March 8 2004

The USCIS issued a Press Release stating that the 20,000 additional H-1B visas that will be avialble under the Visa Reform Act of 2004, will now be open to all qualified H-1B applicants. Earlier in the week, the USCIS had reiterated the understanding that the 20,000 new visas were only for graduates of U.S.universities with Master's or Ph.D's. They have now changed their mind.

Even though the Act should now be effective, the USCIS is waiting for the regulations to be publsihsed in the Federal Register. The USCIS stated that it will reject any new H-1B petititions received prior to the filing date set forth in the regulations.