The H-1B numbers are still pretty lackluster so far. USCIS released an updated count on April 26, 2011. According to the USCIS press release USCIS has received 8,000 H-1B petitions for the regular cap and 5,900 for the master’s exemption as of April 22, 2011.
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Updated H-1B numbers as of April 22, 2011
New combined EAD and Advance Parole document
On February 11, 2011 USCIS announced that it will begin issuing employment and travel authorization on a single card. According to the announcement the cards will be issued to qualified applicants who file an Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. The card will look much like the current Employment Authorization Document (EAD) but will also say “Serves as I-512 Advance Parole” on it. The card will be issued to those who qualify for and apply for an EAD and advance parole at the same time. USCIS will also continue to issue separate EAD and advance parole documents as necessary.
This is a nice convenience offered by USCIS. Instead of travelling with a paper advance parole and trying to keep it in a safe place while travelling abroad you now have a small credit card sized document that can be stored easily in your wallet or purse. Much easier to keep safe and intact than a paper document!
An employer may also accept the new card for I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification purposes. The card is acceptable as a List A document.
Dismal H-1B filing season so far
Initial H-1B numbers for fiscal year 2012 are dismal. USCIS released a memorandum on April 8, 2011 stating that it had received 5,900 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap and approximately 4,500 petitions toward the 20,000 cap exemption for individuals with advanced degrees.
In past years USCIS would receive in the range of 180,000 applications on April 1 for 65,000 H-1Bs and 20,000 cap exempt H-1Bs. The high demand for H-1Bs in previous years caused USCIS to institute a lottery system where 65,000 of the 180,000 petitions received would be drawn at random and the remaining petitioners would be out of luck. The weak US economy over the past few years has clearly taken its toll on H-1B filings. We’ve gone from a peak of 180,000 petitions on April 1 in the heyday of H-1B petitions to the current lackluster 5,900 petitions in the first week of H-1B filing season.
You can download a copy of the recent USCIS memo here: USCIS Continues to Accept FY 2012 H-1B Petitions
Click this link to learn more about the H-1B visa: http://usavisaimmigration.com/business-immigration/nonimmigrant/h-1b/