Time to Finalize Offers and File H-1B Visa Petitions
October 27, 2011
The USCIS announced today that it has exhausted the 20,000 set aside of H-1B numbers for US advanced degree (masters and PhD) holders. The standard H-1B visa quota of 65,000 has not yet been reached, with the USCIS reporting 46,200 petitions received. Last year, the advanced degree set aside was reached on December 22, 2010 with 9,200 regular H-1Bs remaining. The regular H-1B cap was reached on January 26, 2011.
There is still time to file regular H-1B petitions for this fiscal year, but employers should not wait much longer. WSM anticipates that the H-1B cap may be reached as early as January 2012. Employers should take inventory of H-1B needs and initiate the H-1B visa petition process as soon as possible.
