Characteristics of Specialty 

Occupation Workers (H-1B): 

Fiscal Year 2005

Issued November 2006 

Report Mandated by Public Law 105-277, Division C, American Competitiveness and Workforce 

Improvement Act of 1998
Page 2 

Characteristics of Specialty Occupation Workers (H-1B): 

October 2004 to September 2005 

This report is mandated under section 416(c)(2) of the American Competitive and Workforce 

Improvement Act of 1998 (ACWIA) which states: “...(T)he Attorney General shall submit on an annual 

basis, to the Committees on the Judiciary of the United States House of Representatives and the Senate, 

information on the countries of origin and occupations of, educational levels attained by, and compensation 

paid to, aliens who were issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status under section 

101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act during the previous fiscal year.” 

During the transition to the Department of Homeland Security, the legacy Immigration and 

Naturalization Service (INS) and the newly created United States Citizenship and Immigration Services 

(USCIS) failed to identify and assume the reporting responsibility for this report and therefore did not 

provide the report in a timely manner. USCIS is submitting the required information and will provide 

future reports in accordance with applicable statutes. 

Highlights

• The number of petitions filed decreased 14 percent from 312,200 in fiscal year 2004 to 266,474 in 

fiscal year 2005. 

• The number of petitions approved decreased seven percent from 287,418 in fiscal year 2004 to 

267,131 in fiscal year 2005. 

• Approximately forty-four percent of all petitions approved in fiscal year 2005 were for workers 

born in India. 

• Sixty-five percent of petitions approved in fiscal year 2005 were for workers between the ages of 

25 and 34. 

• Forty-five percent of petitions approved in fiscal year 2005 were for workers with a bachelor’s 

degree. Thirty-seven percent a master’s degree, five percent had a doctorate, and twelve percent 

were for workers with a professional degree. 

• Forty-three percent of petitions approved in fiscal year 2005 were for workers in computer-related 

occupations. 

• The median salary rose slightly from $53,000 in fiscal year 2004 to $55,000 in fiscal year 2005. 

 
Page 3 

Background 

An H-1B temporary worker is an alien admitted to the United States to perform services in a 

“specialty occupation.”1

 

The H-1B nonimmigrant classification is a vehicle through which qualified aliens may seek 

admission to the United States on a temporary basis to work in their fields of expertise. Prior to 

employing an H-1B temporary worker, a U.S. employer must first file an H-1B petition with USCIS. 

However, while USCIS is responsible for evaluating an alien’s qualifications for the H-1B classification, 

approval of an H-1B petition does not equate to admission of the alien to the U.S. in H-1B status. The 

Department of State (DOS) plays a vital role in the H-1B admission process. 

Prior to filing the H-1B petition with USCIS, the U.S. employer must first file a Labor Condition 

Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor (DOL) specifying the job, salary, length and geographic 

location of employment. In addition, the employer must agree to pay the alien the greater of the actual or 

prevailing wage for the position. Once DOL approves the LCA, the U.S. employer may file the H-1B 

petition with USCIS. 

To qualify as a specialty occupation, the position must meet one of the following requirements: (1) 

a bachelor’s or higher degree or its equivalent is normally the minimum entry requirement for the position; 

(2) the degree requirement is common to the industry or, in the alternative, the position is so complex or 

unique that it can be performed only by an individual with a degree; (3) the employer normally requires a 

degree or its equivalent for the position; or (4) the nature of the specific duties is so specialized and 

complex that the knowledge required to perform the duties is usually associated with attainment of a 

bachelor’s or higher degree. See 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A). In order to perform services in a specialty 

occupation, an alien must meet one of the following criteria: (1) hold a United States baccalaureate or 

higher degree as required by the specialty occupation from an accredited college or university; (2) possess 

a foreign degree determined to be equivalent to a United States baccalaureate or higher degree as required 

by the specialty occupation from an accredited college or university; (3) have any required license or other 

official permission to practice the occupation (for example, architect, surveyor, physical therapist) in the 

state in which employment is sought; or (4) have, as determined by USCIS, the equivalent of the degree 

required by the specialty occupation acquired through a combination of education, training, and/or 

experience. Specialty occupations may include, but are not limited to, computer systems analysts and 

programmers, physicians, professors, engineers, and accountants. 

An alien may be admitted to the United States in H-1B status for a maximum period of six years; 

however, the H-1B petition may only be approved for a maximum period of three years. See INA § 

214(g)(4). Thus, the H-1B petition may be used to sponsor an alien for an initial period of H-1B 

employment or to extend or change the authorized stay of an alien previously admitted to the United States 

in H-1B status or another nonimmigrant status. Additionally, an employer may file the petition to sponsor 

an alien who currently has status as an H-1B nonimmigrant working for another employer or to seek an 

amendment of a previously approved petition. In the case of a petition to amend a previously approved 

petition, no corresponding request need be made to extend the authorized stay of the beneficiary. For 

example, an employer may file an amended petition notifying USCIS of a different location where the 

 

1

 Section 214(i)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act defines a specialty occupation as “an occupation that requires (A) the 

theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, and (B) attainment of a bachelor’s or higher 

degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States.” 8 U.S.C. 

§1184(i). 
Page 4 

beneficiary will be employed or a material change in the beneficiary’s job duties. Therefore, the total 

number of approved petitions exceeds the actual number of aliens who are provided nonimmigrant status as 

H-1B. At the end of the six-year period, the alien must either change to a different status (if eligible) or 

depart the United States.2 USCIS regulations provide that an alien who has been outside the United States 

for at least one year may be eligible for a new six-year period of admission in H-1B status. See 8 CFR 

214.2(h) (13)(iii)(A). 

 When the H-1B category was enacted in 1990, Congress established that a maximum of 65,000 H1B visas may be issued to aliens during each fiscal year. This limitation, commonly referred to as the “H1B cap,” does not apply to H-1B petitions filed on behalf of aliens who have been counted against the cap 

in the previous six years and who have not been outside of the United States for one year or longer. Thus, 

generally, petitions to extend an H-1B nonimmigrant’s period of stay, change the conditions of the H-1B 

nonimmigrant’s current employment, or request new H-1B employment filed on behalf of H-1B workers 

already in the United States will not count against the H-1B fiscal year cap. 

 The INA, as amended by the Immigration Act of 1990 and the American Competitiveness and 

Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 (ACWIA) and the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first 

Century Act (AC21), made significant changes to policy and procedure governing the H-1B category, 

including providing temporary increases in the fiscal year limitations on available H-1B visas and 

providing for certain exemptions to these limitations. Under ACWIA, the annual ceiling of H-1B petitions 

valid for new employment was increased from 65,000 to 115,000 in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 and to 

107,500 in 2001. AC21 raised the limit on petitions in fiscal year 2001 from 107,500 to 195,000 and in 

fiscal year 2002 from 65,000 to 195,000. The limit in fiscal year 2003 was 195,000. Starting in fiscal year 

2004, the H-1B cap reverted back to 65,000 per fiscal year and presently remains at that level. These 

statutory provisions also provided for certain exemptions from the fiscal year H-1B cap; petitions for new 

H-1B employment are exempt if the aliens will be employed at institutions of higher education or related or 

affiliated nonprofit entities, or at nonprofit research organizations or governmental research organizations. 

In addition, the H-1B Visa Reform Act of 2004 mandates that the first 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on 

behalf of aliens with U.S.-earned masters’ or higher degrees will be exempt from any fiscal year cap on 

available H-1B visas. 

 

2

 Certain aliens are exempt from the six-year maximum period of admission under the provisions of the American 

Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000 (AC21) (Public Law 106-313). 
Page 5 

Petitions 

During fiscal year 2005, USCIS approved 267,131 H-1B petitions submitted by employers on 

behalf of alien workers. The number of approved petitions exceeds the number of individual H-1B 

workers because more than one U.S. employer may file a petition on behalf of an individual H-1B worker 

(multiple petitions). The number of approved H-1B petitions for initial employment also exceeds the cap 

because of employer-based cap exemptions and multiple petitions for individuals. For example, approved 

petitions for initial employment are exempt from the cap if the sponsors are institutions of higher education 

or nonprofit organizations affiliated with institutions of higher education; the sponsors are nonprofit 

research organizations or governmental research organizations; or a beneficiary has a U.S. advanced 

degree. 

Table 1 shows for fiscal year 2005 the number of petitions filed and/or approved for initial and 

continuing employment. Of the 267,131 petitions approved in 2005, a total of 116,927 petitions or 43 

percent were for initial employment.3

 The corresponding number of petitions for continuing employment 

was 150,204.4 These workers may have had a second (or subsequent) petition filed on their behalf in order 

to: 1) extend the period allowed to work with their current employer; 2) notify USCIS of changes in the 

conditions of employment including a change of employer; or 3) request concurrent H-1B status with 

another employer. 

The number of H-1B petitions filed decreased 14 percent and petitions approved decreased seven 

percent between fiscal years 2004 and 2005. For initial employment, petitions filed decreased 28 percent 

and petitions approved fell 10 percent. In contrast, petitions filed for continuing employment remained 

constant and petitions approved decreased four percent. The number of petitions approved for continuing 

employment decreased from 156,921 in 2004 to 150,204 in 2005. 

Table 1. H-1B Petitions Filed and/or Approved by Type of Petition: 

Fiscal Years 2002 to 2005 

 

 FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 

Petitions filed 215,190 231,030 312,200 266,474

 Initial Employment 109,576 108,526 163,549 117,536

 Continuing Employment 105,614 122,504 148,651 148,938

 

Petitions approved 1 197,537 217,340 287,418 267,131

 Initial Employment 103,584 105,314 130,497 116,927

 Continuing Employment 93,953 112,026 156,921 150,204

1 Regardless of when filed. 

 

3

 The terms “initial employment” and “continuing employment” are used throughout this report to identify two types of 

petitions. Petitions for initial employment are filed for first-time H-1B employment with employers, only some of which are 

applied to the annual cap. Continuing employment petitions refer to extensions, sequential employment, and concurrent 

employment, which are filed for aliens already in the United States. Extensions are filed for H-1B workers intending to work 

beyond the initial 3-year period up to 6 years, the maximum period permissible under law during fiscal year 2005. Sequential 

employment refers to petitions for workers transferring between H-1B employers within the 6-year period. Finally, petitions for 

concurrent employment are filed for H-1B workers intending to work simultaneously for a second or subsequent H-1B 

employer. 

4

 Neither AC21 nor prior legislation established a cap on H-1B petitions for continuing employment. 
Page 6 

Table 2 shows the number of petitions filed by quarter in fiscal years 2002 to 2005. Petitions filed 

in 2005 increased from 41,020 in the first quarter to 84,776 in the fourth quarter peaking at 98,831 in the 

third quarter. 

Table 2. H-1B Petitions Filed by Quarter: Fiscal Years 2002 to 2005 

Quarter FY 

2002 

FY 

2003 

FY 

2004 

FY 

2005 

Initial 

Employment

Percent 

of Total 

Continuing

Employment 

Percent 

of Total 

Total 215,190 231,030 312,200 266,474 117,536 100 148,938 100

 

October-December 53,888 50,633 69,835 41,020 7,307 6.2 33,713 22.6

January-March 51,905 52,722 64,022 41,847 5,786 4.9 36,061 24.2

April-June 53,429 61,302 74,823 98,831 60,238 51.3 38,593 25.9

July-September 55,968 66,373 103,520 84,776 44,205 37.6 40,571 27.2

Table 3 provides a breakdown of approved petitions in fiscal years 2002 to 2005 by type of petition. 

Approximately 117,000 H-1B beneficiaries were approved for initial employment and about 150,000 for 

continuing employment in fiscal year 2005. 

