The INS recently provided information on petitions for H-1B visas during the first half of fiscal year 2002 (October 1, 2001 to March 1, 2002). As many expected, the numbers reflected the recent economic downturn, with applications decreasing by half from the previous year. 105,800 applications were received. Also, the denial rate increased, with an approval rate only two-thirds of what it had been. Only 44,900 applications were approved. This information pertains not to all H-1B visa applications, but only to those that are subject to the annual cap, currently set at 195,000.
Unless Congress takes action in the near future, the annual cap is set to revert to its original level of 65,000. The cap was raised a number of times during the late 1990s. Before the numbers were increased, it was common for all the available visas to be used months before the end of the fiscal year.
Supporters and critics of the H-1B visa program are both using the data to support their positions. Critics say that there is clearly no longer any need for skilled foreign workers, while supporters say that even though the need has declined, it will be as strong as ever when the economy improves.
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