THE TIME TO PREPARE YOUR H-1B IS NOW

The Fiscal Year 2015 (FY2015) H-1B cap season will begin on April 1, 2014. Last year (FY2014), the H-1B cap was reached on Day One (April 5, 2013 – the USCIS allows any H-1B petition received during the first week to be counted as a Day One filing).

From 2009-11, the H-1B cap remained opened for at least one-half the year.  For the prior three fiscal years (FY 2006-08), the H-1B cap was reached on the very first day of filing.

The FY 2015 H-1B cap demand will be high. After speaking with clients and other immigration attorney-friends, MU Law expects that the H-1B cap will move even quicker than last year.  MU Law would not be surprised if the USCIS receives twice as many H-1B cap-subject petitions as there are slots available.

If you are considering filing an H-1B cap-subject petition, MU Law urges you to begin that process now.

Many healthcare professions ordinarily qualify for H-1B status, including Physical Therapists,Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Therapists, and some Registered Nursing positions.

International workers who are working in the U.S. on an H-1B visa with another cap-subject employer are not subject to H-1B cap. These cases are commonly referred to as “H-1B transfer” cases and may be filed at any time throughout the year.

Employees that need a "cap-subject" H-1B include:

* International students working on an EAD card under an OPT or CPT program after having attended a U.S. school

* International employees working on a TN may need an H-1B filed for them in order for them to pursue a permanent residency (green card) case

* Prospective international employees in another visa status e.g. H-4, L-2, J-1, F-1

* H-1B workers with a cap exempt organization

* Prospective international employees currently living abroad