The H-1B visa remains the primary pathway for mobile app developers seeking U.S. work authorization—and for good reason. Computer-related occupations represent approximately 65% of all H-1B approvals (FY 2023), with systems analysis and programming alone accounting for 54% of approved petitions. For iOS, Android, and cross-platform developers, understanding how to position your skills within this framework determines whether you secure authorization or join the thousands left waiting. Alma's H-1B visa services combine attorney expertise with technology to help mobile developers build strong petitions with a 99%+ approval rate.
The H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in "specialty occupations" requiring specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor's degree. For mobile app developers, this means demonstrating that your role demands theoretical and practical expertise that only comes from formal education or equivalent professional experience.
USCIS evaluates specialty occupations based on four criteria under regulation 8 CFR 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A): the position normally requires a bachelor's degree, the degree requirement is common in the industry, the employer consistently requires a degree for the position, or the duties are so specialized that only degree holders can perform them.
Mobile app development meets these standards through:
The key lies in job description specificity. "Mobile Developer" raises red flags, while "Senior iOS Application Developer specializing in SwiftUI and Core Data implementation" demonstrates clear specialty occupation requirements.
Mobile app developers must meet one of these educational thresholds:
Employers must also demonstrate the ability to pay the offered wage and maintain a legitimate employer-employee relationship—particularly important for consulting arrangements where developers may work at client sites.
The H-1B operates under an annual numerical cap that creates fierce competition. Understanding this system helps STEM professionals plan their timeline strategically.
The cap structure includes:
The lottery process follows a predictable annual cycle:
Alma's H-1B registration costs $500 for lottery registration, helping mobile developers enter the selection pool with properly prepared materials. Historical selection rates have ranged from 24.8% (FY 2024) to 35% (FY 2026) depending on the fiscal year and total registrations received.
A finalized DHS rule will implement wage-weighted lottery selections for the FY 2027 H-1B cap season (registrations in early 2026)—Level IV positions receiving four entries versus one entry for Level I. This change will significantly favor senior mobile developers commanding higher salaries.
Understanding the complete cost structure helps mobile developers and their employers plan accurately for the H-1B process.
All H-1B fees are paid by the employer unless otherwise noted. These include the Registration Fee of $215, the Basic Filing Fee (Form I-129) ranging from $460 to $780, the ACWIA Training Fee of $750 to $1,500, the Fraud Prevention Fee of $500, and the Asylum Program Fee of $300 to $600. Employers or employees may also opt for Premium Processing at $2,965 premium processing fee (effective March 1, 2026), and a Presidential Proclamation Fee of $100,000 applies to certain beneficiaries located outside the United States. In total, new petitions without premium processing cost approximately $2,010 to $3,380 depending on company size and petition type.
Note: Effective September 21, 2025, a $100,000 one-time fee applies to new H-1B petitions filed for beneficiaries located outside the United States. This fee does not apply to extensions, transfers, or amendments for workers already in the U.S.
Beyond government fees, employers should budget for legal services. Alma's H-1B Cap petitions cost $3,500, with extensions and amendments at $3,000—flat rates that include attorney consultation, document preparation, and RFE responses.
The ACWIA training fee varies by company size: organizations with 25 or fewer employees pay $750, while larger organizations pay $1,500. The Asylum Program Fee similarly ranges from $300-$600 based on petition type and company characteristics.
The petition process involves multiple agencies and careful timing. Starting early—ideally 9-12 months before your desired work start date—provides buffer for unexpected delays.
Strong mobile developer petitions include:
According to USCIS data from FY 2023, approximately 10% of all H-1B petitions received an RFE, with the rate for initial employment petitions at approximately 17%—significantly improved from the 28.8% overall rate in FY 2020. This improvement underscores the importance of proactive petition strengthening for mobile developers.
Your petition should explicitly connect job duties to degree requirements:
Common RFE triggers for mobile developers include generic job titles, vague duties, and insufficient technical detail. Avoid phrases like "develop apps" in favor of comprehensive responsibility descriptions.
Employers strengthen petitions by documenting:
For startups building mobile teams, Alma's Startup Immigration Plan provides streamlined support with recommendations specifically for engineers and startup executives.
Finding an employer willing to sponsor requires strategic targeting and value demonstration.
Top H-1B sponsors in tech include companies with established mobile development teams:
Research company-specific approval history through the publicly available USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub. Companies with 100+ annual approvals typically have streamlined processes and immigration counsel relationships.
Red flags suggesting unlikely sponsorship:
Employers must comply with Department of Labor requirements including:
For companies managing multiple foreign national employees, Alma's Business Immigration Platform offers real-time dashboards, compliance tracking, and up to three attorney-employee consultations per case.
H-1B status isn't permanent, but the pathway provides flexibility for career growth.
File an extension 6 months before your current authorization expires. You can continue working for up to 240 days while the extension processes.
Amendment requirements trigger when:
The maximum H-1B duration is 6 years, with extensions beyond that available if green card processing has begun.
H-1B portability allows you to start work for a new employer immediately upon their petition filing—no approval wait required. This protection makes job mobility realistic despite employer-sponsored status.
Important considerations:
Alma's H-1B Extensions cost $3,000, covering the full petition process including RFE responses.
The H-1B serves best as a bridge to permanent residence, not a final destination. Mobile developers should consider long-term pathways early in their H-1B tenure.
O-1 Visa (Extraordinary Ability): No annual cap or lottery. Requires demonstrating extraordinary ability through awards, publications, original contributions, high salary, or critical role at distinguished organizations. Ideal for senior developers with published apps, open-source contributions, or speaking engagements. Alma's O-1 services support exceptional talent in building strong petitions.
L-1 Visa (Intracompany Transfer): For mobile developers at multinational companies. Requires one year of employment abroad within the three years preceding the filing of the L-1 application. No cap, no lottery, and can lead directly to green card sponsorship.
TN Visa: Available exclusively to Canadian and Mexican citizens. Job must fit "Systems Analyst" classification. Fastest processing—Canadians can apply at the border with same-day approval.
Employment-based green card categories most relevant for mobile developers:
Start green card discussions with your employer 12-18 months into H-1B status. Early filing preserves your priority date, critical for nationals from India and China facing multi-year backlogs.
You have a 60-day grace period (or until your authorized stay ends, whichever is shorter) to find a new sponsoring employer, change to a different visa status, or depart the United States. During this period, you cannot work but can actively search for new H-1B sponsorship. A new employer can file a transfer petition, and you can begin work immediately upon filing—before approval.
Short-term remote work during vacations or brief trips is generally acceptable, but extended periods abroad create risks. Working remotely from outside the U.S. for more than six months may be viewed as abandoning your H-1B status and could affect future renewals or green card applications. Your LCA must cover your work location—if approved for San Francisco, you cannot permanently work from another city without an amended petition.
Each lottery is independent—previous non-selections don't improve or harm future chances. However, F-1 students on STEM OPT can apply for up to three consecutive lottery cycles (36 months of work authorization), giving multiple opportunities for selection. The wage-weighted lottery rule for FY 2027 will change this dynamic, giving higher-paid positions better odds—senior mobile developers commanding Level IV wages would receive four lottery entries compared to one entry for entry-level positions.
Employers must pay the higher of the actual wage (what they pay similar U.S. workers) or the prevailing wage for your location and experience level. Mobile developer prevailing wages vary significantly by geography: San Francisco ranges from $120,000-$225,000+, New York from $110,000-$200,000+, while Atlanta ranges from $85,000-$145,000. Experience level matters equally—entry-level positions nationally average $70,000-$95,000, while lead/principal developers command $155,000-$225,000+.
No. H-1B authorization is employer-specific—you can only work for your sponsoring employer in the role described in your petition. Freelancing, consulting for other companies, or running a side business constitutes unauthorized employment and can result in visa revocation and potential bars on future immigration benefits. If you want to pursue entrepreneurial activities, consider options like the O-1 visa (which allows working for multiple petitioners) or transitioning to green card status, which removes work authorization restrictions entirely.
