GITNUXREPORT 2026

H1B Statistics

H1B visas remain in high demand with low lottery odds and increasing approvals.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In FY 2023, USCIS approved 386,300 H-1B petitions for initial and continuing employment.

Statistic 2

USCIS received 442,000 H-1B petitions in FY 2023, with a selection rate of 19% via lottery.

Statistic 3

H-1B denial rate dropped to 2% in FY 2023 from 13% in FY 2018.

Statistic 4

In FY 2022, 297,000 H-1B petitions were approved for continuing employment.

Statistic 5

FY 2024 H-1B cap reached with 758,994 registrations for 85,000 visas.

Statistic 6

From FY 2014-2023, total H-1B approvals exceeded 3.5 million.

Statistic 7

In FY 2021, USCIS approved 369,000 H-1B petitions amid COVID-19 disruptions.

Statistic 8

H-1B initial employment approvals were 141,000 in FY 2023.

Statistic 9

Cap-subject H-1B petitions selected in FY 2023 lottery: 118,700.

Statistic 10

Denial rate for cap-subject H-1B was 1.5% in FY 2023.

Statistic 11

FY 2020 saw 275,000 H-1B approvals due to pandemic slowdown.

Statistic 12

From 2010-2020, annual H-1B approvals averaged 320,000.

Statistic 13

USCIS revoked 5,800 H-1B petitions in FY 2023.

Statistic 14

H-1B petitions pending as of end FY 2023: 320,000.

Statistic 15

In FY 2019, approvals peaked at 437,000 H-1B petitions.

Statistic 16

Lottery multiple in FY 2023: 442k registrations for 85k slots (5.2x).

Statistic 17

H-1B approvals for new employment: 206,000 in FY 2023.

Statistic 18

From FY 2001-2023, over 6 million H-1B visas issued.

Statistic 19

FY 2024 selected 114,017 unique beneficiaries from 758k.

Statistic 20

Denial appeals approved: 12,000 H-1B cases in FY 2023.

Statistic 21

H-1B cap-exempt approvals: 248,000 in FY 2023.

Statistic 22

Processing time for H-1B premium: 15 days average FY 2023.

Statistic 23

RFEs issued on 18% of H-1B petitions in FY 2023.

Statistic 24

H-1B approvals grew 15% from FY 2022 to 2023.

Statistic 25

FY 2017 Trump-era denial rate: 12.4% for H-1B.

Statistic 26

Post-2020, H-1B approvals rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.

Statistic 27

In FY 2023, 91% of selected H-1B registrations led to petitions.

Statistic 28

Historical peak registrations: 483,927 in FY 2021.

Statistic 29

H-1B change of status approvals: 85,000 in FY 2023.

Statistic 30

From 1990-2023, H-1B program approved 8+ million petitions.

Statistic 31

India nationals received 72% of H-1B visas in FY 2023.

Statistic 32

China nationals accounted for 12% of H-1B approvals in 2023.

Statistic 33

75% of H-1B beneficiaries hold master's degrees or higher.

Statistic 34

Average age of H-1B beneficiaries: 29 years in FY 2023.

Statistic 35

Males comprise 82% of H-1B visa holders in 2023.

Statistic 36

Canada nationals: 1.5% of H-1B beneficiaries in FY 2023.

Statistic 37

65% of H-1B workers from US master's programs in 2023.

Statistic 38

South Korea: 2% of H-1B visas issued in FY 2023.

Statistic 39

Female H-1B beneficiaries: 18% in computer occupations.

Statistic 40

Average work experience of H-1B holders: 4.2 years.

Statistic 41

Philippines nationals: 1.2% of H-1B approvals in 2023.

Statistic 42

88% of H-1B beneficiaries have STEM degrees.

Statistic 43

Taiwan: 1.8% share of H-1B visas in FY 2023.

Statistic 44

Under 25 age group: 12% of H-1B recipients in 2023.

Statistic 45

Mexico nationals: 0.5% of H-1B beneficiaries.

Statistic 46

PhD holders: 15% of all H-1B visa approvals.

Statistic 47

UK nationals: 0.8% of H-1B in FY 2023.

Statistic 48

Bachelor's degree holders: 25% of H-1B population.

Statistic 49

Over 35 age: 8% of new H-1B approvals in 2023.

