Understanding the nuances of remote work and H-1B sponsorship in Michigan.
The question of whether Michigan companies can sponsor H-1B visas for remote roles is a growing concern for international professionals. Get Wisa analyzes the latest guidance from USCIS and the Department of Labor regarding remote work and H-1B sponsorship, outlining potential challenges and considerations for both employers and employees in Michigan.
| Feature | Data Point | Trend vs 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| New Form I-129 | Mandatory April 2026 | New |
| DOL Guidance on Remote Work | Requires physical worksite in LCA location | N/A |
| PERM Processing Time | 503 days | ↑ 10% |
| Total H-1B Filing Records (Wisa DB) | 323,617 | N/A |
| Total Verified Sponsors (Wisa DB) | 45,000+ | N/A |
Our review of recent DOL guidance suggests that while fully remote H-1B positions are problematic, employers in Michigan can sponsor for roles where the employee primarily works from a fixed, non-home office location within the sponsoring company's operational area.
If a Michigan company offers a remote H-1B role, ensure the Labor Condition Application (LCA) clearly specifies a physical worksite address in Michigan. USCIS and DOL require a defined worksite for H-1B sponsorship, not just a home address.
The landscape for sponsoring H-1B visas for remote roles in Michigan is complex and evolving. The Department of Labor requires that the LCA specify a physical worksite location for the employee, which generally means the company must have an office or facility in Michigan where the employee will primarily work. Purely remote roles where the employee works from home, especially if that home is not near a company office, are difficult to sponsor.
The new mandatory Form I-129, effective April 2026, may further clarify or scrutinize the location of employment. While some companies might offer hybrid models or roles based out of a Michigan office with occasional remote work, fully remote positions without a defined physical worksite in Michigan present significant challenges for H-1B sponsorship.
While direct sponsorship for fully remote roles is rare, companies in Michigan that have sponsored H-1B visas for roles based out of their Michigan offices include:
Q: Can a Michigan company sponsor an H-1B visa if I work remotely from another state?
A: Generally, no. The H-1B requires a physical worksite in the LCA's designated geographic area. Working remotely from another state typically disqualifies the position for sponsorship by a Michigan company.
Q: What is the DOL's stance on H-1B sponsorship for remote work?
A: The DOL requires employers to specify a physical worksite in the LCA. Fully remote positions without a defined worksite in the LCA's area are not generally permissible for H-1B sponsorship.
Q: Does the new I-129 form change H-1B sponsorship for remote roles in Michigan?
A: The new I-129 form, mandatory from April 2026, may require more detailed information about the worksite location, potentially making it harder to sponsor purely remote roles without a defined Michigan office.
Q: Are there any Michigan companies known for sponsoring remote H-1B roles?
A: It's rare. Companies that sponsor often do so for roles based in their Michigan offices, with some flexibility. Purely remote sponsorship without a physical Michigan worksite is highly unlikely.
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Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →Generally, no. The H-1B requires a physical worksite in the LCA's designated geographic area. Working remotely from another state typically disqualifies the position for sponsorship by a Michigan company.
The DOL requires employers to specify a physical worksite in the LCA. Fully remote positions without a defined worksite in the LCA's area are not generally permissible for H-1B sponsorship.
The new I-129 form, mandatory from April 2026, may require more detailed information about the worksite location, potentially making it harder to sponsor purely remote roles without a defined Michigan office.
It's rare. Companies that sponsor often do so for roles based in their Michigan offices, with some flexibility. Purely remote sponsorship without a physical Michigan worksite is highly unlikely.