Update on H1B Cap – July / August 2001
Posted Aug 24, 2001

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has provided a recent update on the number of H1B Visas that have been issued so far for fiscal year (FY) 2001. From time to time, we share such updated and useful statistical information with our MurthyBulletin subscribers, to enable those who would be subject to the H1B cap to make an informed plan as to the start date of their new H1B petitions.

INS reported that as of July 25, 2001, approximately 138,000 H1B petitions that were subject to the 2001 FY cap had been approved. As many of you may be aware, the numerical limit for H1B visas for is 195,000 for FY2001. INS fiscal years start on October 1st and end on September 30^th each year. So FY2001 would expire on September 30, 2001.

INS has also given an estimate of 39,000 currently pending H1B petitions that may be counted against the H1B cap. Please note, however, that not all pending petitions will counted against the cap for this fiscal year, and until those cases are all processed it will be unclear how many of them will actually be subject to the H1B cap. Some "new" petitions, even for those who have never been on H1B before, are exempt from the H1B cap, such as petitions by nonprofit research organizations and certain educational institutions. Also, not all of the pending H1B cases will necessarily be approved; some may be denied. These will not be counted against the H1B for this FY.

We will continue to provide our MurthyBulletin readers with any updated statistics, from time to time, when released by the INS.