USCIS released the weekly FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1.   As of June 18, 2010, USCIS has received approximately 22,900 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap (an increase of only 700 over the week).  Similarly, as of June 18, there were 9,700 H-1B visas filed subject to the U.S. Masters cap which has 20,000 limit (an increase of only 300 over the week).

H-1B Quota Trends

The numbers, as reported over the past few weeks – indicate that 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 weeks prior.  The overall trend shows that the H-1B filings (for both regular and U.S. master’s caps) 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.