The H-1B Petition is still a valid option for many healthcare workers including PTs, OTs, SLPs, Pharmacists and some nurses. Seven months into this term’s fiscal year quota, the H-1B cap has not been reached. But that may not be the case for long.

The USCIS has reported a jump in cap-subject approvals in October. As of October 30, 2009, approximately 53,800 H-1B cap-subject petitions and approximately 20,000 petitions qualifying for the advanced degree cap exemption have been filed. The Masters quota cap effectively has been reached, although a few “extra” numbers may be released if the USCIS denies some pending Masters cap-subject cases.

Going forward, any H1-B petitions filed on behalf of an alien with an advanced degree will now count toward the general H1-B cap of 65,000. USCIS will continue to accept both cap-subject petitions and advanced degree petitions until a sufficient number of H-1B petitions have been received to reach the statutory limits, taking into account the fact that some of these petitions may be denied, revoked, or withdrawn.

Also, the USCIS just has announced that it will continue to accept the old Form G-28.