Ur Mendoza Jaddou, Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (left) and Jennifer B. Higgins, Deputy Director. | https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/organization/leadership
Ur Mendoza Jaddou, Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (left) and Jennifer B. Higgins, Deputy Director. | https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/organization/leadership
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.
In 2024, the average approval rate for H-1B petitions across the United States stood at 98%, slightly higher than 2023's 97.3%.
The Public Administration industry led the H-1B filings locally during 2024, with 15 petitions (32.6% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 100%. Meanwhile, the Finance and Insurance industry was the second largest contributor, filing eight petitions (17.4% of the total), with an approval rate of 100%.
Among local employers with petitions during 2024, Washington Health Benefit Exchange stood out with five petitions and an approval rate of 100%, followed by State of Washington Department of Corrections with four petitions and an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the South Sound Times publication area saw a 24.3% increase 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 | Public Administration | 15 | 32.6% | 100% | 0% |
2 | Finance and Insurance | 8 | 17.4% | 100% | 0% |
3 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 7 | 15.2% | 85.7% | 14.3% |
3 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 7 | 15.2% | 85.7% | 14.3% |
5 | Educational Services | 4 | 8.7% | 75% | 25% |
6 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 2 | 4.3% | 100% | 0% |
7 | Information | 1 | 2.2% | 100% | 0% |
7 | Retail Trade | 1 | 2.2% | 100% | 0% |
7 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 1 | 2.2% | 100% | 0% |
Company Name | Industry(ies) | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
---|---|---|---|---|
Washington Health Benefit Exchange | Finance and Insurance | 5 | 100% | 0% |
State of Washington Department of Corrections | Public Administration | 4 | 100% | 0% |
Washington State Administrative of | Public Administration | 3 | 100% | 0% |
East2west Technologies, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
Washington State Department of Society | Public Administration | 2 | 100% | 0% |
Lewis County Community Health Services | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 50% | 50% |
Washington State Health Care Authority | Finance and Insurance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
ETV Care Home, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
Continental Floral FL, LLC | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 2 | 100% | 0% |
Cayzen Corporation | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 50% | 50% |
Washington State Employment Security Department | Public Administration | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services | Public Administration | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Washington State Department of Licensed | Public Administration | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Washington State Department of Enterprise Services | Public Administration | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Washington State Department of CHI | Public Administration | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Washington State Investment Board | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Trinity Care Home, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Transalta USA, Inc. | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 1 | 100% | 0% |
State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services | Public Administration | 1 | 100% | 0% |
South Puget Sound Community College | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Shelton Consolidated School District 309 | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Samy S Drug Store | Retail Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Saint Martin S University | Educational Services | 1 | 0% | 100% |
Public Hospital District No 1 of Mason County | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Northwest Healthcare Alliance, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Joyspace Technologies, Inc. | Information | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Hummingbird Precision Machine Comp | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Exeltech Consulting, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Centralia College | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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