An MOSFET device having a Silicide layer of uniform thickness and which is substantially free of “Spotty” NiSi-type holes, and methods for its fabrication, are provided. One such method involves simultaneously depositing a metal layer (e.g. Ni) over the active and open areas of a semiconductor substrate. The depth to which some or all of the metal is transferred into the substrate is determined by thermal budget. A rapid thermal annealing process is employed to produce a NiSi layer of a uniform thickness in both the active and open areas. Upon achieving a NiSi layer of a desired thickness, the excess metal is removed from the substrate surface.