H-1B Visa Guide for Hong Kong Nationals (2026)

Green card backlog, lottery odds, top employers, and key visa considerations for Hong Kong nationals seeking US work authorization.

~1500/yr
Annual H-1B Approvals
$145,000
Median LCA Wage
35% MS / 20% BS
Lottery Odds
.35%
% of Total H-1B
EB-2 Green Card BacklogCurrent (not China backlog)
EB-3 Green Card BacklogCurrent (not China backlog)
Visa Alternatives

H-1B is primary. CRITICAL: Hong Kong SAR nationals are counted as Rest-of-World for EB per-country caps - NOT subject to China backlog. This is a major green card advantage over mainland China nationals.

Top H-1B Employers for Hong Kong Nationals

Goldman SachsJPMorganGoogleAmazonMetaHSBC (US)Morgan Stanley

Top H-1B Roles

Software EngineerFinancial AnalystInvestment BankerData ScientistProduct Manager

Top States for Hong Kong H-1B Workers

CaliforniaNew YorkTexasMassachusettsWashington

Green Card Pathway

IMPORTANT: Hong Kong nationals are NOT subject to the China EB priority date backlog. HK SAR passport holders fall under Rest-of-World - green card from PERM typically takes 1-3 years, not decades like mainland China nationals.

What is the green card timeline for Hong Kong nationals?

IMPORTANT: Hong Kong nationals are NOT subject to the China EB priority date backlog. HK SAR passport holders fall under Rest-of-World - green card from PERM typically takes 1-3 years, not decades like mainland China nationals.

What are H-1B visa alternatives for Hong Kong professionals?

H-1B is primary. CRITICAL: Hong Kong SAR nationals are counted as Rest-of-World for EB per-country caps - NOT subject to China backlog. This is a major green card advantage over mainland China nationals.

Which employers sponsor H-1B for Hong Kong nationals?

Top H-1B sponsors for Hong Kong nationals include: Goldman Sachs,JPMorgan,Google,Amazon,Meta,HSBC (US),Morgan Stanley. Sectors vary by country.

What is the H-1B lottery odds for Hong Kong applicants?

H-1B lottery odds are approximately 35% MS / 20% BS — the same for all nationalities. Per-country limits only apply to employment-based green cards, not H-1B status itself.