H-1B Visa Data & Statistics
The H-1B is America's primary work visa for skilled professionals. With an annual cap of 85,000 and demand far exceeding supply, the H-1B program is one of the most closely watched aspects of U.S. immigration policy.
What Is the H-1B Visa?
The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant work visa that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in "specialty occupations" — jobs that require at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a specific field. The visa is valid for an initial period of three years and can be extended to a maximum of six years, with further extensions possible for those with pending green card applications.
H-1B workers span a wide range of industries, though technology and IT services dominate. Common occupations include software engineers, data scientists, financial analysts, engineers, architects, physicians, and university professors. The visa requires the employer to pay at least the prevailing wage for the occupation in the geographic area.
Unlike most nonimmigrant visas, the H-1B allows "dual intent" — holders can pursue permanent residence (a green card) while maintaining their temporary status. This makes the H-1B a common stepping stone to permanent immigration for skilled workers.
Annual Cap & Lottery
Congress set the H-1B annual cap at 65,000 visas, with an additional 20,000 reserved for applicants holding a master's degree or higher from a U.S. institution — bringing the total effective cap to 85,000 new H-1B visas per fiscal year. Certain employers are exempt from the cap entirely, including institutions of higher education, nonprofit research organizations, and government research entities.
Demand has consistently outstripped supply. In FY2025, USCIS received over 470,000 registrations for the 85,000 available slots, resulting in a selection rate of approximately 14%. This lottery system means that even highly qualified applicants with job offers from major employers face uncertainty about whether they will be selected.
USCIS implemented an electronic registration system in 2020, replacing the previous system where employers had to submit full petition packages before learning if they were selected. The registration fee is $215 per beneficiary. In 2024, USCIS switched to a beneficiary-centric selection process to reduce the impact of multiple registrations for the same individual.
Top H-1B Employers
The largest H-1B employers include both major tech companies and IT consulting firms. The mix reflects the dual nature of the program — directly employed tech workers alongside outsourcing and consulting arrangements.
| Employer | Est. Annual Approvals |
|---|---|
| Amazon | ~14,000 |
| Infosys | ~12,500 |
| Tata Consultancy Services | ~10,000 |
| ~9,500 | |
| Meta (Facebook) | ~7,500 |
| Microsoft | ~7,000 |
| Apple | ~5,500 |
| Cognizant | ~5,000 |
| Deloitte | ~4,500 |
| Wipro | ~4,000 |
Source: USCIS H-1B employer data hub. Figures are approximate and reflect recent fiscal years.
Approvals by Country of Birth
India dominates H-1B approvals, accounting for approximately 73% of all H-1B workers. China is a distant second. This concentration reflects both the size of India's IT workforce and the structure of the tech industry's hiring pipeline.
Approval Trends
H-1B approval rates have fluctuated with policy changes. Under the Obama administration, approval rates exceeded 95%. During the Trump administration, Request for Evidence (RFE) rates spiked and approval rates dipped to around 85%, particularly for IT consulting companies. The Biden administration saw rates recover to approximately 93-95%.
Denial rates are not distributed equally. Large tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft maintain near-100% approval rates, while IT staffing and consulting firms face significantly higher denial and RFE rates — reflecting USCIS scrutiny of the employer-employee relationship in third-party placement arrangements.
Processing Times
Regular H-1B petition processing typically takes 3-6 months, though times can vary significantly by service center and time of year. The California Service Center and Vermont Service Center handle most H-1B petitions.
Premium processing is available for a fee of $2,805, guaranteeing a decision (approval, denial, or request for evidence) within 15 business days. Most employers filing time-sensitive petitions opt for premium processing. If USCIS fails to meet the 15-day deadline, the fee is refunded.
H-1B vs. Other Work Visas
| Visa | Purpose | Duration | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| H-1B | Specialty occupations | 3+3 years | 85,000/year |
| L-1 | Intracompany transfers | 1-3 + extensions | No cap |
| O-1 | Extraordinary ability | 3 years + extensions | No cap |
| TN | USMCA professionals | 3 years, renewable | No cap |
| H-2B | Temporary non-ag workers | 1 year | 66,000/year |
| E-2 | Treaty investors | 2-5 years | No cap |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the H-1B visa annual cap?▼
The H-1B visa has an annual cap of 85,000 new visas: 65,000 for applicants with a bachelor's degree or equivalent, and an additional 20,000 reserved for applicants with a U.S. master's degree or higher. Certain employers, such as universities and nonprofit research institutions, are exempt from the cap.
How are H-1B visas selected when demand exceeds the cap?▼
When the number of applications exceeds the cap (which happens nearly every year), USCIS conducts a lottery to randomly select which petitions will be processed. In recent years, registrations have exceeded 700,000 for 85,000 available slots, resulting in selection rates around 12-15%.
How long does H-1B processing take?▼
Regular H-1B processing takes 3-6 months. Premium processing, available for an additional $2,805 fee, guarantees a response within 15 business days. Processing times can vary significantly based on the USCIS service center handling the case.
Can H-1B visa holders apply for a green card?▼
Yes. H-1B is a "dual intent" visa, meaning holders can pursue permanent residence (a green card) while maintaining H-1B status. The employer typically sponsors the green card through the PERM labor certification process. However, wait times for employment-based green cards can be extremely long — decades for Indian nationals in certain categories.
What happens if an H-1B worker loses their job?▼
H-1B workers who lose their employment have a 60-day grace period to find a new employer willing to sponsor them, change to another visa status, or depart the United States. If a new employer is found, they must file a new H-1B petition (this transfer is not subject to the annual cap).