The H-1B1 visa program is a quiet cousin of the H-1B, carved out of U.S. trade deals with Chile and Singapore.
With 6,800 slots per year reserved — 1,400 for Chile, 5,400 for Singapore — you’d expect Singapore to dominate.
But the numbers tell a different story. Here’s who’s really using the program, and what that means.
The Basics
The H-1B1 visa is a cousin of the H-1B, created by U.S. trade deals with Chile and Singapore. It reserves 6,800 slots annually: 1,400 for Chile and 5,400 for Singapore.
Limited Club
Unlike the H-1B, which is global, the H-1B1 is only open to Chilean and Singaporean citizens. No other countries qualify.
Early Years
From 2004 to 2010, approvals were modest — fewer than 1,000 combined visas each year. The program sat under the radar.
Chile’s Rise
Starting mid-2010s, Chile’s usage began to climb. By FY 2023, Chile recorded 2,095 approvals, surpassing its nominal 1,400 cap.
Singapore’s Decline
Singapore once dominated H-1B1 visas. But in FY 2023, it logged just 944 approvals — only about 17% of its quota.
Closing the Gap
By 2019, Chile and Singapore were neck-and-neck. By 2021, Chile pulled ahead, doubling Singapore’s tally two years later.
Underused Program
Even with Chile’s surge, combined approvals in 2023 totaled 3,039 — less than half of the 6,800 slots available. Thousands go unused annually.
Employer Patterns
U.S. employers appear more inclined to hire Chilean professionals under H-1B1, while Singaporeans often use other visa channels or skip the program entirely.
The Trendline
Charts show a clear story: steady growth overall, Chile surging past Singapore, but both countries still leaving capacity untapped.
The Prediction
Expect Chile to dominate future H-1B1 usage. Singapore will likely continue under-utilizing its allocation, leaving the program under the radar despite its potential.
