USCIS has just posted an update regarding the amounts of petitions
received for visas in the H category that are subject to annual caps.
H-1B Visas
H-1B visas are available to some U.S. employers to use to bring foreign
workers in specialty occupations that require technical or theoretical
expertise in a specialized field. H-1B occupations include architects,
computer programmers, accountants and doctors, among other professions.
Each year, a total of 65,000 cap-subject H-1B visas are available to
such individuals.
According to USCIS, as of June 19, 2009, only 44,500 H-1B cap-subject
petitions and approximately 20,000 petitions that qualify for the
advanced degree cap exemption have been filed by U.S. employers. USCIS
notes that they will continue to accept petitions for both the
cap-subject and advanced degree categories until they have received
enough to adequately fill the Fiscal Year limit of 65,000 available
visas.
H-1B1 Visas
Citizens of Chile or Singapore coming to the U.S to work temporarily in
specialty occupations can enter the U.S. under the H-1B1 subcategory.
Each year, up to 6,800 of these visas are provided to residents of
these two countries. The cap for this category for Fiscal Year 2010 has
not yet been reached, according to USCIS.
H-2B Visas
H-2B visas are available for U.S. employers in industries with peak
load, seasonal or intermittent needs to bring in temporary workers to
assist their existing staff. H-2B workers typically work in areas such
as construction, health care, landscaping and manufacturing. A total of
66,000 H-2B visas are available per year; this number is split in half
and provided with employment start dates in either October or June.
USCIS has not yet begun receiving H-2B petitions for the upcoming half
Fiscal Year, but when they do begin their count, we will update you in
this news section.
H-3 Visas
H-3 visas are available for aliens wishing to come temporarily to the
U.S. to receive training that is not available in their home countries
(with the exception of graduate medical education or training). This
training is provided by either a business, academic or vocational
institute. In addition, aliens wishing to temporarily enter the U.S. to
participate in a special education training program for children with
physical, mental or emotional disabilities may also apply under this
category. Only 50 of these visas are allocated per fiscal year. As of
March 30, 2009, only three H-3 visas with an approved start date in
Fiscal Year 2009 have been approved.
