FY2011 H-1B Numbers Update – 19,600 Regular and 8,200 Masters Cap Visas Used (May 21, 2010)

USCIS released the weekly FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1.   As of May 21, 2010, USCIS has received approximately 19,600 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap (a weekly increase of only 600). Similarly, as of May 21, there were 8,200 H-1B visas filed subject to the U.S. Masters cap which has 20,000 limit (a weekly increase of only 100).

H-1B Quota Trends

The numbers, as reported over the past few weeks – indicate that after there was a very small weekly decrease in the number of H-1B filings for both the regular and Masters’s caps compared to the week prior.  The overall trend is that the H-1B filings have been decreasing over the past few days.   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 wish to caution potential H-1B employers and employees that as the U.S. economy is seen to recover and grow, it is possible that the pace of H-1B filings will increase.

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.