FY2011 H-1B Numbers Update – 33,900 Regular and 12,600 Masters Cap Visas Used (August 20, 2010)

USCIS released the weekly FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1.   As of August 20, 2010, USCIS has received approximately 33,900 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap (a substantial increase of 4,200 over the past week).  Similarly, as of August 20, there were 12,600 H-1B visas filed subject to the U.S. Masters cap which has 20,000 limit (an increase of only 300 over the past week).

H-1B Quota Trends – Is the Substantial Regular Cap Filings Increase a One-Time Event?

The numbers, as reported over the past week, show a reversal of the recent trends of minor weekly increases.  During the past week there was a substantial increase in the number of regular cap H-1B filings — over 4,000 in a week which is drastically bigger than any the filings over the previous weeks.

It is difficult to estimate the reason for this increase but it is most likely due to the fee increase imposed on certain H-1B filings.  We suspect that a number of companies wanted to file before they were subjected to the new significant H-1B filing fee.  We will monitor next 1-2 weeks’ H-1B numbers to understand whether this increase was indeed a one-time opportunity to file before the fees were raised or there is a longer-term trend of increased regular-cap H-1B filings.

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.