HIGH DEMAND: The Homeland Security Department expects applications for high-skilled immigration visas to outpace the available supply in a matter of days.

RECOVERY SIGNAL: The race to secure one of the 85,000 much-sought-after work permits is expected to be one of the fastest in years and a sign of continued economic recovery amid new hiring by U.S. technology companies. Visas applications for the 2014 budget year started Monday and will be accepted through at least Friday.