Who gets most H-1B visas?

Most H-1B visas go to tech workers, primarily from India, followed by China, with major recipients being large tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, and Indian IT firms such as Infosys, TCS, and Cognizant, filling roles in computer science and engineering. The demand is driven by US companies seeking specialized skills in technology, consulting, and professional services, especially for computer-related occupations.

Who gets the most H-1B visas?

Nearly two-thirds of H-1B visas go to people working in “computer-related occupations,” according to a recent government report to Congress.

Which occupation has a higher chance of H-1B?

The majority of H-1B visas (65% in 2023) are issued for “computer-related” jobs, such as computer scientists, engineers, or analysts.

Where do most H-1B visas come from?

Where do most H-1B visa holders come from? Indian tech workers constitute the bulk of H-1B visa recipients. In 2024, for instance, Indians received 71 percent of approved H-1B visas, followed by Chinese nationals in second place with 11.7 percent, according to US government data.

Who pays $100,000 for an H-1B visa?

The $100,000 H-1B fee, implemented in late 2025, applies to employers filing new H-1B petitions for workers outside the U.S. who don't have a valid H-1B visa, specifically those seeking entry or consular processing, not for extensions, changes of status for F-1 students, or current H-1B holders. It's a fee on importing labor to discourage using H-1Bs primarily for cost savings, targeting new overseas hires, with very rare national interest exceptions possible, making it a significant cost for many businesses. 

H-1B VISA ABUSE: The Dark Truth of Tech (as an ex-Google software engineer)

How much did Trump charge for H-1B visa?

Washington sues over Trump administration's unlawful new $100K fee for H-1B visa. Attorney General Nick Brown on Friday joined a coalition of 20 states in suing the Trump administration over its unlawful policy imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions.

Is the H-1B visa a lottery?

Yes, the H-1B visa process was a lottery, but U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is replacing the random selection with a wage-weighted system starting with the Fiscal Year 2027 cap season (registration in March 2026) to prioritize higher-skilled, higher-paid foreign workers. Demand far exceeds the 85,000 annual cap, necessitating selection, but now, registrations are entered multiple times into the pool based on the Department of Labor wage level (Level IV gets more entries), boosting odds for better-paid positions.
 

Is H-1B purely luck?

If you are graduating in 2025 or 2026 and your employer plans to file an H-1B registration for you in March 2026, your chance of being selected will be based on the wage level your job offer falls into rather than pure luck.

Why do Indians get most H-1B?

The H1B is open to all nationalities. Indians are overrepresented because they make up the largest share of global STEM talent and because Indian IT consulting firms submit the most applications — not because the system favors them.

What is the 3 to 1 rule for H-1B visa?

The H-1B visa "3-to-1 Rule" (codified at 8 C.F.R. §214.2(h)(4)(iii)(D)(5)) allows U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to consider three years of relevant work experience or specialized training as the equivalent of one year of college education for H-1B eligibility, helping applicants without a full bachelor's degree qualify for specialty occupations. This means an applicant lacking a 4-year degree could potentially qualify if they have 12 years of related experience, or an Associate's degree plus 6 years of experience, demonstrating progressively responsible work to meet the educational requirements for the specialty occupation. 

How can I increase my chances of a H-1B visa?

Having a U.S. graduate degree improves your chances of having your employer's registration selected in the annual "lottery," because USCIS first allocates the 20,000 so-called exempt visas and then puts anyone not selected in the regular pool for the 65,000 visas.

How long can you stay in the US on an H-1B?

The H-1B is a Specialty Occupation work authorization visa with a cumulative maximum duration of 6 years. The initial period of stay for those in H-1B status is three (3) years, with extensions available for up to three (3) years thereafter.

What is the minimum salary for H-1B?

The H-1B minimum salary isn't a single fixed number but is based on the Prevailing Wage (highest of actual wage or DOL's four-tiered wage for the job/location) and a new $60,000 exemption for some employers, though actual minimums vary significantly by occupation and location, with higher wages getting lottery priority in new rules. Employers must pay the higher of the actual wage for similar U.S. workers or the prevailing wage, but a $60,000 floor exists for exempt H-1B dependent employers, while lottery selection now favors higher salary offers. 

What is the denial rate for H-1B in 2025?

The denial rate for H-1 B petitions for initial employment rose to 2.8% in FY 2025 from 2.5% in FY 2024. That was lower than the 3.5% rate in FY 2023 but above the 2.2% rate in FY 2022.

What jobs are most likely to get H-1B visas?

Examples of Jobs That Have Been Approved for H-1B Visas

• Accountants and Auditors.
• Architects.
• Biologists.
• Budget and Management Analysts.
• Chemists.
• Civil Engineers.
• College and University Educators.
• Database Administrators.

Does Chick-fil-A sponsor H-1B?

Does Chick-fil-A provide sponsorship for employment visa status? (e.g. H-1B visa status) No. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide assistance with sponsorship at this time.

Who pays $100,000 for an H-1B visa?

The $100,000 H-1B fee, implemented in late 2025, applies to employers filing new H-1B petitions for workers outside the U.S. who don't have a valid H-1B visa, specifically those seeking entry or consular processing, not for extensions, changes of status for F-1 students, or current H-1B holders. It's a fee on importing labor to discourage using H-1Bs primarily for cost savings, targeting new overseas hires, with very rare national interest exceptions possible, making it a significant cost for many businesses. 

What is the disadvantage of a H-1B visa?

In any case, one can readily see the underpayment, by noting that the H-1Bs are largely unable to move freely (see above) in the labor market--if one cannot move, one cannot find the best salary among competing employers. Thus the H-1Bs are on average paid below-market wages.

Which company gives the most H-1B visas?

Amazon consistently sponsors the most H-1B visas, leading the list in recent years (FY2025), followed closely by major tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google, along with large IT firms such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Cognizant, though the landscape shifts with some Indian IT companies dominating over longer periods.
 

How is the H-1B lottery picked?

In total, there are 85,000 new H-1B visas authorized each year. When demand exceeds the number of visas available, USCIS runs a random, computer-generated cap registration process (commonly known as the “lottery”) to determine who is selected. The lottery is conducted via an online initial registration system.

Can I get H-1B without lottery?

Due to regular high demand, many H1B visa applicants face low odds of selection in the annual lottery, with only a small portion making it through each year. However, certain employers are exempt from this cap on H1B visas, and can file at any time, regardless of the limit or selection in the lottery.

Is H-1B a lottery visa?

Yes, the H-1B visa process was a lottery, but U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is replacing the random selection with a wage-weighted system starting with the Fiscal Year 2027 cap season (registration in March 2026) to prioritize higher-skilled, higher-paid foreign workers. Demand far exceeds the 85,000 annual cap, necessitating selection, but now, registrations are entered multiple times into the pool based on the Department of Labor wage level (Level IV gets more entries), boosting odds for better-paid positions.
 

What is the 3 for 1 rule for H-1B?

The H-1B visa "3 for 1 rule" allows U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to grant degree equivalency for H-1B eligibility, meaning three years of relevant, progressive work experience or specialized training counts as one year of a bachelor's degree. This helps individuals without a full degree qualify for specialty occupations by demonstrating they have the equivalent education, but requires detailed documentation of theoretical and practical knowledge gained while working with degree-holding peers. 

How hard is it to win the H-1B lottery?

H-1B Visa Chances (FY 2025-2026)

We calculated the rate of selection to be 21.8% in 2025. To calculate the selection rate, we divided eligible registrations (343,981) by available visas (78,200, which accounts for the 6,800 visas exclusive to Singaporean residents). Thus, the chances of selection were 22.7%.

What is the new H-1B rule by Trump?

The rule is another crucial step to strengthen the integrity of the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program. It is in line with other key changes the administration has made, such as the Presidential Proclamation that requires employers to pay an additional $100,000 per visa as a condition of eligibility.