The number of aliens outside the United States approved for initial employment decreased from 

60,271 to 54,635 in fiscal year 2005. The corresponding numbers for aliens in the United States changing 

to H-1B status fell from 156,921 in 2004 to 150,204 in 2005. 

Table 3. H-1B Petitions Approved by Type: Fiscal Years 2002 to 2005 

Type of Petition Petitions Approved 

 FY 2002 Percent FY 2003 Percent FY 2004 Percent FY 2005 Percent

Total 197,537 100 217,340 100 217,340 100 267,131 100

 

Initial employment 103,584 52 105,314 48 130,497 45 116,927 44

 Aliens outside U.S. 36,494 18 41,895 19 60,271 21 54,635 20

 Aliens in U.S. 67,090 34 63,419 29 70,226 24 62,292 23

Continuing employment 93,953 48 112,026 52 156,921 55 150,204 56

 
Page 7 

Country of Birth

Tables 4A and 4B show the distribution of beneficiaries by country of birth.5

 Forty-four percent of 

the H-1B petitions approved in fiscal year 2005 were granted to individuals born in India, a decrease of 

four percent from 2004. The number of beneficiaries from China, the second leading source of H-1B 

beneficiaries, decreased six percent in 2005. The number of beneficiaries from India approved for initial 

employment decreased four percent in 2005, while the number of beneficiaries approved for continuing 

employment decreased three percent. The number of beneficiaries approved in fiscal year 2005 decreased 

by seven percent from 2004. 

Table 4A. H-1B Petitions Approved by Country of Birth of Beneficiary and Type of 

Petition (Number): Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005 

 All Beneficiaries Initial Employment Continuing Employment

Country of Birth FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2004 FY 2005 

 Number Number Number Number Number Number 

Total 287,418 267,131 130,497 116,927 156,921 150,204

 

Country of birth known 287,418 266,640 130,497 116,708 156,921 149,932

India 123,567 118,520 60,062 57,349 63,505 61,171

China, People's Republic 26,258 24,561 11,365 10,643 14,893 13,918

Canada 13,412 11,780 5,229 4,246 8,183 7,534

Philippines 11,300 9,965 4,783 3,316 6,517 6,649

Korea 8,159 8,072 3,924 3,831 4,235 4,241

United Kingdom 8,198 6,796 3,391 2,407 4,807 4,389

Japan 6,234 5,727 2,845 2,379 3,389 3,348

Taiwan 4,860 4,285 1,922 1,795 2,938 2,490

Pakistan 4,174 4,120 1,536 1,535 2,638 2,585

Mexico 3,884 3,605 1,601 1,206 2,283 2,399

Germany 3,981 3,449 1,769 1,475 2,212 1,974

Colombia 3,892 3,444 1,578 1,214 2314 2,230

France 3,735 3,116 1,622 1,228 2,113 1,888

Venezuela 3,027 2,930 1,532 1,122 1495 1,808

Russia 3,421 2,694 1,308 962 2,113 1,732

Turkey 2,796 2,665 1,328 1,188 1468 1,477

Brazil 2,688 2,506 1,201 1,071 1487 1,435

Argentina 2,384 2,299 1,118 793 1266 1,506

Israel 2,173 1,804 1,053 594 1120 1,210

Malaysia 1,975 1,791 656 775 1,319 1,016

Other countries 47,147 42,511 20,423 17,579 26,724 24,932

 

Country of birth unknown 0 491 0 219 0 272

 Notes: Countries of birth are ranked based on 2005 data. 

 

 

5

 Data actually represent countries and territories of birth. 
Page 8 

Table 4B. H-1B Petitions Approved by Country of Birth of Beneficiary and Type of 

Petition (Percent): Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005 

 All Beneficiaries Initial Employment Continuing Employment 

Country of Birth FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2004 FY 2005 

 Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent 

Total ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------

 

Country of birth known 100 100 100 100 100 100

India 43.0 44.4 46.0 49.0 40.5 40.7

China, People's Republic 9.1 9.2 8.7 9.1 9.5 9.3

Canada 4.7 4.4 4.0 3.6 5.2 5.0

Philippines 3.9 3.7 3.7 2.8 4.2 4.4

Korea 2.8 3.0 3.0 3.3 2.7 2.8

United Kingdom 2.9 2.5 2.6 2.1 3.1 2.9

Japan 2.2 2.1 2.2 2.0 2.2 2.2

Taiwan 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.9 1.7

Pakistan 1.5 1.5 1.2 1.3 1.7 1.7

Mexico 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.0 1.5 1.6

Germany 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.3

Colombia 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.0 1.5 1.5

France 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.3 1.3

Venezuela 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.0 1.0 1.2

Russia 1.2 1.0 1.0 0.8 1.3 1.2

Turkey 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.9 1.0

Brazil 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.0

Australia 0.8 0.9 0.9 0.7 0.8 1.0

Malaysia 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.5 0.7 0.8

Israel 0.7 0.7 0.5 0.7 0.8 0.7

Other countries 16.4 15.9 15.7 15.0 17.0 16.6

 

Country of birth unknown ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------

Notes: Countries of birth are ranked based on 2005 data. 

Percents shown in the table are based on the total number of petitions approved with country of birth known. 

Totals may not add due to rounding.
Page 9 

Age

 Table 5 shows the age distribution of the H-1B beneficiaries in fiscal year 2005 by type of petition. 

Sixty-five percent of workers granted H-1B status during 2005 were between 25 and 34 years of age at the 

time their petitions were approved. Fifty-six percent of initial beneficiaries were under 30, compared with 

twenty-eight percent of continuing beneficiaries. 

Table 5. H-1B Petitions Approved by Age of Beneficiary at Time of Approval and by 

Type of Petition: Fiscal Year 2005 

Age Total Percent Initial 

Employment

Percent Continuing 

Employment 

Percent 

Total 267,131 116,927 150,204 

 

Age known 266,946 100 116,844 100 150,102 100

Under 20 136 0.1% 122 0.1% 14 0.0%

20-24 19,018 7.1% 16,618 14.2% 2,400 1.6%

25-29 90,390 33.9% 49,544 42.4% 40,846 27.2%

30-34 84,664 31.7% 29,761 25.5% 54,903 36.6%

35-39 39,801 14.9% 11,749 10.1% 28,052 18.7%

40-44 18,821 7.1% 5,167 4.4% 13,654 9.1%

45-49 8,047 3.0% 2,157 1.8% 5,890 3.9%

50-54 3,548 1.3% 968 0.8% 2,580 1.7%

55-59 1,649 0.6% 497 0.4% 1152 0.8%

60-64 610 0.2% 172 0.1% 438 0.3%

65 and over 262 0.1% 89 0.1% 173 0.1%

 

Age unknown 185 --------- 83 --------- 102 --------- 

 Notes: Age of beneficiary is calculated based on the date the petition was approved. 

 Sum of the percents may not add to 100.0 due to rounding. 

Percentages shown in the table are based on the total number of approved petitions with known ages. 

Education

 Tables 6 and 7 show the highest level of education achieved by the beneficiaries at the time of 

their application. Employers are asked to provide the highest degree (domestic or foreign) but not training 

or experience deemed equivalent to a degree. The reporting of a domestic or foreign degree is not required 

in a standard format on USCIS or Department of Labor forms. However, in nearly all cases, the petitioning 

employer provides the information in supporting documentation. For degrees earned outside the United 

States, the employer usually supplies a credential evaluation stating that the foreign degree is “equivalent 

to” a particular U.S. degree. USCIS does not maintain separate data regarding whether the degree was 

earned in the United States or abroad. (Data on beneficiaries with U.S. advanced degrees has been 

available since May 2005.) 
Page 10 

The breakdown of the highest level of education achieved by H-1B beneficiaries remained about 

the same between Fiscal years 2004 and 2005. As shown in Table 6, forty-five percent of all H-1B 

petitions approved for workers in 2005 reported that the beneficiary had earned the equivalent of a 

bachelor’s degree; thirty-seven percent a master’s degree; five percent a doctorate, and twelve percent a 

professional degree. Altogether, ninety-eight percent earned at least a bachelor’s degree and fifty-four 

percent earned at least a master’s degree. 

Table 6. H-1B Petitions Approved by Level of Education: 

Fiscal Years 2002-2005 

 Percent of beneficiaries 

Level of Education FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 

Education known 100 100 100 100 

Less than a Bachelor's degree 2 2 1 1 

Bachelor's degree 50 50 49 45 

Master's degree 30 31 34 37 

Doctorate degree 12 12 11 5 

Professional degree 5 6 5 12 

Note: Sum of percent may not sum to 100 due to rounding. 

Table 7. H-1B Petitions Approved by Level of Education of Beneficiary and Type of 

Petition: Fiscal Year 2005 

Level of Education Total Percent Initial 

Employment

Percent Continuing

Employment

Percent 

Total 267,131 116,927 150,204 

 

Education known 266,911 100 116,819 100 150,092 100

No high school diploma 197 0.1 107 0.1 90 0.1

High school graduate 810 0.3 440 0.4 370 0.2

Less than 1 year of college credit 198 0.1 77 0.1 121 0.1

1 or more years of college credit, no diploma 1,013 0.4 358 0.3 655 0.4

Associate's degree 890 0.3 363 0.3 527 0.4

Bachelor's degree 119,462 44.8 49,604 42.5 69,858 46.5

Master's degree 98,139 36.8 45,890 39.3 52,249 34.8

Doctorate degree 14,222 5.3 5,883 5.0 8,339 5.6

Professional degree 31,980 12.0 14,097 12.1 17,883 11.9

 

Education unknown 220 -------- 108 -------- 112 -------- 

Notes: Sum of the percents may not add to 100.0 due to rounding. 

Percents shown in the table are based on the number of approved petitions with known levels of education. 
Page 11 

Occupation

- Occupation Category 

Tables 8A and 8B shows the distribution of beneficiaries by occupation category for fiscal year 

2005. The petitioning employer supplies the occupation code on the Labor Condition Application (LCA).6

 

Computer-related occupations were the most numerous occupation category in 2005; their share of total 

petitions approved decreased from 45 percent in 2004 to 43 percent in fiscal year 2005. The corresponding 

percentages for initial employment and continuing employment in computer-related occupations were 45 

and 41 percent, respectively. Fifteen of the seventeen occupation categories had more continuing than 

initial H-1B beneficiaries. One category – namely, occupations in architecture, engineering and surveying 

- had 53 percent more continuing than initial beneficiaries. 

The number of H-1B petitions approved for workers in computer-related occupations decreased 

eleven percent from 127,279 in 2004 to 113,867 in 2005. The majority of occupation groups decreased 

between 2004 and 2005. The only exceptions were occupations in education (5 percent); occupations in 

museum, library, and archival sciences (3 percent); and occupations in religion and theology (14 percent). 

 

6 H-1B status requires a sponsoring U.S. employer. The employer must file a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the 

Department of Labor attesting to several items, including payment of prevailing wages for the position, and the working 

conditions offered.
Page 12 

Table 8A. H-1B Petitions Approved by Major Occupation Group of Beneficiary and 

Type of Petition (Number): Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005 

All Beneficiaries Initial Employment Continuing 

Employment 

FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2004 FY 2005 

Occupational Division Number Number Number Number Number Number 

Total 287,418 267,131 130,497 116,927 156,921 150,204

 

Occupation known 285,778 264,892 129,703 115,662 156,075 149,230

Computer-Related Occupations 127,279 113,867 56,559 52,352 70,720 61,515

Occupations in Architecture, Engineering, and Surveying 34,595 32,030 13,625 12,831 20,970 19,199

Occupations in Education 27,583 29,061 13,185 12,978 14,398 16,083

Occupations in Administrative Specializations 27,537 25,928 13,792 11,041 13,745 14,887

Occupations in Medicine and Health 17,676 17,360 8,465 7,218 9,211 10,142

Managers and Officials n.e.c. 12,047 10,652 5,326 3,619 6,721 7,033

Occupations in Life Sciences 9,290 8,840 4,340 3,859 4,950 4,981

Occupations in Mathematics and Physical Sciences 7,129 6,600 3,105 2,695 4,024 3,905

Occupations in Social Sciences 6,557 6,072 3,261 2,700 3,296 3,372

Miscellaneous Professional, Technical, and Managerial 6,055 5,542 2,879 2,265 3,176 3,277

Occupations in Art 4,078 3,790 1,959 1,631 2,119 2,159

Occupations in Law and Jurisprudence 1,962 1,767 1022 810 940 957

Occupations in Writing 1,826 1,482 869 631 957 851

Occupations in Entertainment and Recreation 834 693 393 293 441 400

Fashion Models 811 655 645 467 166 188

Occupations in Museum, Library, and Archival Sciences 364 376 174 161 190 215

Occupations in Religion and Theology 155 177 104 111 51 66

 

Occupation unknown 1,640 2,239 794 1,265 846 974

Notes: Occupations ranked based on 2005 data. 

n.e.c. indicates not elsewhere classified. 
Page 13 

Table 8B. H-1B Petitions Approved by Major Occupation Group of Beneficiary and 

Type of Petition (Percent): Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005 

All Beneficiaries Initial Employment Continuing 

Employment 

FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2004 FY 2005 

Occupational Division Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent 

Total ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------

 

Occupation known 100 100 100 100 100 100

Computer-Related Occupations 44.5 43.0 43.6 45.3 45.3 41.2

Occupations in Architecture, Engineering, and Surveying 12.1 12.1 10.5 11.1 13.4 12.9

Occupations in Education 9.7 11.0 10.2 11.2 9.2 10.8

Occupations in Administrative Specializations 9.6 9.8 10.6 9.5 8.8 10.0

Occupations in Medicine and Health 6.2 6.6 6.5 6.2 5.9 6.8

Managers and Officials n.e.c. 4.2 4.0 4.1 3.1 4.3 4.7

Occupations in Life Sciences 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.3 3.2 3.3

Occupations in Mathematics and Physical Sciences 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.6 2.6

Occupations in Social Sciences 2.3 2.3 2.5 2.3 2.1 2.3

Miscellaneous Professional, Technical, and Managerial 2.1 2.1 2.2 2.0 2.0 2.2

Occupations in Art 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.4

Occupations in Law and Jurisprudence 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.6

Occupations in Writing 0.6 0.6 0.7 0.5 0.6 0.6

Occupations in Entertainment and Recreation 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

Fashion Models 0.3 0.2 0.5 0.4 0.1 0.1

Occupations in Museum, Library, and Archival Sciences 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

Occupations in Religion and Theology 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0

 

Occupation unknown ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------

Notes: Occupations ranked based on 2005 data. 

Sum of the percents may not add to 100.0 due to rounding.

Percents shown in the table are based on the total number of petitions approved with known occupations. 

n.e.c. indicates not elsewhere classified. 
Page 14 

- Detailed Occupation 

Tables 9A and 9B indicates the distribution of beneficiaries by detailed major occupation 

group in descending order in fiscal year 2005. The relative distributions in 2004 and 2005 were 

similar. The list is limited to the top 20 categories. More than one-third of the approved petitions 

in 2005 were for aliens working as systems analysts or programmers. The second largest category 

was occupations in colleges and university education. 

Table 9A. H-1B Petitions Approved by Detailed Occupation of Beneficiary and Type 

of Petition (Number): Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005 

 All Beneficiaries Initial Employment 

Continuing 

Employment 

 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2004 FY 2005

Occupational Group Number Number Number Number Number Number

Total 287,418 267,131 130,497 116,927 156,921 150,204

 

Occupation known 285,700 264,766 129,671 115,581 156,029 149,185

Occupations in Systems Analysis and Programming 112,168 99,976 50,960 47,282 61,208 52,694

Occupations in College and University Education 19,712 21,418 9,596 10,063 10,116 11,355

Accountants, Auditors and Related Occupations 12,778 12,104 6,384 5,230 6,394 6,874

Electrical/Electronics Engineering Occupations 11,607 10,067 3,913 3,872 7,694 6,195

Computer-Related Occupations, n.e.c 10,087 9,487 3,653 3,524 6,434 5,963

Physicians and Surgeons 7,022 7,218 3,213 2,963 3,809 4,255

Occupations in Biological Sciences 6,944 6,308 3,205 2,676 3,739 3,632

Occupations in Economics 6,000 5,529 2,950 2,393 3,050 3,136

Miscellaneous Managers and Officials, n.e.c. 5,843 5,255 2,423 1,762 3,420 3,493

Miscellaneous Professional, Technical and Managerial 

Occupations, n.e.c. 5,296 4,865 2,509 1,960 2,787 2,905

Occupations in Architecture, Engineering, and Surveying, n.e.c. 5,528 4,695 1,848 1,806 3,680 2,889

Mechanical Engineering Occupations 4,804 4,619 2,151 1,942 2,653 2,677

Occupations in Administrative Specializations, n.e.c. 4,287 4,212 2,191 1,857 2,096 2,355

Occupations in Medicine and Health, n.e.c. 4,102 4,075 2,192 1,901 1,910 2,174

Budget and Management Systems Analysis Occupations 4,300 4,071 2,334 1,884 1,966 2,187

Civil Engineering Occupations 3,494 3,704 1,635 1,450 1,859 2,254

Occupations in Preschool, Primary School, and Kindergarten 

Education 3,682 3,408 1,762 1,249 1920 2,159

Architectural Occupations 3,333 3,261 1,403 1,230 1,930 2,031

Occupations in Chemistry 2,934 2,674 1,159 988 1,775 1,686

Commercial Artists: Designers and Illustrators, Graphic Arts 2,756 2,541 1,364 1,145 1392 1,396

Other Occupations 49,023 45,279 22,826 18,404 26,197 26,875

 

Occupation Unknown 1,718 2,365 826 1,346 892 1,019

Notes: Occupations ranked on 2005 data. 

 n.e.c. indicates not elsewhere classified. 
Page 15 

Table 9B. H-1B Petitions Approved by Detailed Occupation of Beneficiary and Type 

of Petition (Percent): Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005 

 All Beneficiaries Initial Employment

Continuing 

Employment 

 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2004 FY 2005

Occupational Group Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent 

Total ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------

 

Occupation known 100 100 100 100 100 100

Occupations in Systems Analysis and Programming 39.3 37.8 39.3 40.9 39.2 35.3

Occupations in College and University Education 6.9 8.1 7.4 8.7 6.5 7.6

Accountants, Auditors and Related Occupations 4.5 4.6 4.9 4.5 4.1 4.6

Electrical/Electronics Engineering Occupations 4.1 3.8 3.0 3.4 4.9 4.2

Computer-Related Occupations, n.e.c 3.5 3.6 2.8 3.0 4.1 4.0

Physicians and Surgeons 2.5 2.7 2.5 2.6 2.4 2.9

Occupations in Biological Sciences 2.4 2.4 2.5 2.3 2.4 2.4

Occupations in Economics 2.1 2.1 2.3 2.1 2.0 2.1

Miscellaneous Managers and Officials, n.e.c. 2.0 2.0 1.9 1.5 2.2 2.3

Miscellaneous Professional, Technical and Managerial Occupations, 

n.e.c. 1.9 1.8 1.9 1.7 1.8 1.9

Occupations in Architecture, Engineering, and Surveying, n.e.c. 1.9 1.8 1.4 1.6 2.4 1.9

Mechanical Engineering Occupations 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8

Occupations in Administrative Specializations, n.e.c. 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.6 1.3 1.6

Occupations in Medicine and Health, n.e.c. 1.4 1.5 1.7 1.6 1.2 1.5

Budget and Management Systems Analysis Occupations 1.5 1.5 1.8 1.6 1.3 1.5

Civil Engineering Occupations 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.5

Occupations in Preschool, Primary School, and Kindergarten 

Education 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.1 1.2 1.4

Architectural Occupations 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.4

Occupations in Chemistry 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.9 1.1 1.1

Commercial Artists: Designers and Illustrators, Graphic Arts 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.0 0.9 0.9

Other Occupations 17.2 17.1 17.6 15.9 16.8 18.0

 

Occupation unknown ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------

Notes: Occupations ranked on 2005 data. 

 Sum of the percents may not add to 100.0 due to rounding. 

 Percents shown in the table are based on the total number of petitions approved with known occupations. 

n.e.c. indicates not elsewhere classified. 
Page 16 

Annual Compensation 7

Tables 10, 11, and 12 show compensation by occupation for beneficiaries of all, initial, and 

continuing employment, respectively. Each table shows occupations arranged by the total number of 

beneficiaries approved in fiscal year 2005. As shown in Table 10, the median annual compensation 

reported by employers of H-1B workers approved for employment during fiscal year 2005 was 

$55,000. This number compares with $53,000 in 2004. One-half were expected to earn between 

$43,000 and $73,000. Median compensation ranged from a low of $32,000 for occupations in religion 

and theology to a high of $100,000 for fashion models. 

Table 10. Annual Compensation of All H-1B Beneficiaries by Major Occupation 

Group: Fiscal Year 2005 

 Total 25th Median 75th

Occupation Reported Percentile Percentile

Total 262,130 

 

Occupations with annual compensation known 259,990 43,000 55,000 73,000

Computer-related occupations 112,817 48,000 60,000 73,000

Occupations in architecture, engineering, and surveying 31,574 48,000 60,000 78,000

Occupations in education 28,475 35,000 40,000 52,000

Occupations in administrative specializations 25,270 37,000 48,000 66,000

Occupations in medicine and health 16,284 41,000 52,000 104,000

Managers and officials n.e.c. 10,455 42,000 65,000 100,000

Occupations in life sciences 8,749 36,000 42,000 55,000

Occupations in mathematics and physical sciences 6,545 44,000 59,000 77,000

Occupations in social sciences 5,903 38,000 53,000 77,000

Miscellaneous professional, technical, and managerial 5,450 40,000 60,000 90,000

Occupations in art 3,699 33,000 43,000 60,000

Occupations in law and jurisprudence 1,727 45,000 90,000 135,000

Occupations in writing 1,436 30,000 38,000 50,000

Occupations in entertainment and recreation 648 27,000 35,000 47,000

Fashion models 423 100,000 100,000 130,000

Occupations in museum, library, and archival sciences 368 35,000 42,000 60,000

Occupations in religion and theology 167 25,000 32,000 45,000

 

Occupation unknown 2,140 40,000 48,000 60,000

Notes: Occupations ranked by number of beneficiaries. 

 n.e.c. indicates not elsewhere classified. 

Definitions: Median is the middle ranking value (50th percentile) of all values. 25th percentile and 75th 

percentile are the lower quarter and upper quarter ranking values, respectively. 

 

7

 Annual compensation refers to what the employer agreed to pay the beneficiary at the time the application was filed. The 

amount excludes non-cash compensation and benefits such as health insurance and transportation. Further, compensation is 

based on full-time employment for 12 months, even if the beneficiary actually worked fewer than 12 months. 
Page 17 

 As revealed in Tables 11 and 12, beneficiaries for continuing employment reported 

higher annual compensation than did beneficiaries for initial employment. Median annual 

compensation was $60,000 for the former and $50,000 for the latter. In fiscal year 2004, 

workers approved for continuing employment and initial employment reported median annual 

compensation of $60,000 and $48,000 respectively. 

Table 11. Annual Compensation of H-1B Beneficiaries for Initial 

Employment by Major Occupation Group: Fiscal Year 2005 

 Total 25th Median 75th 

Occupation Reported Percentile Percentile

 

Total 114,897 41,000 50,000 60,000

 

Occupations with annual compensation known 113,669 41,000 50,000 60,000

Computer-related occupations 51,890 45,000 50,000 60,000

Occupations in education 12,774 33,000 39,000 50,000

Occupations in architecture, engineering, and surveying 12,646 45,000 55,000 70,000

Occupations in administrative specializations 10749 36,000 45,000 60,000

Occupations in medicine and health 6,911 40,000 46,000 83,000

Occupations in life sciences 3,816 34,000 38,000 47,000

Managers and officials n.e.c. 3560 39,000 53,000 90,000

Occupations in mathematics and physical sciences 2,673 40,000 51,000 68,000

Occupations in social sciences 2,617 37,000 50,000 69,000

Miscellaneous professional, technical, and managerial 2209 38,000 53,000 79,000

Occupations in art 1580 30,000 38,000 50,000

Occupations in law and jurisprudence 797 40,000 76,000 125,000

Occupations in writing 606 27,000 33,000 42,000

Fashion models 303 100,000 100,000 135,000

Occupations in entertainment and recreation 276 25,000 33,000 42,500

Occupations in museum, library, and archival sciences 156 33,000 38,000 53,000

Occupations in religion and theology 106 26,000 32,000 42,000

 

Occupation unknown 1,228 42,000 48,000 56,000

Notes: Occupations ranked by the number of beneficiaries. 

n.e.c. indicates not elsewhere classified. 

Definitions: Median is the middle ranking value (50th percentile) of all values. 

25th percentile and 75th percentile are the lower quarter and upper quarter ranking values, 

respectively. 

 
Page 18 

Table 12. Annual Compensation of H-1B Beneficiaries for Continuing Employment by 

Major Occupation Group: Fiscal Year 2005 

 Total 25th Median 75th 

Occupation Reported Percentile Percentile 

Total 147,233 45,000 60,000 80,000

 

Occupations with annual compensation known 146,321 45,000 60,000 80,000

Computer-related occupations 60,927 54,000 68,000 83,000

Occupations in architecture, engineering, and surveying 18,928 50,000 65,000 81,000

Occupations in education 15,701 35,000 42,000 54,000

Occupations in administrative specializations 14521 39,000 51,000 72,000

Occupations in medicine and health 9,373 43,000 60,000 116,000

Managers and officials n.e.c. 6895 46,000 72,000 105,000

Occupations in life sciences 4,933 37,000 45,000 62,000

Occupations in mathematics and physical sciences 3,872 48,000 65,000 82,000

Occupations in social sciences 3,286 40,000 55,000 83,000

Miscellaneous professional, technical, and managerial 3241 44,000 65,000 95,000

Occupations in art 2119 36,000 48,000 69,000

Occupations in law and jurisprudence 930 50,000 102,000 155,000

Occupations in writing 830 33,000 41,000 55,000

Occupations in entertainment and recreation 372 29,000 37,000 50,000

Occupations in museum, library, and archival sciences 212 36,000 46,000 63,500

Fashion models 120 100,000 100,000 100,000

Occupations in religion and theology 61 24,000 35,000 49,000

 

Occupation unknown 912 38,000 49,000 65,000

Notes: Occupations ranked by the number of beneficiaries. 

n.e.c. indicates not elsewhere classified. 

Definitions: Median is the middle ranking value (50th percentile) of all values. 

25th percentile and 75th percentile are the lower quarter and upper quarter ranking values, 

respectively.
Page 19 

Industry

 Tables 13A and 13B shows the industries that employed the most H-1B workers in fiscal year 

2005. The number of workers approved for all industries decreased seven percent from 287,418 in fiscal 

year 2004 to 267,131 in fiscal year 2005. The largest decrease for the top 10 industries was in computer 

systems design, and related services (-10 percent). Among the remaining top ten industries, scientific 

research and development services (-8 percent); semiconductor and other electronic component 

manufacturing (-7 percent); and securities and commodity contracts intermediation and brokerage (-7 

percent) experienced the largest decreases. 

Industry data are collected using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). 

Unlike country of birth, age, education, and occupation, USCIS does not verify the NAICS code because 

the sponsor does not provide supporting documentation. 
Page 20 

Table 13A. H-1B Petitions Approved by Detailed Industry and Type of Petition 

(Number): Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005 

 All Beneficiaries Initial Employment 

Continuing 

Employment 

 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2004 FY 2005 

Industry Number Number Number Number Number Number 

Total 287,418 267,131 130,497 116,927 156,921 150,204

 

Industry known 265,126 247,155 119,899 108,674 145,227 138,481

Computer Systems Design & Related Services 95,459 85,552 46,573 43,831 48,886 41,721

Colleges, Universities, & Professional Schools 25,784 27,683 12,674 12,995 13,110 14,688

Architectural, Engineering, & Related Services 11,452 11,413 4,992 4,738 6,460 6,675

Management, Scientific, & Technical Consulting Services 9,551 9,493 5,004 4,822 4,547 4,671

Scientific Research and Development Services 8,787 8,052 3,648 3,203 5,139 4,849

Elementary and Secondary Schools 5,553 5,582 2,458 2,078 3,095 3,504

Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, & Payroll Services 5,156 5,104 2,672 2,501 2,484 2,603

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 4,683 5,055 2,259 2,243 2,424 2,812

Securities & Commodity Contracts Intermediation & Brokerage 5,114 4,756 2,057 1,750 3,057 3,006

Semiconductor & Other Electronic Component Manufacturing 4,891 4,510 1,307 1,639 3,584 2,871

Telecommunications 4,550 3,218 1,092 652 3,458 2,566

Offices of Physicians 3,340 3,206 1,543 1,202 1,797 2,004

Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing 2,618 2,453 593 601 2,025 1,852

Other Financial Investment Activities 2,202 2,088 909 794 1,293 1,294

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing 1,903 1,861 649 563 1,254 1,298

