EY H1B Sponsorship Guide 2026
Ernst & Young — Big 4 Assurance, Tax, Consulting & Strategy
Does EY Sponsor H1B Visas?
Ernst & Young (EY) is one of the most active H1B sponsors among global professional services firms. EY files roughly 1,500 to 2,500 H1B petitions per year — placing it consistently among the top 20 H1B employers in the United States. The firm employs over 55,000 people across its US operations, with international professionals representing a significant share of technical and advisory roles.
EY's H1B volume is particularly high in technology consulting, where EY has aggressively expanded its digital transformation and cloud practices. Assurance (audit) and tax remain large H1B categories. The firm's Strategy & Transactions practice is a smaller but active H1B sponsor, particularly for MBA graduates with M&A experience.
EY covers all immigration costs for sponsored employees — attorney fees, USCIS filing fees, and premium processing when applicable. New hires on OPT are often sponsored for H1B within their first year of employment.
H1B Sponsorship by Service Line
Assurance (Audit)
H1B Volume: HighLargest headcount and H1B volume at EY. CPA track is standard. Strong OPT/F-1 pipeline from accounting programs at Big 10 and Ivy universities.
Tax
H1B Volume: HighInternational tax roles are ideal for H1B holders with cross-border expertise. LLM in Tax or MS in Taxation strengthens specialty occupation documentation.
Consulting
H1B Volume: HighEY's consulting practice is growing rapidly. Technology transformation (cloud, ERP, digital) roles are the largest H1B category within consulting.
Strategy & Transactions
H1B Volume: MediumMBA or CFA preferred. Investment banking background valued. H1B volume lower but specialty occupation documentation is well-established for financial analysis roles.
Cybersecurity & Technology Risk
H1B Volume: HighFastest-growing H1B category. Computer Science or Cybersecurity degree standard. CISSP, CISM, AWS certifications strengthen candidacy significantly.
EY H1B Salary Ranges 2026
EY must pay H1B workers at or above the DOL prevailing wage for each role and location. The following figures reflect LCA disclosures and market data. Compensation in New York, San Francisco, and Boston markets is 10–20% higher than the ranges shown.
| Role | Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Staff Auditor | Entry | $70,000 – $88,000 |
| Tax Staff | Entry | $72,000 – $90,000 |
| Technology Analyst | Entry | $78,000 – $98,000 |
| Senior Auditor | Mid | $95,000 – $125,000 |
| Tax Senior | Mid | $98,000 – $130,000 |
| Consulting Manager | Mid | $115,000 – $155,000 |
| Strategy & Transactions Manager | Mid | $130,000 – $175,000 |
| Senior Manager | Senior | $170,000 – $230,000 |
| Partner/Principal | Senior | $280,000 – $600,000+ |
Source: USCIS LCA disclosure data, EY offer letters 2024–2025. Base salary only; bonuses and benefits are additional.
H1B Approval Rate & Key Risks
EY Strengths
- • Dedicated EY immigration team + outside counsel
- • 88–94% overall H1B approval rate
- • Covers 100% of employee immigration costs
- • Consistent specialty occupation documentation templates for all service lines
- • Premium processing standard for new hire petitions
- • Strong OPT-to-H1B pipeline for campus recruits
Risks to Monitor
- • Lottery risk: Cap-subject H1B is not guaranteed — EY cannot bypass random selection
- • Advisory/consulting RFE rate elevated in 2025–2026 under enhanced specialty occupation scrutiny
- • Up-or-out promotion cycle: failure to advance may jeopardize green card timing
- • Client-site work requires separate LCA for each location
- • FDNS site visits targeting Big 4 client placement arrangements increasing in 2026
EY Green Card Sponsorship
EY sponsors PERM-based EB-2 green cards for eligible professionals, typically initiating the process after 2–4 years of employment. The firm also supports EB-1C for senior managers and EB-1A assistance for professionals with extraordinary ability (publications, awards, leadership roles).
Critical Warning for Indian Nationals
The EB-2 India priority date backlog currently exceeds 10 years. Even if EY files your PERM immediately, you may wait over a decade for a green card. The EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) or EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) — which you can self-petition — offer faster paths. EY's immigration team can advise, but you should independently consult an immigration attorney about parallel strategies.
How to Get Hired at EY on H1B
Campus Recruiting
EY recruits at 100+ universities through campus events, EY's academic programs, and professional accounting/business associations. Apply for Leadership Academy programs and recruiting events in your junior year for best results.
Experienced Hire Applications
Apply at ey.com/careers for roles requiring 3–8 years of experience. Technology transformation, cybersecurity, and financial advisory roles see the most experienced H1B hires. Tailor your resume to EY's service line terminology.
Leverage EY Alumni Network
EY has a large alumni network accessible on LinkedIn. Reach out to EY alumni in your target service line for coffee chats and referrals. Alumni referrals carry significant weight and often fast-track applications through HR screening.
H1B Transfer
Existing H1B holders can transfer to EY without the lottery. File a cap-exempt transfer petition with EY's immigration team. You can start immediately upon USCIS receipt notice. This is the fastest and most reliable path for experienced professionals.
Negotiate Green Card Terms
Request that green card sponsorship eligibility and timing be documented in writing. Ask specifically about PERM initiation timelines by service line — some EY practice groups start earlier than others.
EY H-1B Sponsorship Cost: Who Pays the Fees?
EY pays all mandatory H-1B sponsorship costs, as DOL regulations require. A cap-subject petition costs the firm roughly $5,000–$11,500 all-in: the $215 electronic registration, $780 I-129 filing fee, $500 fraud prevention fee, $4,000 ACWIA training fee, plus immigration attorney fees that typically run $2,000–$5,000 per case. As one of the highest-volume H-1B sponsors in professional services, EY's immigration counsel processes thousands of petitions, transfers, and amendments annually at negotiated rates.
Candidates never pay for their own H-1B petition — shifting those costs to the employee violates DOL wage requirements. Employee-side costs are limited to H4 dependent filings (~$460 each) and optional personal immigration counsel for independent case review.
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does EY sponsor H1B visas?
Yes. Ernst & Young (EY) is one of the largest H1B sponsors in professional services. EY files 1,500–2,500 H1B petitions annually across its audit, tax, consulting, and strategy & transactions practices.
What roles does EY sponsor H1B for?
EY sponsors H1B for: Auditors, Tax Consultants, Risk Advisors, Technology Transformation Consultants, Data Analysts, Cybersecurity Specialists, SAP/Oracle Consultants, Financial Services Advisory professionals, and Strategy & Transactions (M&A) roles.
What is EY's H1B approval rate?
EY's H1B approval rate is approximately 88–94% based on USCIS public data. EY uses experienced immigration law firms and has robust specialty occupation documentation for standard roles. Approval rates are highest for technology and audit roles.
What salary does EY pay H1B workers?
EY H1B salaries range from $72,000–$92,000 for Staff/Associates, $95,000–$135,000 for Seniors, $140,000–$180,000 for Managers, and $185,000–$250,000+ for Senior Managers and Partners. EY also provides performance bonuses of 10–20% of base.
Does EY sponsor green cards?
Yes. EY sponsors EB-2 PERM green cards for qualifying employees, typically after 2–4 years of employment. The firm has dedicated immigration support teams and uses premium processing for I-140 petitions when business needs require faster timelines.
How competitive is it to get hired at EY on H1B?
EY is highly competitive but actively recruits international talent. Campus recruiting at target universities is the most common entry point. Experienced hires with 3–7 years in consulting, audit, or technology are actively sought. Internal referrals and networking through EY Alumni groups improve odds significantly.