The H-1B visa program, established to enable US employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations, remains a vital tool for addressing skill shortages in the American labor market. As of March 26, 2025, the initial registration period for fiscal year 2026 H-1B visas concluded on March 24, 2025, underscoring its continued importance. This program is particularly popular among Indian IT professionals and is capped at 65,000 visas annually, with an additional 20,000 reserved for applicants with advanced degrees from US universities.
The focus of this analysis is to identify US companies with high hiring rates for H-1B visas, based on the number of approved applications in fiscal year 2024, the most recent complete data available. The data was sourced from the USCIS H-1B employer data hub and corroborated by reputable news outlets such as Hindustan Times, Business Because, and The Times of India, which compile and report on H-1B sponsorship trends.
List of Top US Companies with High H-1B Visa Hiring Rates
The following table presents the top 19 US companies ranked by the number of H-1B approvals in 2024, sorted in descending order:
| Rank | Company Name | Number of Approvals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amazon | 9,265 |
| 2 | Cognizant Technology Solutions | 6,321 |
| 3 | 5,364 | |
| 4 | Meta | 4,844 |
| 5 | Microsoft | 4,725 |
| 6 | Apple | 3,873 |
| 7 | IBM | 2,906 |
| 8 | Walmart | 2,904 |
| 9 | Capgemini America | 2,795 |
| 10 | Intel | 2,520 |
| 11 | Deloitte | 2,494 |
| 12 | Ernst and Young US | 2,335 |
| 13 | Amazon Web Services | 2,216 |
| 14 | Accenture | 2,157 |
| 15 | Oracle | 2,070 |
| 16 | Tesla | 1,767 |
| 17 | JP Morgan Chase | 1,719 |
| 18 | Sales force | 1,525 |
| 19 | Cisco | 1,330 |
The total number of approvals for these companies sums to 63,130, representing a significant share of the annual H-1B cap of 85,000 visas, which includes both the regular cap and the advanced degree exemption.
Analysis of Hiring Patterns
The list is heavily skewed toward technology and IT services companies, with Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple leading the pack. This reflects the tech industry’s reliance on H-1B visas to recruit engineers, software developers, and researchers, areas where there is often a shortage of qualified US workers. Consulting firms like Cognizant, Capgemini America, Accenture, Deloitte, and Ernst and Young US also feature prominently, indicating their need for specialized talent in business and technology consulting.
An interesting observation is the presence of non-tech companies such as Walmart (retail) and JP Morgan Chase (finance), which suggests that H-1B hiring extends beyond traditional tech roles to include data analytics, financial modeling, and other specialized positions. Tesla, while primarily an automotive company, also relies on H-1B hires for its technology and engineering needs, highlighting the cross-industry demand for skilled foreign workers.
The data also reveals a notable trend of multinational companies with significant US operations, such as Cognizant and Capgemini America, which are US-based but have global roots. This underscores the program’s role in facilitating international talent integration into the US workforce.
Impact on Companies
H-1B hires are crucial for these companies’ operations, enabling them to fill critical skill gaps and drive innovation. For example, Amazon’s 9,265 approvals likely support its vast e-commerce and cloud computing divisions, while Google’s 5,364 approvals contribute to its research and development in artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies. These companies often cite the diversity and expertise of H-1B workers as key to maintaining their competitive edge in global markets.
The program’s impact is also evident in the success stories of H-1B workers who have advanced to leadership roles within these firms, although specific case studies are beyond the scope of this analysis. The contribution of these workers to the US economy, through taxes and job creation, is another significant benefit, as they often take on high-paying roles that stimulate local economies.
Challenges and Controversies
The H-1B program is not without controversy. Critics argue that it can lead to wage suppression and displacement of American workers, particularly in tech hubs where competition for jobs is fierce. Reports from previous years, such as those mentioned in a 2015 New York Times article, have highlighted cases where companies like Disney replaced American workers with H-1B hires, sparking debates about labor practices. On the other hand, proponents, including industry leaders, emphasize that H-1B visas address genuine skill shortages and do not inherently harm US workers, as these roles often require unique expertise not readily available domestically.
Recent discussions, as noted in various news outlets, suggest ongoing efforts to reform the program, such as prioritizing higher wages or tightening fraud prevention measures, to balance the needs of employers and workers. These debates highlight the complexity of immigration policy and its intersection with economic and labor market dynamics.
Conclusion
In summary, the top US companies with high H-1B visa hiring rates in 2024 are predominantly from the technology and IT services sectors, with notable participation from retail and finance. Companies like Amazon, Cognizant, and Google lead with significant approval numbers, reflecting their reliance on global talent to meet workforce demands. The H-1B program plays a vital role in supporting these firms’ growth and innovation, but it also faces challenges and controversies that require careful policy consideration. As the program continues to evolve, it will be essential to ensure it serves both the needs of US companies and the broader labor market.