Of these, 405 were approved (98.1%), while eight were denied (1.9%).
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, Louisiana employers across all industries submitted 1,063 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 98.3%.
The Educational Services industry led the H-1B filings in Louisiana during 2024, with 413 petitions (38.9% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 98.1%. Meanwhile, the Health Care and Social Assistance industry was the second largest contributor, filing 181 petitions (17% of the total), with an approval rate of 98.3%.
The Louisiana employers which made the most petitions in the Educational Services sector during 2024 included Louisiana State University and a a with 90 petitions, Tulane University with 83 petitions, and LSU Health Sciences Center at Shre with 65 petitions.
Compared to 2023, the Educational Services sector in Louisiana saw a 4% 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 | Educational Services | 413 | 38.9% | 98.1% | 1.9% |
| 2 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 181 | 17% | 98.3% | 1.7% |
| 3 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 114 | 10.7% | 97.4% | 2.6% |
| 4 | Information | 104 | 9.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 70 | 6.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Finance and Insurance | 70 | 6.6% | 98.6% | 1.4% |
| 7 | Manufacturing | 39 | 3.7% | 97.4% | 2.6% |
| 8 | Utilities | 20 | 1.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | Public Administration | 10 | 0.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Transportation and Warehousing | 8 | 0.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Construction | 7 | 0.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Retail Trade | 7 | 0.7% | 85.7% | 14.3% |
| 13 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 5 | 0.5% | 80% | 20% |
| 13 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 5 | 0.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Wholesale Trade | 4 | 0.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 16 | Accommodation and Food Services | 3 | 0.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 17 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 17 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 17 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 1 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
Top Employers in Educational Services Industry in Louisiana, 2024
| Rank | Company Name | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana State University and a a | 90 | 97.8% | 2.2% |
| 2 | Tulane University | 83 | 98.8% | 1.2% |
| 3 | LSU Health Sciences Center at Shre | 65 | 98.5% | 1.5% |
| 4 | LSU Health Sciences Center | 27 | 96.3% | 3.7% |
| 5 | University of Louisiana at Lafayet | 15 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | University of Louisiana at Monroe | 10 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Madison Parish School Board | 10 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Xavier University of Louisiana | 9 | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | Ecole Bilingue DE LA Nouvelle-Orle | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Louisiana Technician University | 7 | 85.7% | 14.3% |
| 10 | East Baton Rouge Parish School System | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Morehouse Parish School Board | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Calcasieu Parish School Board | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Southeastern Louisiana University | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | International School of Louisiana | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Lycee Francais DE LA Nouvelle Orle | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Hynes Charter School Corporation | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Nicholls State University | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Loyola University New Orleans | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Evangeline Parish School Board | 3 | 66.7% | 33.3% |
| 20 | Louisiana Christian University | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Lafayette Parish School System | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Southern University System | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | Jefferson Parish Schools | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 20 | East Carroll Parish School Board | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 26 | Lycee Francais DE LA Nouvelle Orleans, Inc. | 2 | 50% | 50% |
| 26 | Tangipahoa Parish School System | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 26 | University of New Orleans | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 26 | Northwestem State University of Louisiana | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 26 | Louisiana State University and a&M College | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 26 | Dillard University | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 26 | St. Martin Parish School Board | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 26 | St. Helena Parish School District | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 26 | Mcneese State University | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 35 | Pelican Educational Foundation, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 35 | LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 35 | Grambling State University | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 35 | Centenary College of Louisiana | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 35 | St. Landry Parish School Board | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 35 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 35 | Episcopal High School of Baton Rouge | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 35 | 4th Sector Solutions, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 35 | LSU Agricultural Center | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 35 | Tensas Parish School Board | 1 | 100% | 0% |