Synopsis- The H-1B visa program still stands out as a major way for skilled workers from around the world to work in the United States. Federal data from fiscal 2024 shows that certain countries really led the way in getting those approvals. This article highlights the top ten countries that were approved for H-1B visas. It gives some views on how people are moving globally, what the job market looks like, and how this affects schools and businesses in bigger ways.
Top Ten Countries of Birth of Approved H-1B Beneficiaries, FY 2024
1. India
Indian folks lead the pack in the H-1B program. They make up a big chunk, around 71 percent of all approvals in FY 2024. The numbers tell the story. More than 283,000 Indian citizens got the green light. Now, why the high count from India. The country has a ton of graduates in STEM fields. Plus, English skills are common there. And connections to tech and IT companies in the US run deep. That keeps the numbers up year after year. Most of these workers end up in software jobs, IT services, or engineering roles.
2. China
China comes in second as a source. Professionals born there took about 12 percent of the approvals. The figure sits at roughly 46,700 for FY 2024. They focus on tech, engineering, research, and university work. What drives the growth. Investments back home in science and education keep supplying applicants for these visas.
3. Philippines
The Philippines ranks third. They saw around 5,250 approvals. That’s a steady climb, thanks to strengths in healthcare and outsourcing for business processes. Sectors on the rise include nursing, IT, and customer service jobs.
4. Canada
Canada, our neighbor up north, had 4,220 approvals in FY 2024. It shows how linked the job markets are between the US and Canada. Why do so many go for it? A lot of Canadians head south for specialized gigs that pay well. Think finance, engineering, and academic positions.
5. South Korea
South Korea puts in a solid showing. Over 3,900 approvals went to people born there. Key areas cover automotive work, electronics, research, and tech fields.
Also read: Top 10 Indian States Contributing the Most to GST Revenue 2025
6. Mexico
Mexico shows steady growth. They got 3,330 approvals, which makes their slice of the pie worth noting. Main roles fall in engineering, manufacturing, and business services.
7. Taiwan
Taiwan sends tech-savvy folks. About 3,100 approvals came through for FY 2024. It ties back to their top-notch electronics and semiconductor sectors. Important areas include IT, electronics, and academic jobs.
8. Pakistan
Pakistan supplies key talent. Over 3,050 approvals happened, often in healthcare, IT, and engineering. Factors at play include ties to US schools and big needs in tech and medicine.
9. Brazil
Brazil leads South America here. They had 2,630 approvals in FY 2024. Highlights in sectors like IT, engineering, and scientific research stand out.
10. Nigeria
Nigeria tops the list from Africa. With 2,270 approvals, they lead other African countries in H-1B recipients. Main areas include medical pros, STEM grads, and tech roles.
Key Observations and Trends
- India and China dominate: Together they account for over 83% of all H-1B approvals, continuing a trend that has been evident over the past few years.
- STEM rules: Most H-1B jobs are in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, which continues to experience labor shortages in the US.
- Global reach: Asia does dominate, but the top ten list also includes North America, Latin America, and Africa.
- Gender roles: In FY 2024, from the approved H-1B beneficiaries for initial employment, 63% were male, and 37% were female. When viewed for continuing employment, the proportion of males increased to 74%, while females decreased to 26%.
- Broad benefits: Technology, education, and health care are all gaining benefits from this global talent.
Table: Top Ten Countries of Birth for Approved H-1B Beneficiaries, FY 2024
| Rank | Country | Approved Beneficiaries | % of Total | Major Sectors |
| 1 | India | 283,397 | 71 | IT, Engineering, STEM |
| 2 | China | 46,680 | 12 | Tech, Academia |
| 3 | Philippines | 5,248 | 1.3 | Healthcare, IT |
| 4 | Canada | 4,222 | 1.1 | Finance, Academia |
| 5 | South Korea | 3,983 | 1 | Auto, Research |
| 6 | Mexico | 3,333 | <1 | Engg, Business |
| 7 | Taiwan | 3,099 | <1 | Electronics, IT |
| 8 | Pakistan | 3,052 | <1 | Healthcare, IT |
| 9 | Brazil | 2,638 | <1 | IT, Science |
| 10 | Nigeria | 2,273 | <1 | Medical, STEM |
Conclusion
The FY 2024 H-1B data makes it clear that India and China continue to dominate the skilled workforce pipeline to the U.S., with India alone accounting for more than two-thirds of approvals. While other countries contribute in smaller numbers, their presence is steadily expanding across fields like healthcare, engineering, and research. This diversity of talent underscores the vital role the H-1B program plays in sustaining U.S. innovation, especially in technology and science.
Written by Rachna Rajput
