Just got my offer two weeks ago so this is fresh. Posting because I was desperate for timeline info before my process and couldn't find anything recent.
Here's the full sequence for me (SWE, US, 2026): Recruiter email to first phone screen: 9 days Phone screen (1hr, coding + background): completed Recruiter follow-up to schedule technical: 4 days Technical phone screen (1hr, harder coding): completed Debrief call from recruiter: 2 days after that Onsite invite: 5 days after debrief Onsite itself: ~2.5 weeks out from the invite Verbal offer: 3 business days after onsite Written offer: same day as verbal Deadline to decide: 7 calendar days from written offer
Total from first contact to written offer: roughly 7 weeks. That felt long but I've heard of people doing it faster, especially if they push.
A few notes on the timeline. The debrief call after the technical screen is real, they actually ask you how you felt it went and what areas you want to focus on for the onsite. It felt a bit odd but it was useful signal -- they took notes on what I said and the onsite felt calibrated to what I asked for feedback on.
If you have a competing deadline, tell your recruiter early. Mine moved the onsite up by nearly a week once I mentioned I had another offer expiring. They were responsive, not pushy.
Visa sponsorship note for internationals: I'm on OPT and they asked about it very early (before the technical screen). They do sponsor H-1B but wanted to confirm I had enough OPT runway to start before committing to the loop. Good to know going in.