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Monday, March 31, 2025

How many H-1B petitions made by Rhode Island employers were approved during 2024?

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Ur Mendoza Jaddou, Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. | https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/organization/leadership/ur-m-jaddou-director-us-citizenship-and-immigration-services

Ur Mendoza Jaddou, Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. | https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/organization/leadership/ur-m-jaddou-director-us-citizenship-and-immigration-services

In 2024, 1,737 of the 1,751 H-1B petitions submitted by employers based in Rhode Island were approved, according to data provided by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services via the H-1B Employer Data Hub.

This represents an approval rate of 99.2%, which is higher than the nationwide average.

In 2024, the average approval rate for H-1B petitions across the U.S. stood at 98%, slightly higher than the 97.3% recorded in 2023.

The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. It is designed to address skill gaps in the U.S. workforce while ensuring wage standards to protect both U.S. and H-1B workers. Employers must certify that they will pay H-1B workers wages equal to or greater than those of similarly qualified U.S. employees or the prevailing local wage. 

The Retail Trade industry led H-1B petition approvals in Rhode Island during 2024, filing a total of 750 petitions (42.8% of all submissions) and receiving 744 approvals, resulting in an approval rate of 99.2%. The Finance and Insurance industry followed, with 379 petitions (21.6% of all submissions), receiving 378 approvals and an approval rate of 99.7%.

Employers are classified under industries based on their reported operations and may be involved in multiple industries.

The Rhode Island employers with the most approvals during 2024 included Caremark, LLC, filing a total of 383 petitions and receiving 382 approvals, resulting in an approval rate of 99.7%, and Aetna Resources, LLC, which filed 313 petitions and received 312 approvals, resulting in an approval rate of 99.7%.

Compared to 2023, Rhode Island saw a 7% decrease in the number of H-1B petitions during 2024.

The United States admits around 1 million legal immigrants annually, most of whom receive permanent residence (green cards) through family sponsorship or employment-based visas. In 2023, about 1.2 million immigrants were granted green cards, a return to pre-pandemic levels. Temporary visa programs, such as the H-1B for highly skilled workers and H-2A for seasonal agricultural workers, also play a critical role in filling workforce needs.

Public opinion on immigration varies, with 46% of Americans favoring maintaining current legal immigration levels, according to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey. Additionally, 42% believe that highly skilled workers, such as scientists, doctors, and programmers, should be prioritized for legal immigration, compared to 25% who prioritize workers filling labor shortages and 19% who emphasize family sponsorship. Despite this, family sponsorship remains the most common path to permanent residency, accounting for 63% of green cards issued in 2023.

The data in this article comes from the H-1B Employer Data Hub provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). While USCIS strives for accuracy, manual data entry and errors on paper forms submitted by applicants or petitioners may result in discrepancies in employer names, tax IDs, locations, or other details.

Rhode Island H-1B Petition Distribution by Industry in 2024

Retail Trade [42.8%]Finance and Insurance [21.6%]Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services [7.9%]Management of Companies and Enterprises [7.8%]Educational Services [6.9%]Health Care and Social Assistance [5.8%]Industries <5% [5.4%]

H-1B Petitions by Industry in Rhode Island, 2024

RankIndustryTotal Petitions% of All SubmissionsApproved Petitions% Approved% Denied
1Retail Trade75042.8%74499.2%0.8%
2Finance and Insurance37921.6%37899.7%0.3%
3Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services1397.9%13597.1%2.9%
3Management of Companies and Enterprises1367.8%13599.3%0.7%
5Educational Services1216.9%12099.2%0.8%
6Health Care and Social Assistance1025.8%102100%0%
7Manufacturing472.7%47100%0%
8Construction130.7%1292.3%7.7%
9Information110.6%11100%0%
10Wholesale Trade80.5%8100%0%
11Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation60.3%6100%0%
12Transportation and Warehousing40.2%4100%0%
13Real Estate and Rental and Leasing20.1%2100%0%
14Public Administration10.1%1100%0%
14Other Services (except Public Administration)10.1%1100%0%
14Accommodation and Food Services10.1%1100%0%

