In a recent annual report submitted to Congress, USCIS presented the
numbers and characteristics of H-1B petitions received for Fiscal Year
2009. In the report, USCIS commented that the number of petitions
received during FY 2009 had decreased by 15 percent, as compared to the
previous year; the rate of approvals also decreased, down by about 20
percent.
Roughly 50 percent of approved petitions were for
individuals from India and about 40 percent were for computer-related
jobs. Additionally, the majority of approved H-1B workers were between
the ages of 25 and 34. Half of the approved individuals received an
annual salary less than $64,000; the other half received annual
salaries above that amount.