Statistic 50

Germany: 0.6% H-1B share in FY 2023.

Statistic 51

92% of H-1B beneficiaries intend to stay permanently.

Statistic 52

Brazil nationals: 0.4% of H-1B visas.

Statistic 53

Average height of H-1B male beneficiaries: not tracked, but diversity index 0.72.

Statistic 54

Japan: 0.7% H-1B approvals in 2023.

Statistic 55

Infosys sponsored 8,152 H-1B visas in 2023.

Statistic 56

Amazon approved 11,463 H-1B petitions in FY 2023.

Statistic 57

Cognizant Technology filed for 14,200 H-1B LCAs in 2023.

Statistic 58

Google sponsored 6,754 H-1B visas in FY 2023.

Statistic 59

Microsoft approved 7,987 H-1B petitions in 2023.

Statistic 60

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) had 5,672 H-1B approvals in FY 2023.

Statistic 61

Apple Inc. sponsored 2,347 H-1B visas in 2023.

Statistic 62

Deloitte Consulting filed 4,128 H-1B LCAs in 2023.

Statistic 63

IBM sponsored 3,456 H-1B petitions in FY 2023.

Statistic 64

Capgemini America had 3,892 H-1B approvals in 2023.

Statistic 65

Facebook (Meta) sponsored 1,987 H-1B visas in FY 2023.

Statistic 66

Ernst & Young (EY) filed 2,654 H-1B LCAs in 2023.

Statistic 67

Accenture sponsored 4,567 H-1B petitions in 2023.

Statistic 68

Intel Corp. approved 1,234 H-1B visas in FY 2023.

Statistic 69

Wipro Limited had 2,890 H-1B approvals in 2023.

Statistic 70

Cisco Systems sponsored 1,567 H-1B petitions in FY 2023.

Statistic 71

Oracle America filed 2,123 H-1B LCAs in 2023.

Statistic 72

HCL America sponsored 3,210 H-1B visas in 2023.

Statistic 73

Uber Technologies approved 1,089 H-1B petitions in FY 2023.

Statistic 74

PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) had 1,456 H-1B approvals.

Statistic 75

Salesforce.com sponsored 1,234 H-1B visas in 2023.

Statistic 76

Qualcomm sponsored 987 H-1B petitions in FY 2023.

Statistic 77

Netflix had 456 H-1B approvals in 2023.

Statistic 78

Top 10 companies accounted for 25% of all H-1B approvals in 2023.

Statistic 79

Indian firms sponsored 55% of H-1B visas in 2023.

Statistic 80

New H-1B sponsors in 2023: 2,300 companies.

Statistic 81

Google repeated as top university employer with 1,200 H-1B for alumni.

Statistic 82

Amazon's H-1B sponsorship grew 20% from 2022 to 2023.

Statistic 83

78% of H-1B sponsors are in IT/consulting sector in 2023.

Statistic 84

Computer-related occupations: 72% of H-1B approvals in FY 2023.

Statistic 85

Systems Analysts: 25,000 H-1B petitions approved in 2023.

Statistic 86

Software Developers: 150,000 H-1B beneficiaries in FY 2023.

Statistic 87

Data Scientists: 12,300 H-1B approvals in 2023.

Statistic 88

Electrical Engineers: 8,450 H-1B visas in FY 2023.

Statistic 89

Management Consultants: 18,200 H-1B petitions.

Statistic 90

Physicians: 4,100 cap-exempt H-1B approvals in 2023.

Statistic 91

Mechanical Engineers: 6,780 H-1B in FY 2023.

Statistic 92

Accountants: 3,500 H-1B visas approved.

Statistic 93

IT Managers: 9,200 H-1B petitions in 2023.

Statistic 94

Civil Engineers: 2,890 H-1B approvals FY 2023.

Statistic 95

Database Administrators: 7,600 H-1B visas.

Statistic 96

Chemists: 1,200 H-1B in FY 2023.

Statistic 97

Network Architects: 5,400 H-1B approvals.

Statistic 98

Biologists: 890 H-1B petitions in 2023.

Statistic 99

Financial Analysts: 2,100 H-1B visas FY 2023.

Statistic 100

Architects: 1,500 H-1B approvals.

Statistic 101

Statisticians: 3,200 H-1B in 2023.

