It's time to finalize foreign appointments

"The Immigration and Naturalization Service approves only 65,000 new H-1B petitions per government fiscal year. Since the fiscal year is October 1 to September 30, the 65,000 cap will probably be reached by May or June," said Kathleen Strout, the University's immigration specialist.

If the H-1B cap is reached during the early summer months, the INS will not process any new H-1B petitions until the government's new fiscal year begins in October.

In addition, departments are asked to review foreign national appointments for anyone in the F-1 student status with practical training work authorization. If an individual's F-1 status is due to expire between now and October, now is the time to begin the change to H-1B status.

"Please keep in mind that it takes 12 weeks to process an H-1B through the appropriate government agencies," Strout said.