We are rapidly approaching the April 1st deadline for the filing for new H-1B visas for the 2008 to 2009 Fiscal Year (FY 08-09). H-1B Petitions for FY 08-09 must be received by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (”DHS”), Citizenship and Immigration Services (”CIS”) on April 1st, 2008. If you do not begin to make preparations as early as possible then you and your prospective H-1B employer will be unable to secure an H-1B (subject to the cap) for the October 1st, 2008 start date.

Unless Congress acts immediately to increase the quota of 65,000 visas (plus and additional 20,000 for those with Masters Degrees from U.S. Academic Institutions), the allotted number of H-1B visas are likely to be taken on the very first day that the petitions may be filed. This is what happened last year and it is presently anticipated that the same thing is going to happen this year.

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