Ted H. Kim, Associate Director Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate for USCIS | https://www.naco.org/
Of these, 69 were approved (95.8%), while three were denied (4.2%).
Employers are classified under industries based on their reported operations and may be involved in multiple industries.
The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. It is designed to address skill gaps in the U.S. workforce while ensuring wage standards to protect both U.S. and H-1B workers. Employers must certify that they will pay H-1B workers wages equal to or greater than those of similarly qualified U.S. employees or the prevailing local wage.
The average approval rate for H-1B petitions across the United States in 2024 stood at 98%, higher than 2023's 97.3%. Statewide, Florida employers across all industries submitted 9,692 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 97.1%.
The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings in Florida during 2024, with 4,711 petitions (48.6% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 95.8%. Meanwhile, the Educational Services industry was the second largest contributor, filing 951 petitions (9.8% of the total), with an approval rate of 98.8%.
Compared to 2023, the Accommodation and Food Services sector in Florida saw a 2.9% increase in the number of H-1B petitions during 2024.
The United States admits around 1 million legal immigrants annually, most of whom receive permanent residence (green cards) through family sponsorship or employment-based visas. In 2023, about 1.2 million immigrants were granted green cards, a return to pre-pandemic levels. Temporary visa programs, such as the H-1B for highly skilled workers and H-2A for seasonal agricultural workers, also play a critical role in filling workforce needs.
Public opinion on immigration varies, with 46% of Americans favoring maintaining current legal immigration levels, according to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey. Additionally, 42% believe that highly skilled workers, such as scientists, doctors, and programmers, should be prioritized for legal immigration, compared to 25% who prioritize workers filling labor shortages and 19% who emphasize family sponsorship. Despite this, family sponsorship remains the most common path to permanent residency, accounting for 63% of green cards issued in 2023.
The data in this article comes from the H-1B Employer Data Hub provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). While USCIS strives for accuracy, manual data entry and errors on paper forms submitted by applicants or petitioners may result in discrepancies in employer names, tax IDs, locations, or other details.
| Rank | Industry | Total Petitions | % of All Submissions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4,711 | 48.6% | 95.8% | 4.2% |
| 2 | Educational Services | 951 | 9.8% | 98.8% | 1.2% |
| 3 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 800 | 8.3% | 98.8% | 1.3% |
| 4 | Finance and Insurance | 683 | 7.1% | 99.3% | 0.7% |
| 5 | Manufacturing | 545 | 5.6% | 98.7% | 1.3% |
| 6 | Retail Trade | 371 | 3.8% | 98.9% | 1.1% |
| 7 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 343 | 3.5% | 94.5% | 5.5% |
| 8 | Information | 242 | 2.5% | 96.3% | 3.7% |
| 9 | Construction | 210 | 2.2% | 99.1% | 1% |
| 10 | Wholesale Trade | 196 | 2% | 98.5% | 1.5% |
| 11 | Transportation and Warehousing | 137 | 1.4% | 95.6% | 4.4% |
| 12 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 128 | 1.3% | 99.2% | 0.8% |
| 13 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 98 | 1% | 99% | 1% |
| 14 | Utilities | 81 | 0.8% | 98.8% | 1.2% |
| 15 | Accommodation and Food Services | 72 | 0.7% | 95.8% | 4.2% |
| 16 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 64 | 0.7% | 96.9% | 3.1% |
| 17 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 34 | 0.4% | 97.1% | 2.9% |
| 18 | Public Administration | 12 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 9 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 5 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
Top Employers in Accommodation and Food Services Industry in Florida, 2024
| Rank | Company Name | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wyndham Vacation Ownership, Inc. | 9 | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Hilton Resorts Corporation | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Burger King Company, LLC | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Darden Corporation | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | The Boca Raton, LLC | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Good Chef Restaurant, LLC | 2 | 50% | 50% |
| 8 | Maingate East Development, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Cocina Nikkei USA, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Press and Grind Cafe 17th Street L | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | GA Food Services of Pinellas County, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Bistro LLC, M.D. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | TJZ Holdings, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Jama Food Services, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Cinema Holdings, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Friends Food Florida, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Avanti Hospitality, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | The Fisherman Hospitality, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Chowder Heads, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | P & Y Food Service, LLC | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| 8 | Enya Asian Bistro, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | 251 Partners, LLC. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Gringos Hospitality, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Chilla Beverages USA | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Os Management a Bloomin Brands Company, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Dream Foods 2022 D B a Marcos, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | 107 Taste Brickell, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Tannex Development | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| 8 | Greystone Master Tenant, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Charter School Properties, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Wu and Poon, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Marriott Ownership Resorts, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Deerfield Hotel One, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | 1 Hotel Kauai, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Restaurant Brands International US Services, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Cajun and Grill of America, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Tropical Chinese Restaurant | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Management Hospitality, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Prometheus Franchise Restaurant Holdings, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Gaia USA, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Token Ramen 136, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |