FY 2012 H-2B Cap Count as of 12/30/11

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its count of H-2B filing for temporary non-agricultural visas (H-2Bs) for employment in the first half of FY 2012.

As of December 30, 2011, USCIS has receipted filings on behalf of 17,176 beneficiaries toward the 33,000 H-2B cap amount for FY2012.  This count includes 11,414 approved and 5,762 pending petitions.  SOURCE

There is a statutory numerical limit, or “cap,” on the total number aliens who may be issued a visa or otherwise provided H-2B status (including through a change of status) during a fiscal year.  Currently, the H-2B cap set by Congress is 66,000 per fiscal year, with 33,000 to be allocated for employment beginning in the 1st half of the fiscal year (October 1 – March 31) and 33,000 to be allocated for employment beginning in the 2nd half of the fiscal year (April 1 – September 30).  USCIS will accept filings in excess of the cap because of denials or withdrawn petitions and because employers may in the end employ fewer H-2B beneficiaries than shown in their peititions.