The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has made 20,000 additional H-1Bs available for start dates prior to October 1, 2005. Until this development, all new Fiscal Year 2005 H-1Bs had been exhausted, making it impossible to obtain a new H-1B visa classification for a prospective worker until at least October 1, 2005. Only graduates of U.S. master's or higher programs are eligible for this new 20,000 allotment. It is expected that the full 20,000 may be accounted for by the end of the first day of availability, making it prudent to file on May 12, 2005.