FY2011 H-1B Numbers Update – 41,900 Regular and 15,400 Masters Cap Visas Used (October 8, 2010)

USCIS released the weekly FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1.   As of October 8, 2010, USCIS has received approximately 41,900 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap (an increase of 1,300 over the past week).  Similarly, as of October 8, there were 15,400 H-1B visas filed subject to the U.S. Masters cap which has 20,000 limit (an increase of about 500 over the past week).

H-1B Quota Trends – Slight Upward Trend in Regular Cap Filings

The numbers, as reported over the past week, show a notable increase over the past few weeks.  Last week’s increase of 1,300 regular cap cases marks a steady trend of approximately 1,000-1,400 weekly regular cap H-1B filings. The master’s cap filings have also remained steady, of about 300-500 per week over the past few weeks.

H-1B Quota Expected to be Reached in February or March of 2011

With the current pace of filings, or about 1,000-1,500 regular H-1B cap filings per week and 400 master’s cap per week, we estimate that the H-1B cap would be reached in 15-20 weeks, or sometime in early 2011.

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.