International Students - Sponsoring Banks SA 2021 Cycle

Hi fellow F-1 Visa students. Can we get a list of banks that won't even take a look at our resume for this SA 2021 cycle going? This topic has come up in the past but now with the new Exec Order the list just grows longer so it's ripe for an update.

Personal experience:

JPM, William Blair: this is certain 100% UBS: 80% sure... they rejected me immediately, but maybe they'll sponsor top candidates? Barclays: maybe. Application says "We want to recruit the best people for all our jobs, but there are certain criteria that we must satisfy as a minimum for legal reasons and to protect our customers. Unless we can satisfy these, unfortunately we may not be able to offer you a job." Maybe if we answer "Yes" for "Do you need authorization in the future" we're basically withdrawing our application already.

Any insights is appreciated. Cheers and let's make the best of the situation!

39 Comments
 

Based on 2019 info (naming as many banks as i can from top off my head) *Note: when i say 'officially yes' it means that that is their official policy but ive struggled to come across any internationals there who needed sponsorship so it might just be a no * GS: officially yes JPM: Yes MS: Yes Citi: only some teams BoA: No Barlcays: Yes UBS: exceptional cases CS: Yes DB: Yes RBC Yes TD: exceptional cases BMO: No Scotia: Officially yes Guggenheim: No Evercore: Yes Moelis: Officially yes Greenhill: No

And obviously it goes without saying. Its harder to recruit as an international

 

youre welcome international monkeys

wish i had such a list few years ago. had to piece around quite a bit and went on quite a few dead ends

however as a fellow international my advice is: focus on banks which talk to you but if opportunity arises for chats/meetups in a bank which doesnt sponsor then no harm talking.. if an MD or director likes you; they can pull strings as happened with a classmate

 

I know multiple internationals at GS. Someone from Citi told me they sponsor in general, but you may be right that some teams to more than others

 

Thanks for the list. Is there any bank that you would say is more "receptive" to sponsoring Internationals?

 

hey I had a really good relationship (i assume lol) w an MD at UBS Chicago. Do you think I should bring the sponsorship thing up to him before I apply? What should I say to bring this up to him lol ...Like idk if it is too rude to ask him to "take care of" my sponsorship but i guess i really have to if i want to apply to UBS... thx for the input;)

 

Yeah, indeed. Check their career site, almost every listing states "must be legally authorized to work in the U.S." or something like that. It breaks my heart lol

 
Most Helpful

How did you come up with this? Most of this is incorrect lol. BofA is one of the most supportive banks with sponsorship. MS and Barclays don't sponsor ( at least for IBD). JPM stopped too. You'll get an auto dinged at UBS if you're international. GS, BofA, DB and CS are the best when it comes to sponsoring/relocating if visa situation doesn't work out in the US.

 
"Prospect in " How did you come up with this? Most of this is incorrect lol. BofA is one of the most supportive banks with sponsorship. MS and Barclays don't sponsor ( at least for IBD). JPM stopped too. You'll get an auto dinged at UBS if you're international. GS, BofA, DB and CS are the best when it comes to sponsoring/relocating if visa situation doesn't work out in the US.

personal experience as of fall 2018.

 
"Prospect in " You'll get an auto dinged at UBS if you're international.

Can confirm. I got dinged one hour after applying or so, lol

 

Heard this as well. Maybe they need kids with more international background when it comes to S&T

 

Unde eligendi saepe est qui temporibus eos. Quisquam autem maxime ea ea occaecati enim blanditiis.

Quibusdam aut et aspernatur debitis omnis alias. Officia harum unde eos a et modi. A molestiae vel odit iusto esse sed fugit.

Magnam ex vitae saepe sunt saepe nobis. Suscipit animi possimus tempore voluptate quaerat adipisci. Ipsum reprehenderit maiores unde ullam dolor consequatur nemo. Laboriosam occaecati ut qui sunt rem nobis. Accusantium doloremque ducimus eaque et culpa corporis quisquam. Voluptatem asperiores omnis enim aliquam aspernatur.

Dolores error ipsum et excepturi autem alias dolorem. Id rerum in ea. Corporis totam cum ducimus sed voluptatem. Qui rem non modi et. Possimus laborum dolores tenetur. Consequatur quam nulla eius quia. Harum aut iusto omnis exercitationem distinctio voluptatum.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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

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...”