Which jobs are the easiest for foreign workers to get H-1B visa in US?

At least 60% of H-1B visa holders have been employed in tech-related fields since fiscal year 2012, according to a recent report by the Pew Research Center.

People wait in line to enter the Nassau County Mega Job Fair at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York Oct. 7, 2014. Photo by Reuters

In 2023, this figure climbed to 65%, with foreign professionals in these roles earning a median annual salary of $123,600. The category includes jobs such as systems analysis, programming, technical support, and data communications and network management.

The second-largest field for H-1B visa holders in 2023 was architecture, engineering, and surveying, accounting for 9% of approvals. Workers in these industries, including electrical, electronics, mechanical, and industrial engineers, reported a median salary of $115,000.

Education ranked third among the top fields, followed by administrative specializations and healthcare. Social sciences represented the least common occupation for H-1B recipients, making up only 0.8% of approvals.

The H-1B visa program, introduced in 1990, allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals for specialized roles requiring advanced expertise. Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification in a relevant field.

H-1B approvals are initially granted for three years, with an option to extend up to six years. However, if an employer sponsors a worker’s application for permanent residency, the visa duration may be extended beyond the six-year limit.

In 2023, approximately 400,000 H-1B applications were approved for highly skilled foreign professionals. Of these, 65% were renewals, while the rest were new approvals for first-time employment.