The 25 Biggest Channel Users Of The H-1B Visa Program
Many Enter, But Few Dominate
Use of the skilled worker visa program is pervasive, with 65 of the 113 solution providers and distributors examined by CRN filing at least one H-1B visa application in 2014, according to the U.S. Office of Foreign Labor Certification.
But the process is dominated by a handful of outsourcing giants – of the 66,599 H-1B visa applications filed in 2014 by channel companies, some 55 percent came from just two India-based firms. To wit, eight solution providers accounted for more than 95 percent of all H-1B applications coming from the channel.
Most solution providers use H-1B selectively – 21 channel firms filed between five and 36 applications in 2014, while another 25 submitted between one and four applications.
Sporadic H-1B Visa Users
Nine companies filed between 12 and 22 H-1B visa applications in 2014.
Large solution providers with limited use of the H-1B program include: Dimension Data, No. 10 on the CRN Solution Provider 500, with 18 applications; Presidio, No. 21 on the CRN SP 500, with 12; Avanade, No. 23 on the CRN SP 500, with 22; and CompuCom, No. 23 on the 2014 CRN SP 500, with 12.
Smaller solution providers include: SS&C Technologies, No. 38 on the CRN SP 500, with 13 applications; Tyler Technologies, No. 51 on the CRN SP 500, with 20; and OneNeck IT Solutions, No. 81 on the CRN SP 500, with 13.
Distribution giants Tech Data and Ingram Micro are also among the ranks, with 14 and 13 H-1B applications filed, respectively.
25. Unisys Corporation
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 26
Approval Rate: 84.6% (29th out of 40)
Most Popular State: Virginia (6 applications)
The number of H-1B applications submitted by Unisys has dropped steadily from a high of 47 in 2012.
Of the 26 applications submitted last year by the Blue Bell, Penn.-based company, No. 19 on the CRN SP 500, 22 were certified by the U.S. Department of Labor, two were withdrawn, one was denied and one was certified then withdrawn.
Unisys has submitted 16 applications in the first half of 2015, with the approval rate improving to 93.8 percent. California has surpassed Virginia as the most popular state, with 7 applications thus far for positions in the Golden State.
24. Rolta International
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 30
Approval Rate: 83.3% (32nd out of 40)
Most Popular State: Georgia (17 applications)
The number of H-1B applications submitted by Rolta International has fallen from a high of 40 in 2013.
Of the 30 applications submitted last year by the Alpharetta, Ga.-based company, No. 52 on the CRN SP 500, 25 were certified by the U.S. Department of Labor and the remaining five were withdrawn.
Rolta has submitted 13 applications thus far in 2015, with the approval rate dropping to 53.8 percent. Illinois has topped Georgia as the most popular state, with 7 applications in the first half of 2015 for positions in the Land of Lincoln.
23. TeleCommunication Systems
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 32
Approval Rate: 84% (31st out of 40)
Most Popular State: California (14 applications)
The number of H-1B applications submitted by TeleCommunication Systems (TCS) has climbed from 21 in 2012.
Of the 32 applications submitted last year by the Annapolis, Md.-based company, No. 65 on the CRN SP 500, 27 were certified by the U.S. Department of Labor, two were denied, two were certified then withdrawn and one was withdrawn.
TCS has submitted 13 applications in the first half of 2015, with the approval rate inching up slightly to 85 percent. Washington has bested California as the most popular state, with 11 applications thus far for positions in the Evergreen State.
22. World Wide Technology
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 33
Approval Rate: 100% (1st out of 40)
Most Popular State: Missouri (27 applications)
World Wide Technology (WWT) has submitted at least 25 H-1B applications every year since 2012. All of the 33 applications submitted last year by the St. Louis-based company, No. 11 on the CRN SP 500, were certified by the U.S. Department of Labor.
WWT is on pace to set a new application record, with 31 H-1B applications already submitted in the first half of 2015. The approval rate, though, has fallen to 87.1 percent.
The company continues to submit most H-1B applications for its home state of Missouri – 20 applications thus far in 2015 are for the Show Me State.
21. Digital Intelligence Systems
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 34
Approval Rate: 100% (1st out of 40)
Most Popular State: Virginia (9 applications)
Digital Intelligence Systems (DISYS) is a recent convert to the H-1B program, going from just 3 applications in 2012 (their first year using it) to 34 applications in 2014. And through the first half of 2015, the McLean, Va.-based company, No. 61 on the CRN SP 500, has already submitted 37 applications.
