On April 30, 2007, USCIS gave updated numbers of petitions received for the H-1B visa master's cap. As of Friday, USCIS has received 19,887 petitions for this visa program for foreign nationals with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions. 20,000 petitions total will be allowed, which means that there are less than 200 petitions left.

The H-1B Visa Reform Act of 2004 changed filing procedures for the H-1B visa, making available 20,000 new H-1B visas for foreign workers who received a Master’s or higher degree from a U.S. academic institution.