FY2013 H-1B Numbers Update – 17,400 Regular and 8,200 Masters Cap Visas Used (April 9, 2012)

The H-1B season is well underway and we have received the first “official” updates on the FY2013  cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 2 for both the Vermont and California Service Centers.   As of April 9, 2012, USCIS has received approximately 17,400 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap.   Similarly, as of April 9, there were approximately 8,200 H-1B visas filed subject to the U.S. Masters cap (which has 20,000 limit).

This report, the first of the fiscal year, suggests a dramatic (more than double) demand in the rate of H-1B filings compared to last year.  We do not yet have sufficient information to develop a more reliable trend of the rate of filings, but we hope to be able to do so within a week or two.

Comparison to the Last H-1B Season (FY2012)

Our office keeps detailed statistics of the previous H-1B filing seasons, and we are able to make comparisons with prior H-1B years in an effort to estimate demand and when the H-1B caps may be reached.  While it is too early to provide an estimate of when the H-1B cap would be reached for this fiscal year, all indications are that the cap would remain open for 3-6 months.

Last year, during the FY2012 H-1B filing season, by April 8th, there were 5,900 regular cap H-1B petitions filed.   Last year’s April 8th count of Master’s H-1B cap filing was 4,500.   This year’s 17,400 and 8,200 filings for the regular and master’s caps, respectively, for the first few days of the H-1B filing season suggests that there is dramatic increase in the number of H-1Bs filed early in the H-1B season.   Based on this information, and assuming there is no dramatic increase in the rate of filings, we anticipate that this year’s H-1B season would extend for between 3-6 months.

H-1B Quota Trends

Throughout every H-1B cap filing season, we provide timely updates on the H-1B numbers and we draw predictions and conclusions based on the numbers and our experience.  So early in the process for this year, it is impossible to draw any trends; however, stay tuned for more numbers and updated trends over the next days and weeks.  You may want 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 FY2013 quota, please contact us as soon as possible — it is never too early to file a cap-subject H-1B petition.