Updated : November 25th, 2015
H1B Visa 2016 Filing Season Complete, Cap reached on April 7th, 2015.
Planning for next H1B season, Check out H1B Visa 2017 FAQs
As many of you know, H1B Visa 2015 quota was over in the first week and a whopping 172,500 H1B petitions were received in first week by USCIS. H1B Lottery / random selection was held by USCIS to select 85,000 H1B petitions to fulfil the work permit cap. Many of the unlucky ones are already wondering about next year H1B Visa quota. Also, some of you are planning for H1B visa for next year, you also would be wondering regarding the same. This article addresses many of the common questions, it will be updated constantly, whenever any changes to info. Bookmark this page ! To start with, firstly the news updates on this season, followed by many commonly asked questions.
Official & Unofficial USCIS News Updates Regarding H1B 2016 Season
- November 25th, 2015 : There is no special news as such, but we have our readers reporting that their H1Bs are still being approved that were under regular processing. So, if your status is stuck at one status, there is still some hope…
- July 14th, 2015 : USCIS released a note saying that they have returned all the petitions that were not selected in lottery for FY 2016. If you do not hear back from USCIS by July 20th, then you can contact them. Check Press note
- May 4th, 2015 : Data Entry for Selected H1B Petitions Completed
- April 14th, 2015 : Premium Processing H1B 2016 starts from April 27th
- April 13th, 2015: USCIS receives 233,000 for FY 2016 Lottery complete.
- April 7th, 2015: H1B Cap Reached for FY 2016. Summary of USCIS News
- April 6th, 2015: Guidance to file Second Petition, if Delivery Service Errors
When will the H1B season for fiscal 2016 begin ?
USCIS will accept petitions for H1B Visa 2016 season starting from April 1st, 2015. USCIS did a press release on March 12th outlining the details. Read summary of press release by USCIS on H1B 2016 .
Will there be lottery again for H1B Visa 2016 ? Predictions ?
We had lottery for FY 2015 and FY 2014. The total number of petitions filed for FY 14 were about 125,000 and for FY 2015, there were about 172,500 petitions… As H1B Quota did not increase for FY 2016, and the demand does not seem to decrease, we would very likely have lottery for FY 2016. Read H1B Visa 2016 Lottery Predictions, Dates, Results
What is the H1B Visa quota Cap Count ? Would there be any changes to H1B 2016 count ?
H1B Visa quota cap count is the total number of petitions that USCIS will accept for a fiscal year to provide temporary work permit for highly skilled workers. For the 2016 fiscal year, the cap count is as below :
- Regular H1B Quota : 65,000
- H1B Masters Degree Quota ( only US Degrees) : 20,000
- Out of the above, a total of 6,800 is usually set aside for Singapore and Chile citizens as part of the free trade agreement between them.
As per the press release in March 2015, the quota did not increase. To give some background, as per the Obama executive action in Nov 2014, no changes were announced to the H1B Cap count. There was proposal in 2013 to increase H1B cap from 65,000 to 110,000 and Masters quota to increase from 20,000 to 25,000 did not go through as of March 2015. At least, for this FY 2016 season, the quota is fixed and it will be as above and no changes.
When should I start planning for H1B Visa 2016 ? What are the steps ?
It depends on your situation. Below are few scenarios and your plan.
- If you are a student on F1 Visa in USA, you need to plan for your internship/ CPT or OPT employment at a company that can sponsor your H1B Visa for FY 2016. In my view, you should start now to find something for the fall 2014 and continue that for next spring so that you can file for FY 2016
- If you are in other country and planning for H1B, it is good to start your process around the end of this year 2014. It will give you enough time to find sponsors, search for job, etc.
- If you are on H4, L1 or other visa in USA and planning for H1B for FY 2016, you also should consider looking around end of this year i.e. December 2014.
We have published step by step plan, you can read the article How to plan for H1B Visa 2016 ?Step by Step Guide
Most asked Question – How do I Find H1B Sponsors for FY 2016 ?
