H1-B Visas — The Data you Need to Know

In now typical Trump admin fashion, an immigration policy was announced this week that was light on details but heavy in its potential impact.

Although we don’t yet know the exact implications (or rules) around this new policy, I thought it would help to highlight what we do know. That is cold, hard data on the H1-B visa program.

How Many People Will this Impact?

The first chart shows new H-1B approvals over the past decade. The series hovers between 100,000 and 130,000 most years. These totals surpass the statutory quota because exemptions for universities and nonprofits place them outside the cap. If the new rule is meant to reduce the total number of visas granted, we should see a precipitous drop in 2026

What Industries are Affected?

The second chart breaks approvals down by sector. At the top sits “Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.” The name sounds sterile, but it essentially means…