H1B visa filing for the H1B cap 2011 opens in a few weeks on April 1st
85,000 new H1B visas are available this year
On April 1st 2011, new H1B visa applications can start to be filed for H1B work authorization to start this year
The official H1B cap system can be confusing in that H1B visas filed and issued this year during 2011, are termed as FY 2012 H1B cap numbers
Similarly, H1B visas filed and issued last year during 2010 were termed as FY 2011, and previously visas filed during 2009 were termed as FY 2010
Because the H1B Visa Program has seperate release, filing and employmemt authorization dates that cross over two Fiscal Years (FY) term, the Fiscal Year for 2012 actually starts during this year in 2011
That's why H1B visas filed and issued in 2011 are counted towards the FY 2012 cap
US companies can start filing H1B visa applications 'starting' from April 1st - and filing can 'continue' until the cap numbers / quota of 85,000 H1B visas have been issued
Before an H1B visa can be filed, the beneficiary (Foreign National) must obtain an H1B sponsorship employment offer from a US Company that will employ them and file their visa application (individuals can Not file their own H1B visas).
A sponsorship employment offer letter is a mandatory document that must be included in the H1B visa application (No H1B visa will be issued without one)