Harvard University H-1B Visa Sponsorship Data 2026
Harvard University filed 303 H-1B labor condition applications in fiscal year 2026, ranking #125 out of 1,000 sponsoring employers in our database — down 5.3% from last year.
Of those filings, 54.8% were certified by the Department of Labor, with a median offered salary of $91,000, below the national H-1B median of $126,403.
8% of Harvard University's filings were at prevailing-wage Level III or above. Under the 2026 wage-weighted lottery, that translates to an average of 1.4 lottery entries per candidate — roughly in line with the broader market.
Harvard University's most-sponsored roles in FY2026 were Assistant Professor (50 cases), Postdoctoral Fellow (48 cases), Research Associate (47 cases). Its heaviest H-1B hiring was in MA (299), CA (4).
Harvard University appears to be a cap-exempt type employer (such as a university, nonprofit research organization, or hospital). Cap-exempt employers can sponsor H-1B workers at any time of year without going through the annual lottery — always confirm directly with the employer's immigration team.
FY2026 filings
303
Rank #125 nationally
Approval rate
54.8%
166 certified
Median salary
$91,000
National median $126,403
Avg. lottery entries
1.4×
Wage-weighted system
H-1B lottery positioning
Under the 2026 wage-weighted lottery, Level I filings receive 1 entry, Level II get 2, Level III get 3, and Level IV get 4. 8% of Harvard University's FY2026 filings were Level III or above, giving its candidates an average of 1.4 entries per filing.
Most-sponsored job titles
| Job title | Filings | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | 50 | $221,146 |
| Postdoctoral Fellow | 48 | $72,239 |
| Research Associate | 47 | $84,257 |
| Research Fellow | 40 | $76,207 |
| Postdoctoral Research Fellow | 14 | $73,539 |
| Radiologist | 14 | $415,714 |
| Research Scientist | 10 | $117,861 |
| Lecturer | 9 | $132,973 |
| Anesthesia Attending | 7 | $403,557 |
| Instructor | 5 | $123,205 |
Top worksite states
MA
299 filings
CA
4 filings
Year-over-year trend
Harvard University filed 320 H-1B applications in FY2025 versus 303 in FY2026 — a decrease of 5.3%.
Harvard University H-1B FAQs
Does Harvard University sponsor H-1B visas?
Yes. Harvard University filed 303 H-1B labor condition applications in FY2026, ranking #125 nationally. A labor condition application (LCA) is the required first step before an H-1B petition, so this filing volume is a strong signal of active sponsorship.
What is Harvard University's H-1B approval rate?
54.8% of Harvard University's FY2026 H-1B filings were certified by the Department of Labor. Note that LCA certification is distinct from USCIS petition approval, but a high certification rate indicates clean, compliant filings.
How much does Harvard University pay H-1B workers?
Harvard University's median offered salary for H-1B roles in FY2026 was $91,000 (average $157,555). Individual offers vary by role, level, and worksite — the tables above break it down by job title.
Which jobs does Harvard University sponsor most on H-1B?
Assistant Professor leads with 50 filings in FY2026 at an average offered salary of $221,146. Other frequently sponsored roles are listed in the table above.
Where does Harvard University hire H-1B workers?
MA is Harvard University's top H-1B worksite state with 299 filings in FY2026, followed by CA (4). Worksite reflects where the job is performed, which may differ from headquarters.
What are the H-1B lottery odds at Harvard University?
No employer can guarantee lottery selection, but wage levels matter: under the 2026 wage-weighted system, Level I filings get 1 entry while Level IV get 4. Based on Harvard University's FY2026 wage mix, its candidates averaged 1.4 entries per filing. Higher-wage offers at the same employer carry better odds.
Other top H-1B sponsors
Data source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification — Labor Condition Application disclosure data, FY2024–FY2026. An LCA is filed by the employer before an H-1B petition; disclosure data does not indicate USCIS petition outcomes. Last updated: October 2026.