- #1 for Corporate Expansions
- 327 major business expansions and relocations in 2020
- #1 Best big city in the U.S. five years in a row
- 12 new tech unicorns in 2021
- 378 startups were founded over the last five years
- $5.5B in venture funding raised
- Two of the five DOE National Quantum Initiative Centers
- 6,151 Chicago tech startups
- 26% of Chicago’s tech workforce is Black or Latino
- #1 U.S. city for angel & seed-stage funding for Black and Latino founders
- #1 highest concentration of women-owned startups in the world
- 1,200+ certified minority-owned businesses
- #1 most immigrant-friendly out of the 100 largest U.S. cities
- #3 fastest growing tech hub by salary
- A $671B economy
- 90,000+ STEM jobs added since 2010
- 37 Fortune 500 Companies
- #2 largest producer of computer science degrees in the U.S.
- #1 most connected airport in U.S.
- 20% lower rents than other major U.S. cities
- 35% lower cost of living than San Francisco
- 30% lower cost of living than NYC
- 600+ parks spanning 12,429 total acres
- 26 miles of lakefront
- 15 miles of sandy beaches
- #2 highest percentage of commuters riding their bikes to work
- Named #1 best food and drink city in the world by Time Out
- 8 major league sports teams to cheer for
- 500+ theaters and live music venues
- 60+ museums
- 77 distinct neighborhoods
- #1 for Corporate Expansions
- 327 major business expansions and relocations in 2020
- #1 Best big city in the U.S. five years in a row
- 12 new tech unicorns in 2021
- 378 startups were founded over the last five years
- $5.5B in venture funding raised
- Two of the five DOE National Quantum Initiative Centers
- 6,151 Chicago tech startups
- 26% of Chicago’s tech workforce is Black or Latino
- #1 U.S. city for angel & seed-stage funding for Black and Latino founders
- #1 highest concentration of women-owned startups in the world
- 1,200+ certified minority-owned businesses
- #1 most immigrant-friendly out of the 100 largest U.S. cities
- #3 fastest growing tech hub by salary
- A $671B economy
- 90,000+ STEM jobs added since 2010
- 37 Fortune 500 Companies
- #2 largest producer of computer science degrees in the U.S.
- #1 most connected airport in U.S.
- 20% lower rents than other major U.S. cities
- 35% lower cost of living than San Francisco
- 30% lower cost of living than NYC
- 600+ parks spanning 12,429 total acres
- 26 miles of lakefront
- 15 miles of sandy beaches
- #2 highest percentage of commuters riding their bikes to work
- Named #1 best food and drink city in the world by Time Out
- 8 major league sports teams to cheer for
- 500+ theaters and live music venues
- 60+ museums
- 77 distinct neighborhoods
Chicago H-1B
Connect
Chicago business leaders are uniting to assist current H-1B visa holders impacted by recent layoffs in the tech industry across the U.S.
Explore careers open to all including highly skilled H-1B visa holders in our thriving tech ecosystem.
#ChicagoH1BConnect

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Chicago H-1B Connect is led by Chicago’s leading civic organizations committed to continuing its long reputation as a welcoming place for talented international professionals who wish to build a life and career here.
#1
Chicago ranked #1 most immigrant-friendly out of 100 largest U.S. cities
#4
Chicago metropolitan area ranks 4th in the U.S. for number of H-1B visa filings
These are difficult & turbulent times
for anyone losing their job.
A job loss for foreign workers on H-1B status also threatens their immigration status, and potentially for them and their family’s status too. They must pinpoint a new employer willing to transfer and sponsor their visas within 60 days, or leave the U.S.
Support for employers & employees is needed
by connecting these highly skilled workers with companies that would be open to considering hiring them along with other applicants. Until now, H-1B visa holders have had an incredibly difficult time identifying career opportunities where employers are willing to sponsor or transfer their visas.
Demand for tech workers is on the rise
as Chicago’s tech ecosystem continues to thrive. The H-1B visa program has been a vital tool for bringing highly skilled professionals to our country and driving our economy forward. We are committed to retaining and supporting this valuable talent and their families who want to stay in the U.S.
Resources
For Employers & H-1B Holders
- H-1B Portability Overview (LL.M. Law Group)
- Legal Services (Meltzer Hellrung Law Group)
- Legal Services (McEntee Law Group)
- Legal Services (LL.M. Law Group)
- H-1B Portability Overview (Donald Garner)
- Legal Services (LL.M. Law Group)
- H-1B Program (U.S. Department of Labor)
- H-1B Employer Data Hub (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
- Options for Nonimmigrant Workers Following Termination of Employment (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
- U.S. Immigration Options for Startups: Accelerate Your American Dream – ebook (Fiona McEntee)
About Chicago Tech
- Learn more about Why Chicago to build your life and tech career.
If you would like to share a resource, please email us here.