H-1B Visa Guide for Portuguese Nationals (2026)

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

~700/yr
Annual H-1B Approvals
$120,000
Median LCA Wage
35% MS / 20% BS
Lottery Odds
.16%
% of Total H-1B
EB-2 Green Card BacklogCurrent
EB-3 Green Card BacklogCurrent
Visa Alternatives

H-1B is primary. L-1 viable for EDP Renewables employees. O-1 viable for senior professionals.

Top H-1B Employers for Portugal Nationals

GoogleAmazonMicrosoftEDP Renewables (US)Galp (US)DeloitteAccenture

Top H-1B Roles

Software EngineerData ScientistRenewable Energy EngineerFinancial AnalystManagement Consultant

Top States for Portugal H-1B Workers

CaliforniaNew YorkMassachusettsTexasNew Jersey

Green Card Pathway

No backlog. Rest-of-world EB-2/EB-3 current. Growing renewable energy sector representation.

What is the green card timeline for Portugal nationals?

No backlog. Rest-of-world EB-2/EB-3 current. Growing renewable energy sector representation.

What are H-1B visa alternatives for Portuguese professionals?

H-1B is primary. L-1 viable for EDP Renewables employees. O-1 viable for senior professionals.

Which employers sponsor H-1B for Portugal nationals?

Top H-1B sponsors for Portuguese nationals include: Google,Amazon,Microsoft,EDP Renewables (US),Galp (US),Deloitte,Accenture. Sectors vary by country.

What is the H-1B lottery odds for Portuguese 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.