Of these, 342 were approved (98.8%), while four were denied (1.2%).
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, District of Columbia employers across all industries submitted 1,429 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 98.3%.
The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings in District of Columbia during 2024, with 554 petitions (38.8% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 98.7%. Meanwhile, the Educational Services industry was the second largest contributor, filing 346 petitions (24.2% of the total), with an approval rate of 98.8%.
The District of Columbia employers which made the most petitions in the Educational Services sector during 2024 included District of Columbia Public School with 110 petitions and Georgetown University with 68 petitions.
Compared to 2023, the Educational Services sector in District of Columbia saw a 0.6% 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 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 554 | 38.8% | 98.7% | 1.3% |
| 2 | Educational Services | 346 | 24.2% | 98.8% | 1.2% |
| 3 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 124 | 8.7% | 99.2% | 0.8% |
| 4 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 105 | 7.4% | 95.2% | 4.8% |
| 5 | Information | 84 | 5.9% | 96.4% | 3.6% |
| 6 | Finance and Insurance | 71 | 5% | 97.2% | 2.8% |
| 7 | Public Administration | 34 | 2.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Transportation and Warehousing | 24 | 1.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | Manufacturing | 22 | 1.5% | 95.5% | 4.6% |
| 10 | Construction | 20 | 1.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 16 | 1.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Accommodation and Food Services | 9 | 0.6% | 88.9% | 11.1% |
| 13 | Wholesale Trade | 8 | 0.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 14 | Utilities | 6 | 0.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 5 | 0.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 16 | Retail Trade | 1 | 0.1% | 0% | 100% |
Top Employers in Educational Services Industry in District of Columbia, 2024
| Rank | Company Name | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia Public School | 110 | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Georgetown University | 68 | 98.5% | 1.5% |
| 3 | The Catholic University of America | 27 | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Howard University | 27 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | The George Washington University | 25 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | American University | 14 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Cambium Assessment, Inc. | 11 | 90.9% | 9.1% |
| 7 | Gallaudet University | 11 | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | DC Bilingual Public Charter School | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | District of Columbia International School | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Global Citizens Public Charter School | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Washington International School | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Elsie Whitlow Stokes CFPCS | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Friendship Public Charter School | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Corporation of the Washington Lati | 3 | 66.7% | 33.3% |
| 17 | Dsquorum, LLC | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 17 | St. Coletta of Greater Washington | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 17 | Upgrad, Inc. | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | International Baccalaureate Organi | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Commonlit, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Education Design Lab | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| 20 | The Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Bay Atlantic University Bau, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Palisades Montessori, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Alliance for Excellent Education | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Lexia Voyager Sopris, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | The United States-Indonesia Societ | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Lee Montessori Public Charter Schools | 1 | 100% | 0% |