Ted H. Kim, Associate Director Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate for USCIS | https://www.naco.org/
Of these, 70 were approved (97.2%), while two were denied (2.8%).
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.
For comparison, the average approval rate for H-1B petitions across the United States in 2024 stood at 98%, slightly higher than the 97.3% recorded in 2023.
The Educational Services industry led the H-1B filings in during 2024, with 26 petitions (36.1% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 96.2%. Meanwhile, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry was the second largest contributor, filing 16 petitions (22.2% of the total), with an approval rate of 100%.
The employers with the most petitions during 2024 included University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, which filed nine petitions with an approval rate of 100%, UPR Rio Piedras with seven petitions and an approval rate of 100%, and CNT Infotech Corporation, which filed four petitions with an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the number of H-1B petitions filed in during 2024 increased by 63.6%.
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 | 26 | 36.1% | 96.2% | 3.8% |
| 2 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 16 | 22.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Finance and Insurance | 5 | 6.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Utilities | 4 | 5.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Manufacturing | 4 | 5.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Transportation and Warehousing | 2 | 2.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 2.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 2 | 2.8% | 50% | 50% |
| 6 | Retail Trade | 2 | 2.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Information | 2 | 2.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 2 | 2.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 1.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Construction | 1 | 1.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 1.4% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez | Educational Services | 9 | 100% | 0% |
| UPR Rio Piedras | Educational Services | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| CNT Infotech Corporation | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Omnipayments, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Luma Energy Servco, LLC | Utilities | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Universidad Politecnica DE Puerto | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Tropical Dairy Genetics, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| The Luis a Ferre Foundation, Inc. | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Southern Pathology Services, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Sistema Universitario Ana G Mendez | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Gamma International Bank, Inc. | Finance and Insurance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Federacion Puertorriquena DE Futbo | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 2 | 50% | 50% |
| Edwards Lifesciences Technology, SA | Manufacturing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Abarca Health FL, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Virella Crespo and Associates PSC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| UPR Medical Science Campus | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Abarca Health, LLC | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Abarca Technologies, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Universidad Politecnica DE PR | Educational Services | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| Universidad DE Puerto Rico En Aguadilla | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Universidad Central Del Caribe, Inc. | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Aerotecnica Puerto Rico, Corp. | Transportation and Warehousing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| American Colors, Inc. | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Tea, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Synerlution, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Suiza Dairy Corporation | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Su Tienda, Inc. | Retail Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Bluecrest Capital Management Puerto Rico, LLC | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Centro DE Cuidado Diurno Habacuc | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Popular Bank | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Pontificia Universidad Catolica DE Puerto Rico | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Cossma, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| N and B Puerto Rico, Inc. | Information | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Civil Services Contractors, Corp. | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Liberty Communications of Puerto Rico, LLC | Information | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| JC Automation, Corp. | 1 | 100% | 0% | |
| ITRVL, LLC | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Infinity Jewelry, LLC | Retail Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Grupo Oricteropo Tropical, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Ecoelectrica LP | Utilities | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Flexitank, Inc. | Transportation and Warehousing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Ericsson Caribbean, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |