Recent data indicates that U.S. companies are increasingly relying on skilled foreign workers, particularly in the tech sector.
- H-1B visa issuance in the U.S. has been steadily increasing, with a significant rise in 2024
- The program aims to address talent shortages and drive business growth, technological advancements, and increased productivity
- Top tech companies, including Amazon, Infosys, and Google, are among the major users of the H-1B visa program to hire skilled foreign workers
Statistics from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) show a steady rise in the issuance of H-1B visas indicating an increased reliance on skilled foreign workers by U.S companies.
The primary aim of the H-1B visa is to allow U.S. employers to hire foreign workers with specialized skills and expertise in occupations that require a high degree of technical or professional knowledge.
By addressing domestic talent shortages, the program has driven business growth, technological advancements, and increased productivity.
For decades, tech companies have heavily relied on high-skilled workers through this program.
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During the 2024 fiscal year, USCIS received 780,884 H-1B registrations, a significant increase from 483,927 in FY 2023.
H-1B Visa faces criticism
Despite its benefits, the H-1B program faces criticism for being misused to outsource jobs and potentially exploit visa holders who are tied to employers for sponsorship.
A row has erupted in the U.S. following Trump’s appointment of Indian-born venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as AI policy advisor.
While Trump’s supporters have criticized the move, industry leaders like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have called for urgent reform of the H-1B visa program.
Musk recently sparked an online debate by claiming the U.S. lacks top engineers and suggesting immigration as a solution.
“There is a dire shortage of extremely talented and motivated engineers in America,” Musk posted on his social media platform, X, comparing tech companies to a pro sports team scouting players.
“If you force the world’s best talent to play for the other side, America will LOSE.” Musk added
The US Department of Homeland Security has announced new updates to the H-1B visa program, effective January 17. The new rules aim to streamline the hiring process for highly skilled foreign workers and enhance oversight.
Employers will be required to use the updated Form I-129, which becomes mandatory on the rule’s effective date
The majority of H-1B visa beneficiaries in 2024 were concentrated among the top petitioning companies, predominantly within the tech sector.
This table shows the top 10 companies by number of approved H-1B beneficiaries, based on data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
| Rank | Company | H-1B Visa Beneficiaries Approved in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon | 9,265 |
| 2 | Infosys | 8,140 |
| 3 | Cognizant | 6,321 |
| 4 | 5,364 | |
| 5 | Tata Consultancy Services | 5,274 |
| 6 | Meta Platforms | 4,844 |
| 7 | Microsoft | 4,725 |
| 8 | Apple | 3,873 |
| 9 | HCL America Inc | 2,953 |
| 10 | IBM Corporation | 2.906 |
Amazon has topped the list of companies with 9,265 approved H-1B visas over the past five years, mainly hiring engineers and tech professionals.
Infosys, an Indian-based IT outsourcing giant, and Cognizant follow Amazon in utilizing the H-1B visa program with 8,140, and 6,321 respectively.
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Google secured the fourth position with 5,364 approvals, while Tata Consultancy Services ranked fifth with 5,274.
These figures reflect the significant demand for H-1B workers, particularly in technology and IT services.
Despite needing reforms to ensure fair wages and prevent misuse, the H-1B visa program significantly benefits the U.S. economy, especially in talent-dependent sectors.
It represents both an opportunity and a responsibility, requiring balanced policies to optimize its impact.
