The Department of Homeland Security’s US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced on June 12 that it has received sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach its statutory cap of 65,000 for FY 2013. The deadline for new H-1B specialty occupations petitions requesting an employment start date in FY 2013 was June 11, 2012. U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields, such as scientists, engineers, or computer programmers.

For more information on the H-1B visa, other visa designations, the process and requirements for submissions and timetable dates, the USCIS operates an extensive website.