The debate over skilled immigration in the United States, particularly surrounding the H-1B visa program, has re-emerged as a contentious political issue, especially with Donald Trump preparing for another presidential campaign. According to a YouGov poll conducted in October, 14.6% of registered voters now see immigration as the key issue for the upcoming election—a sharp rise from just 2.1% in 2012.
The H-1B visa program enables U.S. employers to recruit foreign professionals for specialized roles requiring at least a bachelor’s degree, as per the U.S. Department of Labor. This policy has long been a focal point of interest in India, where much of the conversation has now shifted toward the evolving trends in visa allocations.
Indian nationals have historically dominated the H-1B visa landscape, consistently accounting for over 70% of all approved petitions since 2015. Recent U.S. government data for fiscal year 2024 indicates that Indian IT firms obtained about 20% of all H-1B visas issued between April and September. Out of the 130,000 H-1B visas granted during this period, 24,766 were allocated to Indian-origin companies.
Prominent Indian IT companies, including Infosys, Wipro, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and HCL Technologies, continue to feature prominently among top H-1B employers. However, there are signs of change. Wipro experienced a decline in visa approvals, receiving 1,634 H-1B visas, while Tech Mahindra followed with 1,199 approvals.
Top Companies Sponsoring H-1B Visas in 2024
The top ten companies sponsoring H-1B visas reflect a growing dominance of U.S.-based tech firms:
Amazon Com Services LLC – 9,265 approvals
Infosys Limited – 8,140 approvals
Cognizant Technology Solutions – 6,321 approvals
Google LLC – 5,364 approvals
Tata Consultancy Services Limited – 5,274 approvals
Meta Platforms Inc – 4,844 approvals
Microsoft Corporation – 4,725 approvals
Apple Inc – 3,873 approvals
HCL America Inc – 2,953 approvals
IBM Corporation – 2,906 approvals
U.S. Firms Increasing H-1B Usage
While Indian firms continue to be major players, there is a notable shift in the H-1B landscape. A report by the Economic Times highlights that since 2016, U.S. companies have significantly increased their reliance on H-1B visas, with a 189% overall rise. Amazon leads the pack with a remarkable 478% increase in visa applications, followed by Meta and Google, which saw increases of 244% and 137%, respectively.
This trend indicates a gradual shift as Indian firms reduce their dependence on H-1B visas, while U.S.-based tech giants continue to expand their usage, shaping the future dynamics of skilled immigration and international talent mobility.
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