This year’s H-1Bfiling date of April 1, 2015 is coming fast.  MU Law predicts that the USCIS may see 200,000H-1Bs filed this year, more than double the Congressional cap of 85,000.  When the USCIS receives more H-1B petitionsthan slots available it holds an “H-1B lottery”.  Last year, the USCISheld an H-1B lottery because it received over twice as many H-1B petitions asslots available..
If you areconsidering filing an H-1B cap-subject petition, MU Law urges you to begin thatprocess now.
Many healthcareprofessions ordinarily qualify for H-1B status, including Physical Therapists,OccupationalTherapists, SpeechLanguage Therapists, and some Registered Nursing positions.
Internationalworkers who are working in the U.S. on an H-1B visa with another cap-subjectemployer are not subject 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 needa “cap-subject” H-1B include:
* Internationalstudents working on an EAD card under an OPT or CPT programafter having attended a U.S. school
* Internationalemployees working on a TN may need an H-1B filed for them in order for them topursue a permanent residency (green card) case
* Prospectiveinternational employees in another visa status e.g. H-4, L-2, J-1, F-1
* H-1B workers witha cap exempt organization
* Prospectiveinternational employees 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 3, 2007
H-1B 2008 (FY 2009)
85,000
April 7, 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 5, 2013
H-1B 2014 (FY 2015)
85,000
April 1, 2014
H-1B 2015 (FY 2016)
85,000
April 1, 2015 (expected)