This is a million dollar question ! One of the biggest challenges is to find a good sponsor that can offer you a job and wait for you to start work after 6 months of filing your petition. You should review the detail article on How to find H1B Sponsors for FY 2015. Your first place of start is to find the H1B Sponsors in an area or by company. Use our H1B Visa Sponsors Database to search and filter. Read this article on details on how to search in our H1B Sponsor database. We keep the database updated as DOL publishes data. Do NOT share your email or phone number on our website as comments, there are many people do H1B Sponsorship fraud by requesting money using your contact info. RedBus2US.com never provides personal guidance on H1B sponsors or seeks money from anyone, we only display publicly available data on our H1B Sponsors Database page. We DO NOT sponsor H1Bs or guide anyone. Beware of H1B sponsorship Fraud !
What about Comprehensive Immigration Reform ( CIR) – H1B Visa Changes ? What are they ?
There have been some proposed changes to the H1B Visa program to cater to the demand in the US economy as part of the Comprehensive Immigration reform. Below are some of the proposed changes.
- H1B Cap to be increased from 65,000 to 110,000 per year. Also have provisions to have it up to 180,000 in case of extreme demand.
- Advanced degree from US cap quota to increase from 20,000 to 25,000
- The Filing fee for H1B could go up to 10,000 USD
- Additional H1B rules to avoid H1B Visa fraud by employers
- Mandatory LCA posting for 30 days before it is certified.
These were proposed in 2013, but nothing has moved significantly and all the above are just proposed rules. We are not sure when they will be implemented. You can read Summary of CIR – Immigration reform – H1B Visa and Green Card to get an idea. The latest update is that Obama has taken executive action on Immigration in Nov 2014 and none of the below are included as part of that. Stay tuned for updates.
H1B Visa 2016 Fees – Any changes ? How much does it cost ?
There are various components of the fee. The H1B Application filing fee could range anywhere from $1,600 USD to $4,400 depending on the size of the company. The attorney fee can range from $500 to $3000 depending on the attorney. If you apply for premium processing that is another $1,225. The fees has not changed in the past couple of years for FY 2014 and FY 2015. Unless USCIS revises fee based on immigration reform, it should be same. We will keep you all posted. For complete details of the fee by components and break up, read the article H1B Visa Fees and Who Pays for What ?
H4 Visa EAD rule impact on H1B Visa 2016 Season ?
As you know, certain H4 visa holders are now eligible for EAD. The H4 Visa EAD Rule Passed earlier in 2015 and is effective from May 26, 2015. USCIS will start accepting applications for EAD from those eligible H4 visa holders starting from May 26th. The question is that will that have an impact on number of H1B petitions for this fiscal year ? It very likely will have certain impact on the number of H1B applications that are filed for this year 2016 quota. Many of the H4 holders, who would now be eligible for EAD, may not apply for H1B visa, just because it gives them more flexibility to work and more choices to work as well. We would have to wait and see, how much of an impact that would have, but it is very straightforward and no brainer for eligible H4 visa holder to avoid the H1B processing.
H1B visa Premium Processing Changes to H1B Visa 2016 quota ?
USCIS updated in their press release that the premium processing will be accepted for FY 2016 quota and they will only begin that “no later than May 11, 2015”. What it means for the petitioners is that the official 15 day premium processing clock starts from May 11th, 2015 and their petition could be adjudicated within 15 days from May 11th, which would be May 26th, 2015. USCIS can process them earlier as well, but their new timeline is just indication for setting the right expectations to meet the stipulated time frame for premium processing.
Track H1B Visa 2016 Cap Count updates ?
As in previous years, we have created a page, where would track the cap count updates for FY 2016. You may check out H1B visa 2016 Cap Count Tracker.
While you wait, you can check out April 1st – USCIS H1B Visa 2016 Season Starts Today, When to expect Lottery ?
H1B Lottery Completed – Official Tweet and Press Release
USCIS Completes the H-1B Cap Random Selection Process for FY 2016 http://t.co/fQ6EPUb8Y4
— USCIS (@USCIS) April 13, 2015
H1B Cap Reached – Official USCIS Tweet and Link to Press release :
We have reached the congressionally mandated H-1B cap for FY 2016 http://t.co/RTja7POWYY — USCIS (@USCIS) April 7, 2015
Any other questions ?
