The H-1B visa programme continues to see high demand, particularly from technology firms addressing skill shortages. Data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) shows that during the 2024 fiscal year, 780,884 H-1B registrations were received, up from 483,927 in 2023.

The programme allows U.S. companies to employ foreign professionals in specialised fields, including technology, engineering, and finance. Many of the top petitioning companies are in the technology sector, reflecting the industry’s reliance on skilled foreign workers.

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Despite its role in addressing workforce gaps, the H-1B visa programme faces criticism. Concerns include potential job outsourcing and dependency on employer sponsorship, which may limit job mobility for visa holders.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced updates to the programme, earlier on 17 January. Employers must use an updated Form I-129 for petitions. The changes aim to improve oversight and streamline the hiring process for skilled foreign professionals.

As discussions on U.S. immigration policies continue, industry leaders advocate for a more efficient visa process to support business growth and maintain competitiveness in the global labour market.

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, here are the top 10 U.S. Companies with the Most H-1B Visa Approvals in 2024

1. Amazon – 9,265 Approvals

Amazon leads the list with 9,265 H-1B visa approvals, making it the top employer of foreign professionals in 2024.

2. Infosys – 8,140 Approvals

The IT services giant follows closely behind Amazon, hiring foreign workers primarily for software development and consulting roles.

3. Cognizant – 6,321 Approvals

Cognizant remains a key employer of international professionals, particularly in technology-driven fields.

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4. Google – 5,364 Approvals

Google continues to hire foreign talent, focusing on artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data analysis.

5. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) – 5,274 Approvals

TCS ranks fifth, reflecting the ongoing demand for foreign IT talent in the U.S. market.

6. Meta Platforms – 4,844 Approvals

Meta maintains its presence as a major employer of foreign workers in the technology sector.

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7. Microsoft – 4,725 Approvals

Microsoft relies on foreign expertise to advance its work in software engineering and cloud technologies.

8. Apple – 3,873 Approvals

Apple continues to recruit highly skilled foreign professionals to support its technology development.

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9. HCL America Inc. – 2,953 Approvals

HCL America plays a significant role in hiring foreign IT professionals to meet its business demands.

10. IBM Corporation – 2,906 Approvals

IBM completes the top ten, maintaining a steady intake of foreign specialists in technical fields.

Chisom Michael is a data analyst (audience engagement) and writer at BusinessDay, with diverse experience in the media industry. He holds a BSc in Industrial Physics from Imo State University and an MEng in Computer Science and Technology from Liaoning Univerisity of Technology China. He specialises in listicle writing, profiles and leveraging his skills in audience engagement analysis and data-driven insights to create compelling content that resonates with readers.

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