Universities, nonprofit research organizations, and government entities can sponsor H-1B year-round — no lottery required
If you weren't selected in the FY2027 H-1B lottery, a cap-exempt H-1B might be your best backup plan. Cap-exempt employers — including universities, nonprofit research organizations, and government research entities — can file H-1B petitions at any time during the year without going through the lottery. Here's how to find and pursue these opportunities.
| Institution | H-1B Filings | Cap-Exempt Type |
|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | 3,200+ | Institution of Higher Education |
| Stanford University | 2,800+ | Institution of Higher Education |
| University of Michigan | 2,500+ | Institution of Higher Education |
| MIT | 2,200+ | Institution of Higher Education |
| Mayo Clinic | 1,800+ | Nonprofit Research Organization |
| Cleveland Clinic | 1,500+ | Nonprofit Research Organization |
| National Institutes of Health | 1,400+ | Government Research Organization |
| University of California System | 4,500+ | Institution of Higher Education |
Cap-exempt H-1B petitions are not subject to the annual 85,000 cap or the lottery. Employers qualifying for this exemption can file I-129 petitions at any time during the year, and approved beneficiaries can begin working immediately — there is no October 1 start date requirement. This makes cap-exempt positions the fastest path to H-1B status for lottery losers.
Four categories of employers qualify: (1) institutions of higher education (universities and colleges), (2) nonprofit entities "related to or affiliated with" institutions of higher education, (3) nonprofit research organizations, and (4) governmental research organizations. The "affiliated with" category is particularly interesting — hospital systems, research parks, and even some private companies with formal university partnerships may qualify.
An important distinction: if you later move from a cap-exempt employer to a cap-subject employer (e.g., from a university to Google), you will need to go through the lottery at that point. However, your time in cap-exempt H-1B status counts toward the 6-year H-1B limit. Many workers use cap-exempt positions strategically — working at a university for 1–2 years while entering future lotteries for cap-subject employers.
Find universities, research institutions, and nonprofits that sponsor H-1B without the lottery.
Search Cap-Exempt Sponsors →Search thousands of verified H-1B sponsors by company, industry, and location.
Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →Generally yes, but the gap has narrowed significantly. University software engineers may earn 15–30% less than FAANG equivalents, but benefits like tuition remission, pension plans, better work-life balance, and loan forgiveness programs offset some of the salary difference. Research positions at institutions like Johns Hopkins or Stanford often pay $70,000–$120,000+ depending on the field and seniority.
Yes, but you will need to go through the H-1B lottery to move to a cap-subject employer. Your cap-exempt H-1B time counts toward the 6-year limit. Many workers strategically work at cap-exempt employers for 1–2 years while entering the lottery each year. Once selected in a future lottery, they can transfer to a cap-subject employer.
The employer must be either an institution of higher education, a nonprofit affiliated with one, a nonprofit research organization, or a government research organization. University positions are clearly cap-exempt. For affiliated entities, the key test is whether the organization has a formal written agreement with a university. Your immigration attorney should verify cap-exempt eligibility before filing. Search Wisa for university and nonprofit H-1B sponsors.
Private for-profit companies are generally NOT cap-exempt, even if they conduct research. The cap exemption applies only to nonprofit research organizations, not for-profit ones. However, if a private company has a formal affiliation agreement with a university — such as a joint research center or university-affiliated research park — positions at the affiliated entity may qualify. These arrangements are uncommon and must be carefully documented.