I am currently in India and working for Company A. Company B applied for my h1b and it said My petition got picked in lottery.
I never had worked for company B and I am still working for company A. If i go for Visa stamping how should i respond when asked about company B
1) how long have you been working for company B and all ?
You say about your current company experience and that you new company is sponsoring you and it would be a new job for you…simple…i did that…
#1 You are not in US and not working for the company. How on earth did you convince them to file for H1B? Please to share your profile. Curious.
Good initiative. I will support.
thanks
Big salute to you.
i still believe that i will hear the good news , i will wait until my package returns.I am hoping a miracle will definitely happen in my life, the people around me still believes more than me that i will visa this year.
Many people believe for me as well but reality is that only 1 in every 3 applications will be selected. Almost 139000 applications will be rejected. So only lucky few with single petitions will get it. Otherwise lot of cheats, thugs, and undeserving people with multiple petitions are getting it. I am waiting till May end for final results to know my fate. Till that time wait and watch.
Between I have a strong feeling that everything would be complete by May 15. Only a few changes here and there will see a lucky few getting it in May end or June as well. Those who got their petitions back have no chance whatsoever. So the key is to wait till you get your petition back.
Guys any hope for AD/RP ??
just today check- SEVIS Not Updated Yet,
Dont know about check, employer didnt provide check details?
oh my God, I am feeling sad …. and crying right now.
plz god help me…..
plz share if you have any info…..plz dont play with emotions… everyone will have good and bad time….
may be hope, but not sure.
Expert please help on this. ad/rp cases chances?
cts any info. please update here.
Can anyone genuinely confirm whats the last date to expect a positive response on the Non-AD RP VT receipts?
Please no rumours, comment only if you know about it and certain…
I guess you should be Close to Deaf* or Blind*! I am pretty sure you must have gone through numerous posts with different people telling you different deadlines. If there is something you can learn from that, it is just no one know anything for sure except USCIS – which does not give out any confirmed news on any last dates for receipts. Here you are again asking the same question with another word “genuinely” in it.
Come on! Get that to your head or a** or wherever your brain is! No-one, I mean no-one can confirm that. Guessing from your previous comments, I guess the best way you will get it is if you take a print of this comment and stick it up your butt!
Hii guys
Just received mail from employer.. Got receipt notice… Feeling blessed!!
All d best to all who are waiting and are genuine applicants…
This forum has been a source of support all d time…
it is done.
April and May – 2 months of waiting
April- Waited for receipts
May – Waiting for package to start plan B
This system s**ks..
wait until your pacakge returns, mine is second time, i see miracles happen to some of company people from past three years, if you really have luck in your life it will happen even at last moment.keep hopes until your package returns.i see a miracle from my company last year to one my collegue, everyone file was returned but except his file, and suddenly in june 1st week, we came to know his file picked in lottery and everything was +tive after that.
But you have to be super lucky for that..
a person who always lucky is not the real lucky one, luck is something which comes at the right time in life and thus it changes everything after that.
Guys any hope for AD/RP ??
just today check- SEVIS Not Updated Yet,
Dont know about check, employer didnt provide check details?
no hope
JEVS, really?
oh my God, I am done…. and crying right now.
plz god help me…..
You are not a child. You need face stress, not cry.
when is the next batch of mail coming out?
if there is one so,what would be the count?
Second timers pls comment
no idea… any one knows when next mails will be triggered??
my friends got some news today that their cheques enchased for Non AD/RP/VT, even i am waiting, i think next week will be last to keep hopes.
Non ad rp vt..any hopes left..my employer says wait till may 15th..cheque status :unknowwn
Your employer need tell you wait until next year.
I think it’s all over now.
Total Applications – 233000
H1B Visa available – 85000
Number of applications to be sent back – 148000
Out of the above if say 10% is also denied. And they have reserve list then another 8500 applications can be accommodated.
picking your application in these 8500 is real luck, so wait until your package returns.
It was 30.5% to begin with and now it is like 35% for Non AD/RP. But still its low considering 70% in FY2014 and 50% in FY2015. So for FY2017 I think it would be 10% if the trend continues.
FY2014 – 70% chance
FY2015 – 50% chance
FY2016 – 30% chance
FY2017 – 10% chance 😛
FY2018 – Only AD were selected 95% and 5% Non AD/RP were selected
The past is the indication of the future for H1B 😀
Is it over for non ad/rp
I just checked with my employer and the check has not been cashed.
Everyday I check this site for any remaining hope that my petition is still being processed but today I’ve lost all my hopes.
I’m a genuine applicant who got an engineering degree from US and got a high-paying job here and is making/saving millions of dollars for my company but now I have to stop what I’m doing and go back to school for my masters just because someone has a better luck than I do.
How long have you been working i.e. making/saving dollars for your company and on what visa were you working for so long that you are out of luck now.
Ask your employer to file GC if they need you so much.
I have been working for my employer with CPT, OPT, and OPT STEM extension for three years now.
I didn’t apply for H1b last year since I wanted to do masters but later my family situation didn’t allow me to stop working.
If my employer files for GC, can I work when it is pending? Don’t I have to wait for priority date to be current?
Yes you are right. In your situation it will be difficult. I can understand your pain. But you should have tried last year. It was a better situation than this year.
guys any one received from cts? is there any hope left for non-ad/vt?
any one calld helpdesk?
This is the third time I am applying for h1b. I started applying it from the year 2013. No luck yet I lost my hope for this year also, probably US is not the destined place for me.
All the three years I came here and got valuable information. Have even dreamt of adding a comment that I have got it through.
Thanks everyone and good luck for your future.
Loser,
Ram
Really. Nothing to say!!!
Any hopes for non ad/RP/VT
guys is there any hope now?? this is my second time…. really frustrated….
priti u ,me and there are so many people like us are on the same boat.. lets hope for the best. Only thing we can do is waiting…
Guys,
My employer says they have processed 110 applications and the cash got deducted for 30 to 35 applications. But since they didnt get the receipts yet from USCIS they dont know who is actually got selected. Is that the true statement??
Every application will have a check number. So your employer is not giving information as to who got selected. Its that simple
Thanks man…
Anyone in Chicago receive receipts
I got
@Admin
Your lottery predictions and useful info in this blog has been really helpful.Can you post your educated guess here based on your experiences from previous years.Till wen are non ad/rp receipts expected?
@Cts guys:
Any info from git team?
We all are running the last lap…
This is my 2nd time.I am a genuine candidate and with only 1 application filed.Any news(unofficial) giving a ray of hope wud also be helpful.
Jai mata di!!!!
Could anyone please let me know if u got any updates from Value consulting??
How does that matter if I have an AD or not?
Value Consulting is just another bodyshop consulting company which sends inexperienced resources with a cooked up resume. Have seen profiles from this company while interviewing for positions. Just do not keep ranting here! Such ABC and XYZ consultancies should all be closed down to make things work better.
if its not cashed then its not picked, you might wanna wait 1 more week and then set your plan B. Or wait till packet returns, good luck!!!
Don’t need one more week. No hope . next year.
Dear god i need H1b this year please bless me with H1B
My online status just updated to approved. This was my third and last attempt (otherwise I would have had to either go back to school or relocate with work to Europe). Good luck to everyone still waiting! And if luck is not on your side this year, make sure you have a plan B.
Breaking News:
I have not heard anything about the approval of my petition and I don’t deserve to go to US.
This year my employer applied for me and I am cursing myself for that now…
Approval or about receiving receipt.Are u PP.
Just got information from employer that no more regular processing receipts NOW onwards. Guys time for plan b.
Unless your employer is USCIS, he cannot by any means declare that there are no more regular processing receipts. The only possibility is that your package already returned and he does not want to disclose that to you. But as far as everyone else is concerned, your employer cannot decide jacks**t
. I know some of you guys have received your notices even for regular ones. USCIS mentions they started PP on April 28th , now I am hearing some of you guys they will start PP on May 11. Attorney firms like Murthy say May 11. Which one is true . Please stop confusing others….
Hi. I suggest you read USCIS’ s response again. It says that USCIS will start processing NO LATER than 11 May 2015. Which means they can start processing anytime before that but not later than 11 may 2015
Then they announced that PP will start no later than April 27th? What are we talking about here?
