Despite the nation’s continued economic doldrums, the H-1B cap for the fiscal year has already been met – just two months into the new fiscal year. The H-1B visa has a set annual cap of 65,000 visas that are available each year (disregarding a few, limited exceptions). This cap, which was arbitrarily set by the government, has been met each year. During the boom years of the early 2000s, the cap was met on the first day that applicants could apply. More recently, with the economy struggling, it has taken many months to reach the cap.
Still, despite the poor economy, this year’s H-1b visa cap was reached just 2 months into the fiscal year. Should the government be the one who limits American companies from gaining needed skilled workers? Or should those American companies be the ones dictating when they have hired enough skilled workers?
Now, for the next several months, American companies seeking to bring talented workers into the US must find alternatives to the H-1B visa.