H1-B visas...The flood gates open today

I woke up today this morning in Redmond, Seattle. Yes, I'm here for a meeting with my company's Microsoft account managers.

I mention this because National Public Radio (NPR) ran a story that made me very grateful. Today, companies like Microsoft file work visa applications for highly-specialized people from outside of the US. People like me!

The application is highly over-subscribed. There are only 65,000 a year (unless you have a Masters degree which opens up a special quota of an additional 20,000 visas) and in previous years the government ceased accepting applications in one day and resorted to a lottery to chose who received a visa...Scary!

Good luck to everyone who is seeking a job in the US. It's not getting easier...and did anyone mention the word...'recession' aka 'contraction of the economy'?!