All of the 34 applications submitted last year by DISYS were certified by the U.S. Department of Labor, although the approval rate slipped to 89.2 percent this year.
Arizona has bested Virginia as the most popular state in 2015, with 8 applications thus far for positions in the Grand Canyon state.
20. Computer Task Group
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 36
Approval Rate: 69.4% (39th out of 40)
Most Popular State: New York (16 applications)
The number of H-1B applications submitted by Computer Task Group (CTG) has dropped from a high of 62 in 2011.
Of the 36 applications submitted last year by the Buffalo, N.Y.-based company, No. 63 on the CRN SP 500, 25 were certified, 10 were certified then withdrawn and one was denied.
CTG has submitted 28 applications in the first half of 2015, with the approval rate falling further to 64.3 percent. New York continues to be CTG's most popular state, with 14 application submitted thus far in 2015 for positions in the Empire State.
19. Arrow Electronics
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 58
Approval Rate: 94.8% (18th out of 40)
Most Popular State: Colorado (33 applications)
The number of H-1B applications submitted by Arrow Electronics has climbed steadily since bottoming out at 31 in 2012.
Of the 58 applications submitted last year by the Centennial, Colo.-based distributor, 55 were certified by the U.S. Department of Labor, two were certified then withdrawn and one was withdrawn.
Arrow has submitted 32 applications thus far in 2015, all of which have been approved. Colorado continues to be Arrow's most popular state, with 20 applications submitted thus far in the year for positions in the Centennial State.
18. Slalom Consulting
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 76
Approval Rate: 97.4% (15th out of 40)
Most Popular State: California (24 applications)
Slalom Consulting has gone all-in on the H-1B program, going from just a single application in 2010 (their first year using it) to 33 applications in 2012 to 76 applications last year.
Of those 76 applications submitted by the Seattle-based company, No. 48 on the CRN SP 500, 74 were certified and two were certified then withdrawn.
Slalom has submitted 66 applications in the first half of 2015, though the approval rate has plummeted to 68.2 percent. California continues to be Slalom's most popular state, with 25 applications submitted thus far in 2015 for positions in the Golden State.
17. Infinite Computer Solutions
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 110
Approval Rate: 99.1% (9th out of 40)
Most Popular State: Georgia (27 applications)
Infinite Computer Solutions has stepped up their H-1B application game in a big way, climbing from a low of 39 applications in 2012.
Of the 110 applications submitted in 2014 by the Arlington Heights, Ill.-based company, No. 76 on the CRN SP 500, 109 were certified and one was withdrawn.
Infinite Computer has submitted 61 applications thus far in 2015, and the approval rate has dipped slightly to 96.7 percent. California has overtaken Georgia as the most popular state, with 22 applications submitted so far this year for positions in the Golden State.
16. HP Enterprise Services
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 132
Approval Rate: 91.7% (22nd out of 40)
Most Popular State: Texas (28 applications)
The number of H-1B applications submitted by HP Enterprise Services has fallen steeply from a high of 258 in 2013.
Of the 132 applications submitted in 2014 by the Palo Alto, Calif.-based subsidiary, No. 3 on the CRN SP 500, 121 were certified, eight were certified then withdrawn and three were denied.
HP Enterprise Services has submitted 71 applications in the first half of 2015, and the approval rate has improved to 94 percent. California has overtaken Texas as the most popular state, with 15 applications submitted so far this year for positions in the Golden State.
15. Avnet, Inc.
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 140
Approval Rate: 90.7% (24th out of 40)
Most Popular State: Texas (30 applications)
After never applying for more than 15 H-1B visas in a year, Avnet burst onto the scene in 2013 with 206 applications.
Of the 140 applications submitted in 2014 by the Phoenix-based distributor, 127 were certified, seven were certified then withdrawn, three were denied and three were withdrawn.
Avnet has submitted 74 applications thus far in 2015, though the approval rate has plummeted to 59.5 percent. Texas continues to be Avnet's most popular state, with 17 applications submitted in the first half of 2015 for positions in the Lone Star state.
14. EPAM Systems
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 141
Approval Rate: 95% (17th out of 40)
Most Popular State: Pennsylvania (51 applications)
EPAM Systems submitted between 50 and 105 H-1B visa applications every year between 2010 and 2013, but significantly upped their involvement last year.
Of the 141 applications submitted in 2014 by the Newtown, Penn.-based company, No. 40 on the CRN SP 500, 134 were certified and the remaining seven were withdrawn.
