The Department of Labor has released quarterly statistics on H-1B and PERM applications for the third quarter of fiscal year 2014 (April 1 to June 30, 2014).

The total H-1B determinations in the third quarter (110,562) dropped to about half the number of determinations in the previous quarter (229,204). Of the 110,562 H-1B determinations, 90 percent were certified, 3 percent denied and 7 percent withdrawn. So far this fiscal year, a total of 419,035 determinations have been made. These numbers include H-1B, H-1B1 and E3 petitions.

Computer systems analysts topped the list of positions certified (27 percent), followed by computer programmers (13 percent), software applications developers (11 percent) and other computer occupations (10 percent). California led the states with 19 percent of positions certified, followed by Texas and New York (9 percent each), New Jersey (7 percent) and Illinois and Pennsylvania (5 percent each).

H-1B, H-1B1 and E3 Specialty Occupation Applications:

Determinations Q1 Q2 Q3 YTD
Total determinations 79,269 229,204 110,562 419,035
– Certified 87% 93% 90% 91%
– Denied 3% 2% 3% 2%
– Withdrawn 10% 5% 7% 7%

Source: Office of Foreign Labor Certification

The total number of PERM applications received during the third quarter (20,173) rose 15% over the same period in fiscal year 2013.

The top occupations for PERM applications are computer and mathematics representing 56 percent of applications certified thus far in fiscal year 2014, followed by architecture and engineering (12 percent), and management (8 percent).

Among active PERM applications, 61 percent are under analyst review, 28 percent are under audit review and 10 percent are under appeal.

83 percent of the total certified PERM applications in fiscal year 2014 were from H-1B visa holders. 55 percent of total certified PERM applicants held advanced (masters or higher) degrees. Indian nationals led the number of applications certified at 56 percent, followed by China (7 percent) and Canada (5 percent). California was the most popular work site state, representing 24 percent of certified applications.

PERM Applications:

Determinations Q1 Q2 Q3 FY
Total 10,876 19,303 23,677 53,856
– Certified 83% 89% 89% 88%
– Denied 8% 6% 6% 7 %
– Withdrawn 9% 5% 5% 5%

Source: Office of Foreign Labor Certification

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