Apple is stepping up in 2025 with expanded job openings and an active push for global talent, making it easier for skilled professionals to join the company with visa sponsorship. Eligible positions cover areas like software engineering, hardware design, AI, and data infrastructure, across major tech centers including Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Austin, San Diego, and Beaverton.

With potential salaries reaching up to $250,000, Apple’s program opens the door for international candidates looking to build their careers at one of the world’s most recognized tech brands. Visa sponsorship is a critical opportunity for those seeking high-impact careers in the United States, and Apple’s hiring strategy reflects a commitment to both innovation and inclusion.

This post covers who can apply, the types of roles open for sponsorship, and what you need to know if you’re considering Apple for your next career move.

Apple’s 2025 Visa Sponsorship: Scale, Salary, and Role Types

Apple’s 2025 hiring and sponsorship programs show a clear and growing focus on bringing international technical talent into the company. With new data from the first half of 2025, Apple continues to sponsor thousands of visas and permanent residency applications, offering industry-leading salaries and a pathway to career growth at its bustling US campuses. Let’s break down the numbers, role types, locations, and salary ranges for Apple’s visa-sponsored employees in 2025.

Number of Visas Filed and Approved

In 2025, Apple remains a top employer for skilled workers requiring visa sponsorship. The company filed approximately 3,986 Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) for H-1B visas and 1,212 labor petitions for green cards in just the first half of the year (source: myvisajobs, H1BGrader).

• H-1B Approval Rate: Almost 99% approval, with virtually zero denials or withdrawals.
• Green Card Approvals: Strong approval consistency, building on Apple’s pattern of hundreds of green card sponsorships each year.

These numbers match or surpass previous years. For context, Apple filed over 12,600 H-1B applications and more than 3,600 green card sponsorships between 2022 and 2024. This high volume puts Apple among the top ten US employers for tech visa sponsorship.

The takeaway? Apple’s commitment to hiring global talent is steady and their process is reliable, with very high approval rates and rigorous compliance.

Typical Roles and Key Locations for Sponsored Workers

Apple’s visa sponsorship covers a wide range of specialized technical jobs. Based on 2025 filings, these are the most common sponsored positions:

• Software Development Engineer (Applications and Systems)
• Machine Learning Engineer
• Hardware Engineer (Electrical and Electronics)
• Data Scientist
• IT Project Manager
• Engineering Program Manager
• AI Product Manager
• Systems Engineer

Most sponsored roles require advanced degrees or equivalent experience, especially for mid to senior-level engineering or management tracks.

Apple concentrates its sponsored jobs at key US campuses:

• Cupertino, CA: Headquarters and core engineering hub. Most visa-sponsored roles are located here.
• Sunnyvale, CA: Another major R&D and hardware center.
• Austin, TX: Growing engineering and operations outpost.
• San Diego, CA: Focused on wireless hardware, silicon engineering, and AI.
• Seattle, WA: Prominent for cloud services and AI engineering.

These sites account for the majority of H-1B and green card filings, reflecting Apple’s focus on growth in both California and other US tech corridors.

In summary: If you’re applying for a technical or engineering role at Apple and need visa sponsorship, your likely landing spots are Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Austin, or San Diego.

Salary Ranges for Sponsored Positions

Salaries for Apple’s visa-sponsored roles are some of the highest in the tech industry. Let’s look at the numbers for 2025:

• Median H-1B Salary: Roughly $167,250 per year
• Average H-1B Salary: Around $202,303 per year
• 75th Percentile: About $194,799 per year
• 90th Percentile: Near $216,184 per year
• Maximum Salaries: Senior technical staff, managers, and AI/ML specialists can earn $243,000 to $250,000+

Apple offers the most competitive compensation to roles needing niche expertise and high-level experience. These include:

• Senior Software Engineers: $200,000–$250,000+
• AI/Machine Learning Leads: Often above $220,000
• Senior Hardware Engineers & System Architects: $180,000–$240,000+
• Engineering Managers: Frequently $200,000–$250,000

Most entry- to mid-level roles still command salaries well above the US tech average, giving international hires a very attractive opportunity. Apple’s high base pay is often matched with bonuses and stock grants, adding substantial extra value.

Key takeaway: Visa-sponsored jobs at Apple pay at the top end of the US tech market, especially for in-demand technical and leadership roles.

Understanding Apple’s Visa Sponsorship Process in 2025

Getting a job at Apple with visa sponsorship in 2025 involves a well-defined legal process. The journey from application to full employment is shaped by US immigration law as well as Apple’s own high standards. Knowing each step—and the changes following Apple’s settlement with the DOJ—can help applicants set realistic expectations.

