The H-1B Tax

The Lottery

In 2024, over 780,000 people registered for the H-1B lottery.

Only 85,000 would be selected.

11% chance

But winning the lottery is just the beginning of paying the H-1B tax.

Tax #1: The Salary Tax

H-1B workers at staffing firms earn significantly less than those at product companies.

$50,950

per year less. Over 6 years, that's $305,700 in lost wages.

Tax #2: The Geographic Trap

H-1B jobs aren't evenly distributed. They're concentrated in just 5 states.

52%

of all H-1B jobs are in California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, and Washington.

Get laid off outside these states? Your 60-day grace period becomes a nightmare.

Tax #3: The Employer Lock

The H-1B market is controlled by a small number of companies.

30.6%

of all H-1B applications come from just 100 companies.

This concentration creates "golden handcuffs" — you can't easily switch jobs without risking your visa.