Eligible City of Boston employees are invited to apply by Friday, January 30, 2026!
| The Office of Human Resources is excited to offer the Employee H-1B Visa Sponsorship Program again this year. This decision underscores our ongoing commitment to fostering a talented and diverse workforce that truly reflects the vibrant spirit of our city. WHAT IS THE EMPLOYEE H-1B VISA SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM? This initiative enables eligible employees to seek H-1B visa sponsorship through the City of Boston. Specifically, the City will undertake the process of filing for a nonimmigrant H-1B visa with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of qualified employees, allowing them to continue contributing to our workforce via temporary work authorization. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY? In order to be considered eligible, you must meet the following criteria: Be a full-time, benefits-eligible City employee;Currently have temporary work authorization in the U.S. (e.g., OPT); Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; and Be seeking an H-1B visa in the U.S. through City of Boston sponsorship. The program is open to Boston Public School employees, however, employees of the Boston Public Health Commission, Boston Housing Authority, Boston Water & Sewer Commission, or the Boston Planning & Development Agency, are not eligible to apply. Employees in the City of Boston Planning Department and the Office of Workforce Development are eligible. If you think you meet the eligibility criteria but you aren’t sure, please submit a ticket through the Beacon Portal or reach out to Beacon@boston.gov. HOW DO I APPLY?If you meet the eligibility criteria, submit this application form before 5:00 PM on January 30, 2026.Your supervisor must also submit this supervisor reference form on your behalf before 5:00 PM on January 30, 2026. Please ensure that this step is completed to finalize your application.  1. Application Form The eligible employee should submit the application form before5:00 PM on January 30, 2026.Submit 2. Supervisor Reference Your supervisor should submit this supervisor reference form on your behalf before5:00 PM on January 30, 2026.SubmitWHAT HAPPENS AFTER I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION? After you submit your application and your supervisor completes the reference form, your application will be screened to ensure it meets the minimum eligibility criteria by an interdepartmental selection committee.Your application will also be reviewed by an interdepartmental selection committee. The selection committee will review the submissions and relevant documentation and determine this year’s program participants based on their years of experience, role(s), strengths, communication, leadership, and any other additional skills. Being selected for the program does not guarantee a submission into the H-1B lottery, but rather provides the employee the opportunity to have their case reviewed by legal counsel to determine if they are eligible for registration. If you are selected to participate in this program, you will be contacted by one of our program liaisons to provide additional documentation. IF SELECTED, HOW LONG WILL MY VISA SPONSORSHIP LAST? While each individual’s circumstances may differ, an H-1B visa lasts for three years with an option to extend it for an additional three years. WHAT IF I AM SEEKING AN ALTERNATIVE TYPE OF VISA? We know that the H-1B visa may not suit every individual situation. If you are seeking assistance with an alternative visa type, we encourage you to submit a ticket through the Beacon Portal. This information will be helpful as we explore additional ways to support our employees’ immigration needs. QUESTIONS? You can find the required forms and answers to frequently asked questions in this knowledge article. If you have any further questions about the City of Boston’s Employee H-1B Visa Sponsorship Program, please submit a ticket through the Beacon Portal. |