Top 100 Employers in Rhode Island, 2024

RankCompany NameIndustry(ies)Total PetitionsApproved Petitions% Approved% Denied
1Caremark, LLCWholesale Trade; Retail Trade38338299.7%0.3%
2Aetna Resources, LLCRetail Trade; Information; Finance and Insurance; Real Estate and Rental and Leasing; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services31331299.7%0.3%
3CVS Pharmacy, Inc.Retail Trade30530399.3%0.7%
4Citizens Financial Group, Inc.Information; Management of Companies and Enterprises13913899.3%0.7%
5Brown UniversityEducational Services706998.6%1.4%
6Medidata Solutions, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services686798.5%1.5%
7CVS RX Services, Inc.Retail Trade625995.2%4.8%
8Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, Inc.Manufacturing2929100%0%
9Lifespan Physician Group, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance2828100%0%
10Factory Mutual Insurance CompanyFinance and Insurance2121100%0%
11University of Rhode IslandEducational Services2020100%0%
12Aetna Medicaid Administrators, LLCFinance and Insurance1414100%0%
12Amica Mutual Insurance CompanyFinance and Insurance1414100%0%
14Syscons CorporationProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services141392.9%7.1%
14Procare Pharmacy, LLCRetail Trade1313100%0%
16Affinity Physicians, LLCHealth Care and Social Assistance1212100%0%
17Rhode Island HospitalProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services; Health Care and Social Assistance1111100%0%
18Signify Health, Inc.Finance and Insurance; Health Care and Social Assistance99100%0%
18Brown MedicineHealth Care and Social Assistance99100%0%
20Dassault Systemes Simulia, Corp.Information; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services88100%0%
20Personify HealthFinance and Insurance88100%0%
20Gilbane Building CompanyConstruction9888.9%11.1%
20Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode IslandFinance and Insurance88100%0%
24Providence CollegeEducational Services77100%0%
25Bryant UniversityEducational Services66100%0%
25IGT Global Solutions CorporationArts, Entertainment, and Recreation66100%0%
27The Providence Community Health CentersHealth Care and Social Assistance55100%0%
28Johnson and Wales UniversityEducational Services44100%0%
28Regent Craft, Inc.Transportation and Warehousing44100%0%
28Rhode Island ColegeEducational Services44100%0%
28Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode IslandFinance and Insurance44100%0%
28Roger Williams UniversityEducational Services44100%0%
28Narragansett Bay Anesthesia, LLCHealth Care and Social Assistance44100%0%
28Busitants IncorporatedProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services5480%20%
35Smartapp.com, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services33100%0%
35Rhode Island School of DesignEducational Services33100%0%
35Gilbane FederalConstruction33100%0%
35Brown NeurologyHealth Care and Social Assistance33100%0%
35Prospect Chartercare Physicians LLHealth Care and Social Assistance33100%0%
35Pharmaron Manufacturing Services US, LLCManufacturing; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services33100%0%
35Thundermist Health CenterHealth Care and Social Assistance33100%0%
35Virgin Pulse, Inc.Finance and Insurance33100%0%
35Ocean State Veterinary SpecialistsProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services33100%0%
44It1stop, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services22100%0%
44Lifespan CorporationHealth Care and Social Assistance22100%0%
44Lightspeed Pos USA, Inc.Wholesale Trade; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services3266.7%33.3%
44NWN CorporationProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services22100%0%
44Rise Group, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services22100%0%
44Senesco Marine, LLCManufacturing22100%0%
44Seven Hills Rhode Island, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance22100%0%
44Software Quality Associates DB, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services22100%0%
44Splitwise, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services22100%0%
44Stonewall Solutions, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services22100%0%
44Taknor Apex CompanyManufacturing22100%0%
44The Miriam HospitalProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services; Health Care and Social Assistance22100%0%
44Wellpartner, LLCHealth Care and Social Assistance22100%0%
44Windmoeller and Hoelscher CorporatWholesale Trade22100%0%
44Aetna International, LLCFinance and Insurance22100%0%
44Coastal Medical Physicians, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance22100%0%
44Comprehensive Community Action, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance22100%0%
44Forensic Risk Alliance, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services22100%0%
44AIPSOFinance and Insurance; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services22100%0%
63Starburst Labs, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services11100%0%
63Srilu Information Systems, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services11100%0%
63Squadlocker, Inc.Manufacturing11100%0%
63Spouting Rock Beach Association11100%0%
63Blue Moon Industries, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services11100%0%
63Boskalis Offshore Contracting, LLCConstruction11100%0%
63Social Enterprise GreenhouseOther Services (except Public Administration)11100%0%
63Brewster Thornton Group Architects, LLPProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services11100%0%
63Silver Fern Practice, LLCHealth Care and Social Assistance11100%0%
63Brown DermatologyHealth Care and Social Assistance11100%0%
63Shubhlakshmi, Corp.Retail Trade11100%0%
63Bruin Plastics Company, Inc.Manufacturing11100%0%
63Cardiovascular Institute of New EnHealth Care and Social Assistance11100%0%
63Rxvantage, Inc.Information11100%0%
63Nephrology Associates, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance11100%0%
6302908 Holdco, LLCReal Estate and Rental and Leasing11100%0%
63ACS Industries, Inc.Manufacturing11100%0%
63University of Texas at ArlingtonEducational Services11100%0%
63Affiliated FM Insurance CompanyFinance and Insurance11100%0%
63Union Studio Architecture and CommunityProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services11100%0%
63Traverse Landscape Architects, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services11100%0%
63Asia Restaurants, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services11100%0%
63Astronova, Inc.Manufacturing11100%0%
63The Granny Squibb Company, LLCManufacturing11100%0%
63The French American School of Rhode IslandEducational Services11100%0%
63The Chanler, Inc.Accommodation and Food Services11100%0%
63The Beacon Mutual Insurance CompanyFinance and Insurance11100%0%
63Tedor Pharma, Inc.Manufacturing11100%0%
63Avtech Software, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services11100%0%
63Taco Group Holdings, Inc.Manufacturing11100%0%
63Betworks US, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services11100%0%
63Blount Boats, Inc.Manufacturing11100%0%
63GVK It, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services11100%0%
63Nabsys 2 0, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services11100%0%
63Miedu Group, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance11100%0%
63Mehran Javid - RI Dental Ltd., D.M.D.Health Care and Social Assistance11100%0%
63Hands in Harmony, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance11100%0%
63Medicine and Long Term Care Associates, LLCHealth Care and Social Assistance11100%0%

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