EPAM has submitted 88 applications in the first half of 2015, with the approval rate improving to 98.9 percent. California has surpassed Pennsylvania as the most popular state, with 34 applications submitted thus far in 2015 for positions in the Golden State.
13. Virtusa
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 239
Approval Rate: 82% (35th out of 40)
Most Popular State: Massachusetts (112 applications)
Virtusa Corp. has jumpstarted its participation in the H-1B program, going from just 14 applications in 2009 to 174 applications in 2013. And Virtusa, No. 54 on the CRN SP 500, will decimate that figure in 2015, submitting 512 applications in the first half of this year alone.
Of the 239 applications submitted in 2014 by the Westborough, Mass.-based company, 196 were certified, 24 were withdrawn, 11 were certified then withdrawn and eight were denied. Despite more applications, Virtusa's 2015 approval rate has dropped to 80.5 percent.
Massachusetts continues to be Virtusa's most popular state, with 194 applications submitted thus far for positions in the Bay State.
12. Perficient
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 252
Approval Rate: 98.4% (14th out of 40)
Most Popular State: California (62 applications)
Perficient has steadily boosted its involvement in the H-1B program, going from 130 applications in 2010 to 196 applications in 2012 to 252 applications in 2014.
Of those 252 applications submitted last year by the St. Louis-based company, No. 56 on the CRN SP 500, 248 were certified, three with denied and one was withdrawn.
Perficient has submitted 136 applications in the first half of 2015, with the approval rate improving to 99.3 percent. California has remained Perficient's most popular state, with 27 applications submitted thus far in 2015 for positions in the Golden State.
11. CSC
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 305
Approval Rate: 98.7% (12th out of 40)
Most Popular State: California (48 applications)
After applying for between 50 and 150 H-1B positions every year between 2010 and 2013, CSC more than doubled its involvement in the program last year.
Of the 305 applications submitted last year by the Falls Church, Va.-based company, No. 5 on the CRN SP 500, 301 were certified, three were withdrawn and one was denied.
CSC has submitted 165 applications thus far in 2015, with the approval rate strengthening to 99.4 percent. California has remained CSC's most popular state, with 18 applications submitted in the first half of 2015 for positions in the Golden State.
10. CGI
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 379
Approval Rate: 98.7% (13th out of 40)
Most Popular State: Virginia (52 applications)
CGI has submitted at least 300 H-1B applications every year since 2012, and that looks likely to continue in 2015 as the company, No. 15 on the CRN SP 500, has already applied for 259 positions.
Of the 379 applications submitted in 2014 by the Montreal, Quebec-based company, 374 were certified by the U.S. Department of Labor, four were denied and one was withdrawn. CGI's approval rate, however, has fallen to 96.5 percent so far this year.
Virginia has remained CGI's most popular state, with 42 applications submitted in the first half of 2015 for positions in the Commonwealth.
9. Ciber
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 388
Approval Rate: 86.6% (27th out of 40)
Most Popular State: Pennsylvania (61 applications)
Ciber's use of the H-1B program has climbed steadily from 126 applications in 2010 to 257 applications in 2012 to 388 applications last year.
Of those 388 applications submitted in 2014 by the Greenwood Village, Colo.-based company, No. 37 on the CRN SP 500, 336 were certified, 27 were withdrawn, 22 were certified then withdrawn and three were denied.
Ciber has filed 260 applications in the first half of 2015, with the approval rate tumbling to 83.5 percent. Washington has supplanted Pennsylvania as the most popular state, with 42 applications submitted in the first half of 2015 for positions in the Evergreen State.
8. Syntel
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 511
Approval Rate: 98.8% (11th out of 40)
Most Popular State: Tennessee (68 applications)
Syntel's use of the H-1B program has varied in recent years, peaking at 769 applications in 2012. The Troy, Mich.-based company, though, will obliterate that figure in 2015, having already applied for 809 positions just in the first half of the year.
Of the 511 applications submitted in 2014 by Syntel, No. 36 on the CRN SP 500, 505 were certified, five were denied and one was withdrawn.
Syntel's approval rate has climbed slightly this year to 99.1 percent. Tennessee continues to be Syntel's most popular state, with 119 applications filed so far this year for positions in the Volunteer State.
7. Capgemini
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 2,335
Approval Rate: 93.8% (19th out of 40)
Most Popular State: Georgia (510 applications)
Capgemini crossed the 2,000-application threshold for the first time in 2014.
Of the 2,335 applications submitted last year by the company, No. 5 on the 2014 CRN SP 500, 2,190 were certified by the U.S. Department of Labor, 81 were withdrawn, 60 were denied and four were certified then withdrawn.
