MUclients are urged to initiate and file any regular cap-subject H-1B cases as soonas possible.  MU now believes that the H-1B cap may be reached before the endof November.
Thelatest USCIS update is that 56,300 of the 65,000 regular H-1B numbers have beenused as of November 14, 2011, leaving about 8,000 H-1B visas.  The demand for H-1B numbers has surged in thelast few weeks.
Employeesthat may need an H-1B visa include:

  •  International students working on an EAD card under an OPT or CPT program afterhaving attended a U.S. school
  • International employees working on a TN may need an H-1B filed for them in orderfor them to pursue a permanent residency (green card) case
  • Prospective international employees in another visa status e.g. H-4, L-2, J-1,F-1
  • H-1B workers with a cap exempt organization
  • Prospective international employees currently living abroad

Internationalworkers who are working in the U.S. on an H-1B visa with another cap-subject employerare 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.
TheUSCIS sets aside an additional 20,000 H-1B numbers for graduates of US Mastersdegree (or higher) programs through a program referred to as the “H-1B MastersCap”.  The H-1B Masters Cap has beenreached.  H-1B Masters Cap petitions arenow also counted against the regular H-1B cap.