Washington: For the first time after 2008, a computerised draw of lots is going to decide on successful H-1B applicants, as a federal US agency has announced that it has received more petitions than the Congressional mandated quota on the most sought-after work visas for IT professionals.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Friday announced that it would no longer accept applications for the H-1B visas for the fiscal year 2014 beginning October 1, 2013, the Congressional mandated cap for which is 65,000 as it has received sufficient applications for this.

The USCIS has also received more than 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on behalf of persons exempt from the cap under the advanced degree exemption.

"The USCIS will use a computer-generated random selection process (commonly known as the "lottery") for all FY 2014 cap-subject petitions received through April 5, 2013," the statement said. "The agency will conduct the selection process for advanced degree exemption petitions first.

All advanced degree petitions not selected will be part of the random selection process for the 65,000 limit," said USCIS, which started accepting the applications on Monday.

Due to the high number of petitions received, USCIS is not yet able to announce the exact day of the random selection process.

Also, USCIS also did not provide the total number of petitions received, noting that it continued to accept filings Friday.

The USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions that are otherwise exempt from the cap, the statement said.