U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is currently preparing guidance for the implementation of the Omnibus Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2005 which created a new exemption from the annual H-1B congressionally mandated cap of 65,000 visas. While the applicable provisions of the H-1B Visa Reform Act become effective March 9, 2005, USCIS advises employers not to file H-1B petitions seeking to employ an H-1B worker who may benefit from these provisions until USCIS publishes guidance in the Federal Register. USCIS will reject any new H-1B petition that is filed in advance of the effective filing date as established in the forthcoming Federal Register notice.