H1B Visa issued to Indian increased 24% in FY2011

H-1B issuances in India increase 24% between the U.S. Government’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 and FY2010. This marks a total increase from 54,111 issued in 2010 to 67,195 in 2011.

This 24% increase is tied to the highest ever H-1B application and issuance rates in the history of the U.S. Mission to India, and illustrates the booming nature of U.S.-India business relations. India is the single largest beneficiary of H-1B visas by a wide margin: in the past four years, applicants in India have received more than twice as many H-1B visas as the four next-highest countries combined. 

India also remains the leader in issuances of L-1 (intra-company transfer) visas, issuing more than 25,000 L-1s in FY 2011 – or 37% of issuances worldwide.

On Oct 15, Indian authorities lodged a complaint with the U.S. Department of Trade, maintaining that the process for foreign nationals to obtain H-1B work visas is too cumbersome and that rejection rates are approaching all-time highs.

"Uptake of H-1B visas this year is less than half of the annual prescribed limit and the rejection rates have gone up," said Indian commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma, who spoke at an economic forum in Washington, D.C.