Of these, 383 were approved (97%), while 12 were denied (3%).
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, Iowa employers across all industries submitted 1,566 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 98.2%.
The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings in Iowa during 2024, with 551 petitions (35.2% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 97.6%. Meanwhile, the Educational Services industry was the second largest contributor, filing 395 petitions (25.2% of the total), with an approval rate of 97%.
The Iowa employers which made the most petitions in the Educational Services sector during 2024 included The University of Iowa with 205 petitions, Iowa State University with 92 petitions, and Maharishi International University with 18 petitions.
Compared to 2023, the Educational Services sector in Iowa saw a 6% 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 | 551 | 35.2% | 97.6% | 2.4% |
| 2 | Educational Services | 395 | 25.2% | 97% | 3% |
| 3 | Manufacturing | 243 | 15.5% | 99.2% | 0.8% |
| 4 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 154 | 9.8% | 99.4% | 0.7% |
| 5 | Finance and Insurance | 140 | 8.9% | 99.3% | 0.7% |
| 6 | Utilities | 20 | 1.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Retail Trade | 13 | 0.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Information | 11 | 0.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | Transportation and Warehousing | 8 | 0.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 8 | 0.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 8 | 0.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 4 | 0.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Construction | 3 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 14 | Wholesale Trade | 2 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 14 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 2 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 14 | Public Administration | 2 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 17 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 17 | Accommodation and Food Services | 1 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
Top Employers in Educational Services Industry in Iowa, 2024
| Rank | Company Name | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Iowa | 205 | 97.6% | 2.4% |
| 2 | Iowa State University | 92 | 95.7% | 4.4% |
| 3 | Maharishi International University | 18 | 94.4% | 5.6% |
| 4 | Des Moines Independent Community S | 12 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | University of Northern Iowa | 9 | 88.9% | 11.1% |
| 5 | Trustees of Grinnell College D B a | 9 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Council Bluffs Community School Di | 3 | 66.7% | 33.3% |
| 7 | ACT, Inc. | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Drake University | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Dordt University Incorporated | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Luther College | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Loras College | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Central College | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | University of Dubuque | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Easton Valley Community School Dis | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | ACT Education Formerly ACT in, Corp. | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Holy Family Catholic Schools Dubuq | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Wartburg College | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Pella Christian Grade School | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Graettinger Terril Community School District | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Denver Community School District | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Upper Iowa University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Northwestern College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Graceland University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | St. Ambrose University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Kuder, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Northeast Iowa Community College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | English Valleys School District | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | South Tama County Community School District | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Kirkwood Community College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Marion Music Academy, L L C | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Sioux Center Community School District | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Maple Valley Anthon Oto Community School District | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Simpson College | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Iowa City VA Health Care System | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Tri-Center Community School | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Wilton Community School District | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Pella Christian High School Societ | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | TRI Center Community School | 1 | 100% | 0% |