H-1B Hub Totals by Year (2009–2024)

Adds Cap (85,000) and Cap Exempt = max(0, Initial Approvals − Cap). Totals and denial rate preserved.

Year Initial Approvals Cap Cap Exempt Initial Denials Continuing Approvals Continuing Denials Total Petitions Denial Rate (%)
2009 99,734 85,000 14,734 18,063 127,618 7,943 253,358 10.26
2010 83,965 85,000 0 7,324 108,881 5,135 205,305 6.07
2011 114,788 85,000 29,788 8,559 155,069 4,508 282,924 4.62
2012 140,715 85,000 55,715 7,388 128,949 4,009 281,061 4.05
2013 130,650 85,000 45,650 9,584 164,446 4,536 309,216 4.57
2014 130,532 85,000 45,532 10,634 202,077 6,097 349,340 4.79
2015 111,803 85,000 26,803 7,662 176,565 5,483 301,513 4.36
2016 105,069 85,000 20,069 11,297 252,071 11,766 380,203 6.07
2017 96,137 85,000 11,137 14,520 277,181 15,348 403,186 7.41
2018 87,883 85,000 2,883 28,145 247,044 33,168 396,240 15.47
2019 132,978 85,000 47,978 35,609 256,376 33,874 458,837 15.14
2020 122,894 85,000 37,894 18,265 303,820 21,615 466,594 8.55
2021 123,406 85,000 38,406 4,690 283,633 6,524 418,253 2.68
2022 132,657 85,000 47,657 2,988 309,746 6,072 451,463 2.01
2023 118,948 85,000 33,948 4,309 267,380 6,582 397,219 2.74
2024 141,207 85,000 56,207 3,611 258,196 4,619 407,633 2.02
Total 1,873,366 1,360,000 514,401 192,648 3,519,052 177,279 5,762,345 6.42

Note: The "Cap Exempt" value is a rough estimate calculated as max(0, Initial Approvals − 85,000). It does not account for all nuances of cap-exempt petitions, such as those from universities, non-profits, or certain research organizations.

Data comes from: https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-and-studies/h-1b-employer-data-hub

Approval Type Definitions (H-1B Employer Data Hub):
  • Initial Approval – Approval of a new H-1B petition for a worker not currently in H-1B status with the employer. Includes first-time H-1B workers, changes of status from other visas, and some transfers considered “initial” by USCIS. Not cumulative — reflects only that fiscal year's newly granted petitions.
  • Continuing Approval – Approval for a worker already in H-1B status with the employer. Includes extensions, amendments, and some transfers within the same employer. Not cumulative — counts only approvals issued in that fiscal year for continuing employment.