Unveiling the H-1B Visa Recipients: A Closer Look at the Numbers

The H-1B visa program has been a contentious issue in recent years, with tech industry giants like Elon Musk's Tesla advocating for its expansion, while critics argue that it displaces American workers and drives down wages. As the debate continues, it's essential to understand who is actually benefiting from these visas. Let's delve into the data to shed some light on the primary countries of origin and the industries that primarily utilize these visas.



Primary Countries of Origin

From 2001 to 2015, the top countries of origin for H-1B visa holders were:

1. India: 50.5%
2. China: 9.7%
3. Canada: 3.8%
4. Philippines: 3%
5. South Korea: 2.8%

The remaining percentage comes from a number of different countries of birth origin, each under 2% of the total. This data shows that India has consistently been the top country of origin for H-1B visa recipients, with a significant majority of the total approvals. The percentage of H-1B visas awarded to Indian citizens has remained relatively stable over the 15-year period, indicating a strong and consistent demand for skilled workers from India in the U.S. labor market.

Industries and Occupations

The industries and occupations that primarily utilize H-1B visas align with the top countries of origin. The IT industry is one of the primary users of H-1B visas, with 66.1% of approved petitions in 2019 being for computer-related occupations. Indian IT companies like Infosys, TCS, and Wipro have been major beneficiaries of the H-1B program, with Infosys alone accounting for 8,140 visa recipients in 2024.

Other industries that heavily utilize H-1B visas include architecture, engineering, and surveying (10.1% of approved petitions in 2019), administrative specializations (5.5%), education (5.1%), medicine and health (3.9%), mathematics and physical sciences (3%), life sciences (1.6%), and managers and officials (1.2%).

Wages and Qualifications

The median salary of H-1B visa holders in FY2019 was $98,000, with 54% holding a master's degree or higher. However, wages can vary depending on the occupation and the employer. For instance, computer-related occupations, which accounted for 66.1% of approved petitions, had a median salary of $110,000.

The highest level of education achieved by H-1B beneficiaries in FY 2019 was:

* Master's degree: 54%
* Bachelor's degree: 36%
* Doctorate degree: 8%
* Other: 2%

This distribution shows that the majority of H-1B visa holders have a bachelor's degree, which is one of the core requirements for the visa. Additionally, a significant portion of H-1B visa holders have a master's degree or higher, indicating a high level of educational attainment among this group.

In conclusion, the primary countries of origin for H-1B visa holders have shifted over time, with India consistently being the top country of origin. The industries and occupations that primarily utilize these visas align with the top countries of origin, with the IT industry being the most prominent user. The wages and qualifications of H-1B visa holders from different countries can vary, influencing their employment opportunities in the U.S. As the debate surrounding the H-1B visa program continues, it is essential to consider the data and implications presented in this article.