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H1B Visa Quota and H1B Cap Systems Explained
Every year there is an annual Quota (limit) of 'new' H1B visas that can be issued; which is also known as the H1B Cap. The total H1B quota allocation is divided between the Regular H1B Cap and the ADE H1B Cap.
In addition to the Regular and ADE cap subject quotas:
- H1B cap exempt visas are available all year.
- H1B transfer visas are available all year.
• What is the H1B cap and H1B quota system ?
learn about the H1B cap and quota system and what factors influence it each year
• View historical H1B cap filing statistics and trends for the visa program over the years
see the past H1B cap numbers and how long the quota lasted during previous years
Factors that affect and influence the H1B visa cap each year:
Every year there is not one, but many different factors that can all, or in part, combine to influence what will happen during each year for H1B sponsorship employment demand, and for the volume of H1B visas that are filed by US employers.
Each factor carries a 'weight' and some are more important and influencial than others.
The H1B market is determined by both the timing and the level of fusion between all the different factors during the course of each year.
These factors determine the duration, and how quickly the H1B cap will be reached each year:
- supply: the fixed number of H1B visas that are available to be issued for the year
- supply - versus the demand by Foreign nationals who want to obtain H1B visas + the demand by US companies who want to hire H1B workers
- current H1B rules, regulations and processes for visa sponsorship and visa petition filing
- new H1B rules and laws that affect which companies can or can not sponsor/file visas
- overall economic conditions
- econonic conditions for each industry sector and sub-sectors
- momentum and demand within new emerging markets
- economic conditions for different geographical locations
- overall employment conditions
- employment demand for different industry sectors and sub-sectors
- employment demand for different professions and levels of profession
- employment demand in different geographic locations
- the overall current demand for H1B workers by US companies
- qualified labor shortages at 'H1B-level' for specialty professions
- qualified labor shortages at 'H1B-level' in different geographic locations
- the number of new sponsor companies that enter the market to hire and file visas
- the number of Foreign nationals that seek to obtain H1B sponsorship and work visas
- is there a lottery selection or a deadline cut off date to file visa applications
- overall consumer perception and market confidence rates
- some mainstream media and political news and hype that surrounds the H1B visa program
- will anything new, unexpected and unforeseen happen in the market or with the immigration system that could directly or indirectly affect the H1B visa program
H1B Visa Cap Historical Statistics and Trends from 2003 - Present
From 1999 to 2002 the cap was temporarily rasied to 195,000 during Y2K and the dotcom boom, but was not reached during those Fiscal Years
The ADE cap of an additional 20,000 visas was introduced in 2005 (FY2006)
* Each year H1B visas can start to be filed from April 1st onwards
The chart below shows the number of H1B visas available during each year and the dates reflecting the duration and speed that the cap was reached
Professional Assistance to obtain H1B Jobs and Visa Sponsorship for 2013 - Start Here >
Overview of H1B cap 2013 and review of H1B cap 2012
» H1B Visa Requirements to Qualify for an H1B Work Visa
» H1B Professions that Qualify to obtain an H1B visa
» H1B Visa Procedure for Filing - for H1B Regular Processing
» H1B Visa Filing Procedure - for H1B Premium Processing
» List of H1B Documents Required for H1B Visa Petition Filing
» H1B Visa Fees and Costs for Filing an H1B Application
» H1B Visa Extension - Steps to Extend / Revalidate an H1B Visa
» H1B Visa Transfer - How to Transfer an H1B to a new Employer
» Multiple H1B Visas - Rules for Holding Multiple H1B visas for multiple Employers
» H1B Visa Status - Procedure To Check the Status of a Filed H1B Visa Application
» H1B Visa Interview at the US Consulate Office Abroad Explained
» H1B Stamping Process - Documents and Procedure for visa stamping
» Information for H1B Employers and H1B Sponsor Companies
Every year there is an annual Quota (limit) of 'new' H1B visas that can be issued; which is also known as the H1B Cap. The total H1B quota allocation is divided between the Regular H1B Cap and the ADE H1B Cap.