Hi. I believe you got the lottery and processing dates mixed up. Uscis clearly state on this website,” USCIS will begin premium processing for H-1B cap cases no later than May 11, 2015. ” please google the statement and it will bring you to what USCIS said.
The initial announcement was for May 11th. Then, USCIS revised that announcement and updated the start processing day for PP to April 27th. It is posted on their website as well as on this page (scroll up). Therefore, all PP applicants should either get an approval or receive an RFE by May 11 (15 calendar days from April 27th). I just received my approval minutes ago.
Thanks for clearing the confusion , the Wait continues …..
Anyone from DW Practice LLC got it? I lost hope today.
Still have hope…. please say it to me…
By when should we hear back about the processing decision for PP cases? Is it this Monday or did something change?
Total Applications – 233000
H1B Visa available – 85000
Number of applications to be sent back – 148000
Out of the above if say 10% is also denied. And they have reserve list then another 8500 applications can be accommodated.
In that case total applications to be returned will be 139500.
Next year I am thinking if the H4 EAD rule is not available the total applications will be around 285000 😛
Is this the official web that we check our h1b status?
https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do
Dear TCSers,
Any update from FDFU or ISU RMG?Please do post here.thanks
All details are ready with them…Awaiting..
Details have not shared with all FDFU yet.
Expected date to release..Any idea!!!
Thats it , its all over for regular processing/non-ad
I don’t even know how to open Excel or use ALM QA tools . but I drive a benz and I got kids in college . I got a nice life with good job . And last of all I got my H1B approved last year. Just here to troll you guys . Burnn !! lol :p
Seriously guys , I am fed up of this system
Please.. stop this type of nonsense and fake chatting.. look for another blog!!Get out of here.We are tracking everything…
You are fed up of a system in a country which is not yours. Good.
Anyone who knows how the REF was sent to the attorney, by mail or email?
I checked my case 2 days ago, it shows requiring additional evidence.
My attorney hasn’t reply my inquiring.
Very anxious.
RFE is sent through Mail.
I have also got RFE.Yes my attorney got the notice my fax and she said she responded as well.If its premium it comes by fax ,otherwise by mail.
thanks. Mein is Premium.
I emailed my attorney 2 days ago. No response.
The case status shows: “Request for Additional Evidence Notice Was Mailed.”
I didn’t get through lottery last year, use CPT to work, and applied h1b this year, got picked in the lottery, now got REF.
So dont worry your attorney might have received it by fax the same day .I got my RFE notice within hours of the status change to request for additional evidence.Also attorney’s should let the beneficiary know what rfe is that?
Can u tel us what is the rfe about?
Asking for additional evidence. I don’t know what USCIS is asking for? Haven’t got reply from my attorney.
most of the people lost hope it seems, comments became very low in this site, it seems this year is a frustated year those who missed h1b chance.
i am also very unlucky, upto neaxt year april again. next year it may reach 3L it seems.
Next year again? Believe me I am at the point that I dont want H1B anymore.Being in the same poll with these fake people is just an insult.Let the government give them the opportunity then they will have to deal with the mess.
BTW which country you are from?
I am Turkish!
Let the US of A get filled up with the fake ’10+ years experienced’ consultants from the special state(s) of India. Let the desperate housewives convert from H4 to H1 and start cheating more companies and clients!
I guess its over for me since I havent heard anything by today and my check was still not en-cashed.Monday I am going to my lawyer and find out what I am gonna do since my company doesnt want me to stop working.Most likely they will start my green card process.
I have nothing to say to people who got selected with out deserving the h1b visa,I have nothing to say to those who pay to the consulting to get sponsorship.May GOD deal with them.
I am going through this because of this broken system however, god will always open another door so stay calm and make right decisions.
Look on the bright side, having a greencard is so much better in my humble opinion! These days, not many companies will sponsor that!
Well,I am happy my company sees my dedication and hard work.I believe it will work out since I have nothing fake about my background and education.it just takes time and the frustration will be there during process but things will get better.
Hey, Hi..I am also a genuine candidate desperately waiting for results..My company also does not want me to stop working …Please suggest me can they directly file my green card without hearing news about H1B..I am new to this process & your reply will be appreciated!
