USCIS Announces Imminent Release of 20,000 H-1Bs

USCIS has issued an advance copy of its rule to finally release the additional 20,000 H-1B visa allotments for Fiscal year 2005.  These additional H-1B visas were initially announced on December 8, 2004 under the H-1B Visa Reform Act. The rule clarifies that the new visa allotments will be made available only to foreign national who hold an advanced degree (Master's Degree or higher) awarded by a United States college or university. The new visas will become available five (5) days after an implementation date to be announced by USCIS; it is believed that this implementation date will be announced today or tomorrow.  Additionally, the rule allows for a previously approved or currently pending advanced degree H-1B petition which requested a Fiscal Year 2006 start date (October 1, 2005) to be converted to a Fiscal Year 2005 start date (September 30, 2005 or earlier).