In addition to the Regular and ADE cap subject quotas:
- H1B cap exempt visas are available all year.
- H1B transfer visas are available all year.
• What is the H1B cap and H1B quota system ?
learn about the H1B cap and quota system and what factors influence it each year
• View historical H1B cap filing statistics and trends for the visa program over the years
see the past H1B cap numbers and how long the quota lasted during previous years
How Long Does the H1B Cap Last Each Year ?
The duration that the H1B visa cap lasts each year, and the speed that it's reached depends on many variable factors and can change each year. Essentially, the cap lasts until such time as all the visas for that years quota have been filed and issued. Sponsorship recruitment for H1B visas takes place all year round by many sponsor companies (especially larger corporations) to ensure they have time to plan, recruit, select, prepare, file and get issued visas for the workers they want, within the annual H1B quota limits and timeframes.
When the ADE cap is filled, can visas still be filed for the Regular cap ?
Yes, the ADE cap is set aside for International students that graduate with a Masters or higher level degree from a US University/College. The ADE H1B cap always gets filled before the Regular cap because it's smaller in numbers. When the ADE cap is filled, students can still continue to file H1B visa applications to be counted and issued from the Regular H1B cap.
What's The Last Date That H1B Visas Can Be Filed - is There a Cut-Off Date ?
There's often confusion about a 'cut-off date' or 'deadline' thinking that the H1B cap ends on October 1st each year and that no visas can be applied for and filed after October 1st. The fact is there is No fixed or set cut-off date for filing H1B visas. H1B visas can be applied for and filed towards the cap numbers until such date as All the visas have been issued.
For example: if there are still H1B visas available in November or December, visas can still be filed for and issued (with immediate employment start dates). The relevence of the October 1st date is only that it is the first date that anyone who has been issued a cap-subject visa earlier in the year (from April-September), can start work for their new employer / sponsor company.
What is the H1B Cap-Subject and Visa Quota System ?
The H1B cap is the number of H1B visas available during a Fiscal Year
The H1B visa cap is also more commonly termed as the "H1B visa quota"
H1B visas applied for in 2012 are for the FY 2013 H1B Cap system
Foreign nationals issued H1B FY 2013 visas can start work in the US during 2012
The H1B Cap-Subject Visa system is split down further into 2 groups:
- there is the Regular Cap, and
- there is also the ADE Cap
In 2012 there are 85,000 cap subject H1B visas available to be issued
- 65,000 cap subject visas are available for the Regular Cap
- 20,000 cap subject visas are available for the ADE Cap
The Regular H1B Cap is available to those living abroad that want to obtain their first H1B visa, and to those in the US that want to change their current visa status to H1B visa status
The ADE Cap (Advanced Degree Exemption) is available to those that graduate from a US universty/college with an Masters level or higher level degree
H1B Visa Cap Start Date:
H1B cap subject visa petitions can start to be filed from April 1st each year
As H1B visas are filed and issued, they are counted against the cap numbers
H1B visas can continue to be filed until the cap has been reached
Sponsorship employment recruitment starts from January for the year
H1B Visa Cap End Date:
There is No fixed end date or deadline or cut off date to file H1B visas.
They can continue to be filed until the cap / quota is reached (until all 85,000 visas have been issued). When all 85,000 H1B visas have been issued the cap closes for the year.
H1B Visa for this Year:
From April 1st 2012 H1B visas could start being filed and issued for the FY 2013 H1B cap
As a safeguard and to ensure the best opportunity of being issued an H1B visa in consideration of the quota limitations and timeframes, it's important to plan and prepare far in advance and file visa petitions as early as possible.
H1B Status and Visa Petition Tracking
To check the status of an H1B visa that has been filed and a receipt number issued, both the sponsoring company and the future H1B worker can track the status of the application during processing by the USCIS. View more H1B status and visa tracking information
The duration that the H1B visa cap lasts each year, and the speed that it's reached depends on many variable factors and can change each year. Essentially, the cap lasts until such time as all the visas for that years quota have been filed and issued. Sponsorship recruitment for H1B visas takes place all year round by many sponsor companies (especially larger corporations) to ensure they have time to plan, recruit, select, prepare, file and get issued visas for the workers they want, within the annual H1B quota limits and timeframes.
When the ADE cap is filled, can visas still be filed for the Regular cap ?
Yes, the ADE cap is set aside for International students that graduate with a Masters or higher level degree from a US University/College. The ADE H1B cap always gets filled before the Regular cap because it's smaller in numbers. When the ADE cap is filled, students can still continue to file H1B visa applications to be counted and issued from the Regular H1B cap.
What's The Last Date That H1B Visas Can Be Filed - is There a Cut-Off Date ?
There's often confusion about a 'cut-off date' or 'deadline' thinking that the H1B cap ends on October 1st each year and that no visas can be applied for and filed after October 1st. The fact is there is No fixed or set cut-off date for filing H1B visas. H1B visas can be applied for and filed towards the cap numbers until such date as All the visas have been issued.
For example: if there are still H1B visas available in November or December, visas can still be filed for and issued (with immediate employment start dates). The relevence of the October 1st date is only that it is the first date that anyone who has been issued a cap-subject visa earlier in the year (from April-September), can start work for their new employer / sponsor company.
What is the H1B Cap-Subject and Visa Quota System ?
The H1B cap is the number of H1B visas available during a Fiscal Year
The H1B visa cap is also more commonly termed as the "H1B visa quota"
H1B visas applied for in 2012 are for the FY 2013 H1B Cap system
Foreign nationals issued H1B FY 2013 visas can start work in the US during 2012
The H1B Cap-Subject Visa system is split down further into 2 groups:
- there is the Regular Cap, and
- there is also the ADE Cap
In 2012 there are 85,000 cap subject H1B visas available to be issued
- 65,000 cap subject visas are available for the Regular Cap
- 20,000 cap subject visas are available for the ADE Cap
The Regular H1B Cap is available to those living abroad that want to obtain their first H1B visa, and to those in the US that want to change their current visa status to H1B visa status
The ADE Cap (Advanced Degree Exemption) is available to those that graduate from a US universty/college with an Masters level or higher level degree
H1B Visa Cap Start Date:
H1B cap subject visa petitions can start to be filed from April 1st each year
As H1B visas are filed and issued, they are counted against the cap numbers
H1B visas can continue to be filed until the cap has been reached
Sponsorship employment recruitment starts from January for the year
H1B Visa Cap End Date:
There is No fixed end date or deadline or cut off date to file H1B visas.
They can continue to be filed until the cap / quota is reached (until all 85,000 visas have been issued). When all 85,000 H1B visas have been issued the cap closes for the year.
H1B Visa for this Year:
From April 1st 2012 H1B visas could start being filed and issued for the FY 2013 H1B cap
As a safeguard and to ensure the best opportunity of being issued an H1B visa in consideration of the quota limitations and timeframes, it's important to plan and prepare far in advance and file visa petitions as early as possible.
H1B Status and Visa Petition Tracking
To check the status of an H1B visa that has been filed and a receipt number issued, both the sponsoring company and the future H1B worker can track the status of the application during processing by the USCIS. View more H1B status and visa tracking information
Factors that affect and influence the H1B visa cap each year:
Every year there is not one, but many different factors that can all, or in part, combine to influence what will happen during each year for H1B sponsorship employment demand, and for the volume of H1B visas that are filed by US employers.
Each factor carries a 'weight' and some are more important and influencial than others.
The H1B market is determined by both the timing and the level of fusion between all the different factors during the course of each year.
