India Leads H-1B Approvals in FY 2024, Capturing 71% Share

(UNITED STATES) India accounted for a dominant share of H-1B approvals in FY 2024, with 283,397 approvals out of 399,395 total H-1B visa petitions approved by the United States 🇺🇸 — about 71% of the year’s decisions. China ranked a distant second with 46,680 approvals (≈11.7%). The remaining share — roughly 7–8% — was spread across a small group of countries, each contributing between about 1% and 1.3%. These numbers, widely tracked by employers and workers alike, show how central India remains to the H-1B program and to U.S. hiring in tech and other specialty fields.

VisaVerge.com reports that India’s lead in FY 2024 reflects long-running labor market ties between U.S. employers and Indian professionals. The H-1B category allows U.S. firms to employ workers in “specialty occupations,” typically roles that require at least a bachelor’s degree in fields like computer science, engineering, finance, and health care. The concentration of approvals among Indian nationals continues a pattern of steady demand for software engineers, data scientists, AI/ML specialists, and enterprise technology professionals — roles that have become core needs for companies across the economy.

Data snapshot: Top countries and what the numbers show

• India: 283,397 approvals (≈71%)
• China: 46,680 approvals (≈11.7%)
• Next tier (~1–1.3% each): Philippines, Canada 🇨🇦, South Korea
• Other top 10: Mexico, Taiwan, Pakistan, Brazil, Nigeria (each below 1%)

While the tail is thin, it underscores that H-1B approvals draw from a wide group of countries even as India dominates the headline totals.

Why India’s share is so large

Several forces help explain India’s outsized presence:

• Large STEM output. India’s education system produces a steady pool of STEM graduates who often enter software engineering, data analytics, and systems architecture roles — the same jobs U.S. employers file H-1B petitions for.
• Established sponsorship networks. Indian IT firms and U.S. tech companies with Indian teams have built repeatable processes for H-1B hiring, compliance, and transfers to U.S. client sites.
• Proven track record. Years of successful placements and compliance from Indian workers give employers and adjudicators confidence that H-1B hires from India can start quickly and meet project needs.

This concentration is not new, but the scale in FY 2024 is striking. When more than two-thirds of approvals go to one country, even small policy or market shifts can have large ripple effects. For example:

• Changes to cost or proof standards can alter whether an employer moves ahead with a petition.
• Slowdowns in H-1B filings can push companies to rescope work or build new offshore models.

Policy pressures and global competition

The current debate in Washington adds pressure on the system.

• The Trump administration has proposed raising H-1B application fees to as high as $100,000 for new filings. If adopted, this would be a dramatic increase in cost and could force employers to revisit how many petitions they submit and for which roles.
• Indian IT and software services firms, which often run large U.S. client portfolios with onshore/offshore staffing mixes, would feel this most. Higher upfront costs could reduce onsite rotations and shift more delivery back to offshore teams.
• Increased scrutiny: Lawmakers are questioning whether firms rely on H-1B workers when qualified U.S. workers are available. Expect closer review of:
  • worker credentials,
  • offered wage,
  • job descriptions,
  • how roles fit business needs.

At the same time, alternative global pathways are expanding:

• Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe have refreshed skilled-worker routes, making them more attractive for in-demand talent.
• Some U.S. employers are preparing hybrid staffing plans that mix U.S.-based H-1B workers with teams in Canada or India, and structuring roles that can be done remotely.

These shifts won’t remove the need for specialized talent, but they will change how employers decide who must be onsite. Roles likely to remain prioritized for H-1B/on-site work include:

• security-sensitive systems,
• customer-facing engineering,
• leadership requiring presence at U.S. headquarters.

For other roles, employers may pivot to remote work or nearshore hubs.

Implications for employers and workers

For Indian applicants, FY 2024 confirms both strength and exposure. The large share of approvals shows steady demand for their skills, but concentration increases risk if costs or scrutiny rise. Employers and workers must be more precise in preparation.

Key actions for U.S. employers:

1. Focus H-1B filings on roles with clear specialty degree needs.
2. Document wage decisions with clear evidence that pay meets or exceeds required wage levels.
3. Prepare hybrid workforce models (remote / nearshore) to keep delivery on track if approvals slow or costs rise.
4. Communicate timelines to clients and teams and plan contingencies for petition delays.

Practical filing notes (official guidance and forms):

• Review the official H-1B program rules on the USCIS page: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations-and-fashion-models
• Petitions are filed by employers using Form I-129: https://www.uscis.gov/i-129
• Employers may request premium processing with Form I-907: https://www.uscis.gov/i-907
• Dependents may apply for status with Form I-539: https://www.uscis.gov/i-539

Using the correct form and providing a clear package — job details, wage evidence, and degree transcripts — reduces delays and requests for more information.

For individual workers (especially from India)

• Credentials matter, but so do job specifics. Match degree fields to listed duties.
• Secure detailed letters describing the specialty nature of the role.
• Confirm wage levels before filing and collect supporting documentation.
• Skills that remain highly competitive: cloud architecture, cybersecurity, AI/ML, enterprise systems integration.

Country-by-country context

• China: Second-largest source, reflecting steady demand in hardware, data, and engineering functions — but still far behind India.
• Philippines, Canada, South Korea: Each around 1–1.3% of approvals; notable in health care, engineering, and tech support.
• Mexico, Taiwan, Pakistan, Brazil, Nigeria: Round out the top 10, signaling that the U.S. skills market draws talent from many systems and professional networks.

What to watch next

The next year will test how much policy debate translates into real-world change:

• If the proposed fee increases move forward, case volume could fall, particularly among firms that rely on bulk filings.
• If Congress intensifies oversight, expect tighter documentation standards and more questions about third-party worksites, specialty-occupation links, and wage levels.
• If other countries continue to roll out friendly tech-worker policies, companies might spread hiring across hubs and use H-1B only where it adds clear value.

For now, FY 2024 data offers a straightforward read: H-1B approvals remain a vital entry point for global talent, and India sits at the center of that flow. Employers who plan carefully — choosing roles that truly require onsite, specialized work — can still meet staffing needs even as costs and review standards shift. Workers who prepare strong documentation and align skills with concrete business needs will remain in demand.

Key takeaway: Indian professionals will likely keep an edge in H-1B competition, but more selective sponsorship is ahead. Hybrid teams (H-1B staff in the U.S., offshore teams in India, and nearshore groups in Canada) may become standard for large employers serving U.S. clients.

In short, FY 2024 confirms India’s continued role in the H-1B system and signals a careful recalibration ahead. The program remains essential for U.S. employers needing specialized talent, but higher potential costs, closer oversight, and growing global options mean petitions will increasingly target the most business-critical jobs — with India’s deep talent pool still at the forefront.