US to start accepting H-1B petitions from April 1

The US has invited applications from aspirants for the coveted H-1B visas, hugely popular among Indian IT companies, from April 1.
As in previous years, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can issue a maximum of 65,000 H-1B visas.
With the American economy recovering and much emphasis laid on information technology, by Obama Administration and private sector, the demand for H-1B visas is expected to be met in the first few days of April 1, experts say.
"Due to the high level of premium processing receipts anticipated, combined with the possibility that the H-1B cap will be met in the first five business days of the filing season, USCIS has temporarily adjusted its current premium processing practice," the USCIS yesterday said in a statement.

The USCIS will begin premium processing for H-1B cap cases no later than April 28 to facilitate the prioritised intake of cap-subject petitions requesting premium processing.
Releasing guidelines for the filing process, the USCIS said cases will be considered accepted on the date it receives a properly filed petition with the correct fee. USCIS will not rely on the date that the petition is postmarked, it said.

The Congressionally mandated cap on H-1B visas for fiscal year beginning October this year is 65,000.
The first 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on behalf of individuals with a US master's degree or higher are exempt from the 65,000 cap.

"USCIS anticipates receiving more than enough petitions to reach both caps by April 7. The agency is prepared to use a random selection process to meet the numerical limit.
"Non-duplicate petitions that are not selected will be rejected and returned with the filing fees," it said.