USCIS has updated that only 42,000 petitions were received. Hopefully this means people will have a better chance of being successful at getting a new H1b visa, rather than be subjected to the lottery. On the other hand, this is a definite sign of the terrible economy.
USCIS Update April 9, 2009
USCIS Updates Count of FY2010 H-1B Petition Filings
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced an updated number of filings for H-1B petitions for the fiscal year 2010 program. USCIS has received approximately 42,000 H-1B petitions counting toward the Congressionally-mandated 65,000 cap. The agency continues to accept petitions subject to the general cap. Additionally, the agency has received approximately 20,000 petitions for aliens with advanced degrees; however, we continue to accept advanced degree petitions since experience has shown that not all petitions received are approvable. Congress mandated that the first 20,000 of these types of petitions are exempt from any fiscal year cap on available H-1B visas. For cases filed for premium processing during the initial five-day filing window, the 15-day premium processing period began April 7. For cases filed for premium processing after the filing window, the premium processing period begins on the date USCIS takes physical possession of the petition. USCIS will provide regular updates as the processing of FY2010 H-1B petitions continue. – USCIS – AILA InfoNet