Of these, 49 were approved (98%), while one was denied (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, Arkansas employers across all industries submitted 4,374 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 98.6%.
While the Retail Trade industry led the H-1B filings with 3,403 petitions, representing 77.8% of all submissions in Arkansas during 2024, the next largest contributor was the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry, which accounted for 409 petitions and represented 9.4% of the total. Among petitions from employers in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry, 3,377 were approved and 26 were denied.
The Arkansas employers which made the most petitions in the Manufacturing sector during 2024 included Tyson Foods, Inc. with 22 petitions and Big River Steel, LLC with 11 petitions.
Compared to 2023, the Manufacturing sector in Arkansas saw a 2% decrease 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 | Retail Trade | 3,403 | 77.8% | 99.2% | 0.8% |
| 2 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 409 | 9.4% | 95.8% | 4.2% |
| 3 | Educational Services | 227 | 5.2% | 97.4% | 2.6% |
| 4 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 105 | 2.4% | 96.2% | 3.8% |
| 5 | Transportation and Warehousing | 76 | 1.7% | 97.4% | 2.6% |
| 6 | Manufacturing | 50 | 1.1% | 98% | 2% |
| 7 | Information | 40 | 0.9% | 85% | 15% |
| 8 | Finance and Insurance | 31 | 0.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | Public Administration | 15 | 0.3% | 93.3% | 6.7% |
| 10 | Wholesale Trade | 7 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Construction | 4 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 3 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Accommodation and Food Services | 2 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 14 | Utilities | 1 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
| 14 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 1 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
Top Employers in Manufacturing Industry in Arkansas, 2024
| Rank | Company Name | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyson Foods, Inc. | 22 | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Big River Steel, LLC | 11 | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Welspun Pipes, Inc. | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Simmons Prepared Foods, Inc. | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Westrock Beverage Company, LLC | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Kiswire Pine Bluff, Inc. | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Risever Machinery, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Pinnacle Resources, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Outdoor Cap Company, Inc. | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| 7 | Superior Industries International Arkansas, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | SCA Pharmaceuticals, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Westrock Coffee Roasting, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Saint Jean Industries, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |