One Fourth of FY 2005 H-1B Visas Depleted

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") limits the number of H-1B visas available annually.  The H-1B limit or "cap" reverted to its current level of 65,000 for Fiscal year ("FY") 2004 after five years at much higher limits.

The FY 2004 cap (covering the period from October 1, 2003 to September 30, 2004) was reached in February 2004, just five months into the fiscal year.  No additional H-1B visas were made available, and those wishing to attain H-1B status had to wait until April 1, 2004 to submit petitions for FY 2005 eligibility (with an October 1, 2004 start date.)