USCIS Alert: FY2016 H-1B Cap Reached!

USCIS announced this week that it has received enough H-1B cap-subject petitions to reach the cap for FY2016 (employment start date of October 1, 2015).  USCIS will complete initial intake before it conducts the lottery, but due to the high number of petitions, it is not yet able to announce when the lottery will occur.

2015 H-1B Season Is Fast Approaching!

U.S. employers wishing to employ foreign national workers in the H-1B specialty occupation category starting October 1, 2015, may file the H-1B applications 6 months prior to the October 1^st start date, or April 1, 2015.  There is an annual quota of 65,000 visas for foreign nationals in the general H-1B category and 20,000 for foreign nationals with an advanced degree (Master’s or higher).  Last year USCIS reached the quota for both the general and advanced degree H-1B categories within the first week of April 1, 2014 filing deadline, with the remainder of the applications being subject to a lottery. 

With U.S. economy on the up-swing, it is projected that more U.S. employers will be onboarding new employees this year, including foreign national workers.  The demand for H-1Bs will be higher than in previous years, and the quota will probably once again be reached in the first week of April 1st for foreign national workers who wish to begin employment on October 1, 2015.  It would be wise for the U.S. employers to begin the H-1B process early on to ensure that the applications are filed on April 1, 2015.

H-1B Season Is In Full Swing!

U.S. employers wishing to employ foreign national workers in the H-1B specialty occupation category starting October 1, 2014, cannot file the H-1B applications earlier than 6 months prior to the October 1^st start date, or prior to April 1, 2014.  There is an annual quota of 65,000 visas for foreign nationals in the general H-1B category and 20,000 for foreign nationals with an advanced degree (Master’s or higher).  Last year USCIS reached the quota for both the general and advanced degree H-1B categories within the first week of April 1, 2013 filing deadline, with the remainder of the applications being subject to a lottery. 


With U.S. economy having improved since the recession, it is projected that more U.S. employers will be onboarding new employees this year, including foreign national workers.  The demand for H-1Bs will be higher than in previous years, and the quota will probably once again be reached in the first week of April 1, 2014 for foreign national workers who wish to begin employment on October 1, 2014.  It would be wise for the U.S. employers to begin the H-1B process early on to ensure that the applications are filed by April 1, 2014.