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, Tennessee employers across all industries submitted 4,665 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 98.4%.
The Manufacturing industry led the H-1B filings in Tennessee during 2024, with 1,038 petitions (22.3% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 97.9%. Meanwhile, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry was the second largest contributor, filing 997 petitions (21.4% of the total), with an approval rate of 97.3%.
The Tennessee employers which made the most petitions in the Retail Trade sector during 2024 included Autozone, Inc. with 61 petitions, Tractor Supply Company with 45 petitions, and Pilot Travel Centers, LLC with 36 petitions.
Compared to 2023, the Retail Trade sector in Tennessee saw a stagnation 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 | Manufacturing | 1,038 | 22.3% | 97.9% | 2.1% |
| 2 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 997 | 21.4% | 97.3% | 2.7% |
| 3 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 827 | 17.7% | 98.8% | 1.2% |
| 4 | Finance and Insurance | 556 | 11.9% | 99.8% | 0.2% |
| 5 | Educational Services | 375 | 8% | 98.7% | 1.3% |
| 6 | Transportation and Warehousing | 320 | 6.9% | 99.1% | 0.9% |
| 7 | Retail Trade | 179 | 3.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 131 | 2.8% | 97.7% | 2.3% |
| 9 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 100 | 2.1% | 96% | 4% |
| 10 | Wholesale Trade | 47 | 1% | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Information | 44 | 0.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Public Administration | 14 | 0.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Construction | 9 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 14 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 8 | 0.2% | 87.5% | 12.5% |
| 15 | Accommodation and Food Services | 5 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 16 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 4 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 16 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 4 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Utilities | 3 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 2 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 2 | 0% | 50% | 50% |
Top Employers in Retail Trade Industry in Tennessee, 2024
| Rank | Company Name | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Autozone, Inc. | 61 | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Tractor Supply Company | 45 | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Pilot Travel Centers, LLC | 36 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Dollar General Corporation | 23 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Shamrock Evergreen, LLC | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Foxridge, LLC | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | JOFFA | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | R&R Energy, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Groove Life Managed Services, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Pramukh Ashish 1, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Yoshi, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Pilot Travel Centers D B a Pilot Flying J, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Vishnu, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Truckpro, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Marque of Brands Americas, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Mapco Express, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |