NewsFlash! H1B Advanced Degree Cap NOT Reached
Posted Oct 25, 2005; updated Oct 27, 2005
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Contrary to rumors, the H1B advanced degree cap has not been reached for fiscal year (FY) 2006. The USCIS issued the latest advanced degree cap count in late October 2005. According to the USCIS count, as of October 25, 2005, 13,393 cases were either approved or are pending against the 20,000 total numbers. Therefore, as of that count, 6,667 numbers remained (assuming all pending cases will be approved). This reflects usage of fewer than 1,000 numbers since the last count at the end of September 2005, which was reported in our MurthyBulletin article, Masters Numbers Still Available for H1Bs, available on MurthyDotCom.
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There had been some discussion of this rumor on our MurthyForum. The apparent source of the confusion is H1B advanced degree cap cases that have mistakenly been returned by the USCIS. These filings have apparently been returned with a USCIS notation that the H1B cap has been reached.
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Since, as of this writing, the advanced degree numbers are still available, those with eligible cases should continue to file them. Anyone with a returned H1B case should re-file it as quickly as possible, noting the USCIS error in rejecting it. 
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Watch MurthyDotCom and the MurthyBulletin for further updates on this topic.