H-1B “Cap” Reverts to 65,000

Historically, 65,000 H-1B visa allotments were allowed in a fiscal year (the government fiscal year runs from October 1st to September 30th). In response to several years in which the demand for H-1B visa allotments outstripped the supply, Congress responded with passage of the America Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000 (“AC 21). AC 21 raised the cap on H-1B visas to 195,000 annually for fiscal years 2001, 2002, 2003.