H-1B Visa Cap Has Been Reached
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has received enough H-1B visa applications to reach the Congressionally mandated cap of 65,000 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010.
The USCIS has determined that December 21, 2009 was the final receipt date for new H-1B visa applications filed by employers requesting a start date in FY 2010.
The final receipt date is the date that the USCIS determines that it has received 65,000 applications subject to the H-1B visa cap.
The USCIS will now begin its lottery system to randomly select all petitions that are subject to the cap and that were received on December 21, 2009.
We have been following the developments of the availability of H-1B visas all year and on November 18, 2009, we reported that at that time that visas were available, but running low. In that post, we predicted that the cap would be reached within 5 to 6 weeks. As it turns out, the cap was reached in 4 1/2 weeks after our November 18th post.
At this point, employers must look towards filing H-1B visa applications beginning April 1, 2010 for an effective date of October 1, 2010 (the beginning of FY 2011).
Related posts:
H-1B Visas Still Available, But Starting to Run Low
USCIS Accepting H-1B Visa Applications Without Certified LCA’s
H-1B Visas Continue to be Available Despite Economic Slump
H-1B Visas Continue to be Available
Update on Fiscal Year 2010 H-1B Petition Filings
H-1B Visa Cap Still Not Reached: 20,000 Visas Available
USCIS Continues to Accept H-1B Visa Petitions
Sharp Drop in H-1B visa Applications This Year Due to Current Economic Conditions
USCIS Continues to Accept FY 2010 H-1B Visa Petitions
Microsoft and other High Tech Companies Apply for Fewer H-1B visas
USCIS to Accept H-1B Petitions for FY 2010 starting on April 1, 2009