These factors determine the duration, and how quickly the H1B cap will be reached each year:
- supply: the fixed number of H1B visas that are available to be issued for the year
- supply - versus the demand by Foreign nationals who want to obtain H1B visas + the demand by US companies who want to hire H1B workers
- current H1B rules, regulations and processes for visa sponsorship and visa petition filing
- new H1B rules and laws that affect which companies can or can not sponsor/file visas
- overall economic conditions
- econonic conditions for each industry sector and sub-sectors
- momentum and demand within new emerging markets
- economic conditions for different geographical locations
- overall employment conditions
- employment demand for different industry sectors and sub-sectors
- employment demand for different professions and levels of profession
- employment demand in different geographic locations
- the overall current demand for H1B workers by US companies
- qualified labor shortages at 'H1B-level' for specialty professions
- qualified labor shortages at 'H1B-level' in different geographic locations
- the number of new sponsor companies that enter the market to hire and file visas
- the number of Foreign nationals that seek to obtain H1B sponsorship and work visas
- is there a lottery selection or a deadline cut off date to file visa applications
- overall consumer perception and market confidence rates
- some mainstream media and political news and hype that surrounds the H1B visa program
- will anything new, unexpected and unforeseen happen in the market or with the immigration system that could directly or indirectly affect the H1B visa program
H1B Visa Cap Historical Statistics and Trends from 2003 - Present
From 1999 to 2002 the cap was temporarily rasied to 195,000 during Y2K and the dotcom boom, but was not reached during those Fiscal Years
The ADE cap of an additional 20,000 visas was introduced in 2005 (FY2006)
* Each year H1B visas can start to be filed from April 1st onwards
The chart below shows the number of H1B visas available during each year and the dates reflecting the duration and speed that the cap was reached
|
Year: |
H1B Cap Numbers |
Date H1B Cap Reached |
|
|
|
|
|
H1B 2003 (FY 2004 cap) |
65,000 |
October 1, 2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
H1B 2004 (FY 2005 cap) |
65,000 |
October 1, 2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
H1B 2005 (FY 2006 cap) |
85,000 |
August 10, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
H1B 2006 (FY 2007 cap) |
85,000 |
May 26, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
H1B 2007 (FY 2008 cap) |
85,000 |
April 3, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
H1B 2008 (FY 2009 cap) |
85,000 |
April 7, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
H1B 2009 (FY 2010 cap) |
85,000 |
December 21, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
H1B 2010 (FY 2011 cap) |
85,000 |
January 26, 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
H1B 2011 (FY 2012 cap) |
85,000 |
November 22, 2011 |
|
|
||
| H1B 2012 (FY 2013 cap) | 85,000 | June 11, 2012 |
| H1B 2013 (FY 2014 cap) | 85,000 |
Filing opens April 1st 2013 Recruitment has started |
Professional Assistance to obtain H1B Jobs and Visa Sponsorship for 2013 - Start Here >
Overview of H1B cap 2013 and review of H1B cap 2012
» H1B Visa Requirements to Qualify for an H1B Work Visa
» H1B Professions that Qualify to obtain an H1B visa
» H1B Visa Procedure for Filing - for H1B Regular Processing
» H1B Visa Filing Procedure - for H1B Premium Processing
» List of H1B Documents Required for H1B Visa Petition Filing
» H1B Visa Fees and Costs for Filing an H1B Application
» H1B Visa Extension - Steps to Extend / Revalidate an H1B Visa
» H1B Visa Transfer - How to Transfer an H1B to a new Employer
» Multiple H1B Visas - Rules for Holding Multiple H1B visas for multiple Employers
» H1B Visa Status - Procedure To Check the Status of a Filed H1B Visa Application
» H1B Visa Interview at the US Consulate Office Abroad Explained
» H1B Stamping Process - Documents and Procedure for visa stamping
» Information for H1B Employers and H1B Sponsor Companies
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