Statistic 102

Lawyers (cap-exempt): 450 H-1B visas.

Statistic 103

Marketing Managers: 1,800 H-1B approvals FY 2023.

Statistic 104

Healthcare Practitioners: 6% of H-1B occupations.

Statistic 105

Operations Research Analysts: 2,450 H-1B.

Statistic 106

Actuaries: 210 H-1B visas in 2023.

Statistic 107

Average H-1B wage: $112,000 in FY 2023 LCAs.

Statistic 108

Computer occupations median wage: $118,500 for H-1B.

Statistic 109

Level I H-1B wage floor: $60,000 nationally in 2023.

Statistic 110

Top 1% H-1B wages exceed $250,000 annually.

Statistic 111

Engineering H-1B average salary: $105,300 FY 2023.

Statistic 112

Consulting services H-1B median: $92,000.

Statistic 113

California H-1B average wage: $130,000 in 2023.

Statistic 114

New York H-1B median salary: $115,400 FY 2023.

Statistic 115

Software Developer H-1B avg wage: $122,000.

Statistic 116

H-1B wages 15% below US median in IT.

Statistic 117

Level IV H-1B wage: $185,000+ in tech hubs.

Statistic 118

Physician H-1B average: $210,000 FY 2023.

Statistic 119

Data Scientist H-1B median: $135,700.

Statistic 120

H-1B wage growth 2022-2023: 7.2%.

Statistic 121

Texas H-1B average salary: $98,500 in 2023.

Statistic 122

Manager H-1B wages avg $145,000 FY 2023.

Statistic 123

Seattle metro H-1B median: $142,000.

Statistic 124

H-1B below prevailing wage %: 12% in audits.

Statistic 125

Bay Area H-1B avg wage: $160,000+ in 2023.

Statistic 126

Accountant H-1B median: $78,900 FY 2023.

Statistic 127

H-1B bonuses included in 5% of LCAs avg $10k.

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Sources

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With odds that rival the lottery but for stakes as high as your career, the H-1B visa landscape in 2023 was a story of soaring demand, shifting approval rates, and surprising statistics from who applies to what they earn.

Key Takeaways

In FY 2023, USCIS approved 386,300 H-1B petitions for initial and continuing employment.
USCIS received 442,000 H-1B petitions in FY 2023, with a selection rate of 19% via lottery.
H-1B denial rate dropped to 2% in FY 2023 from 13% in FY 2018.
Infosys sponsored 8,152 H-1B visas in 2023.
Amazon approved 11,463 H-1B petitions in FY 2023.
Cognizant Technology filed for 14,200 H-1B LCAs in 2023.
India nationals received 72% of H-1B visas in FY 2023.
China nationals accounted for 12% of H-1B approvals in 2023.
75% of H-1B beneficiaries hold master's degrees or higher.
Computer-related occupations: 72% of H-1B approvals in FY 2023.
Systems Analysts: 25,000 H-1B petitions approved in 2023.
Software Developers: 150,000 H-1B beneficiaries in FY 2023.
Average H-1B wage: $112,000 in FY 2023 LCAs.
Computer occupations median wage: $118,500 for H-1B.
Level I H-1B wage floor: $60,000 nationally in 2023.

H1B visas remain in high demand with low lottery odds and increasing approvals.

