The U.S. CitizenshipThe country in which a person is born (and has not renounced or lost citizenship) or naturalized and to which that person owes allegiance and by which he or she is entitled to be protected. and Immigration Service (USCIS) provided a ‘cap count’ for its Fiscal YearCurrently, the twelve-month period beginning October 1 and ending September 30. Historically, until 1831 and from 1843-49, the twelve-month period ending September 30 of the respective year; from 1832-42 and 1850-67, ending December 31 of the respective year; from 1868-1976, ending June 30 of the respective year. The transition quarter (TQ) for 1976 covers the three-month period, July-September 1976. 2013 H-1B.  These are new H1B applications filed on or after April 1, 2012 for a start date of October 1, 2012.

The H-1B cap is set at 65,000 and the Advanced Degree cap is set at 20,000.

As of April 9, 2012, the Service had received:

• Regular H-1B Cap:  17,400
• U.S. Masters H-1B Cap: 8,200

To compare these numbers with prior years:

In 2011, the numbers dipped significantly.  By April 10, 2011:

• Regular H-1B Cap: 5,900
• U.S. Masters H-1B Cap: 4,500

To illustrate what an anomaly last year was, on April 8, 2010, the USCIS reported:

• Regular H-1B Cap:  13,500
• U.S. Masters H-1B Cap: 5,600

And for further perspective, see how long it took to reach the cap in previous years:

• Fiscal YearCurrently, the twelve-month period beginning October 1 and ending September 30. Historically, until 1831 and from 1843-49, the twelve-month period ending September 30 of the respective year; from 1832-42 and 1850-67, ending December 31 of the respective year; from 1868-1976, ending June 30 of the respective year. The transition quarter (TQ) for 1976 covers the three-month period, July-September 1976. 2012: cap was reached November 22, 2011
• Fiscal YearCurrently, the twelve-month period beginning October 1 and ending September 30. Historically, until 1831 and from 1843-49, the twelve-month period ending September 30 of the respective year; from 1832-42 and 1850-67, ending December 31 of the respective year; from 1868-1976, ending June 30 of the respective year. The transition quarter (TQ) for 1976 covers the three-month period, July-September 1976. 2011: cap was reached January 26, 2011
• Fiscal YearCurrently, the twelve-month period beginning October 1 and ending September 30. Historically, until 1831 and from 1843-49, the twelve-month period ending September 30 of the respective year; from 1832-42 and 1850-67, ending December 31 of the respective year; from 1868-1976, ending June 30 of the respective year. The transition quarter (TQ) for 1976 covers the three-month period, July-September 1976. 2010: cap was reached December 21, 2009
• Fiscal YearCurrently, the twelve-month period beginning October 1 and ending September 30. Historically, until 1831 and from 1843-49, the twelve-month period ending September 30 of the respective year; from 1832-42 and 1850-67, ending December 31 of the respective year; from 1868-1976, ending June 30 of the respective year. The transition quarter (TQ) for 1976 covers the three-month period, July-September 1976. 2009: cap was reached April 7, 2008 (190,000 total applications were received in one week, USCIS conducted a lotteryDiversityA category of immigrants replacing the earlier categories for nationals of underrepresented countries and countries adversely “affected” by the Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments of 1965 (P.L. 89-236). The annual limit on diversity immigration was 40,000 during fiscal years 1992-94, under a transitional diversity program, and 55,000 beginning in fiscal year 1995, under a permanent diversity program. visa program. A computer randomly draws winners for the right to apply for immigration to the United States.)
• Fiscal YearCurrently, the twelve-month period beginning October 1 and ending September 30. Historically, until 1831 and from 1843-49, the twelve-month period ending September 30 of the respective year; from 1832-42 and 1850-67, ending December 31 of the respective year; from 1868-1976, ending June 30 of the respective year. The transition quarter (TQ) for 1976 covers the three-month period, July-September 1976. 2008: cap was reached April 3, 2007 (150,000 applications were received in 3 days, USCIS conducted a lotteryDiversityA category of immigrants replacing the earlier categories for nationals of underrepresented countries and countries adversely “affected” by the Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments of 1965 (P.L. 89-236). The annual limit on diversity immigration was 40,000 during fiscal years 1992-94, under a transitional diversity program, and 55,000 beginning in fiscal year 1995, under a permanent diversity program. visa program. A computer randomly draws winners for the right to apply for immigration to the United States.)
• Fiscal YearCurrently, the twelve-month period beginning October 1 and ending September 30. Historically, until 1831 and from 1843-49, the twelve-month period ending September 30 of the respective year; from 1832-42 and 1850-67, ending December 31 of the respective year; from 1868-1976, ending June 30 of the respective year. The transition quarter (TQ) for 1976 covers the three-month period, July-September 1976. 2007: cap was reached May 26, 2006

Obviously, there is an ‘uptick’ in H1B activity this year. It’s nowhere near where it was in ’07 and ’08, but still, we predict that the 2013 cap will reached within the next two (2) months.

This means you need to get your application filed ASAP!

We will provide updates on www.bashyamspiro.com.