Well,I am going to figure out on Monday.my opt stem ext. will expire end of June and i need authorization to work during the process ,that’s all i need to figure out.good lawyers know a lot of things about how to speed up the procedure so my hope is that my lawyer will get things done fast and i will not have to give a break.
Hi, my STEM OPT is also expiring in june, and h1 not selected. My company is also fed up of the system and wants to file for a green card. But my lawyer told that f1 students dont have an ‘immigrant intent’ so it would be tough to convince USCISA about green card application. Let me know what other options are there if you find out from your lawyer, let me know about the green card process.
Thanks
well even if you apply for a GC you need to have a legal status in between (thats usually when f1 and j1 candidates apply for h1b to have a bridg in order to stay legal). and for indians the GC process can go up to 10 years.
You have got to be in an L or H status to be able to obtain GC.
Especially, L does not have option to extend your stay based on pending GC processing. So you have got to go through this lottery at one point unless your employer is filing your GC in EB1 category, or you are not an Indian/Chinese so you won’t have much waiting period.
Anybody got updates from 8kmiles?
One of my friend applied with 10 companies but got picked up by 1 only and approved now… seems they changed the algorithm to pick up only one by name..
It seems everything is seems in your comment. Seems like applying from ’10’ companies is itself questionable. And seems that they changing the algorithm to pick up only one by name is funny. As it seems, you’ve not been following this blog for too long. Because there seem to have multiple number of people who got picked in more than one application and seems they don’t know what to do in such cases.
AD California any updates guys????
No..I asked my international centre to give any SEVIS updates, they said due to security reason we can’t share the info with you.Seems like colleges are now prohibited to share these updates.No news so far from anywhere..although my attorneys have asked to wait for another 10days
Thanks for the reply. Yeah USCIS have sent a note to the universities to not let students know about their Sevis status.
I don’t know if we can still hope for the lottery receipt next week.
no checks cashed. my lawyer says mostly not selected
Same here. Still waiting.
Anybody from CTS got receipt today??
BA role is not a technical role.And you never know what is taught in a B school.So shut your mouth and pray for urself. Don’t interfere into others life. There are many useless engineers who dont even speak good english. How can they meet client and make presentations. I dont understand. U can just code ,run and test.
For those who got selected and are in H1B CAP-GAP till 9/30, do you know how to renew DL. The DMV does not accept my updated I-20, NOR receipt of H1B. USCIS told me they do not handle these cases? any suggestions, experience would be greatly og a help. thanks
Hi ,
I am not sure which state you are in but when I had similar situation . I went to DMV of my state (NJ) and explained to them . They gave me a SEVIS ID and told me to check the status online . Basically they had put in a request to DoL or USCIS to check my valid status . It got approved in 3-4 days and I went back to the same DMV and got my DL.
Thanks for your reply. I am in Texas. I went twice to mega center as advised by lawyer and in the first visit, officer said there is no information for you renew DL. I asked her to request status from SEVIS or USCIS, looked at me and said do that yourself. I contacted SEVIS, they say DMV should make request. I went again and talked with other officer. He said USCIS will send a letter in 10 days. I ask him, did you request it. he said no, it is automatically done. No letter yet. I went to USCIS, they said I should go to DHS. I am very tired of this? i am afraid i need to wait till October first?
Have you ever thought of going to a different DMV to try your luck? Also, ask to speak to the supervisor, if the clerks there refuse, and show them page 3 of your I20. The law states that you are legal on Cap-Gap. something like that. If they refuse, get your congressman involved!
Thanks again. I just thought of going to another DMV and when I was about I find that I lost my expired DL. Will they accept a copy of it to renew if we assume i get lucky this time.
Hey. My friend who has lost her DL arrived there and they looked up her info in their system and renewed it for her. But she is in the state of florida. Different state and county might have different requirement.. why don’t you call them up first to ask ?
hey guys, i got my receipt in AD/RP few weeks back, any idea when they will start processing it and approve it.
I know a person did BCS in Zoology, now he is working as Programmer for big MNC. He got H1B in 2013, He was my insperation for applying H1b this year.. and i got it.. 🙂