On Tuesday, US technology and other companies submitted roughly 200,000 visa applications for skilled foreign workers, competing for just 65,000 H-1B visas. These visas allow US companies to hire foreign workers for specialized jobs for up to six years. Last year, the government received 120,000 applications on the first day, leaving many like Sven, a German civil engineer in San Diego, without luck. Sven, who requested to keep his last name confidential for privacy reasons, will once again participate in the H-1B visa lottery this year, despite being aware of the slim chances of success. The 33-year-old, who spent eight years studying civil engineering at a German university, likened winning the visa lottery to hitting the jackpot. He was surprised by the high number of applicants last year. Sven's employer has been supportive, covering legal fees and assisting with paperwork. However, Sven is disappointed that his future in America hinges on luck. This year, it is expected that the chances of receiving an H-1B visa will be even lower. Experts predict that around 200,000 applications will be submitted on the first day that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) begins accepting visa petitions for the fiscal year starting on October 1, 2008. According to Jack Krumholtz, managing director of federal government affairs for Microsoft Corp, individuals offered jobs are at the mercy of a lottery system. Last year, USCIS closed the application window after two days and selected visa recipients through a computerized lottery system, giving all applicants an equal chance of being chosen. However, technology companies argue that the high demand for visas highlights the necessity for the industry to utilize foreign talent. Heather Dickinson, a spokesperson for Cisco Systems Inc., stated that without access to the best and brightest workers, U.S. companies like Cisco are at a disadvantage. Companies specializing in science, technology, engineering, and technology sectors believe that the current system is a dilemma: there is a lack of qualified domestic job candidates, yet companies are unable to bring in foreign workers. It is crucial for the U.S. to address this issue in order to remain competitive and ensure economic prosperity. Immigration lawyer Jacob Sapochnick is handling approximately 150 visa applications this year for employers and workers in various industries, emphasizing the challenges faced by businesses in hiring skilled professionals from overseas. Last year, Sapochnick filed approximately 200 applications for visas and about half were approved. This year, the situation is even more uncertain as the USCIS has announced that they will not be closing the application window for five business days. Sapochnick anticipates that around 300,000 applications will be submitted during this time period. He described the situation as almost comical. The National Association of Manufacturers has urged for a permanent solution to address the demand for highly skilled workers in manufacturing and other industries. There used to be a balance between supply and demand for H-1B visas, but this changed in 2000 when the quota was raised to 195,000 per year. However, as the tech industry declined, the quota was reduced to 65,000. Tech companies are pushing for an increase in the quota, but labor groups are against it, saying it would negatively impact job opportunities for American workers. Around one-third of Microsoft's U.S. employees have needed visa assistance, with the company submitting 1,200 H-1B visa applications last year and receiving 900 approvals. This year, Microsoft is aiming to increase its likelihood of success in the lottery by submitting around 1,600 applications. According to Krumholtz, the company has 3,000 to 4,000 core job openings that they are looking to fill. However, only about 40 percent, or 640 visas, are expected to be approved by the company's internal immigration staff. Boston-based attorney Bob Gaynor, who specializes in immigration law, shared that his clients applying for H-1B visas this year are concerned about their chances in the selection process. Gaynor represents professionals from various countries such as India, Australia, and Germany, and estimates that there will be about 200,000 applications flooding the system on Tuesday. Gaynor expressed sadness and stated that the individuals in question make a significant contribution to the economic environment of the country.