H-1B Cap Hits, Lottery Results

On April 5,2013, USCIS announced that for the fiscal year 2014 (starting October 1, 2013), it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap of 65,000, plus 20,000 cap-exempt, advance degree petitions. More than 20,000 advance degree cap exempt petitions have been received. A lottery will take place as a result. Cases filed April 1 to April 5 will be counted and randomly, the first qualifying petitions will be approved..

The random selection computer process lottery for advance degree petitions will take place first. All advance degree petitions not selected will then be a part of a second lottery for the remaining 65,000 limit.

The exact number of petitions received and when the lottery will take place is not yet known. Applications are being received through today. Other cap-exempt H-1Bs will continue to be accepted.”