January 17, 2006

H-1B Cap Approaching for Advanced Degree Professionals

The H-1B cap relief exempting up to 20,000 individuals with advanced degrees from a U.S. academic institution may be exhausted very soon. As of January 10, 2005, USCIS reported that it had 19,622 approved and/or pending petitions in this exempt category. If GT’s previous calculation that approvals issued under the terms of this H-1B cap-exempted category were being granted at a rate of approximately 300-350 approvals each week holds true, we anticipate that the cap will certainly be reached before the end of this month.

H-2B filings continue to be adjudicated and USCIS reports that 8,614 cases have been approved and/or remain pending against the cap of 33,000 for the second half of FY 2006.

Please refer to GT’s previous News Flash on H-1B and H2B cap issues.

GT will provide immediate updates as they become available.