Quantcast

Bluegrass Times

Monday, March 31, 2025

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

Local Government

Webp 9kee6dxqpym08rad8dk7jkffr9it

Ted H. Kim, Associate Director Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate for USCIS | https://www.naco.org/

Ted H. Kim, Associate Director Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate for USCIS | https://www.naco.org/

In 2024, 1,231 of the 1,270 H-1B petitions submitted by employers based in Kentucky 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 96.9%, which is lower 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 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led H-1B petition approvals in Kentucky during 2024, filing a total of 360 petitions (28.3% of all submissions) and receiving 340 approvals, resulting in an approval rate of 94.4%. The Management of Companies and Enterprises industry followed, with 252 petitions (19.8% of all submissions), receiving 250 approvals and an approval rate of 99.2%.

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

The Kentucky employers with the most approvals during 2024 included Humana, Inc., filing a total of 245 petitions and receiving 243 approvals, resulting in an approval rate of 99.2%, and V-Soft Consulting Group, Inc., which filed 165 petitions and received 149 approvals, resulting in an approval rate of 90.3%.

Compared to 2023, Kentucky saw an 8% increase 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.

Kentucky H-1B Petition Distribution by Industry in 2024

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services [28.3%]Management of Companies and Enterprises [19.8%]Educational Services [16.4%]Health Care and Social Assistance [13.9%]Manufacturing [10.3%]Industries <5% [9.9%]

H-1B Petitions by Industry in Kentucky, 2024

RankIndustryTotal Petitions% of All SubmissionsApproved Petitions% Approved% Denied
1Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services36028.3%34094.4%5.6%
2Management of Companies and Enterprises25219.8%25099.2%0.8%
3Educational Services20816.4%19895.2%4.8%
4Health Care and Social Assistance17613.9%17498.9%1.1%
5Manufacturing13110.3%13099.2%0.8%
6Accommodation and Food Services443.5%4397.7%2.3%
7Finance and Insurance161.3%16100%0%
8Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services120.9%12100%0%
9Information100.8%10100%0%
10Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation100.8%880%20%
10Construction80.6%8100%0%
10Retail Trade80.6%8100%0%
13Wholesale Trade60.5%6100%0%
14Other Services (except Public Administration)30.2%3100%0%
14Utilities30.2%3100%0%
16Transportation and Warehousing30.2%266.7%33.3%
17Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting10.1%1100%0%
17Real Estate and Rental and Leasing10.1%1100%0%
17Public Administration10.1%1100%0%

Top 100 Employers in Kentucky, 2024

RankCompany NameIndustry(ies)Total PetitionsApproved Petitions% Approved% Denied
1Humana, Inc.Finance and Insurance; Management of Companies and Enterprises; Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services24524399.2%0.8%
2V-Soft Consulting Group, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services16514990.3%9.7%
3University of KentuckyEducational Services11210492.9%7.1%
4University of LouisvilleEducational Services494898%2%
5Coolsoft, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services484797.9%2.1%
6Hitachi Astemo Americas, Inc.Manufacturing282796.4%3.6%
7Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance1919100%0%
8Knight Infotech, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services191894.7%5.3%
9Material Handling Systems, Inc.Manufacturing1717100%0%
9University of Louisville Physicians, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance1717100%0%
11Baptist Health Medical Group, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance1313100%0%
12Uofl Health - Louisville D B a, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance1212100%0%
12Kentucky Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance CompanyFinance and Insurance1212100%0%
12Yum Connect, LLCAccommodation and Food Services1212100%0%
15UPS Worldwide Forwarding, Inc.Transportation and Warehousing; Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services1111100%0%
15Control Space Technician, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services1111100%0%
15Vibrant Technician, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services1111100%0%
15Owensboro Health, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance1111100%0%
15Haier US Appliance Solutions D, Inc.Manufacturing1111100%0%
20Taco Bell, Corp.Accommodation and Food Services1010100%0%
21Summit Medical GroupHealth Care and Social Assistance10990%10%
21Eastern Kentucky UniversityEducational Services99100%0%
23Trilogy Management Services, LLCHealth Care and Social Assistance88100%0%
23Western Kentucky UniversityEducational Services88100%0%
25Parallon Revenue Cycle ServicesManagement of Companies and Enterprises77100%0%
25Genscape, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services77100%0%
25Piramal Pharma Solutions, Inc.Manufacturing77100%0%
25Res Care, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance77100%0%
29KFC CorporationAccommodation and Food Services66100%0%
29University Medical Center D B, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance7685.7%14.3%
29Pikeville Medical Center, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance66100%0%
29Saint Joseph Health System, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance66100%0%
33MKS Vision Group, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services55100%0%
33Mubea North America Shared Services, Inc.Manufacturing55100%0%
33Data Intensity, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services55100%0%
33Commonwealth Health CorporationHealth Care and Social Assistance55100%0%
33Computer Services, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services55100%0%
33Confluent HealthHealth Care and Social Assistance55100%0%
33Crestview Management, LLCAccommodation and Food Services55100%0%
33Parsoft, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services55100%0%
41Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, Inc.Manufacturing44100%0%
41HTTP Holdings, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services44100%0%
41Donan Solutions, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services44100%0%
41Churchill Downs IncorporatedArts, Entertainment, and Recreation44100%0%
41Sitek, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services44100%0%
41Fayette County Public SchoolsEducational Services44100%0%
41Centre College of KentuckyEducational Services44100%0%
41Nucor Corporation Nucor Steel BrandenburgManufacturing; Retail Trade44100%0%
41Carl Zeiss Vision, Inc.Manufacturing44100%0%
41North American StainlessManufacturing44100%0%
41King S Daughters Medical Specialties, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance44100%0%
41Norton Healthcare, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance44100%0%
53Work4ce, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services33100%0%
53Murray State UniversityEducational Services33100%0%
53H3 Technologies, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services33100%0%
53Nanocube Technologies, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services33100%0%
53KV Consulting, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services33100%0%
53Northern Kentucky UniversityEducational Services33100%0%
53VGP Holdings, LLCManufacturing33100%0%
53Campbellsville University, Inc.Educational Services33100%0%
53Papa Johns International, Inc.Accommodation and Food Services33100%0%
53Cmta, Inc.Construction; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services33100%0%
53St. Claire Medical CenterHealth Care and Social Assistance33100%0%
53Owensboro Health Medical Group, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance33100%0%
53Churchill Downs Technology Initiatives CompanyArts, Entertainment, and Recreation33100%0%
66Prysmian Cables and Systems USA, LLCManufacturing22100%0%
66Ross-Tarrant, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services22100%0%
66Grayhawk, LLCConstruction22100%0%
66Saint Elizabeth Medical CenterHealth Care and Social Assistance22100%0%
66Frost Brown Todd, LLPProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services22100%0%
66Crystal Broadband Networks, Inc.Information22100%0%
66Healthtech Solutions, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services22100%0%
66Phoenix Paper Wickliffe, LLCManufacturing22100%0%
66Jennie Stuart Medical Center, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance22100%0%
66Ohio Valley Nephrology AssociatesHealth Care and Social Assistance22100%0%
66Kentuckyone Health Medical Group DHealth Care and Social Assistance22100%0%
66Krauss Maffei CorporationWholesale Trade22100%0%
66Lake Cumberland Physician Practices, LLCHealth Care and Social Assistance22100%0%
66Lexmark International, Inc.Manufacturing22100%0%
66Lindsey Wilson CollegeEducational Services22100%0%
66Mubea Tailor Rolled Blanks, LLCManufacturing22100%0%
66Louisville Water CompanyUtilities22100%0%
66Mubea Precision Springs, Inc.Manufacturing22100%0%
66Metro Athletic Medicine and FitnesHealth Care and Social Assistance22100%0%
66Mountain Comprehensive Health, Corp.Health Care and Social Assistance22100%0%
66Controltouch SystemsProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services22100%0%
66Toyota Boshoku America, Inc.Manufacturing22100%0%
66Collis, LLCManufacturing22100%0%
66Union CollegeEducational Services22100%0%
66Cherry Bekaert Advisory, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services22100%0%
66Century AluminumManufacturing22100%0%
66Centralert, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services22100%0%
66Biopathogenix, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services22100%0%
66Berea CollegeEducational Services22100%0%
66Bellarmine UniversityEducational Services22100%0%
66Baptist Health Deaconess Medical Group, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance22100%0%
66Bamboo Health, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services22100%0%
66Atria Management Company, LLCManagement of Companies and Enterprises22100%0%
66VR Vertical, LLCRetail Trade22100%0%
66Asbury UniversityEducational Services22100%0%

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY

Western Kentucky University• Cfw Associated Engineers, Inc.• Georgetown College• Lectrodryer Llc• Northern Kentucky University - Highland Heights• Certilytics Inc• Vibrant Tech Llc• Alltech• University of Louisville• Wells Engineering Psc• Chipps Caffrey And Dubilier P S C• Schulte Hospitality Group Inc.• Astra Behavioral Health LLC• Berea College• Crystal Broadband Networks Inc.• Tanager Productions LLC• Kahankrupa LLC• Union Commonwealth University• Humana Inc.• Jefferson County Public Schools• Aapptec LLC• Murray State University• Donan Solutions LLC• Kentucky Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company• Dant Clayton Corporation• The Blue Horizons Group LLC• Bellarmine University• Lindsey Wilson College• Florida Tile Inc.• V-Soft Consulting Group Inc.• Centre College of Kentucky• Cimsystem USA LLC• Etown Infusion Pharmacy LLC• Nanocube Technologies LLC• Neonatal Services PSC• Kentucky Public Radio Inc.• Res-Care Inc.• Owensboro Medical Practice PLLC• Vivorte Inc.• Electro-Tech Services Inc.• Kentucky State University• H3 Technologies LLC• Coolsoft LLC• Aska USA Corporation• University of Kentucky• North American Stainless• Papa John's International Inc.• Lecgi Inc.• Phoenix Paper Wickliffe LLC• Infac North America Inc.• Centralert Inc.• Grayhawk LLC• Children's Home of Northern Kentucky• Eblu Solutions LLC• Spalding University• Healthcare Strategy Group LLC• Asbury University• Trilogy Management Services LLC• RPS Tek Sol LLC• Thomas More University• Goodman Pictures LLC• SSG Technologies LLC• Bullitt Central High School• Recognition Media LLC• Work4ce Inc.• Healthtech Solutions LLC• VR Vertical LLC• Eastern Kentucky University• Cmta Inc.• Decisive Inc.• Kentuckiana Curb Company Inc.• Diversified Automation Inc.• Pro Liquitech LLC• Shree Sai Hospitality Inc.

!RECEIVE ALERTS

The next time we write about any of these orgs, we’ll email you a link to the story. You may edit your settings or unsubscribe at any time.
Sign-up

DONATE

Help support the Metric Media Foundation's mission to restore community based news.
Donate

Trending

MORE NEWS

Local Government

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

Local Government

Kentucky: Government transfers accounted for 24.8% of total income in 2022, up from 9.8% in 1970

Local Government

How many H-1B petitions were made by Kentucky employers classified under the Information industry during 2024?

Local Government

H-1B Insights: Employers classified under the Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation industry file 10 petitions in Kentucky throughout 2024

Local Government

Kentucky tackles invasive roadside vegetation with springtime weed control operations