H1B - TechChicago

#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.

Explore Careers

#ChicagoH1BConnect

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Partners

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 4^th 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.

From corporate to startup – these Chicagoland companies are eager to employ the best and brightest in tech.

Explore the job board for vetted and trusted positions (local + remote) open to H-1B visa holders.
Employers looking to join the movement, let us know here.