Cap Updated Again!
Posted May 26, 2006
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The USCIS is doing an amazing job of providing continuous H-1 cap updates, the latest information having been provided on May 26, 2006. This data provides the count through May 23, 2006. The new information reflects that 2,274 standard cap cases were filed between May 19 and May 23, 2006. This raises the total to 45,150 standard H1B cap-subject cases filed. This is an average of approximately 569 filings per day for the latest reporting period.
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The advanced degree cases increased during the same period by 197 cases, to a total of 5,555 advanced degree cases filed. This is an average of approximately 50 cases per day. We note that these dates include a weekend, which may account for the drop in the number of cases filed on average each day.
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As regular MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers know, the standard cap is 58,200 numbers available to the general public, with 6,800 additional numbers set aside under trade agreements with Chile and Singapore. There are 20,000 cap exemptions allowed under the advanced degree cap for persons with U.S. masters' degrees or higher degrees earned in the U.S.
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The standard H1B cap is still on track to be met in early June 2006. It had been anticipated earlier that the advanced degree cap would be met in September or October 2006, based upon previous rates of filing. If the pace experienced during the latest reporting period were to continue, the numbers would hold out beyond those predictions. However, as mentioned above, the drop in filings may simply be due to the fact that the period in question was only four days, two of which were weekend days. Therefore, it is still advisable to file all cases, including advanced degree cases, as soon as possible.