H1-B visa applications hit 3-year high in the first half of FY20

Amidst immigration suspension and high rejection rates in the last few years, H1-B visa applications in the first half of the financial year 2020 were at a three year high.

According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and rating agency CARE data, applications have been received for 217,000 H1-B visas during this period. Of this, 85.3 per cent have been processed.

In comparison, the number of H1-B applications was 198,000 in the first half of 2019, with 79.8 per cent of visas processed. In 2018, the number of H1-B applications was 189,000 in the first half of the year, with 81.5 per cent of visas processed. Every year, 65,000 H1-B and L-1 visas are granted, which includes renewals.