Ted H. Kim, Associate Director Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate for USCIS | https://www.naco.org/
All of the petitions submitted in the period were approved.
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, Virginia employers across all industries submitted 25,463 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 97.9%.
The Retail Trade industry led the H-1B filings in Virginia during 2024, with 11,590 petitions (45.5% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 98.2%. Meanwhile, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry was the second largest contributor, filing 7,435 petitions (29.2% of the total), with an approval rate of 96.8%.
The Virginia employers which made the most petitions in the Utilities sector during 2024 included Fluence Energy, LLC with 30 petitions, Aes Clean Energy Services, LLC with 14 petitions, and Framatome, Inc. with eight petitions.
Compared to 2023, the Utilities sector in Virginia saw a 155.6% 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 | Retail Trade | 11,590 | 45.5% | 98.2% | 1.9% |
| 2 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 7,435 | 29.2% | 96.8% | 3.2% |
| 3 | Information | 3,519 | 13.8% | 98.6% | 1.5% |
| 4 | Finance and Insurance | 1,043 | 4.1% | 99.5% | 0.5% |
| 5 | Educational Services | 801 | 3.2% | 98.4% | 1.6% |
| 6 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 240 | 0.9% | 97.1% | 2.9% |
| 7 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 229 | 0.9% | 99.1% | 0.9% |
| 8 | Manufacturing | 202 | 0.8% | 97.5% | 2.5% |
| 9 | Utilities | 69 | 0.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 68 | 0.3% | 95.6% | 4.4% |
| 11 | Accommodation and Food Services | 54 | 0.2% | 98.2% | 1.9% |
| 12 | Construction | 49 | 0.2% | 91.8% | 8.2% |
| 13 | Wholesale Trade | 42 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 14 | Transportation and Warehousing | 35 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Public Administration | 30 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 16 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 18 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 17 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 16 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 8 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 8 | 0% | 87.5% | 12.5% |
| 20 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 7 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
Top Employers in Utilities Industry in Virginia, 2024
| Rank | Company Name | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fluence Energy, LLC | 30 | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Aes Clean Energy Services, LLC | 14 | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Framatome, Inc. | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Fluence Energy Global Production O | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Dayton Power and Light Comp NY | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Apex Clean Energy, Inc. | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Aes US Services, LLC | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Green Brilliance, LLC | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Aes Services, Inc. | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Summit Ridge Energy, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Solar Guys, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Hanley Energy, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Venture Global LNG, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |