Introduction

The H-1B visa is one of the most sought-after work visas in the United States, allowing U.S. employers to hire highly skilled foreign professionals, mainly in technology, engineering, finance, and healthcare. Every year, thousands of applications are filed, but only a limited number are approved due to the annual cap. In fiscal year (FY) 2024, data shows that the majority of approved beneficiaries came from just a few countries, highlighting the global talent flow into the U.S. Below is a detailed breakdown of the top 10 countries of birth for H-1B visa approvals.

Country-wise Explanation

1. India (283,397 | ~71%)

India continues to dominate the H-1B landscape by a huge margin. With its massive pool of skilled engineers, IT professionals, and software developers, India supplies the bulk of the U.S. tech workforce. Major companies like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, and HCL have strong U.S. operations, while American tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft also recruit heavily from India. This dominance reflects India’s strong position in STEM education and outsourcing.

2. China (46,680 | ~11.7%)

China ranks second, contributing a large number of highly educated professionals, especially in research, data science, artificial intelligence, and hardware engineering. Many Chinese students who complete advanced degrees in the U.S. later transition to H-1B jobs. Although the share is much smaller than India’s, China still represents the second-largest source of global talent entering the U.S. through H-1B.

3. Philippines (5,248 | ~1.3%)

The Philippines provides professionals mainly in healthcare (nursing, medical technology) and IT sectors. Many U.S. companies with outsourcing ties to the Philippines also facilitate H-1B opportunities for Filipino workers. Their presence is smaller compared to India and China but still significant.

4. Canada (4,222 | ~1.1%)

Canada’s strong education system and proximity to the U.S. make it a natural contributor. Many Canadian professionals in engineering, biotechnology, and finance find opportunities in the U.S. The ease of mobility under NAFTA/USMCA trade agreements also helps Canadian workers transition into U.S. jobs.

5. South Korea (3,983 | ~1.0%)

South Korea contributes skilled professionals in electronics, IT, and mechanical engineering. Korean graduates from American universities also remain in the U.S. workforce under the H-1B program, often working in advanced tech firms or research labs.

6. Mexico (3,333 | <1%)

Mexico provides workers across IT, finance, and engineering sectors. The country’s geographic closeness and economic ties with the U.S. make it a consistent contributor, although its numbers remain modest compared to Asian countries.

7. Taiwan (3,099 | <1%)

Taiwan’s strong semiconductor and electronics industry expertise plays a key role in its H-1B representation. Many Taiwanese engineers find employment in Silicon Valley and other U.S. tech hubs, especially in chip design and manufacturing.

8. Pakistan (3,052 | <1%)

Pakistan contributes professionals primarily in IT, finance, and healthcare. A growing number of Pakistani graduates from U.S. universities transition into H-1B roles, reflecting the country’s emerging focus on tech and engineering education.

9. Brazil (2,638 | <1%)

Brazil supplies H-1B talent mainly in engineering, IT, and financial services. With an expanding tech startup ecosystem at home, many Brazilian professionals seek opportunities in the U.S. to gain global exposure and advanced experience.

10. Nigeria (2,273 | <1%)

Nigeria stands out as Africa’s leading source of H-1B talent. Nigerian professionals, especially in IT, healthcare, and finance, have increasingly found opportunities in the U.S. This reflects both Nigeria’s large English-speaking educated workforce and strong diaspora presence in America.

Conclusion

The H-1B visa distribution in FY 2024 clearly shows that India and China together account for more than 80 percent of all approvals, underlining their dominance in supplying skilled tech and STEM talent. Other countries like the Philippines, Canada, South Korea, Mexico, Taiwan, Pakistan, Brazil, and Nigeria contribute smaller yet significant numbers, highlighting the global nature of the program. Overall, the H-1B visa remains a crucial pathway for skilled professionals worldwide, while also playing a central role in sustaining America’s leadership in technology and innovation.

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