As we have done in previous years, we will track all the H1B visa FY 2016 news and cap count updates on this page. Did you apply for FY 2016 ? Please add your case info to H1B Visa Case Tracker. It is community driven by applicants like you and gives everyone bigger picture on where others petitions are to speak to their employers, USCIS and attorneys, if you feel it is delayed or something is not right.
Update : We are in H1B FY 2017 Season, Check out H1B Visa 2017 Cap Count Updates, News
H1B 2016 News Updates ( Latest on top ) :
- July 14th, 2015 : Official : USCIS announced that it has returned all the petitions that were not selected in lottery for FY 2016. They mentioned that, if you filed a petition for FY 2016 during Apri 1st and 7th, but did not hear anything from USCIS by July 20th, 2015, then you can contact them for details on your case. Check official press release
- May 20th, 2015 : Unofficial : H1B Petitions not selected in lottery have started to return from USCIS. One of our user reported that his H1B package was returned. See below. Check out Sample H1B Rejection Letters
- May 4th, 2015 : Official : USCIS announced that they have completed data entry of all the H1B petitions that were selected in the lottery and receipted them as well. They will start to return those petitions that were not selected in lottery. Read H1B News Alert and Analysis
- April 23th, 2015 : Students on F1 status were reaching out DSO, who in turn checks SEVIS for inquiring about their H1B case details and lottery decision. SEVIS updated that their system is experiencing high call volumes and gave guidance to DSOs to instruct students to check with their employers for H1B receipt numbers and check status on USCIS website. Read H1B Lottery Results – SEVIS Updates DSO. Below is the email sent to SEVIS users.
Source : ILW : ( http://discuss.ilw.com/content.php?4315-News-SEVIS-Asks-Students-to-Contact-USCIS-for-H-1B-Petition-Inquiries )
- April 21st, 2015 : Unofficial update : USCIS has started to send out premium processing receipt notices. Attorneys have confirmed that they are receiving premium processing petitions receipts, also our H1B case tracker is updated with many updating that they are selected in lottery and waiting for case number. You may read H1B 2016 Premium, Regular processing Time
- April 14th, 2015 : USCIS released a news alert saying that they will begin premium processing from April 27th, 2015. What it means is that the the 15 day count starts from April 27th now, instead of May 11th. Read Details on H1B 2016 Premium processing Alert .
- April 13th, 2015 : Official Update : USCIS received about 233,000 for H1B FY 2016 quota and completed computer generated random selection. USCIS conducted lottery on April 13th, first for US Masters quota to select 20,000 petitions and the ones not selected in this were added to the general quota pool to select 65,000 for FY 2016 cap. Read Summary of press release : 233,000 Petitions for FY 2016, Lottery Complete
- April 9th, 2015 ( 11 p.m. PDT) : No official update from USCIS on the H1B Lottery or cap count. In fact, there is no unofficial numbers or words even in the attorney’s community or AILA. Don’t be mislead by the false rumors spread by others on the blog as comments. Stay calm !
- April 7th, 2015 :
- USCIS Released a press note telling that the H1B visa 2016 cap has been reached. There were more petitions received by USCIS than required to meet the H1B cap of 65,000 + 20,000 petitions. USCIS is yet to announce the date of H1B lottery. Check out the Summary of USCIS H1B 2016 Cap Reached.
- April 6th, 2015 (9 AM EST):
- USCIS released a news alert on filing second petitions, when there are Delivery Service Errors. Essentially, USCIS is giving an option to file second petition, if the employer believes that there were issues with the delivery of the original petition filed due to the delivery service. The employer should include explanation for the reason of second petition, with the proof from delivery services, including a request to withdraw the original petition. Read USCIS H1B 2016 news alert Summary
- April 3rd, 2015 : No official or unofficial H1B cap count news from anyone.
- April 1st, 2015 : H1B 2016 season Starts Today !
- March 12th, 2015 : USCIS update – April 1st start Date for H1B FY 2016
Reference Articles related to H1B visa 2016 season :
- H1B Visa 2016 – FAQs – Quota, Sponsors, Cost, Start Date
- H1B Visa 2016 Lottery Predictions, Dates, Results
- How to plan for H1B Visa 2016 ?Step by Step Guide
- How to find H1B Visa Sponsors ?
- How does H1B Visa Lottery Work ?
H1B Visa 2016 Cap Count updates Tracking Table:
| USCIS Update Date | Regular H1B Cap (65,000) | Advanced Degree Cap (20,000) | Analysis and Cap Count Update Article. |
| April 7th, 2015 | 65,000 | 20,000 | H1B Cap Reached |
| April 14th 2015 | N/A | N/A | H1B Lottery Complete -Summary |
| Remaining H1B Cap | 0 | 0 |
What is ‘Initial review- waiting’ status for regular processing candidates in H1B tracker? For those who have mentioned waiting for lottery results is understood.
Thank you Mahi. Do you know what is the difference between premium and normal processing. both can work only from Ocotober 1st right? what is the advantage with premium process category?
