H-1B limit reached for 2007

The U.S. government has received enough applications for the controversial H1-B foreign worker visa program to fill its 2007 cap, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced Thursday.

May 26 was the last day the agency accepted applications for the program, used by many U.S. companies to fill tech-related jobs. Program advocates say it helps companies hire foreign workers with hard-to-find skills. Companies could first apply for 2007 H-1Bs on April 1.

One tech trade group said the early fill-up shows the need for more H-1Bs. The application cap comes earlier this year than last year, when the limit was reached in August, a month and a half before the 2006 fiscal year began.