June 27, 2005

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Provides Update on H-1B and H-2B Fiscal Year Quota Usage and Availability at the AILA Conference

H-1B Update

For Fiscal Year 2005, USCIS officials indicate that only 8,300 petitions have been approved or filed in connection with the 20,000 new numbers. These are petitions filed by H1B candidates with advanced degrees from U.S. Institutions.

For Fiscal Year 2006, USCIS officials indicate 5,500 out of 20,000 numbers have been used in the Foreign Graduates with Advanced Degrees from U.S. Universities category and 27,300 numbers have been used for foreign nationals in the regular fiscal year numerical limitation of 65,000.

While these numbers are low, it is possible that the cap for the 2006 fiscal year will be reached in October as it did last year.

H-2B Update

For Fiscal Year 2005, USCIS officials indicate that as of June 21, 2005, 15,000 petitions have been approved or filed out of the additional 35,000 numbers.

For Fiscal Year 2006, information was not provided.

GT will continue to monitor the numbers and provide updates.