Indian Workers Dominate H-1B Visa Approvals in the U.S., Accounting for 73% in 2023
Workers from India continue to dominate the H-1B visa program in the United States, with a staggering 73% of approvals in the fiscal year 2023, according to a recent Pew Research Center report. This trend has remained consistent since 2010, highlighting India’s strong presence in the U.S. skilled labor market. Chinese professionals ranked second, accounting for 12% of approvals, while no other nationality made up more than 2% of the total.
The demand for skilled Indian workers in the U.S. is primarily driven by the technology sector, with nearly two-thirds of all H-1B approvals in 2023 going to professionals in computer-related fields. This reflects the crucial role that Indian IT specialists play in the U.S. economy, as American companies continue to rely on highly skilled foreign professionals to fill critical job roles.
Despite the significant contributions of skilled Indian workers to the U.S. economy, concerns over illegal immigration from India have surfaced. Reports indicate that the U.S. and India have identified around 18,000 Indian migrants residing illegally in the U.S. who could face deportation. The Indian government has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the Trump administration to facilitate the return of its undocumented citizens.
Indian officials emphasize the importance of skilled worker mobility as a key component of India-U.S. economic and technological ties. According to India’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, the movement of skilled professionals benefits both nations by fostering innovation and strengthening their economic partnership. The expertise of Indian professionals contributes significantly to various sectors, making them indispensable to the U.S. job market.
The H-1B visa program, introduced in 1990, enables U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals for specialized roles that require advanced knowledge and expertise. To qualify, applicants must possess at least a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification in a relevant field. Initially granted for three years, H-1B visas can be extended up to six years, with the possibility of further extensions if the employer sponsors the worker’s application for permanent residency.
In 2023, approximately 400,000 H-1B applications were approved, underscoring the continued reliance on skilled foreign workers. Of these approvals, 65% were renewals, while the remaining were granted to first-time applicants entering the U.S. workforce.
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