H-1B Cap Count as of November 14, 2011

As of November 14, 2011, USCIS had receipted 56,300 petitions towards the H-1B Regular Cap and the full 20,000 petitions towards the H-1B Master’s Exemption.

The H-1B nonimmigrant visa category allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. Unless determined to be exempt, H-1B petitions are subject to either the 65,000 annual cap or the 20,000 annual cap exemption. By statute, H-1B visas are subject to an annual numerical limit, or cap, of 65,000 visas each fiscal year. The first 20,000 petitions for these visas filed on behalf of individuals with U.S. master’s degrees or higher are exempt from this cap.