According to an analysis of 2024 data, US H-1B Visa Sponsorship by top U.S. companies have significantly decreased from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Major tech companies have drastically cut back on H-1B visa approvals, suggesting a potential change in hiring practices even though Indian nationals still make up the majority of the visa pool.
For many years, the H-1B visa program has been a vital tool for American businesses looking to hire foreigners for specialized jobs, particularly those from India. The most recent data, however, points to a decrease in reliance on this pathway. Businesses are looking more and more at domestic talent or alternative options.
Important Patterns in Sponsorship Amounts
Almost all of the top 15 sponsoring companies saw a decline in visa approvals during the fiscal year 2024 (October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024). According to observers, this might indicate a move toward utilizing local talent or adjusting to changing regulatory environments.
Top companies’ declining H-1B sponsorships could influence future U.S. immigration laws and talent strategies, which could have repercussions on hiring patterns in the global tech industry. Approvals for Amazon, the largest H-1B sponsor, fell precipitously from over 11,000 in 2023 to just over 9,000 in 2024. Significant cuts were also reported by Indian IT companies, such as Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
- According to the USCIS, Amazon and Indian IT services companies such as Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) have drastically decreased their sponsorship of H-1B visas in the year 2024.
- H-1B visa approvals for almost all of the top 15 sponsoring companies have significantly decreased, as per the USCIS data for the financial year 2024 which is through October 1 to September 30.
- These companies, which are well-known for their wide-ranging operations in the United States, are currently dealing with increasingly restrictive visa allocations, which could affect their future hiring practices.
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The Importance of US H-1B Visa Sponsorship for foreign employees
- International graduates have a way to stay in the US after completing their studies thanks to the H-1B visa.
- In order to obtain this visa, candidates must be sponsored by an employer who submits a petition to the USCIS on their behalf.
- H-1B sponsorships, which assist thousands of skilled workers in obtaining employment and residency in the United States, have historically been dominated by multinational consulting firms and technology giants.
- As per the USCIS data, Indians make up the big group of H-1B visa holders.
Less H-1B visas were granted in 2024
Nearly all of the top 15 sponsoring companies saw a decrease in H-1B visa approvals during the fiscal year 2024, which ran from October 1 to September 30, according to USCIS data. Despite being the biggest sponsor of H-1B visas, Amazon saw a drop in approvals from over 11,000 in 2023 to just over 7,000 in 2024.
Two Indian tech companies with sizable US operations, Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services, also announced large layoffs. While Tata Consultancy’s approvals decreased by about 1,600, Infosys’s approvals fell from over 7,300 to about 5,900.
Top companies sponsoring H-1B visas in 2024
- Amazon Com Services LLC
- Infosys Limited
- Cognizant Technology Solutions
- Google LLC
- Tata Consultancy Services Limited
- Meta Platforms Inc
- Microsoft Corporation
- Apple Inc
- HCL America Inc
- IBM Corporation
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Key factors behind decline in H-1B visa sponsorship:
- global recession and ai
- Strict compliance requirements prioritizing US workers.
- Lottery System Uncertainty
- High fees that discourage small companies.
- The shift to remote work
- Retrenchment and restructuring due to reduction in the number of new foreign employees.
There has been increased interest in the EB-5 program compared to H-1B sponsorship.
Potential for stricter visa policies under the Trump administration.
