As of September 25, 2009, approximately 46,700 H-1B cap-subject petitions and approximately 20,000 petitions qualifying for the advanced degree cap exemption had been filed. USCIS will continue to accept both cap-subject petitions and advanced degree petitions until a sufficient number of H-1B petitions have been received to reach the statutory limits, taking into account the fact that some of these petitions may be denied, revoked, or withdrawn.
 
Further, new H-1B cap cases will be accepted even on or after October 1. The H-1B petition remains a viable alternative for employers and employees alike! Now is an especially good time to file the H-1B. When an employer filed the H-1B in April for an October start date, it was sometimes difficult to find placements, obtain contracts, etc. However, now that we are beyond October 1, employers may be able to more easily find placements and secure contracts. Meanwhile, H-1B employees can now tell employers that they will be ready to work (assuming the H-1B petition is approved) within a matter of a few weeks.