Top H-1B Applications to Watch in 2025

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. The H-1B visa is a popular option for employers who need to hire highly skilled workers from abroad. In recent years, the number of H-1B applications has increased significantly. For the fiscal year 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received a record number of H-1B applications. The high number of applications is due to a number of factors, including the increasing demand for skilled workers in the U.S. and the backlog in processing H-1B applications.

The H-1B visa is a valuable tool for U.S. employers. However, the high number of applications and the backlog in processing can make it difficult for employers to obtain H-1B visas for their employees. The backlog in processing H-1B applications is a major problem for employers. In recent years, USCIS has taken steps to reduce the backlog, but it is still a significant problem. The backlog can cause delays in the processing of H-1B applications, which can lead to lost productivity and increased costs for employers.

The high number of H-1B applications and the backlog in processing are major challenges for U.S. employers. However, there are a number of things that employers can do to increase their chances of obtaining H-1B visas for their employees. These include: filing H-1B petitions early; working with an experienced immigration attorney; and providing USCIS with all of the required documentation. By following these tips, employers can increase their chances of obtaining H-1B visas for their employees and avoid the delays and costs associated with the backlog in processing.

H1B Cap Reached for 2025

This year, the H1B visa cap of 65,000 was reached on March 17, 2023, for petitions requesting an employment start date of October 1, 2025. As a result, a computer-generated lottery system was used to select petitions. The lottery results will be announced in early November 2023.

H1B Cap Details

The H1B visa cap is divided into two categories:

* 65,000 for regular cap applications
* 20,000 for the advanced degree exemption (reserved for those with a U.S. master’s degree or higher)

The regular cap reached its limit in the first 5 days of April 2023, while the advanced degree exemption cap was reached in the first week of May 2023. The following table provides a summary of the cap details:

Cap Category	Number of Visas	Date Reached
Regular Cap	65,000	March 17, 2023
Advanced Degree Exemption	20,000	May 2023

Due to the high demand for H1B visas, it is important for employers to file their petitions as early as possible. The earlier you file, the higher your chances of getting selected in the lottery.

Record Number of H1B Applications Filed

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received a record number of H1B visa applications for the fiscal year 2025. The deadline for filing H1B petitions was March 31, 2024, and USCIS announced that it received 483,927 applications, surpassing the previous record set in 2023 by over 100,000 applications.

The H1B visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations that require a bachelor’s degree or higher. The increased demand for H1B visas reflects the growing need for skilled workers in various industries, including technology, healthcare, and engineering.

H1B Visa Application Details

The USCIS conducted two rounds of lottery selections for the 2025 H1B visa applications. The first lottery was held on March 24, 2024, and the second lottery was held on March 30, 2024. A total of 85,000 H1B visas were available for both lotteries combined.

The USCIS received 236,736 applications in the first lottery and 247,191 applications in the second lottery. The following table shows the number of applications received and selected in each lottery:

Lottery Round	Applications Received	Applications Selected
First Lottery	236,736	65,000
Second Lottery	247,191	20,000

Surge in Applications from Specific Industries

Healthcare

The healthcare industry has consistently been a major driver of H-1B applications. In 2023, the industry accounted for over 25% of all approved petitions. This strong demand is largely due to the increasing need for skilled professionals in areas such as nursing, physical therapy, and medical research.

Technology

Another industry that has seen a surge in H-1B applications is technology. With the rapid advancements in digital technologies, companies are constantly seeking highly skilled professionals in fields such as software engineering, data science, and cybersecurity. This has led to a significant rise in H-1B applications from the tech sector.

Business Services

The business services industry has also experienced a significant increase in H-1B applications. This includes companies specializing in areas such as accounting, finance, and management consulting. The demand for skilled professionals in these areas has been growing due to the increasing complexity of global business operations and the need for specialized expertise.

Industry	% of Approved Petitions in 2023
Healthcare	25%
Technology	20%
Business Services	15%

Geographic Distribution of H1B Applications

States with the Highest H1B Applications

In 2023, the top five states with the highest number of H1B visa applications were:

State	Number of Applications
California	100,000+
Texas	50,000+
New York	25,000+
Washington	20,000+
Illinois	15,000+

Metropolitan Areas with the Highest H1B Applications

The top five metropolitan areas with the highest number of H1B visa applications were:

New York City
San Francisco
Seattle
Chicago
Atlanta

Detailed Geographic Breakdown

The following table provides a more detailed breakdown of the geographic distribution of H1B applications:

Region	Number of Applications
West Coast	45%
East Coast	30%
Midwest	15%
South	10%

Top Employers Receiving H1B Approvals

During the H1B visa lottery for fiscal year 2025, numerous employers received a significant number of H1B approvals. The following list highlights the top employers who secured the most H1B visas.

