On Tuesday, US technology and other companies submitted around 200,000 visa applications for highly skilled foreign workers in hopes of securing one of the limited 65,000 H-1B visas available annually. These visas allow US companies to hire specialized foreign workers for three years, with the possibility of extension for an additional three years. Last year, the US government received 120,000 applications in just one day, leaving many qualified candidates, like German national civil engineer Sven, without a visa. Sven, who requested his last name not be disclosed for privacy reasons, is planning to participate in the H-1B visa lottery again this year despite knowing the slim chances of success. The 33-year-old, who spent eight years studying civil engineering at a German university, compares winning the lottery to hitting the jackpot. Upon learning about the large number of applicants last year, he was surprised. Although his company has been supportive by covering legal fees and assisting with documentation, Sven is disappointed that luck plays such a significant role in determining whether he can work in the United States. This year, it is anticipated that the chances of obtaining an H-1B visa will be even lower. Experts predict around 200,000 applications to be submitted on the first day that the 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 used a computerized lottery system to allocate visas, giving all applicants an equal chance of selection. According to tech companies, the high demand for visas highlights the necessity for the industry to utilize foreign resources. This puts U.S. companies like Cisco at a competitive disadvantage if they are unable to recruit the most talented workers. Companies in science, technology, engineering, and technology sectors believe the current system is a dilemma because the U.S. does not have enough qualified candidates and restricts companies from hiring foreign workers. Ensuring the right policies are in place is crucial for the U.S. to stay competitive and maintain economic well-being. Jacob Sapochnick, an immigration lawyer in San Diego, is handling numerous visa applications for employers and workers in various industries, including high tech, science, marketing, and even culinary arts. Last year, Sapochnick submitted around 200 applications and approximately half of them were approved for visas. This year, the situation is even more uncertain as USCIS has announced that they will not close the application window for five business days. Sapochnick anticipates that about 300,000 applications will be submitted during this time. He described the situation as almost comical. The National Association of Manufacturers has called for a permanent solution to address the demand for highly skilled workers in manufacturing and other industries. In 2000, the quota for H-1B visas was increased to 195,000 per year but was rarely filled. However, as the tech industry declined, the quota was reduced to 65,000. Tech companies have been pushing for Congress to increase the quota, but labor groups are against it, believing it would harm job opportunities for American workers. Around one-third of Microsoft's U.S. employees have needed visa assistance, with the company submitting approximately 1,200 H-1B visa applications last year and receiving around 900 approvals. This year, Microsoft is aiming to increase its odds in the lottery by submitting approximately 1,600 applications. According to Krumholtz, the company is looking to fill between 3,000 and 4,000 positions but only expects about 40 percent, or 640 visas, to be approved by their internal immigration team. Attorney Bob Gaynor, who specializes in immigration law in Boston, has clients who are concerned about their chances of obtaining H-1B visas due to the high number of applications expected, including from dentists, intellectual property experts, engineers, and accountants from various countries. Gaynor predicted that around 200,000 applications will be submitted on Tuesday. Gaynor expressed her sadness and acknowledged the significant contribution that these people make to the country's business climate.