October 28, 2011

H-1B Cap Count as of October 21, 2011

The H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. employers to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations, has a quota, or "general cap," of 65,000 visas per fiscal year. An additional 20,000 H-1B visas (called the "Master's cap") are set aside for foreign workers with advanced U.S. degrees. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reported that as of October 21, 2011, approximately 46,200 H-1B visa petitions had been received towards the 65,000 general quota. USCIS has received 20,000 H-1B petitions for foreign nationals with advanced degrees and so the H-1B Master’s cap has been reached. H-1B visa petitions for foreign nationals with advanced degrees will now be counted against the general cap.