USCIS released the weekly FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1.   As of January 7, 2011, USCIS has received approximately 58,700 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap (an increase of 1,500 over the last week).  Also, as of December 24, the U.S. Masters cap (with its 20,000 limit) has been reached.  The numbers indicate that there are only 6,300 H-1B visas left under the FY2011 cap.

H-1B Quota Trends – Final Stretch in H-1B Cap Season

The numbers, as reported over the holiday weeks and for the first week of January 2011, show significant increase over prior weeks.  With the U.S. Masters cap being reached, all H-1B filings (regular and Master’s cap) will be counted under the remaining H-1B quota.    We expect that the number of both regular and Master’s H-1B cap filings would increase as many employers rush to file last-minute H-1B petitions before the cap closes.  If history is any guide, the rate of filings in the last few weeks would increase.

H-1B Master’s Cap Reached; Regular H-1B Cap Expected to be Reached by Late January 2011

With the current pace of filings, of over 2,500 H-1B cap (regular plus Master’s) filings per week, we estimate that the remaining 6,300 or so  H-1B cap visas to be used by late January 2011.

We wish to issue a last call to H-1B employers hoping to file H-1B petition under the FY2011 cap to do so immediately.  We expect that the H-1B cap would be reached by the end of January 2011.   If you are considering filing a cap-subject H-1B petition as part of the FY2011 quota, please contact us immediately.