Step-by-Step Visa Sponsorship Workflow at Apple

Apple’s workflow for sponsoring visas and green cards follows a strict sequence required by the US government. Here’s how it typically looks for major visa types:

1. PERM Labor Certification for Green Cards

• Prevailing Wage Determination: Apple requests a wage determination from the Department of Labor (DOL) to show that visa workers will be paid fairly.
• Recruitment Process: Apple advertises the job in multiple formats to show no qualified US worker is available. This step is heavily documented.
• PERM Application: Apple files a PERM application with the DOL. This is reviewed to assess if hiring a non-US worker meets the regulatory standards.
• DOL Approval: Once the PERM is approved, Apple can move to the immigrant petition (I-140) stage for a green card.

2. H-1B Sponsorship

• Labor Condition Application (LCA): Apple files an LCA to verify salary, job location, and working conditions for each H-1B employee.
• USCIS Petition Filing: After LCA approval, Apple submits the H-1B petition to USCIS.
• H-1B Lottery: If more applications are received than the cap allows, a lottery decides which applications advance.
• USCIS Review and Approval: Successful applications get processed, and candidates can begin employment on visa approval.

3. Transition to Green Card

• I-140 Immigrant Petition: Once the PERM is approved, Apple files this petition with USCIS.
• Adjustment of Status (I-485): After I-140 approval and when the candidate’s “priority date” is current, Apple or the applicant files to adjust status to permanent resident.

Apple’s legal and HR teams keep communication tight at every step, updating candidates on requirements or changes. The process is demand-driven and focused on high-need STEM roles.

Recent Changes and Compliance Updates

A major shake-up came in late 2023 with Apple’s $25 million DOJ settlement tied to past recruitment and hiring practices for green card sponsorship. As of 2025, the effects are clear and directly impact how Apple recruits and files for sponsored roles.

Key compliance changes include:

• Stricter Public Job Postings: Apple must now publicly post all PERM-based jobs on its main career site, making sponsored roles more transparent and accessible.
• Electronic Applications: Applicants for PERM jobs can apply directly online (no more paper résumés by mail or email).
• Expanded Worker Protections: Apple increased internal training, audits, and documentation to protect against discrimination and ensure fairness.

These new steps boost the transparency of Apple’s process and make it easier for international candidates to spot and apply for sponsored jobs. The settlement also led Apple to realign its entire green card workflow, with closer scrutiny from regulators.

The DOJ settlement sent a strong message throughout Silicon Valley, and Apple now meets some of the most stringent compliance standards of any tech employer. This, combined with broader USCIS modernization efforts, means the process is more digital, tracked, and documented than ever.

Expected Timelines for Application and Processing

Anyone interested in Apple’s visa sponsorship should be ready for a process that can take months or even longer, depending on the visa type and steps involved. Here are standard 2025 durations:

Typical timelines:

• Prevailing Wage Determination: 2 to 3 months
• PERM Labor Certification: 12 to 18 months average (Apple’s 2025 median is around 15.5 months, according to public DOL data)
• I-140 Immigrant Petition: 2 to 6 months, often faster if premium processing is used
• I-485 Adjustment of Status: 8 to 16 months after priority date becomes current

For the H-1B process:

• LCA Approval: About 7 to 10 business days
• H-1B Lottery and Filing: Lottery results arrive in March/April; H-1B petitions are typically reviewed in 2 to 5 months
• Consular Processing or Change of Status: 1 to 3 months for visa stamp if applying outside the US

What slows things down?

• DOL audits or “requests for evidence” can add months to any stage.
• PERM remains the slowest part, given how carefully Apple must show it met all legal requirements and completed a broad US recruitment.

As of 2025, digital platforms introduced by USCIS and DOL help reduce paperwork delays, while stricter auditing sometimes draws out the review. Still, most Apple-sponsored candidates move from offer to work visa in about 4 to 9 months (H-1B route), or 2 to 3 years for a green card, assuming no substantial backlogs.

Staying informed and keeping documents ready helps speed up each part of the process. With these timelines and compliance changes, Apple’s approach is transparent and proactive, reflecting both new legal rules and a strong push toward talent fairness.

How to Apply: Tips for Success with Apple Visa Sponsorship Jobs

Ready to take the next step toward a high-impact role at Apple with visa sponsorship? There’s more to landing your dream job than submitting a resume. Your strategy should blend targeted job searching, tailored application materials, and a prepared mindset for Apple’s unique hiring and sponsorship process. Here’s how to stand out.

Finding and Targeting the Right Jobs at Apple

Apple’s job site should be your starting point. Use clear filters to search for roles that align with your experience and education, then dig deeper into each listing for eligibility and sponsorship notes.