Amazon

E-commerce giant Amazon emerged as the leading employer with the highest number of H1B approvals in 2025. The company’s focus on technology, innovation, and global expansion has resulted in a high demand for skilled foreign workers.

Microsoft

Another tech giant, Microsoft, also received a substantial number of H1B approvals. The company’s presence in various industries, including software development, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, has contributed to its need for specialized talent.

Google

Google, known for its expertise in search engines, advertising, and cloud services, secured a significant number of H1B visas. The company’s global operations and focus on research and development have attracted highly skilled individuals worldwide.

Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook)

Social media giant Meta Platforms ranked among the top employers receiving H1B approvals. The company’s focus on virtual reality, augmented reality, and metaverse has increased its demand for specialized professionals in these emerging fields.

IBM

IBM, a leading technology and consulting company, also received a large number of H1B approvals. The company’s presence in various industries, such as healthcare, finance, and government, has resulted in a need for diverse talent with specialized skills.

Top 5 Employers Receiving H1B Approvals
Employer	Number of Approvals
Amazon	10,000
Microsoft	9,500
Google	9,000
Meta Platforms	8,500
IBM	8,000

Impact of Technology on H1B Applications

Automation and Digitalization

Advancements in automation and digitalization have reduced the demand for some H1B-eligible jobs in sectors such as manufacturing and data entry. As machines take over tasks previously performed by humans, the need for foreign workers in these roles decreases.

Remote Work and Global Talent Pools

The rise of remote work has expanded the global talent pool for H1B visas. Companies can now hire qualified workers from abroad without the need for physical relocation, potentially increasing the competition for H1B slots.

Skill Shortages and Niche Expertise

Technology has also created demand for specialized skills and niche expertise that may not be readily available in the domestic workforce. This can lead to increased H1B applications for highly skilled professionals in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.

Outsourcing and Offshore Development

Some companies have opted to outsource certain tasks or entire projects to countries with lower labor costs. This can result in fewer H1B applications as work is performed offshore instead of in the United States.

Accelerated Innovation Cycles

Rapid advances in technology can lead to accelerated innovation cycles, creating new industries and job roles that require specialized knowledge and skills. This can drive H1B applications as companies seek to hire highly qualified individuals in emerging fields.

Data-Driven Decision Making

Data analytics and machine learning algorithms can help companies make more informed decisions about H1B hiring. By analyzing historical trends and predicting future labor market needs, companies can optimize their H1B application strategies.

Role of STEM Degrees in Securing H1B Visas

STEM degrees have become increasingly important in the H1B visa process. In recent years, Congress has set aside a significant number of H1B visas specifically for foreign workers with STEM degrees.

Increase in STEM-Designated Jobs

The number of STEM-designated jobs in the United States has grown significantly in recent years. This growth has led to a corresponding increase in the demand for foreign workers with STEM degrees.

Higher Selection Rates for STEM Applicants

The H1B visa approval rate for STEM applicants is significantly higher than for non-STEM applicants. This is due in part to the fact that STEM-designated jobs are often considered to be high-skill jobs that require specialized knowledge.

Easier Renewal Process

H1B visas for STEM workers can be renewed for an extended period of time, up to three years. This makes it easier for STEM workers to stay in the United States and continue working in their field.

Increased Flexibility

STEM workers on H1B visas have more flexibility than non-STEM workers. They are allowed to work for multiple employers and can change jobs if they find a better offer.

STEM Degrees in High Demand

Following are some of the STEM degrees that are in high demand for H1B visas:

Field	Occupations
Computer Science	Software engineers, computer programmers, database administrators
Engineering	Civil engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers
Mathematics	Statisticians, mathematicians, actuaries
Physical Sciences	Physicists, chemists, materials scientists
Life Sciences	Biologists, zoologists, microbiologists

Trends in H1B Extension and Transfer Approvals

Approvals on Track for Another Record Year

The number of approved H1B extension and transfer petitions continues to rise, with the latest data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) showing a 10% increase in approvals over the previous year. This trend is expected to continue in 2023, with another record year for approvals.

Factors Driving the Increase in Approvals

Several factors are driving the increase in H1B extension and transfer approvals. These include:

Increased demand for skilled workers in the United States
A strong economy that is creating new jobs
A more efficient USCIS processing system

Impact of the Increase in Approvals

The increase in H1B extension and transfer approvals is having a positive impact on the U.S. economy. It is allowing businesses to fill critical skills gaps and grow their businesses. It is also helping to create jobs for U.S. workers.

Approval Rates

The approval rates for H1B extension and transfer petitions have remained relatively stable in recent years. In 2021, the approval rate for H1B extensions was 94%, and the approval rate for H1B transfers was 92%.

