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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.

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This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently — consult qualified counsel for your case.