The H-1B visa program brings 85,000 people a year into the United States to fill positions for which their employer cannot find a qualified American, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The legal website Lawsuit decided to look into how many H-1B holders already work in the U.S., including how much money they earn, where in the country they're located, and by which companies they're employed.
With nearly 30,000 H-1B visa holders, Atlanta ranks No. 7 among the nation's top 10 cities. In recent years, denial rates for the visas have skyrocketed, leaving room for concern among experts as to where the program is headed. In fact, denial rates are up 32% since 2015, according to Forbes.
But the reality is not just anyone can get an H-1B visa — it requires the recipient to have a university degree (or an equivalent) and often includes physicians and those who work in IT. H-1B visa holders must also already have a relationship with an employer. They’re also not considered permanent residents, because they’re in the country for only a fixed period of time.
As the city with the largest U.S. population, New York City topped the list with close to 70,000 H-1B workers. San Jose followed with more than 42,000, and San Francisco ranked third with more than 39,000.
About the Author
