FY2011 H-1B Numbers Update – 16,000 Regular and 6,700 Masters Cap Visas Used (April 22, 2010)

USCIS released the weekly FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1.  As of April 22, 2010, USCIS has received approximately 16,025 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap (a weekly increase of 2,425). Similarly, as of April 22, there were 6,739 H-1B visas filed subject to the U.S. Masters cap which has 20,000 limit (a weekly increase of only 939).

H-1B Quota Trends

The numbers, as reported over the past three weeks – indicate that after there was a very small weekly increase in the number of H-1B filings two weeks ago, last week the number of H-1B filings have increased.   As a result, although it is early to draw reliable long-term conclusions, if the current trend remains, we estimate that the H-1B quota will remain open for a considerable time.

We invite you to subscribe to our free weekly immigration newsletter to receive timely updates on this and related topics.  In the meantime, if you are considering filing a cap-subject H-1B petition as part of the FY2011 quota, please contact us as soon as possible — it is never too early to file a cap-subject H-1B petition.