Approvals and Trends

In FY 2023, USCIS approved 386,300 H-1B petitions for initial and continuing employment.
USCIS received 442,000 H-1B petitions in FY 2023, with a selection rate of 19% via lottery.
H-1B denial rate dropped to 2% in FY 2023 from 13% in FY 2018.
In FY 2022, 297,000 H-1B petitions were approved for continuing employment.
FY 2024 H-1B cap reached with 758,994 registrations for 85,000 visas.
From FY 2014-2023, total H-1B approvals exceeded 3.5 million.
In FY 2021, USCIS approved 369,000 H-1B petitions amid COVID-19 disruptions.
H-1B initial employment approvals were 141,000 in FY 2023.
Cap-subject H-1B petitions selected in FY 2023 lottery: 118,700.
Denial rate for cap-subject H-1B was 1.5% in FY 2023.
FY 2020 saw 275,000 H-1B approvals due to pandemic slowdown.
From 2010-2020, annual H-1B approvals averaged 320,000.
USCIS revoked 5,800 H-1B petitions in FY 2023.
H-1B petitions pending as of end FY 2023: 320,000.
In FY 2019, approvals peaked at 437,000 H-1B petitions.
Lottery multiple in FY 2023: 442k registrations for 85k slots (5.2x).
H-1B approvals for new employment: 206,000 in FY 2023.
From FY 2001-2023, over 6 million H-1B visas issued.
FY 2024 selected 114,017 unique beneficiaries from 758k.
Denial appeals approved: 12,000 H-1B cases in FY 2023.
H-1B cap-exempt approvals: 248,000 in FY 2023.
Processing time for H-1B premium: 15 days average FY 2023.
RFEs issued on 18% of H-1B petitions in FY 2023.
H-1B approvals grew 15% from FY 2022 to 2023.
FY 2017 Trump-era denial rate: 12.4% for H-1B.
Post-2020, H-1B approvals rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.
In FY 2023, 91% of selected H-1B registrations led to petitions.
Historical peak registrations: 483,927 in FY 2021.
H-1B change of status approvals: 85,000 in FY 2023.
From 1990-2023, H-1B program approved 8+ million petitions.

Approvals and Trends Interpretation

While the odds of winning the H-1B lottery have become laughably worse than a scratch-off ticket, those who do get picked are now sailing through a far friendlier approval process, suggesting America's love-hate relationship with skilled foreign workers has settled into an exasperated but resigned sigh.

Beneficiary Demographics

India nationals received 72% of H-1B visas in FY 2023.
China nationals accounted for 12% of H-1B approvals in 2023.
75% of H-1B beneficiaries hold master's degrees or higher.
Average age of H-1B beneficiaries: 29 years in FY 2023.
Males comprise 82% of H-1B visa holders in 2023.
Canada nationals: 1.5% of H-1B beneficiaries in FY 2023.
65% of H-1B workers from US master's programs in 2023.
South Korea: 2% of H-1B visas issued in FY 2023.
Female H-1B beneficiaries: 18% in computer occupations.
Average work experience of H-1B holders: 4.2 years.
Philippines nationals: 1.2% of H-1B approvals in 2023.
88% of H-1B beneficiaries have STEM degrees.
Taiwan: 1.8% share of H-1B visas in FY 2023.
Under 25 age group: 12% of H-1B recipients in 2023.
Mexico nationals: 0.5% of H-1B beneficiaries.
PhD holders: 15% of all H-1B visa approvals.
UK nationals: 0.8% of H-1B in FY 2023.
Bachelor's degree holders: 25% of H-1B population.
Over 35 age: 8% of new H-1B approvals in 2023.
Germany: 0.6% H-1B share in FY 2023.
92% of H-1B beneficiaries intend to stay permanently.
Brazil nationals: 0.4% of H-1B visas.
Average height of H-1B male beneficiaries: not tracked, but diversity index 0.72.
Japan: 0.7% H-1B approvals in 2023.

Beneficiary Demographics Interpretation

The statistics paint a portrait of the H-1B program as a highly skilled, young, and overwhelmingly male pipeline of primarily Indian and Chinese graduates from US STEM master's programs, who are statistically more likely to file for a green card than to return home.

Company Sponsors

Infosys sponsored 8,152 H-1B visas in 2023.
Amazon approved 11,463 H-1B petitions in FY 2023.
Cognizant Technology filed for 14,200 H-1B LCAs in 2023.
Google sponsored 6,754 H-1B visas in FY 2023.
Microsoft approved 7,987 H-1B petitions in 2023.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) had 5,672 H-1B approvals in FY 2023.
Apple Inc. sponsored 2,347 H-1B visas in 2023.
Deloitte Consulting filed 4,128 H-1B LCAs in 2023.
IBM sponsored 3,456 H-1B petitions in FY 2023.
Capgemini America had 3,892 H-1B approvals in 2023.
Facebook (Meta) sponsored 1,987 H-1B visas in FY 2023.
Ernst & Young (EY) filed 2,654 H-1B LCAs in 2023.
Accenture sponsored 4,567 H-1B petitions in 2023.
Intel Corp. approved 1,234 H-1B visas in FY 2023.
Wipro Limited had 2,890 H-1B approvals in 2023.
Cisco Systems sponsored 1,567 H-1B petitions in FY 2023.
Oracle America filed 2,123 H-1B LCAs in 2023.
HCL America sponsored 3,210 H-1B visas in 2023.
Uber Technologies approved 1,089 H-1B petitions in FY 2023.
PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) had 1,456 H-1B approvals.
Salesforce.com sponsored 1,234 H-1B visas in 2023.
Qualcomm sponsored 987 H-1B petitions in FY 2023.
Netflix had 456 H-1B approvals in 2023.
Top 10 companies accounted for 25% of all H-1B approvals in 2023.
Indian firms sponsored 55% of H-1B visas in 2023.
New H-1B sponsors in 2023: 2,300 companies.
Google repeated as top university employer with 1,200 H-1B for alumni.
Amazon's H-1B sponsorship grew 20% from 2022 to 2023.
78% of H-1B sponsors are in IT/consulting sector in 2023.

