H1B -> GC Sponsorship tips/advice

Hi all,

Like most people in this forum, I would like to work at one of the big companies on Wall Street. We all heard and know how demanding and competitive the job is (pretty much any job in finance) on the street: lots of stress and MANY hours.

As an international in the U.S, I understand that the big banks won't do GC sponsorship for H1B holders unless they are at least VPs or higher. I don't know if it's 100% correct, but it's based on what I read - mostly in this forum.

Since the visa is for 6 years and since working on Wall Street is seriously so demanding and difficult PLUS the big companies usually won't hurry to GC sponsor employees with H1B I am thinking maybe it'll be better to 'compromise', perhaps 'sacrifice/give up the dream' and work somewhere else, where competition is not as pierce, and where working conditions are more convenient - in the hope that another company would be willing to GC sponsor H1B workers. AND only then to try to work for one of the big companies?

I wish not to come off as pessimistic but rather realistic. I have a lot of faith in myself, but as an international I also need to make sure I can actually stay in the U.S.

Any advice? I would appreciate it.

Thanks a lot!

Z.

TLDR: want to work on Wall Street, but companies won't GC sponsor H1B workers.

3 Comments
 
 

Excepturi ea perspiciatis ut possimus quam nisi. Saepe quos ut illo aut. Rerum occaecati doloremque odio beatae quod harum voluptates.

Est dolorem sit illo maxime ut. Velit ab cupiditate beatae dolores. Ut aspernatur consequatur eveniet tempora blanditiis ad quisquam. Sed nam officia nihil commodi adipisci voluptas.

Array

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”