Focus on these actions for a strong search:

• Check for Visa Friendly Roles: Most visa sponsorships at Apple are for technical and engineering positions. Roles like Software Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Hardware Developer, and Systems Architect are commonly sponsored.
• Look at Historical Sponsorships: Review Apple’s previous H-1B and green card filings (available on sites like myvisajobs.com or H1BGrader). This helps you find teams and job categories where sponsorship is routine.
• Match In-Demand Skills: Apple’s top sponsored roles require skills in software development (Python, C++, Swift), AI and ML frameworks, chip or hardware design (VLSI, ASIC), and large-scale data systems. Match your skills to these keywords and requirements in job postings.
• Location Matters: Target roles at Apple’s US hubs known for high hiring volumes—Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Austin, and San Diego—since these offices drive most sponsorship cases.

Build a shortlist of jobs that both match your expertise and have a proven record of sponsorship. Don’t waste cycles on departments or positions that never sponsor visas.

Strengthening Your Application: Experience, Skills, and Documentation

When you find the right role, every part of your application should show Apple you’re the right fit and visa-ready.

Try these best practices:

• Tailor Your Resume: Use keywords from Apple’s job listing. Point out your achievements with numbers—for example, “Developed iOS feature shipped to 2 million users.”
• Highlight Education Clearly: Put degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD) at the top of your resume if Apple’s posting says they’re required. If you have a US degree or OPT eligibility, mention it early in your cover letter and resume.
• Showcase Relevant Skills: List specific programming languages, frameworks, or engineering tools you’ve used that Apple values. Evidence of past internships, side projects, or open-source contributions gets attention.
• Prepare Documentation: Organize digital scans of transcripts, degree certificates, and prior work visas. When recruiters ask about your status, be ready to share OPT authorization, EAD cards, or prior visa documents as needed.
• Answer Sponsorship Questions Directly: Apple’s application asks if you need current or future sponsorship. Answer truthfully—misinformation can cost you the offer and future applications.
• Stand Out with International Experience: If you’ve solved technical challenges or led teams across countries, highlight these experiences. These stories show adaptability and global perspective, which Apple values.

Your application’s clarity, honesty, and relevance carry a lot of weight. Present yourself as organized, precise, and ready to meet US immigration requirements as soon as Apple starts the sponsorship process.

Navigating Apple’s Interview and Hiring Process

Apple’s interview process is both selective and structured—especially for candidates needing visa sponsorship. Getting ready for each stage can make the difference.

Here’s what to plan for:

• Screening Call: If your application gets noticed, a recruiter will call to review your background, skills, and visa status. Be clear about your eligibility (OPT, H-1B, STEM extension). Get ready to explain your sponsorship needs simply.
• Technical Interviews: Apple uses a mix of coding, system design, and behavioral interviews (virtual and in-person). You might speak to several teams at once. Prepare with up-to-date examples from your work and practice with technical questions common for your role.
• Team Match: If you do well, Apple could connect you with multiple hiring managers or product groups. This allows both Apple and you to find the best fit, which matters for sponsorship because certain teams are more familiar with visa processes.
• Offer and Visa Discussion: If you receive an offer, Apple’s HR team will lay out salary, benefits, and start date, and help you complete additional paperwork for visa processing. Your promptness in preparing sponsorship documents affects your start date.
• Onboarding: Once you accept, Apple starts legal procedures for visa filing—H-1B or green card, depending on your situation. Apple’s legal and HR teams will guide you on timing, documents, and next steps. Delays often come from missing paperwork or slow responses, so stay organized and responsive.

Throughout the hiring process, remain transparent about your visa needs. Apple takes immigration compliance seriously, and honesty helps avoid last-minute problems.

Candidates who master the search, prepare a targeted application, and understand the interview flow have the best shot at success. Your skills, clear communication, and readiness with documents all help set you apart in Apple’s competitive hiring pool.

Conclusion

Apple’s expanded visa sponsorship program in 2025 makes it one of the most attractive options for international tech talent. Backed by high approval rates, transparent hiring, and salaries that can reach $250,000, Apple offers both opportunity and security for skilled professionals seeking to advance their careers in the US.

With new compliance steps in place, the path for global applicants has become easier and more accessible. Now is the time to take advantage of these openings and become part of a team that shapes cutting-edge products. If your skills match Apple’s needs, start your application on their official jobs portal and prepare your materials with care.

Thank you for reading. If you’re applying or considering it, share your experiences or questions below. Your next move could put you at the heart of innovation, surrounded by leaders in tech.