The story continues. Last year, 13,500 regular H-1B applications were counted in the first week and 5,600 advanced degree applications. This year 5,900 regular applications were received in the first week and 4,500 advanced degree petitions. USCIS reported that in the second week of counting, 7,100 regular cases were receipted and 5,100 advanced degree applications (as of 4/29/2011, it counts 9,200 for regular cap & 6,600 for advanced degree cap). That’s roughly the typical weekly usage we saw last year and if the pace doesn’t change much, the cap will potentially be hit one to two months later than for FY2011.
May 2011