Capgemini has submitted 906 H-1B applications in the first half of 2015, with the approval rate improving to 96.7 percent. New York has surpassed Georgia as the most popular state, with 167 applications filed thus far in 2015 for positions in the Empire State.
6. Cognizant
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 2,358
Approval Rate: 93.7% (20th out of 40)
Most Popular State: New Jersey (229 applications)
Cognizant has been a major user of the H-1B program since 2010, with usage peaking at 2,741 applications in 2011.
Of the 2,358 applications submitted last year by the Teaneck, N.J.-based company, No. 8 on the CRN SP 500, 2,209 were certified, 109 were withdrawn, 22 were denied and 22 were certified then withdrawn.
Cognizant has submitted just 441 H-1B applications in the first half of 2015, with the approval rate falling slightly to 93.2 percent. New Jersey has been Cognizant's most popular state since 2012, with 660 applications filed between 2012 and 2014 for positions in the Garden State.
5. Accenture
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 5,509
Approval Rate: 99% (10th out of 40)
Most Popular State: California (766 applications)
Accenture has quickly embraced the H-1B program, going from just 27 applications in 2009 to 1,254 in 2011 to 5,097 in 2013.
Of the 5,509 applications submitted last year by the company, No. 2 on the CRN SP 500, 5,452 were certified, 37 were certified then withdrawn, 13 were withdrawn and seven were denied.
Accenture, which has its U.S. headquarters in Chicago, will decimate that figure in 2015, since 6,420 applications have already been filed, with the approval rate creeping up to 99.5 percent. California remains Accenture's most popular state, with 757 applications filed so far this year for positions in the Golden State.
4. Deloitte
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 7,017
Approval Rate: 99.4% (7th out of 40)
Most Popular State: Pennsylvania (1,401 applications)
Deloitte is a full-fledged H-1B convert, going from a mere 199 applications in 2009 to 3,623 in 2011 to 6,124 in 2013.
Of the 7,017 applications submitted last year by the New York-based company, No. 18 on the CRN SP 500, 6,978 were certified by the U.S. Department of Labor, 36 were denied and three were withdrawn.
Deloitte has filed 4,314 applications in the first half of 2015, with the approval rate dropping to 98.7 percent. Pennsylvania remains Deloitte's most popular state, with 868 applications filed thus far in 2015 for positions in the Keystone State.
3. Wipro
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 8,365
Approval Rate: 86.9% (26th out of 40)
Most Popular State: California (1,553 applications)
The number of H-1B applications filed by Wipro has exceeded 6,700 every year since 2012, peaking at well over 8,000 last year.
Of the 8,365 applications filed last year by the company, No. 21 in the 2013 CRN SP 500, 7,266 were certified, 1,039 were certified then withdrawn, 49 were withdrawn and 11 were denied.
Wirpro, which has its U.S. headquarters in Boston, has already filed 7,596 applications so far in 2015, with the approval rate soaring to 98.2 percent. California remains Wipro's most popular state, with 1,309 applications filed so far for positions in the Golden State.
2. Tata Consultancy Services
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 14,098
Approval Rate: 99.1% (8th out of 40)
Most Popular State: California (1,439 applications)
Tata Consultancy Services has enthusiastically adopted the H-1B program, going from only 67 applications in 2009 to 5,416 applications in 2011 to 8,790 applications in 2013.
Of the 14,098 applications filed last year by the company, No. 4 on the CRN SP 500, 13,972 were certified, 85 were withdrawn, 31 were denied and 10 were certified then withdrawn.
Tata, which has its U.S. headquarters in New York, has filed 9,357 applications in 2015, with the approval rating improving to 99.6 percent. California remains Tata's most popular state, with 1,146 applications filed in the first half of 2015 for positions in the Golden State.
1. Infosys
Number of H-1B Visa Applications in 2014: 23,759
Approval Rate: 99.97% (6th out of 40)
Most Popular State: California (4,171 applications)
Infosys has filed at least 16,000 H-1B visa applications every year since 2012, peaking at 32,236 applications in 2013.
Of the 23,759 applications filed last year by the solution provider, 23,753 were certified by the U.S. Department of Labor and six were denied.
Infosys, which has its U.S. headquarters in Palo Alto, Calif., has already filed 23,057 applications in the first half of 2015, with the approval rate holding steady at 99.97 percent. California remains Infosys's most popular state, with 4,404 applications filed thus far in 2015 for positions in the Golden State.