H-2B Cap as of July 15, 2012

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its count of H-2B filing for temporary non-agricultural visas (H-2Bs) for employment for the second half of FY 2012 as well as the first half of FY 2013.

As of July 15, 2012, USCIS has receipted filings on behalf of 28,491 beneficiaries toward the 33,000 H-2B cap amount for the Second Half of FY-2012.  This count includes 26,837 approved and 1,654 pending petitions.  For the First Half of the 2013 Fiscal Year, USCIS has receipted filings on behalf of 775 beneficiaries toward the 33,000 H-2B cap amount.  This count includes 431 approved and 344 pending petitions.  SOURCE

USCIS places a statutory numerical limit, or “cap,” on the total number aliens that it would issue a visa or otherwise provid H-2B status to (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 allocated for employment beginning in the 1st half of the fiscal year (October 1 – March 31) and 33,000 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  USCIS will accept filings in excess of the cap because of denials or withdrawn petitions and because employers may in the end employ fewer H-2B beneficiaries than shown in their petitions.