I"m surprised only 124,000 applications were received. I was expecting the number to cross 200K. It gives more 85,000/124,000 probability which means slightly more than 68% of the people have chances of getting the H1B Visa.
Not quite 68% because there are two categories: 20,000 for advanced degree holders and another 65,000. There is an initial lottery between the advanced degree holders for the 20,000, and then the unsuccessful people go into the regular lottery. Don't know if the figures were released for the number of advanced degree holders who applied, but assuming the cap here was also met, the chances in the main lottery would be 65,000/114,000 = 57%
Ok that makes sense but then it's not 57% either for all of them since some people would end up getting a shot at the lottery twice.
Between 2008 and 2012(?) they didn't fill the quota at all. Prior to the recession the quota would be filled on the first day.
That number is for last year. There is no information about this year.