20,000 H-1s for US Master Degreed Aliens

Legislation effective March 8, 2005 allowing 20,000 U.S. master degreed aliens to be exempt from the annual 65,000 cap on H-1s became operational with CIS regulations today. Starting May 12, 2005, these visas will be available. There are several special rules governing these filings, including submission at a special address in Vermont. Also, those qualified who have already applied for fiscal year 2006 can upgrade to fiscal year 2005 for pending and approved casese. There are other special rules too contained in the May 5, 2005 Federal Register. Pent up need for filing will result in a surge of filings and it is currently unknown how long the H-1s will remain available.