This year’s H-1B filing date ofApril 1, 2017 is coming fast.  MU Lawpredicts that H-1B petitioners certainly will file in excess of 200,000petitions during the H-1B cap window of April 1-7, 2017.  Last year’s record filing total of 240,000may even be exceeded, although we have had reports of reduced demand this year.
When the USCIS receives more H-1Bpetitions than slots available it holds an “H-1B lottery”.  Last year, the USCIS held an H-1B lotterybecause it received over three times as many H-1B petitions as slots available.
If you are considering filing anH-1B cap-subject petition, MU Law urges you to begin that process now.
The H-1B is usually associated withIT positons.  Most of the H-1B slots are usedby IT professionals.  Many healthcareprofessions also qualify for H-1B status, including Physical Therapists,Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Therapists, and some RegisteredNursing positions.
International workers who areworking in the U.S. on an H-1B visa with another cap-subject employer are notsubject to H-1B cap. These cases are commonly referred to as “H-1B transfer”cases and may be filed at any time throughout the year.
Employees that need a”cap-subject” H-1B include:
* International students working onan EAD card under an OPT or CPT program after having attended a U.S. school
* International employees workingon a TN may need an H-1B filed for them in order for them to pursue a permanentresidency (green card) case
* Prospective internationalemployees in another visa status e.g. H-4, L-2, J-1, F-1
* H-1B workers with a cap exemptorganization
* Prospective internationalemployees currently living abroad
Past H-1B Demand:
Year:
H-1B Cap Numbers:
Date H-1B Cap Reached:
H-1B 2003 (FY 2004)
65,000
October 1, 2003
H-1B 2004 (FY 2005)
65,000
October 1, 2004
H-1B 2005 (FY 2006)
85,000
August 10, 2005
H-1B 2006 (FY 2007)
85,000
May 26, 2006
H-1B 2007 (FY 2008)
85,000
April 1, 2007
H-1B 2008 (FY 2009)
85,000
April 1, 2008
H-1B 2009 (FY 2010)
85,000
December 21, 2009
H-1B 2010 (FY 2011)
85,000
January 25, 2011
H-1B 2011 (FY 2012)
85,000
November 22, 2011
H-1B 2012 (FY 2013)
85,000
June 11, 2012
H-1B 2013 (FY 2014)
85,000
April 1, 2013
H-1B 2014 (FY 2015)
85,000
April 1, 2014
H-1B 2015 (FY 2016)
85,000
April 1, 2015
H-1B 2016 (FY 2017)
85,000
April 1, 2016
H-1B 2017 (FY 2018)
85,000
April 1, 2017