The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reported a notable decrease in the number of H-1B visa petitions filed and approved during the 2023 fiscal year, continuing a downward trend observed over the past two years.
According to the agency’s annual report for FY 2023 spanning from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023, the number of H-1B petitions filed dropped by approximately 18%, from 474,301 in FY 2022 to 386,559 in FY 2023. Similarly, the number of petitions approved fell by 13%, from 442,043 in FY 2022 to 386,318 in FY 2023.
READ: Trump acts fast to curb immigration, end diversity programs (January 21, 2025)
The decline in petitions, both filed and approved, is attributed to several factors, including a significant drop in “Change of Employer” petitions. In FY 2023, USCIS received just 75,843 such petitions, down from 123,888 the previous year. Additionally, the timing of H-1B cap rounds in recent years—including three selection rounds in FY 2021, FY 2022, and FY 2023—has contributed to fluctuations in petition filings and approvals. For instance, the third round of selections in November 2021 led to petitions being filed and approved in FY 2022 that would have otherwise been processed in FY 2021.
Look back on H-1B filings in the past decade
Over the past 10 years, H-1B visa petitions have fluctuated, reflecting broader economic and policy trends.
Despite the overall decrease in filings, the age distribution of approved beneficiaries remained relatively stable, with the median age of H-1B workers holding steady at 33 years, the same as in FY 2022.
The educational background of H-1B visa holders also showed little change. In FY 2023, 34% of approved petitioners held a bachelor's degree, while 22% had a master's degree and 8% had a doctorate. Nearly 4% of petitioners possessed a professional degree, with the remaining 32% listed as having an unknown education level.
In terms of employment sectors, computer-related occupations continued to dominate the H-1B landscape. Of the approved petitions in FY 2023, 65%, or 251,084, were for workers in technology fields, reflecting the continued demand for highly skilled professionals in the sector.
READ: Would Trump adopt more restrictive policies on business immigration? (January 10, 2025)
Despite fluctuations in petition numbers, the compensation for H-1B beneficiaries remained consistent. The median salary for approved H-1B workers held steady at $118,000, the same as in FY 2022.
The USCIS report suggests that while the overall number of H-1B filings has decreased, the program continues to play a crucial role in staffing key industries, particularly in the tech sector. As the number of petitions stabilizes, attention may shift to the ongoing effects of H-1B policy changes and the broader economic context impacting immigration trends.