Other Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services 2,208 1,846 1,025 713 1,183 1,133

Health and Personal Care Stores 1,541 1,823 772 639 769 1,184

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 2,129 1,752 750 841 1,379 911

Offices of Other Health Practitioners 1,880 1,707 899 847 981 860

Legal Services 1,854 1,703 937 760 917 943

Communications Equipment Manufacturing 2,252 1,665 512 490 1,740 1,175

Specialized Design Services 1,900 1,618 938 709 962 909

Employment Services 1,595 1,433 730 665 865 768

Software Publishers 1,584 1,356 343 356 1,241 1,000

Non-depository Credit Intermediation 1,353 1,313 523 384 830 929

Information Services 1,501 1,286 446 457 1,055 829

Advertising and Related Services 1,395 1,277 608 495 787 782

Traveler Accommodation 1,266 1,189 517 362 749 827

Depository Credit Intermediation 1,202 1,165 430 362 772 803

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing 1,678 1,067 331 309 1,347 758

Other industries 48,745 44,929 21,708 16,673 27,037 28,256

 

Industry unknown 22,292 19,976 10,598 8,253 11,694 11,723

Notes: Industries ranked by total beneficiaries in 2005. 

NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System.
Page 21 

Table 13B. H-1B Petitions Approved by Detailed Industry and Type of Petition 

(Percent): Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005 

 All Beneficiaries Initial Employment 

Continuing 

Employment 

 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2004 FY 2005 

Industry Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent 

Total ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------

 

Industry known 100 100 100 100 100 100

Computer Systems Design & Related Services 36.0 34.6 38.8 40.3 33.7 30.1

Colleges, Universities, & Professional Schools 9.7 11.2 10.6 12.0 9.0 10.6

Architectural, Engineering, & Related Services 4.3 4.6 4.2 4.4 4.4 4.8

Management, Scientific, & Technical Consulting Services 3.6 3.8 4.2 4.4 3.1 3.4

Scientific Research and Development Services 3.3 3.3 3.0 2.9 3.5 3.5

Elementary and Secondary Schools 2.1 2.3 2.1 1.9 2.1 2.5

Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, & Payroll Services 1.9 2.1 2.2 2.3 1.7 1.9

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 1.8 2.0 1.9 2.1 1.7 2.0

Securities & Commodity Contracts Intermediation & Brokerage 1.9 1.9 1.7 1.6 2.1 2.2

Semiconductor & Other Electronic Component Manufacturing 1.8 1.8 1.1 1.5 2.5 2.1

Telecommunications 1.7 1.3 0.9 0.6 2.4 1.9

Offices of Physicians 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.1 1.2 1.4

Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.6 1.4 1.3

Other Financial Investment Activities 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.7 0.9 0.9

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing 0.7 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.9 0.9

Other Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services 0.8 0.7 0.9 0.7 0.8 0.8

Health and Personal Care Stores 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.9

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.8 0.9 0.7

Offices of Other Health Practitioners 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.6

Legal Services 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.7

Communications Equipment Manufacturing 0.8 0.7 0.4 0.5 1.2 0.8

Specialized Design Services 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.7

Employment Services 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6

Software Publishers 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.9 0.7

Non-depository Credit Intermediation 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.7

Information Services 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.7 0.6

Advertising and Related Services 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6

Traveler Accommodation 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.6

Depository Credit Intermediation 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.5 0.6

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.9 0.5

Other industries 18.4 18.2 18.1 15.3 18.6 20.4

 

Industry unknown ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------

Notes: Industries ranked by total beneficiaries in 2005. 

Sum of the percents may not add to 100.0 due to rounding. 

Percents shown are based on the total number of petitions approved with industry known. 

NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System 
Page 22 

Appendix: H-1B Petition Processing and Data Limitations

Petition Processing 

Petitions for obtaining H-1B nonimmigrant status for alien workers are submitted by their 

prospective employers on USCIS Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and the addendum 

Data Collection and Filing Fee Exemption Supplement. The petitions are mailed to one of four USCIS 

Service Centers for processing depending on the location of the sponsoring employer: St. Albans, 

Vermont; Lincoln, Nebraska; Dallas Texas; and Laguna Nigel, California. 

Upon receipt, each petition is stamped with its date of arrival at the Service Center. File assembly 

clerks create a paper file that contains the original petition as well as all supporting documentation. This 

file becomes the official file of record for all activities connected with the petition. 

Bio-data such as name, date of birth, and country of birth are entered from the petition by data entry 

clerks into the case tracking system Computer-Linked Application Information Management System 

(CLAIMS3). The computer system generates a unique number for the file, known as a receipt number. 

The files are distributed to adjudicators after being sorted into potential cap and non-cap cases. 

After being received, the files are reviewed by adjudicators, who determine whether they have 

adequate information in the file to approve or deny the petition. If sufficient evidence is available, a 

decision is made by the adjudicator and then corresponding information is entered into the tracking system. 

Otherwise, additional information is sought from the sponsoring employer by the adjudicator. A response 

from the employer must be made within a set period of time or else the petition will be denied. 

After petitions are adjudicated, the associated paper files are forwarded either to the USCIS records 

center in Harrisonburg, Virginia for storage or to the Kentucky Consular Center in Williamsburg, 

Kentucky for consular processing. 

 

Data Limitations 

The tables in this report have been tabulated from an electronic data file created at headquarters 

from USCIS service center electronic data files. Errors in this extract file may have occurred in several 

ways. For example, petition data might have been inaccurate on petitions; keying errors may have occurred 

during data entry at the service centers or as a result of being improperly transferred electronically between 

the service centers and headquarters. Minimum editing has been done to the data in this file. Impossible or 

highly improbable values have been defined as unknown; for example, beneficiaries younger than 16 

(except for fashion models) or those beneficiaries working without compensation. 

Lastly, information in electronic format is not available regarding the city or state where H-1B 

workers are employed.