The H-1B visa remains the primary pathway for DevOps engineers seeking to work in the United States—but the landscape has changed dramatically. With selection rates hovering around 25-30%, understanding the process is more critical than ever. Alma's H-1B visa services combine attorney expertise with technology to help DevOps professionals and their sponsoring employers achieve successful outcomes with a 99%+ approval rate and guaranteed 2-week document processing.
The H-1B is a non-immigrant work visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in "specialty occupations" requiring theoretical and practical application of specialized knowledge. DevOps engineers qualify because their roles demand expertise in cloud infrastructure, automation tools, CI/CD pipelines, and software development processes—skills typically requiring a bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or related fields.
USCIS defines a specialty occupation as one requiring:
DevOps engineering meets these criteria through its blend of software development, systems administration, and cloud architecture. However, job titles matter significantly—generic titles like "IT Specialist" may face scrutiny, while "DevOps Engineer" or "Site Reliability Engineer" more clearly demonstrate specialty occupation status.
To qualify for H-1B sponsorship as a DevOps engineer, you must meet these requirements:
The H-1B program operates under an annual cap, making the lottery the critical first hurdle for most DevOps engineers seeking U.S. employment.
The FY 2026 cycle followed this timeline (FY 2027 expected to be similar):
Recent lottery statistics reveal the competitive landscape:
Recent lottery data demonstrates the competitive landscape: FY 2025 saw 470,342 eligible registrations with a selection rate of approximately 27.1%, while FY 2024 recorded 758,994 eligible registrations with a selection rate of approximately 24.8%, and FY 2023 had 483,927 registrations with a selection rate of approximately 26.4%.
The sharp drop between FY 2024 and FY 2025 resulted from beneficiary-centric selection reforms that prevented employers from gaming the system with duplicate registrations.
The strongest H-1B profiles for DevOps positions include:
Foreign degrees require credential evaluation to establish U.S. equivalency. Certifications (AWS, Kubernetes, Terraform) can supplement but cannot replace the degree requirement.
Prepare these materials before the petition filing:
Step 1: Secure Employer Sponsorship (3-6 months before registration) Find a U.S. employer willing to sponsor your H-1B. Research companies with strong sponsorship records using databases like MyVisaJobs.
Step 2: Electronic Registration (March) Employer submits registration through the USCIS portal with a $215 fee per beneficiary.
Step 3: Labor Condition Application (LCA) Upon selection, employer files ETA Form 9035 with the Department of Labor, attesting to prevailing wage compliance. The DOL is required to certify the LCA within 7 business days.
Step 4: I-129 Petition Filing Complete petition package including Form I-129, certified LCA, educational credentials, and supporting evidence.
Step 5: USCIS Processing Standard processing takes 2-6 months; premium processing guarantees a response within 15 business days for an additional fee.
Step 6: Visa Interview (if outside U.S.) Schedule appointment at U.S. consulate; bring approval notice, educational credentials, and DS-160 confirmation.
Alma's business immigration platform provides built-in trackers and proactive alerts to help employers avoid these costly mistakes.
The total cost of H-1B sponsorship varies significantly based on company size and worker location:
These fees cover attorney services, paralegal support, platform access, and administrative costs including FedEx, printing, and postage.
Based on FY 2025 LCA filings, these employers actively sponsor DevOps engineers:
Skills most likely to justify sponsorship costs:
Startups hiring DevOps engineers can leverage Alma's startup immigration plan for streamlined legal support with special pricing for partner VCs and accelerators.
H-1B salary data reveals significant geographic variation across four wage levels: Level I (entry-level) commands a median salary of $85,384, Level II (mid-level) reaches $105,997, Level III (senior) exceeds $120,000, and Level IV (principal/staff) surpasses $150,000.
Prevailing wage requirements mean your H-1B salary must meet or exceed DOL benchmarks for your specific role and location.
Anti-Fraud Measures: Beneficiary-centric selection, implemented for FY 2025, now prevents duplicate filings. This reform reduced eligible registrations from 758,994 in FY 2024 to 470,342 in FY 2025—a 38% decrease.
Registration Fee Increase: The fee increased from $10 to $215 for the FY 2026 registration period (March 2025) to deter fraudulent and speculative registrations.
Premium Processing Timeline Change: Effective April 1, 2024, premium processing changed from 15 calendar days to 15 business days (approximately 3 weeks).
Upcoming: Wage-Based Weighted Lottery (FY 2027): Starting with the FY 2027 registration period (February 27, 2026), USCIS will implement a wage-based weighted selection system. Selection probability will be weighted by prevailing wage level:
This change significantly advantages senior DevOps engineers commanding higher salaries.
For DevOps engineers facing lottery uncertainty, alternatives include:
Alma provides immigration services for STEM professionals across all these visa categories, helping you identify the optimal pathway.
The H-1B process involves technical requirements where errors can prove fatal to your case. An experienced attorney:
Alma combines attorney expertise with technology to deliver:
For employers sponsoring DevOps talent, Alma's platform integrates with HRIS/ATS systems including Workday, BambooHR, and Greenhouse to create a single source of truth for immigration compliance.
Ready to begin your H-1B journey? Get started with Alma for a free consultation with our attorney team.
Yes, H-1B portability allows you to begin working for a new employer once they file a new H-1B petition on your behalf—you don't need to wait for approval. The new employer must file Form I-129 and a new LCA, but you can start work immediately upon filing receipt. This portability rule makes mid-career transitions feasible, though you should allow 2-3 months for the transfer petition processing.
If not selected, you have several options depending on your current status. F-1 students can continue on OPT/STEM OPT (up to 36 months total) and try again in subsequent lotteries. Those currently employed abroad can explore cap-exempt employers (universities, research institutions), pursue O-1A extraordinary ability status, or work remotely for U.S. companies from their home country while awaiting the next lottery cycle.
Beyond your degree, document your technical expertise through detailed job descriptions emphasizing software engineering and automation development. Include GitHub contributions with significant community engagement, certifications from AWS, Google Cloud, or Kubernetes, and published articles or conference presentations. Letters from industry experts attesting to the specialized knowledge required also strengthen your case.
H-1B status is granted for an initial period of up to 3 years and can be extended for a maximum total of 6 years. However, if you have an approved I-140 (employment-based green card petition) or are in the PERM labor certification process, you may be eligible for extensions beyond 6 years in 1-year or 3-year increments under AC21 provisions. Many employers begin the green card process immediately after H-1B approval to provide maximum flexibility.
If your H-1B employment ends (whether through termination, layoff, or resignation), you have a 60-day grace period to find a new employer and file a new petition, change to another immigration status, or make arrangements to depart the United States. This grace period provides crucial flexibility for DevOps professionals navigating job transitions in a volatile tech market.
Starting FY 2027 (registration period beginning February 27, 2026), the H-1B lottery will use a wage-based weighted selection system. Senior DevOps engineers at Level III or IV wages will have 3-4× the selection probability compared to entry-level candidates. This rewards experienced professionals and companies willing to pay competitive salaries.
