—top employers and law firms are hiring, and specialized resources can help you stand out.

Set clear goals, prepare your documents, and connect with experts who understand the sponsorship system. Whether you are early in your career or seeking new challenges, this is the right moment to step forward and claim your place in a global legal market. Thank you for reading—share your journey or questions below and help inspire others who are ready to begin their own US legal careers.