USCIS announced, that as of May 19, 2006 a total of 42,876 H-1B visas were? filed and counted towards the cap out of 61,000 available.? H-1B filings for advanced degree cases have totaled 5,358 thus far out of 20,000 available.?

Last year, the H-1B cap was reached on August 10, 2005.? At this rate, it is expected that the H-1B cap can be met by early to mid June 2006 and the Advanced Degree H-1B cap (those with master's degrees obtained in the United States) by September 2006.? It is very important that those wishing to work in the United States file for the H-1B visa should do so immediately in order to avoid missing the cap and having to wait until next year.