US Citizenship and Immigration Services received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions as of June 11, 2012 to reach the statutory cap for Fiscal Year 2013. A sufficient number of petitions also have been received to reach the statutory cap for those with advanced degrees. This means that no first-time H-1B petitions will be considered for those seeking H-1B specialty occupation status until April 1, 2013, for employment beginning October 1, 2013. Employers may, and are encouraged to, apply beginning April 1, 2013. Generally, those individuals with existing H-1B status may apply for extensions without regard to the statutory cap.