This represents an approval rate of 98.2%, which is higher than the nationwide average.
In 2024, the average approval rate for H-1B petitions across the U.S. stood at 98%, slightly higher than the 97.3% recorded in 2023.
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 Educational Services industry led H-1B petition approvals in West Virginia during 2024, filing a total of 87 petitions (38.7% of all submissions) and receiving 86 approvals, resulting in an approval rate of 98.9%. The Health Care and Social Assistance industry followed, with 72 petitions (32% of all submissions), receiving approvals for all of them.
Employers are classified under industries based on their reported operations and may be involved in multiple industries.
The West Virginia employers with the most approvals during 2024 included West Virginia University, filing a total of 62 petitions and receiving 60 approvals, resulting in an approval rate of 96.8%, and Marshall University, which filed 26 petitions and received approvals for all of them.
Compared to 2023, West Virginia saw a 7.4% 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 Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Educational Services | 87 | 38.7% | 86 | 98.9% | 1.1% |
| 2 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 72 | 32% | 72 | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 44 | 19.6% | 44 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Manufacturing | 8 | 3.6% | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Transportation and Warehousing | 2 | 0.9% | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 2 | 0.9% | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 2 | 0.9% | 1 | 50% | 50% |
| 7 | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 0.4% | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 0.4% | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Information | 1 | 0.4% | 0 | 0% | 100% |
| Rank | Company Name | Industry(ies) | Total Petitions | Approved Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia University | Educational Services | 62 | 60 | 96.8% | 3.2% |
| 2 | Marshall University | Educational Services; Health Care and Social Assistance | 26 | 26 | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Mahantech Corporation | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 25 | 25 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | University Physicians and Surgeons, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 16 | 16 | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | West Virginia University Medical C | Health Care and Social Assistance | 9 | 9 | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Camden Clark Physician Inc., Corp. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 8 | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Charleston Area Medical Center, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 7 | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | West Virginia University Hospitals, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 5 | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | West Virginia University Research Corporation | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 5 | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | West Virginia State University | Educational Services | 4 | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Nucor Steel West Virginia, LLC | Manufacturing | 3 | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | United Hospital Center | Health Care and Social Assistance | 3 | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Monongalia County Board of Educati | 3 | 3 | 100% | 0% | |
| 11 | Keylogic Systems | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 3 | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Sinfotech, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Preston Memorial Hospital, Corp. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | St. Marys Medical Center | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Princeton Community Hospital Association, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Roane County Board of Education | Educational Services | 2 | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Davis Memorial Hospital | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Concord University | Educational Services | 2 | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | American Public Education, Inc. | Educational Services | 2 | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Steptoe and Johnson, PLLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Sunlune Corporation | Manufacturing | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Taishan Resources, LLC | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Sostos, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Sogefi USA, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | The Thrasher Group, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Shepherd University | Educational Services | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Wheeling Hospital, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | ZDS, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Roxul USA, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | AVN Corporation | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | BCKP Regional Intergovernmental Company | Transportation and Warehousing | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Daniels Company West Virginia, Inc. | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Diamond Electric Manufacturing Corporation | Manufacturing | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Fitness Fun and Freedom, Inc. | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Gestamp West Virginia, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Glenville State University | Educational Services | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Greenbrier County Board of Educati | Educational Services | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Heritage Farm Foundation | Wholesale Trade; Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 2 | 1 | 50% | 50% |
| 23 | Hospital Development Company D B a | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Iskcon New Vrindaban, Inc. | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | M and S Consulting, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Marshall University Research Corporation | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Mcmillion Research, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | MHI RJ Aviation, Inc. | Transportation and Warehousing | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Monongalia County General Hospital | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Mountwest Community and Technical | Educational Services | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 23 | Quality Insights, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 51 | Coat of ARMS, LLC | Information | 1 | 0 | 0% | 100% |