Of these, 301 were approved (97.1%), while nine were denied (2.9%).
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, North Carolina employers across all industries submitted 10,384 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 98%.
While the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings with 6,200 petitions, representing 59.7% of all submissions in North Carolina during 2024, the next largest contributor was the Finance and Insurance industry, which accounted for 1,395 petitions and represented 13.4% of the total. Among petitions from employers in the Finance and Insurance industry, 6,072 were approved and 128 were denied.
The North Carolina employers which made the most petitions in the Retail Trade sector during 2024 included Lowes Companies, Inc. with 219 petitions, Belk, Inc. with 22 petitions, and Ahold Delhaize USA Services, LLC with 16 petitions.
Compared to 2023, the Retail Trade sector in North Carolina saw a 34.3% decrease 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 | 6,200 | 59.7% | 97.9% | 2.1% |
| 2 | Finance and Insurance | 1,395 | 13.4% | 99.2% | 0.8% |
| 3 | Educational Services | 1,211 | 11.7% | 98.7% | 1.3% |
| 4 | Manufacturing | 607 | 5.9% | 98% | 2% |
| 5 | Retail Trade | 310 | 3% | 97.1% | 2.9% |
| 6 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 233 | 2.2% | 91.9% | 8.2% |
| 7 | Information | 130 | 1.3% | 98.5% | 1.5% |
| 8 | Wholesale Trade | 70 | 0.7% | 97.1% | 2.9% |
| 9 | Utilities | 58 | 0.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Accommodation and Food Services | 35 | 0.3% | 94.3% | 5.7% |
| 10 | Construction | 35 | 0.3% | 88.6% | 11.4% |
| 12 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 33 | 0.3% | 97% | 3% |
| 13 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 28 | 0.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 14 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 10 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Transportation and Warehousing | 9 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Public Administration | 9 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 17 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 5 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 3 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 2 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 1 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
Top Employers in Retail Trade Industry in North Carolina, 2024
| Rank | Company Name | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lowes Companies, Inc. | 219 | 97.7% | 2.3% |
| 2 | Belk, Inc. | 22 | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Ahold Delhaize USA Services, LLC | 16 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions | 12 | 91.7% | 8.3% |
| 5 | Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, Inc. | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Advance Auto Business Support, LLC | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Harris Teeter, LLC | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | The Fresh Market, Inc. | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Adusa Distribution, LLC | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Trybuy, LLC | 2 | 0% | 100% |
| 10 | Advance Stores Company Incorporate | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Hag EPB, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | NWN Corporation | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Agoztech, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Driven Brands Shared Services, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Busiapp Corporation | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Leela Life Sciences, LLC | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| 12 | Hiki D B a Skyland Pharmacy, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Adusa Procurement, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Sai Coopers, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Bee Well Pharmacy, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Retail Business Services, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Turbo Capital, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Halls Drug Stores, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | PHE, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Ahan 1720, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |