Jennifer B. Higgins, Deputy Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services | https://medium.com/the-u-s-digital-service/meet-the-dhs-digital-service-champions-may-2018-caee7dade2b
Jennifer B. Higgins, Deputy Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services | https://medium.com/the-u-s-digital-service/meet-the-dhs-digital-service-champions-may-2018-caee7dade2b
Employers are classified under industries based on their reported operations and may be involved in multiple industries.
The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. It is designed to address skill gaps in the U.S. workforce while ensuring wage standards to protect both U.S. and H-1B workers. Employers must certify that they will pay H-1B workers wages equal to or greater than those of similarly qualified U.S. employees or the prevailing local wage.
In 2024, the average approval rate for H-1B petitions across the United States stood at 98%, slightly higher than 2023's 97.3%.
The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings locally during 2024, with 78 petitions (44.6% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 55.1%. Meanwhile, the Educational Services industry was the second largest contributor, filing 52 petitions (29.7% of the total), with an approval rate of 98.1%.
The Charleston Reporter publication area employers with the most petitions during 2024 included NK Technolabs, LLC, which filed 59 petitions with an approval rate of 45.8%, Dorchester School District Two with 35 petitions and an approval rate of 100%, and Greystar Management Services, LLC, which filed eight petitions with an approval rate of 87.5%.
Compared to 2023, the Charleston Reporter publication area saw a 47.1% increase in the number of H-1B petitions during 2024.
The United States admits around 1 million legal immigrants annually, most of whom receive permanent residence (green cards) through family sponsorship or employment-based visas. In 2023, about 1.2 million immigrants were granted green cards, a return to pre-pandemic levels. Temporary visa programs, such as the H-1B for highly skilled workers and H-2A for seasonal agricultural workers, also play a critical role in filling workforce needs.
Public opinion on immigration varies, with 46% of Americans favoring maintaining current legal immigration levels, according to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey. Additionally, 42% believe that highly skilled workers, such as scientists, doctors, and programmers, should be prioritized for legal immigration, compared to 25% who prioritize workers filling labor shortages and 19% who emphasize family sponsorship. Despite this, family sponsorship remains the most common path to permanent residency, accounting for 63% of green cards issued in 2023.
The data in this article comes from the H-1B Employer Data Hub provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). While USCIS strives for accuracy, manual data entry and errors on paper forms submitted by applicants or petitioners may result in discrepancies in employer names, tax IDs, locations, or other details.
| Rank | Industry | Total Petitions | % of All Submissions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 78 | 44.6% | 55.1% | 44.9% |
| 2 | Educational Services | 52 | 29.7% | 98.1% | 1.9% |
| 3 | Manufacturing | 15 | 8.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 9 | 5.1% | 88.9% | 11.1% |
| 5 | Construction | 7 | 4% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Finance and Insurance | 3 | 1.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 1.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Transportation and Warehousing | 2 | 1.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 2 | 1.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Accommodation and Food Services | 1 | 0.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Information | 1 | 0.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Public Administration | 1 | 0.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 0.6% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry(ies) | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NK Technolabs, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 59 | 45.8% | 54.2% |
| Dorchester School District Two | Educational Services | 35 | 100% | 0% |
| Greystar Management Services, LLC | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 8 | 87.5% | 12.5% |
| The Citadel | Educational Services | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| Mercedes Benz Vans, LLC | Manufacturing | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| College of Charleston | Educational Services | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| Pro It Needs, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 5 | 60% | 40% |
| Nucor Corporation | Manufacturing | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Palmetto Solar, LLC | Construction | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Ingevity Corporation | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 50% | 50% |
| Charleston Development Academy | Educational Services | 2 | 50% | 50% |
| Siris, LLC | Construction | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Salt Marsh Contracting, LLC | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| S C Department of Natural Resource | Public Administration | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Roofing America Metal Fabrications, LLC | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| R IV Architecture PA | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Premiere Automation, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| ABS Lincs School, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Seacoast Christian Community Church, Inc. | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Shiftnow, Inc. | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| South Carolina Community Loan Fund | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Taylor Foley, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| THG, LLC | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Trident Academy, Inc. | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Trikaiser, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Veris, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% | |
| Vikor Scientific, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Wabco Compressor Manufacturing Company | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Wolf Line Construction Company | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Belmond USA, Inc. | Accommodation and Food Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| BHC Design Studio, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Blue Acorn Ici, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| BSFR Property Management, LLC | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| CG42, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Charleston Turbine Management, LLC | Transportation and Warehousing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Clapham Education Group | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Edisto Technologies and Consulting, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Elevation Healthcare, LLC | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Goff Dantonio Associates, Ltd. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Great Products Ventures, Inc. | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Houston Terminal, LLC | Transportation and Warehousing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Ifa Rotorion - North America, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Laser Solutions Network, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| LS3P Associates, Ltd. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Motley Rice, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Muc Holdings, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Omatic Software, LLC | Information | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Pandev Law, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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