Of these, 348 were approved (99.1%), while three were denied (0.9%).
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, Kansas employers across all industries submitted 1,296 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 98.5%.
The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings in Kansas during 2024, with 534 petitions (41.2% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 98.1%. Meanwhile, the Educational Services industry was the second largest contributor, filing 351 petitions (27.1% of the total), with an approval rate of 99.2%.
The Kansas employers which made the most petitions in the Educational Services sector during 2024 included University of Kansas Medical Cente with 99 petitions, The University of Kansas with 44 petitions, and Unified School District 457 with 43 petitions.
Compared to 2023, the Educational Services sector in Kansas saw a 32.5% 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 | 534 | 41.2% | 98.1% | 1.9% |
| 2 | Educational Services | 351 | 27.1% | 99.2% | 0.9% |
| 3 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 115 | 8.9% | 97.4% | 2.6% |
| 4 | Manufacturing | 100 | 7.7% | 98% | 2% |
| 5 | Finance and Insurance | 82 | 6.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Information | 35 | 2.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 17 | 1.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Construction | 17 | 1.3% | 94.1% | 5.9% |
| 9 | Wholesale Trade | 16 | 1.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 9 | 0.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Public Administration | 6 | 0.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Transportation and Warehousing | 5 | 0.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 4 | 0.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 14 | Accommodation and Food Services | 2 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 1 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 1 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
Top Employers in Educational Services Industry in Kansas, 2024
| Rank | Company Name | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Kansas Medical Cente | 99 | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | The University of Kansas | 44 | 97.7% | 2.3% |
| 3 | Unified School District 457 | 43 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Topeka Public Schools Unified Scho | 40 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Kansas State University | 39 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Ascend Learning, LLC | 18 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Fort Hays State University | 12 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Southwestern College | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | Washburn University | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | USD 475 Geary County Schools | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | High Plains Educational Cooperativ | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Neosho County Community College | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Blue Valley Unified School Distric | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | USD 363 Holcomb Public Schools | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Unified School District No 216 | 2 | 50% | 50% |
| 13 | Pittsburg State University | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Unified School District 494 | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Auburn-Washburn USD 437 | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Unified School District No 500 | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Mcpherson College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Unified School District No 259 Sed | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | PSI Services, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Kansas Wesleyan University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Bethel College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | USD 214 - Ulysses Public Schools | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Ottawa University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Benedictine College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | USD 200 Greeley County Schools | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | South Central Kansas Special Education Cooperative 605 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | USD383 Manhattan-Ogden School District | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Oberlin USD 294 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | South Central Kansas Special Education Company | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| 20 | USD 489 Hays | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Unified School District 263 Mulvan | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Northwest Kansas Technical College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Seward County Community College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | East Central KS Cooperative in Education | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | U S D 501 Topeka Public Schools | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Unified School District No 383 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Salina Regional Health Center | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Cloud County Community College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | USD 470 | 1 | 100% | 0% |