June 14, 2006

Cap Count For U.S. Master's Degree Applicants

As of July 11, 2006, USCIS released the latest figures for the H-1B cap count for those applying under the U.S. master's degree or higher education exemptions under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 quota. As of that date, 15,208 H-1B petitions had been filed against the cap. This count includes approved cases as well as those that are pending at the USCIS. It is estimated that another 800 cases requesting the advanced degree exemption have been filed and are awaiting the processing of USCIS receipts. The combined total is 16,008, leaving less than 4,000 numbers remaining out of the 20,000 carve-out for FY2007. Potential advanced-degree cases need to file quickly before these H-1B numbers run out. Greenberg Traurig will continue to monitor the numbers and will provide updates as further information is released.