Stanford University H-1B Sponsorship Guide (2026)

Stanford is among the top 5 university H-1B sponsors nationally. Its proximity to Silicon Valley creates significant crossover between university and industry H-1B sponsorship.

~2,200/yr
Annual H-1B Petitions
$102,000
Median LCA Wage
Yes β€” nonprofit university
Cap-Exempt Status
Palo Alto, CA
Location

Top Departments Sponsoring H-1B

Computer ScienceEngineeringMedicine (SUMC)Business (GSB)Biology

Top Affiliated H-1B Employers

Stanford Research Institute (SRI)SLAC National LabStanford Health CareStanford Children's Health

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Stanford sponsor H-1B?

Yes. Stanford University sponsors H-1B for faculty, researchers, and some professional staff. As a nonprofit, Stanford is cap-exempt. The Office of International Affairs (OIA) manages petitions.

What is the H-1B wage at Stanford?

Stanford's median LCA wage is approximately $102,000. Engineering and CS faculty file at Level III-IV ($140,000-$220,000+). Medical faculty at Stanford Medicine command significantly higher wages.

Does Stanford Health Care also sponsor H-1B?

Yes. Stanford Health Care (Stanford's hospital system) is a separate entity from the university and also a cap-exempt H-1B sponsor for physicians, nurses in specialty roles, and healthcare professionals.

Can Stanford postdocs convert H-1B to permanent residency?

Stanford supports EB-1B Outstanding Researcher petitions for faculty and senior research staff. Postdocs are generally expected to secure their own sponsorship through a subsequent employer. Stanford does not routinely sponsor PERM for postdocs.