Premium processing guarantee that it will process the visa petition within 15 days under this service. There is a $1,000 fee that your employer must pay to the USCIS for this service. Also, a separate phone number and e-mail address is provided for companies using the expedited processing to check on the status or ask questions.
Where as for Normal processing there is no SLA. they might process u r application between 27 APR to 1st OCT.
you can book interview slot only after july 1st.
Any idea after receiving approved petition, when can go for Visa stamping? before october or after? any idea?
You can go for stamping whenever you want. But you cannot travel back to the US until October 1st, unless you have another Visa.
Has anybody heard anything regarding his/her application status?
Has anybody heard anything regarding his/her application status?
From previous years pattern, by when are the candidates (petitioners) intimated weather there case has been selected in the “lottery”, what is the rough timeline-range.
Any pointers much appreciated.
Any idea how the computer selects petitions? Although it says “Random Selection”, how a computer can select petitions randomly unless user runs some algorithm?
I am first time H1B applicant and curious to know about the criteria used by USCIS in such algorithm.
Any thought?
From USCIS website, it states :-
“As announced on March 12, 2015, USCIS will begin premium processing for H-1B cap cases no later than May 11, 2015”
“On April 13, USCIS used a computer-generated random selection process, or lottery, to select enough petitions to meet the 65,000 general-category cap and the 20,000 cap under the advanced degree exemption”
Does it mean, lottery process is already completed and we have yet to get update via attorney ?
yes
How soon will you know that you were not selected?
Within two to three weeks maximum you will get answer.
When is the earliest we would find out if we weren’t selected in the lottery? For Masters that is.
233K! God bless all!
2,33,000 visas received & lottery conducted on April 13th. Just received an update from USCIS.
Official news on. uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-completes-h-1b-cap-random-selection-process-fy-2016
Just got news. 233K people applied for H1B visas. Lottery was completed already.
Part of the mail update received
USCIS received about nearly 233,000 H-1B petitions during the filing period, which began April 1, including petitions filed for the advanced degree exemption. On April 13, USCIS used a computer-generated random selection process, or lottery, to select enough petitions to meet the 65,000 general-category cap and the 20,000 cap under the advanced degree exemption. USCIS will reject and return all unselected petitions with their filing fees, unless the petition is found to be a duplicate filing.
USCIS received about nearly 233,000 H-1B petitions during the filing period, which began April 1, including petitions filed for the advanced degree exemption. On April 13, USCIS used a computer-generated random selection process, or lottery, to select enough petitions to meet the 65,000 general-category cap and the 20,000 cap under the advanced degree exemption. USCIS will reject and return all unselected petitions with their filing fees, unless the petition is found to be a duplicate filing.
233000 is the count, seems like lottery is done got an email prescribed for updates on USCIS website..
Looks like there is no official disclosure on count. it will be huge volume, thats reason its delaying. And it will be 1:5 for lottery. Rejection will be more 🙁
Everybody helping the USCIS counting gets a H1B for free… #lol#
Hi.. is the H1B visa tracker http://redbus2us.com/trackers/h1b-visa-tracker/ is Genuine. There are some cases with REGULAR quota | Regular processing type in initial review state.
Why this time Count is not disclosed this time is USIS going to proceed with Lottery without letting out Count Numbers.
Something Interesting with Numbers this time 🙂
Is today is the lottery date??
Nobody knows. We hope so…
Any news? count?… anything?
Hey Guys any update on the numbers..?
Nowhere anything to find. To be honest, it’s early Monday morning in the USA…
🙂 yup..
Why this lady says picked up in lottery 😛
http://redbus2us.com/trackers/h1b-visa-tracker/?caseid=14779
It’s from last year.
What is the meaning of below status in the community driven tracker?
Initial Review – 4
Approved – Visa Stamped – 1
Are they master degree or cap exempt?
Can you give me the link to the community driven tracker you mention?
Hi. My employer told me that the checks that she sent with my application were cashed. What does it mean? It seems too early.
Hmm … Are you sure? USCIS has not even updated their lottery date / no. of petitions filed.
I know, that is what I find strange but she said she checked with accounting. It seems too soon to be true.
This is not possible. Look at 9th April update in this link by Mr. Kumar. He too has confirmed that there is no update either by USCIS or AILA community. Be careful, there are a lot of swindlers out there. They can tell you anything just to keep u happy / from getting pestered by ur numerous enquiries. I hope u r not stuck with any fake consulting companies 😐
I know, that is why I found it strange. I am already working with my employer and I don’t talk to any consulting company. She just told me the checks were cashed. When she gave my application (and others) she asked for an affiliation with a university. I am thinking it could be the reason why they cashed it as if they accept it my application would not go through the lottery… I’ll wait and see!
Congrats! It means that your application has been selected and is being processed.
Thanks. I hope it is that but I am not getting my hopes up until I know for sure.
Hello, this is not true, even with premium applications also they will start processing after lottery is completed.
USCIS did not announced even the lottery date, once the lottery completed and if your application got picked in, then only the checque or whatever will get deducted.
Well, the checks got cashed. It is a fact. The question is why. I will wait and see.
