Top US Degrees That Improve H1B Visa Sponsorship Opportunities for Indian Students
For Indian students planning to study in the US in 2026, choosing the right degree is no longer optional; it's the first step toward securing an H-1B visa. You must be wondering on which is the top course for you to enhance the chances of getting H1B sponsorships after graduation. No worries! We got you covered! Amid H1B uncertainties under the current immigration changes by Trump, such as increased scrutiny and $100,000 H-1B visa fee hike, it is crucial to check the top US degrees that can improve their H-1B visa sponsorship opportunities after graduation.
This Story also Contains
- Top US Degrees With Strong H1B Sponsorship Opportunities 2026
- How Choosing the US Right Degree Improves Your H‑1B Sponsorship Chances?
- US Degrees With Low Chances of H1B Sponsorship for Indian Students
- Tips to Improve Chances of H1B Visa Sponsorship Beyond Right Degree
- Conclusion
The US immigration authorities have selected merely 26% of the total applicants in 2025, which is 38% lower than the previous year. Only 114,017 out of the total 442,000 registrations were selected for H1B sponsorship in US. We have mentioned a complete list of top US degrees that are advantageous for H1B applications in US 2026. Read the article to understand which is the right US degree for you to target the HIB visa in 2026.
Also Read: How Raising Fees on H1B by Trump Will Impact Indian Students?
Top US Degrees With Strong H1B Sponsorship Opportunities 2026
With the constant shrinking of job opportunities in US for international students on H1B visas, the American dream is in question. So, even before applying for the H1B, the selection is quite challenging for foreign students. Some degree fields that are mainly STEM based are most likely to boost your chances of H‑1B sponsorship. Let us now check some of the top US degrees that offer best H1B visa opportunities for international students:
Top Courses in US with High H1B Visa Chances | Details |
Computer Science / Software Engineering | A need for a CS graduate is in high demand, where every tech company in US wants for scripts, algorithms, AI, etc. |
Electrical / Computer Engineering | This job has one of the highest numbers of H1B visa approvals for international students. |
Information Technology / Information Systems | These majors are among the highest for international students applying for a visa and green card in US. |
Data Science / AI / Machine Learning | This US degree has a high demand for jobs in 2026. |
Cybersecurity | Every company requires security experts, even with visa sponsorships. |
Business Analytics / Finance | The Business / Admin major is in the top green-card major lists applied by international students in 2025. |
Mechanical / Civil / Mechatronics Engineering | Engineering is constantly in high demand in USA for the job market. |
How Choosing the US Right Degree Improves Your H‑1B Sponsorship Chances?
It is important to choose the US degree with high chances of H1B visa sponsorships; however, it must align with your academic and career goals as well. Let us now check the steps for international students to choose the right degree to study in USA:
Particulars | Details |
STEM OPT Advantage | STEM degree in USA, including Computer Science, Data Science, or Engineering, offers international students the advantage of 3 years of work after graduation. This means more time to find a company to sponsor your H-1B visa. |
MS Course Benefit | Generally, international students who complete a master’s degree in the US have higher chances of getting selected in H-1B lottery. In the total seats, there are 20,000 just for the advanced degree holders in US. |
Tech Major is Preferred | Top US companies that sponsor H-1B visas in 2026 such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple, mainly hire international students with tech-related degrees in US on H1B sponsorship. |
Low-demand degrees are often rejected | Some majors in US are often considered as low value because these fields have low chances of H1B sponsorship for Indian students. It includes Liberal Arts, General Business, Psychology, and many more. |
Skills over Degree | Skills in demanding disciplines such as AI, cybersecurity, or machine learning are very crucial. International students with high abilities are often easily sponsored by US companies after graduation. |
US Degrees With Low Chances of H1B Sponsorship for Indian Students
Now, let us check the top US degrees for international students to avoid if targeting the H1B sponsorship. These degrees are often quite popular but lacks the demand for H1B sponsors in US:
Liberal Arts
General Business
Psychology
Communications
History / Sociology
Also Read:
Tips to Improve Chances of H1B Visa Sponsorship Beyond Right Degree
Let us check some of the tips and tricks to improve your chances to get H1B sponsorship beyond choosing the right degree. Here is the table;
Specialise early in the relevant degree in US. Skilled talent with early achievers are often preferred.
Do an internship that aligns with your major.
Shortlist H1 sponsor companies beforehand and apply within time to increase the chances of selection.
Along with the core degree in US, choose a minor or second major in Business Analytics, Finance, etc to make a good profile.
Focus on STEM based courses rather than others.
Also Read:
Conclusion
Indian students aiming to apply for H1B sponsorship must plan accordingly. The US course must be right and best to increase the chances of H1B sponsorship opportunities for international students. Hence, the American dream is dying for Indian students; however, with the right approach to choosing the course can help them to achieve it. STEM based courses in USA are often regarded as the best for H1B sponsor companies.
Related Reads:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Which US degrees offer the highest chances for H‑1B visa sponsorship in 2026?
A:
Generally, STEM degrees (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) often are considered for H1B sponsorship. A few of them include specialisations in Computer Science, Data Science, Cybersecurity, and AI as the top choices due to high demand in US tech firms such as Accenture, Microsoft, etc.
Q: Does pursuing a master’s degree in the US increase H‑1B success chances?
A:
Yes, foreign students with a US master’s degree or an advanced degree provide better chances of selection for an H1B visa. This is because an additional 20,000 spots are reserved in the H1B lottery for advanced degree holders.
Q: Are MBA or business degrees still valuable for H‑1B sponsorship?
A:
MBAs in US universities and colleges can be valuable for international students if they pair the core degree with tech or analytics. One such US degree is STEM-designated MBAs.
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