Processing Times

The processing times for H1B extension and transfer petitions have decreased in recent years. In 2021, the average processing time for an H1B extension was 4 months, and the average processing time for an H1B transfer was 6 months.

Common Reasons for Denials

The USCIS provides guidance on the most common reasons for H-1B extension and transfer petitions are denied, and they include:

Reason for Denial	Percentage of Denials
Incomplete or inaccurate information	30%
Ineligibility for the H-1B visa	25%
Failure to demonstrate a specialty occupation	20%
Inadequate documentation	15%
Other	10%

Labor Market Implications of H1B Applications

Overview

The H1B visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialized occupations when qualified American workers are not available. The program has been a subject of debate due to its potential impact on the labor market.

Impact on Wages

Some studies suggest that H1B visas may have a downward pressure on wages for American workers in certain occupations. Employers may hire H1B workers at lower wages than they would need to pay American workers due to the lower cost of recruiting and hiring foreign workers.

Job Displacement

Concerns have been raised that H1B visas could lead to job displacement for American workers. Employers may prefer to hire foreign workers on H1B visas due to their lower labor costs, which could result in a loss of jobs for American workers.

Filling Labor Shortages

On the other hand, H1B visas can help fill labor shortages in industries where there is a lack of qualified American workers. This can benefit the economy by allowing businesses to continue operating and meeting demand for their products or services.

Competition and Innovation

H1B visas can also foster competition and innovation. Foreign workers often bring specialized skills and knowledge, which can stimulate economic growth and lead to new technological advancements.

9. Educational Benefits

H1B visas can also provide educational benefits. Foreign workers may bring new perspectives and approaches to their work, which can enrich the workplace environment and foster professional development for American employees.

Additionally, H1B workers often contribute to research and development efforts, which can advance knowledge and innovation in various fields.

It is important to note that the impact of H1B visas on the labor market is a complex issue with multiple perspectives. Further research and analysis are needed to fully understand the long-term effects of the program on the economy.

Year	Number of H1B Applications
2020	275,000
2021	308,000
2022	401,000

Policy Considerations for the Future of H1B

1. Increasing the Cap

The current H1B cap of 85,000 per fiscal year has been a significant concern for employers. Consider raising the cap to address the increasing demand for skilled foreign workers.

2. Prioritizing STEM Fields

Given the growing importance of STEM disciplines, consider prioritizing H1B visas for workers in these fields. This would help foster innovation and economic competitiveness.

3. Establishing a Merit-Based System

Implementing a merit-based system could ensure that the most highly skilled workers are granted H1B visas. This could be based on factors such as education, experience, and research accomplishments.

4. Streamlining the Application Process

The current H1B application process is complex and time-consuming. Consider streamlining it to reduce the burden on employers and expedite visa approvals.

5. Reducing the Cost

The cost of H1B visas can be a barrier for small businesses. Explore ways to reduce the fees associated with the application process to make it more accessible.

6. Addressing Wage Concerns

Concerns have been raised about the impact of H1B workers on domestic wages. Consider measures to ensure that foreign workers are not underpaid and that the H1B program does not depress wages for American workers.

7. Enhancing Enforcement

To ensure compliance with H1B regulations, consider enhancing enforcement mechanisms. This could include increased inspections and penalties for employers who abuse the program.

8. Modernizing the Program

To keep pace with the changing economy, consider modernizing the H1B program. This could involve updating the definition of skilled occupations or introducing new categories of visas for specific industries.

9. International Cooperation

Collaborate with other countries that have similar skilled worker visa programs. This could facilitate the exchange of best practices and address global talent mobility.

10. Public Engagement

Engage with stakeholders, including businesses, labor unions, and the general public, to gain a comprehensive perspective on the future of the H1B program. Conduct public hearings, surveys, and research to inform policy decisions.

H-1B Application Trends for 2025

The H-1B visa program is a popular option for employers seeking to hire highly skilled foreign workers. As such, there is a lot of speculation about the number of applications that will be submitted for the 2025 fiscal year. While it is impossible to know for certain, there are some factors that suggest there could be an increase in applications next year.

One factor is the continued growth of the tech industry. Tech companies are major users of the H-1B program, and they are likely to continue to hire foreign workers in the years to come. Another factor is the increasing number of international students graduating from US universities. These students are eligible for H-1B visas, and many of them choose to stay in the US after graduation.

Of course, there are also some factors that could lead to a decrease in H-1B applications in 2025. One is the possibility of increased immigration enforcement. The Trump administration has taken a number of steps to crack down on illegal immigration, and this could make it more difficult for foreign workers to obtain H-1B visas.

Another factor is the rising cost of H-1B visas. The filing fee for an H-1B visa is currently $460, and it is set to increase to $555 in 2025. This could make it more expensive for employers to hire foreign workers.