2027 SA - Visa Sponsorship - US Investment Banking

Based on prev years' threads (copied) as well as more recent knowledge. Please update the thread as apps roll out this month! *edited to reflect responses

Bulge Brackets:

Sponsor:

GS
BofA
JPM
MS 
Citi

Don't Sponsor:

Barclays
DB
UBS

Elite Boutiques:

Sponsor:

Evercore
Moelis
PJT
CVP - (NY does not sponsor)
Gordon Dyal & Co. (Canadians only)
Ardea Partners (Canadians only)

Unsure:

Greenhill, Lazard (heard mixed things)

Don't Sponsor:

FT Partners
Qatalyst
Guggenheim
PWP

Middle Market and Other Banks:

Sponsor:

Macquarie
Mizuho
Nomura
LionTree
AGC Partners
Santander
BNP Paribas

Don't Sponsor:

HSBC
Stifel
WF
BMO
RBC
Raymond James
Jefferies
Rothschild
Baird
KeyBank
HL
William Blair
TD Cowen
Lincoln International
Piper Sandler

Unsure:

Oppenheimer
Raine
Ducera
Citizens

79 Comments
 

Based on previous WSO threads and the most recent insights, here's a breakdown of visa sponsorship policies for 2027 Summer Analyst positions in US Investment Banking. Keep in mind that sponsorship policies can vary by office, group, and year, so always confirm directly with the banks during your application process.

Bulge Brackets

  • Sponsor: Goldman Sachs (GS), Bank of America (BofA), JPMorgan (JPM), Morgan Stanley (MS), Citi
  • Unsure: UBS (mixed feedback)
  • Don't Sponsor: Barclays, Deutsche Bank (DB)

Elite Boutiques

  • Sponsor: Evercore (EVR), Moelis (MOE), PJT Partners (PJT)
  • Case-by-Case: Centerview Partners (CVP) – Sponsorship varies by office; higher standards for candidates needing sponsorship.
  • Unsure: Greenhill, Lazard (mixed feedback)
  • Don't Sponsor: FT Partners, Qatalyst, Guggenheim, Perella Weinberg Partners (PWP)

Middle Market and Other Banks

  • Sponsor: Macquarie, Houlihan Lokey (HL) – Note: HL RX sponsors, but other groups may not. Mizuho, Nomura, LionTree, AGC Partners
  • Don't Sponsor: BNP Paribas, HSBC, Stifel, Wells Fargo (WF), BMO, RBC, Raymond James, William Blair, Jefferies, Rothschild, Baird, KeyBank
  • Unsure: Lincoln International, Piper Sandler, TD Cowen (mixed feedback), Oppenheimer, Raine Group, Ducera, Santander

Key Notes

  • Variability: Some banks, like HL and CVP, have sponsorship policies that differ across offices and groups. Always clarify during interviews or networking.
  • Higher Standards: For banks that sponsor on a case-by-case basis, candidates needing sponsorship are often held to stricter performance or qualification standards.

If you're applying this year, keep updating threads like this as new information becomes available. Networking with current analysts or associates at these firms can also provide clarity on sponsorship policies. Good luck!

Sources: 2024 SA - Visa Sponsorship - US Investment Banking, 2024 SA - Visa Sponsorship - US Investment Banking

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Just went through rec as an international

CVP NY sponsors I got an offerLazard NY sponsors
Ducera and Raine sponsor on a case by case basis

 

btw for Barclays : The minimum and maximum salary/rate information above include only base salary or base hourly rate. It does not include any another type of compensation or benefits that may be available

To be eligible, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. You are responsible for completion of all documentation in support of optional practical training (OPT) or curricular practical training (CPT). Barclays does not provide financial assistance or execute any documents (other than verification of employment) in connection with OPT or CPT. Barclays will not sponsor applicants for work visas or offer any employment-based immigration sponsorship for individuals who are not enrolled in, or do not graduate with, a degree in a field of study that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Education consider to be a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) field of study for purposes of the 24-month STEM OPT extension. This includes for any internship, post-graduation program, or permanent employment, now or in the future. (both IB and capital market)

 

I read the same thing for JPM. But some people day JPM sponsors while some say it doesn't.

 

Some places don't say they wouldn't sponsor in their apps. Does that mean they can sponsor? I have heard mixed things about them

 

My bank appears on your list of BBs that sponsor, but internally we’ve been instructed not to advance candidates who require sponsorship this cycle. This guidance is coming directly from our group head and recruiting lead—not HR—which is why the messaging can seem inconsistent or contradictory sometimes. I know of at least one other bank on that list doing the same thing.

These policies could (and probably will) change under the next administration, but in the near term, don’t be surprised if you’re ghosted or rejected—even after strong interviews—at banks you believed would sponsor or were explicitly told by HR that they would.

 

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