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.