Anna, your employer is not telling you the truth. USCIS is still yet to conduct lottery, there is no way they could receive even the case number, I don’t understand how they can have checks cashed.
Anna,
Could you please tell your employer name?
There is no reason for my employer to lie about it. Do you know how USCIS proceeds with the applications to get an affiliation? I think maybe they are examining the affiliation thing and it would be the reason they cashed the checks. If the affiliation is denied they would put the application in the lottery so they need to deal with it first. That is the only explanation I can find to explain why the checks were cashed.
Which degree level do you have?
When can we expect the lottery to be held and the results declared ?
Any time frame ?
Hopeless waiting for latest update about the lottery 🙁 What a stressful period.
Agree. I feel double anxious due to the wait for both H1B and OPT STEM.
Just came to know that this year application approached to 300K.
haha.. good joke..
300k? Still anyone working in India? #lol# sorry….
You are right, people are filing multiple petitions from diff. Consultants. I cant see any justice for deserving people..
When are the final nos of application expected to be released officially?
hopefully on 10th April like they did in last year.
The numbers would be really of interest. Checked some sites, nobody seams to know something detailed.
But why does the USCIS update talk about only advance degree cap? When are we suppose to know the the general catagory nos?
They haven’t mentioned anything for advanced degree cap either. Just that both types of caps have been exceeded.
USCIS has announced on their facebook page that 2016 H-1B cap has been reached…
Its official and the cap count reaches.Lottery to be conducted.
Fingers crossed
UPDATE: USCIS has reached the congressionally mandated H-1B cap for fiscal year (FY) 2016. We have received more than the limit of 20,000 H-1B petitions filed under the U.S. advanced degree exemption.
Damn, a lottery in the masters cap too..sigh…..
Did you got selected in lottery?
Cap reached without annoucing numbers
Cap reache . As expected. On USCIS site
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Hi Folks,
There is going to be around 205k applications this year.
That is the result of simple calculations based on myvisajobs.com LCA reports
Number of Certified LCA in 2015 – 455 082 (x)
Number of Certified LCA in 20154 – 382 767 (y)
USCIS received about 172,500 in 2014 (z)
(z/y)*x = 205 000
Considering new H4 law , there is probably gonna be a small decrease in above number! Hope so!
My Prediction is 185000!
Good analysis Igor ! Totally in-line with our H1B 2016 predictions
Hi, did the cap reach already for this year? Can we still apply?
Could not find LCA count information on myvisajobs.com.. Please post the link.
Hope will be knowing the totall applications by 7 EOB day.
My company wipro successfully sent 9124 petitions for this year. Last year they filed 4678 petitions out of which 2812 petitions got through lottery, they are targeting minimum 4 K approved H1s this year. If strategy is similar for infosys , TCS , cogni , acce too. then total numbers might go as high as 300 K
Yes this time applications filed under H1B will be quiet more than last year. How ever let’s wait for USCIS first word update on this anything can happen most of applications will be filed from Indian IT services based companies like infosya, TCS, Wipro and etc.
how do u know that it is more than last year ?
Looks like the number of cases filed is less compared to last year. Hope everyone is filing single and valid applications so that we all can get through.
Not sure about it. My point of view: 2014 lottery was a surprise/mistake for many, 2015 lottery a kind of “Ups, once again?” Okay, there are some hints that the number of applications could be very high this year. Have a look at the webseite of “Immigration Girl” for example, she predicts a high number as well, but her service became very popular over time. On the other hand there are some really interseting facts to find on this website that could lead to other (lower) predictions.
What makes you say that the number of applications filed is less this year? Based on previous years, USCIS won’t announce whether the cap has been exceeded until the 7th April at the earliest, and will give an indication of how many applications were received on around the 10th April.
Even no need can be good news.
Hi,
After forcing and following up a lot. My application is almost ready today (2rd April). My future consultancy has promised to send it tomorrow i.e. 3rd April 2016.
Hey, could anyone confirm if that’ll cause any problem in getting filed this year or application not reaching USCIS on time.
Appreciate your responses.
As long as it reach in first five business days, all the applications are considers the same. Your case is fine.
Don’t worry our application was sent on 4th April. As long as it reaches the USCIS by 7th April, we should be good
are you sure, its 7th april ?. I heard its 5th April ie today?
when will i know the results? at the end of April?
Do you mean the lottery result ? or the Approval/Denial Status.
For PP, lottery result should know by end of April latest. For RP it make take until july. Last year, my case under RP tool until July. However not picked.
thanks! yes, i told about lottery result…sorry, could u please explain what is PP & RP :3
оh! burst of inspiration! predictions: passed & rejected!
i’m genius!))))
ps: sad, that your wasn’t picked…i wish you luck!
RP = regular processing and PP = premium processing
Is it normal for shipping companies like FedEx and UPS to be overloaded with packages during this time of the year?
Hope this is not a 3 month wait….get it done with real quick 🙂
We all wish it would be quick 🙂
Looking forwaard to the first 5 days result!!! 🙂 fingers crossed
Stay positive … Good Luck !