FY2013 H-1B Numbers Update – 25,000 Regular and 10,900 Masters Cap Visas Used (April 20, 2012)

The H-1B season is well underway and we have received the third “official” update on the FY2013  cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 2 for both the Vermont and California Service Centers.   As of April 20, 2012, USCIS has received approximately 25,000 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap.   This suggests a rate of filings of approximately 4,000 regular cap cases per week.   Similarly, as of April 20, there were approximately 10,900 H-1B visas filed subject to the U.S. Masters cap (which has 20,000 limit).   This suggests a rate of filings of approximately 1,200-1,500 master’s cap cases per week.

This report suggests a continued (but not as dramatic as the increase seen during last week’s report) demand and strong rate of H-1B filings compared to last year.  While it is still early in the H-1B cap season, the rate of filings seems to be 3,000-4,000 per week under the regular cap and 1,200-1,500 per week for the master’s cap.

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.  Considering the estimated rates of filings for the regular and master’s caps, all indications are that the cap would remain open for 3-6 months.

Last year, during the FY2012 H-1B filing season, by April 22nd, there were 8,000 regular cap H-1B petitions filed.   Last year’s April 22nd count of Master’s H-1B cap filing was 5,900.   This year’s 25,000 and 10,900 filings for the regular and master’s caps, respectively, for the first three weeks 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 significant  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.