H-1B Visa Cap Usage 1992 to 2010
The H-1B Visa 2011 season is about to start. The USCIS will accept H-1B visa petitions starting on April 1, 2010 for the new fiscal year starting on October 1, 2010.
Employers can request for the start date for up to 6 months in advance.
Visa petitions will be rejected by the USCIS if the start date requested is beyond 6 months from the application date.
H-1B Cap Usage – 1992 to 2010
The following historical data from USCIS, DHS which shows how the H-1B visa cap was used from 1992 to 2010.
| FY Year H-1B | Total H-1B Cap | H-1B Approved | Unused H-1B | Advanced Degree Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 65,000 | 48,600 | 16,400 | |
| 1993 | 65,000 | 61,600 | 3,400 | |
| 1994 | 65,000 | 60,300 | 4,700 | |
| 1995 | 65,000 | 54,200 | 10,800 | |
| 1996 | 65,000 | 55,100 | 9,900 | |
| 1997 | 65,000 | 65,000 | 0 | |
| 1998 | 65,000 | 65,000 | 0 | |
| 1999 | 115,000 | 115,000 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 115,000 | 115,000 | 0 | |
| 2001 | 195,000 | 163,600 | 31,400 | |
| 2002 | 195,000 | 79,100 | 115,900 | |
| 2003 | 195,000 | 78,000 | 117,000 | |
| 2004 | 65,000 | 65,000 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 65,000 | 65,000 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2006 | 65,000 | 65,000 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2007 | 65,000 | 65,000 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2008 | 65,000 | 65,000 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2009 | 65,000 | 65,000 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2010 | 65,000 | 65,000 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2011 | 65,000 | ?? | ?? | ?? |
The law creating the advanced degree H-1B Cap was signed in December 2004 and become effective on May 12, 2005.
Immigration attorneys will send the H-1B visa application today (March 31, 2010), so it will reach the USCIS tomorrow.
Due to the new H-1B memo and the current job market, the number of H-1B Visa petitions that will be submitted will likely be very low compared to the last few years.
