USCIS released the weekly FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1.   As of October 22, 2010, USCIS has received approximately 44,300 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap (an increase of 1,500 over the past week).  Similarly, as of October 22, there were 16,200 H-1B visas filed subject to the U.S. Masters cap which has 20,000 limit (an increase of about 500 over the past week).

H-1B Quota Trends – Slight Upward Trend in Regular and Masters’ Cap Filings

The numbers, as reported over the past week, show a slight increase over the past week.  Last week’s increase of 1,500 regular cap cases marks a notable increase compared to the numbers reported on October 15th (900).   The master’s cap filings have also picked up slightly to approximately 500 per week.

H-1B Quota Expected to be Reached in Early 2011

With the current pace of filings, or about 1,000-1,500 regular H-1B cap filings per week and 400-500 master’s cap per week, we estimate that the H-1B cap would be reached in 10-15 weeks, or sometime in early 2011.

We wish to reiterate our caution to 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.