Of these, 273 were approved (99.3%), while two were denied (0.7%).
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, Oklahoma employers across all industries submitted 933 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 97.5%.
The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings in Oklahoma during 2024, with 373 petitions (40% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 96.3%. Meanwhile, the Educational Services industry was the second largest contributor, filing 275 petitions (29.5% of the total), with an approval rate of 99.3%.
The Oklahoma employers which made the most petitions in the Educational Services sector during 2024 included University of Oklahoma with 123 petitions and Oklahoma State University with 53 petitions.
Compared to 2023, the Educational Services sector in Oklahoma saw a 0.4% 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 | 373 | 40% | 96.3% | 3.8% |
| 2 | Educational Services | 275 | 29.5% | 99.3% | 0.7% |
| 3 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 136 | 14.6% | 97.8% | 2.2% |
| 4 | Information | 29 | 3.1% | 93.1% | 6.9% |
| 5 | Manufacturing | 28 | 3% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Retail Trade | 14 | 1.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 12 | 1.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Construction | 12 | 1.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | Finance and Insurance | 11 | 1.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 9 | 1% | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Transportation and Warehousing | 7 | 0.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Utilities | 6 | 0.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 5 | 0.5% | 80% | 20% |
| 14 | Public Administration | 4 | 0.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Accommodation and Food Services | 3 | 0.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 3 | 0.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 3 | 0.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 2 | 0.2% | 50% | 50% |
| 19 | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
Top Employers in Educational Services Industry in Oklahoma, 2024
| Rank | Company Name | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Oklahoma | 123 | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Oklahoma State University | 53 | 98.1% | 1.9% |
| 3 | Dove Schools, Inc. | 14 | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | The University of Oklahoma | 14 | 92.9% | 7.1% |
| 5 | University of Tulsa | 13 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Oral Roberts University | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Oklahoma City University | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Western Heights Public Schools | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | University of Central Oklahoma | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | Independent School District 1 of Tulsa | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | East Central University | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Union Public Schools | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Langston University | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Oklahoma Christian University | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Northeastern State University | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Southwestern Oklahoma State Univer | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Mount St. Mary Catholic High School | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Oklahoma Panhandle State Universit | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Santa Fe South Schools, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Mid America Christian University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Putnam City Schools | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Le Monde International School | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Oklahoma City Community College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | College Bound Academy | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Paul Ziert & Associates, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Classically Formed, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Independent School District No 1 of Oklahoma County | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | STS Peter and Paul Catholic School | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Christian Motessori Academy, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | University of Science and ARTS of | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Oklahoma Wesleyan University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Mustang Public Schools | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Hilldale Public Schools | 1 | 100% | 0% |