On Monday, April 9th, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced that it had received approximately 17,400 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap, and approximately 8,200 petitions toward the 20,000 cap exemption for individuals with advanced degrees.  That count represents petitions received since April 2nd.

In comparison to last year, the number of H-1B petition filings is up.  Last year, as of April 15, 2011, USCIS had received only 7,100 H-1B petitions toward the 65,000 cap and 5,100 H-1B petitions toward the 20,000 cap.

Perhaps this is an indication that the economy is improving.  Whatever the reason, employers would be well advised to file cap-subject petitions at the earliest possible time in anticipation that the increased number of filings, as compared to last year, will continue.