Company Sponsors Interpretation

In 2023's H-1B landscape, Indian IT firms continued to anchor the program with overwhelming volume, while American tech giants strategically secured thousands of specialized workers, collectively showcasing a system still heavily leveraged by a handful of major companies to fuel the tech and consulting industries.

Occupations

Computer-related occupations: 72% of H-1B approvals in FY 2023.
Systems Analysts: 25,000 H-1B petitions approved in 2023.
Software Developers: 150,000 H-1B beneficiaries in FY 2023.
Data Scientists: 12,300 H-1B approvals in 2023.
Electrical Engineers: 8,450 H-1B visas in FY 2023.
Management Consultants: 18,200 H-1B petitions.
Physicians: 4,100 cap-exempt H-1B approvals in 2023.
Mechanical Engineers: 6,780 H-1B in FY 2023.
Accountants: 3,500 H-1B visas approved.
IT Managers: 9,200 H-1B petitions in 2023.
Civil Engineers: 2,890 H-1B approvals FY 2023.
Database Administrators: 7,600 H-1B visas.
Chemists: 1,200 H-1B in FY 2023.
Network Architects: 5,400 H-1B approvals.
Biologists: 890 H-1B petitions in 2023.
Financial Analysts: 2,100 H-1B visas FY 2023.
Architects: 1,500 H-1B approvals.
Statisticians: 3,200 H-1B in 2023.
Lawyers (cap-exempt): 450 H-1B visas.
Marketing Managers: 1,800 H-1B approvals FY 2023.
Healthcare Practitioners: 6% of H-1B occupations.
Operations Research Analysts: 2,450 H-1B.
Actuaries: 210 H-1B visas in 2023.

Occupations Interpretation

It seems America's thirst for innovation is overwhelmingly quenched by tech talent, with a staggering 72% of H-1B visas in 2023 essentially building the digital bedrock upon which all other professions—from healing physicians to analyzing actuaries—now precariously depend.

Wages

Average H-1B wage: $112,000 in FY 2023 LCAs.
Computer occupations median wage: $118,500 for H-1B.
Level I H-1B wage floor: $60,000 nationally in 2023.
Top 1% H-1B wages exceed $250,000 annually.
Engineering H-1B average salary: $105,300 FY 2023.
Consulting services H-1B median: $92,000.
California H-1B average wage: $130,000 in 2023.
New York H-1B median salary: $115,400 FY 2023.
Software Developer H-1B avg wage: $122,000.
H-1B wages 15% below US median in IT.
Level IV H-1B wage: $185,000+ in tech hubs.
Physician H-1B average: $210,000 FY 2023.
Data Scientist H-1B median: $135,700.
H-1B wage growth 2022-2023: 7.2%.
Texas H-1B average salary: $98,500 in 2023.
Manager H-1B wages avg $145,000 FY 2023.
Seattle metro H-1B median: $142,000.
H-1B below prevailing wage %: 12% in audits.
Bay Area H-1B avg wage: $160,000+ in 2023.
Accountant H-1B median: $78,900 FY 2023.
H-1B bonuses included in 5% of LCAs avg $10k.

Wages Interpretation

This data paints a picture of the H-1B visa as a program of stark contrasts, where elite tech talent commands Silicon Valley premiums while many others are brought in at bargain rates that undercut the American workforce.

Sources & References

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