On April 5, 2013, USCIS reported that, as of April 5, 2013, it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap for Fiscal Year 2014. As of April 5, 2013, USCIS has also received more than 20,000 H-1B petitions on behalf of persons exempt from the regular cap under the advanced degree exemption. USCIS has reported that cap-subject petitions received after April 5, 2013 for H-1B specialty occupation workers seeking an employment start date in FY 2014 (October 1, 2013 or after) will be rejected. USCIS will use a computer-generated random selection process (commonly known as the “lottery”) for all FY 2014 cap-subject petitions received through April 5, 2013.

USCIS will announce the exact day of the random selection process and provide more detailed information regarding the total number of H-1B cap petitions next week. We will monitor USCIS communications and keep you apprised of any developments as they become available. To access the USCIS announcement, please click here.