The H-1B visa program plays a vital role in the U.S. labor market, especially in STEM fields, by allowing employers to hire highly skilled foreign professionals. With a statutory cap of 65,000 visas annually, plus 20,000 for advanced degree holders from U.S. institutions, demand often exceeds supply, leading to a lottery system for visa allocation.
The process requires employers to ensure hiring an H-1B worker won’t harm U.S. workers’ wages or conditions, and to notify existing employees of their intent to hire foreign workers. Over recent years, the denial rates for H-1B petitions have fluctuated, with significant reductions in the most recent fiscal years.
In 2020, USCIS introduced a new registration system to streamline applications, shifting from an employer-based to a beneficiary-centric approach to reduce system abuse. Recent data shows a decrease in overall registrations, indicating that fewer attempts were made to game the system.
Economically, H-1B workers are seen as beneficial, creating job opportunities for native-born workers, contributing to consumer demand, and driving business expansion. Their median wage significantly exceeds that of the general workforce, and their presence correlates with lower unemployment rates in their sectors. The program is especially important during crises, as evidenced by the involvement of H-1B workers in COVID-19 vaccine development.
Overall, H-1B workers make substantial contributions to the U.S. economy, fostering innovation, job creation, and supporting crucial industries.
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