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Role guides · Updated June 2026 · 6 min read
Sponsoring Data Scientists & Data Engineers on H-1B (2026)
Data Scientist and Data Engineer rank in the top 15 H-1B job titles. Employer guide to specialty occupation, degrees, and filing best practices.
Data Engineer (1,463 filings) and Data Scientist (963 filings) both ranked in the top 15 H-1B job titles for FY 2026 Q2. These roles sit at the intersection of statistics, computer science, and domain expertise — employers must show a clear bachelor's-level requirement.
Building a strong petition
- Match the SOC code and job title to actual duties — avoid generic titles that don't reflect data work.
- Document tools, models, and business impact in the support letter.
- Include degrees in CS, statistics, math, or related fields; evaluations for foreign credentials.
- Align wage level with complexity — senior data roles often warrant Level 3 or 4 wages.
File for data roles
Intake forms, document vault, and lawyer-reviewed LCA + I-129 workflow.
Start a caseThis article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently — consult qualified counsel for your case.