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 ?
guys any one got mail from GIT team today??? pls update
nope… 🙁
Hi,
Is there any one from Genpact who got selected or waiting for news? Please update.
I guess even this time I didn’t make it, luck is giving me hard time in pursuit of H1B.
2 attempts all failures, feeling bad for myself. I guess will plan something else back home.
Anyways all the best for all successful H1B seekers. Keep up the good work!!!
Hello bro,
Keep your hopes until one more week minimum bro. Doors not yet closed. Relax and enjoy
Guys.. Please don’t loose the hope …jus read this article from Fragomen Global .. Genuine status on the h1b update…
fragomen.com/united-states-05-08-2015/
It seems that receipt number will be issued till end of this month and next month – rejected applicants – cash I’ll be refunded … Hope for the best and stay positive …
PS: For Deloitte Bangalore has tie up with Fragomen for h1b processing … All the Betsy best for all your future endeavors..
My was picked up and got the receipt number. Mine was Non Ad/RP.
This is the 2nd time I tried and this time my application got picked up in lottery. By what time we can expect the approvals and all for RP. Also I could we know whether ours work location will be direct at Employee and at client location can we get this by seeing the petition number.?
When yours is picked up today?
Hey Guys, I have been silently following this forum since last couple of months. Unfortunately I have not been selected this year in lottery. My employer told that they have received back my petition. I may try next year. I was genuine single applicant Regular-RP. My employer will now file L1, although it was rejected last time. Over 10 yrs experience, a solution architect working in a top 10 US company. Bit unhappy for not being lucky but life goes on…. may be something better is in waiting… good luck for all who are selected, hope everyone gets chance to land and work in US. Hopefully will come back to this forum if I apply next year… Thanks to everyone.. 🙂
You made my day dude… thank you very much….
Cant stop laughing seeing your posts…I hope this forum will provide a like option and a special page for you… JK
My company applied for 4 candidates. No results or no check encashed for any of us.. All of us are non AD/RP/VT
Any hopes left?
Company Name?
Same with my company. Any hopes still?
Rp non ad, any hopes left?
Hi guys, did GIT team send any receipt yesterday ? Is there any hope left ?
Nope, Nope.
No receipts received in the past 3 days for Cali service center…hope we may get them on monday or by today eod..
Will be there any signs fro GIT before releasing recipts?..waiting really kills
No Bro….wait for the email !!!!
Guts, any hopes for Non-ad/RP/VT ????
Anybody got updates from 8kmiles
Any update for PwC folks?
seems IBM notified lot of people yesterday with receipts..any one got from IBM pune/blr/chennai?Iam from IBM pune..still waiting for receipt
Did hyd ibm got receipts yesterday??still hw many days we can expect receipts
@sreedar gajavali : just thinking about your parent,if you are like this then how would be your parent.oh god help these guys,get well soon!!!!!!!
Guys, still any hope left for rp non ad.
I m working for client x n he is offering me to join. can I go ahead? What will happen if I resign n get h1b at last moment..
Appreciate your help n kind advice.
Till 2 Days back, this forum is more informative and regular updates. I got very good information. But today I found lot of nonsense and unnecessary comedy. This forum is should be used to sharing the knowledge. Hope administrator will take necssary action soon. Bye for now.
This shows you are well deserved.
you do not have any basic human decency and we don’t give a damn whether u r selected r not.
BTW who is concerned about you that you are repeatedly posting these things.
we are here for genuine H1B applicants results and its everybody’s right to dream for a good future.
Hi
My employer told that cheque got enchased on last wed ,but receipt number is not generated what might be the case .please let me know on this
Any received update from GIMS?
I got my receipt .people don’t bark if u didn’t get selection in lottery
@cts guys who had not yet received receipts.
I saw a strange thing in myvisa portal.not sure wat to make out of it.Iit.I see that in the Digital Docs section of my case GIT has uploaded My resume, ad qualifications, I129 Filing form etc on Apr 29.doees this mean anything? What is it for you all who have not recieved?
my question why wud they upload something on april 29?
Any light somebody can throw on this would be very helpful…
That was uploaded for everyone. That was the scanned copy of the petition sent to USCIS.
No…they have not touched for many ppl in digital docs during April.so something else we need to expect if they do anything during April or may.
Just asking…How did you know that it is everyone?? If it is for everyone then they would have uploaded this far far ago.They have this documents with them much much before April 1.
I know you might be correct but I am just clinging on ray of hope that I am getting along the way.
Its showing April 29th for me also..really does that mean something?
i think for me and all of my frnds also its the same thing. i dnt think it means anything related to receipts. 🙁 🙁
yes. this is common for all employees, that is just casual upload. I don’t think so any thing interesting..
I got my receipt .people don’t bark if u didn’t get selection in lottery
U have got receipt ….not the visa still long way to go……
You nailed it right.. Still a long way to go and be upset
You should get RFE. Questions should be in such a way you can’t,t answer
Please respond if H1b petition can be filed without work experience document
Please respond
This forum doesnt have only those who have filed H1B ..but also those whose near ones are under stress and are awiting results
I have serious doubts if my brothers petition has actually been filed..as his work experience documents were not even asked while filing case.
So could any one of you please respond if the work experience docs are mandatory to file H1B or not.
i think your brother would be from circuit branch,for which the minimum requirement is 16+ years of formal education.for example if an engineering graduate of computer science files for h1b,there wont be a need of experience certificate. If he is from non-circuit(other than cs,it,electronics,mca etc) he needs minimum 3 years of experience in that relevent field. (This is for IT)
hey guys
can anybody please tell if the work experience document is mandatory to file H1b petition. I have doubt if my employer has actually filed my case. Please respond. I am from IT field
Please respond
This forum doesnt have only those who have filed H1B ..but also those whose near ones are under stress and are awiting results
I have serious doubts if my brothers petition has actually been filed..as his work experience documents were not even asked while filing case.
So could any one of you please respond if the work experience docs are mandatory to file H1B or not.
Tell your bro to ask for his LCA…. All you need is your resume technically for filing H1b… you job description and duties will be taken care of the employer… So in general you don’t give any documentation for your previous experience as it can be a part of your resume…
This just happened. 3 out of my 3 applications have all been approved. Got the email notices at almost the same time. What happens next? Please help.
3 subs under a parent company, potentially working on similar projects. Can I withdraw 2 of the 3 applications?
Non-ad/PP/CA just got approved 5mins ago!
I got my receipt on arpil 21 2015.I got an rfe on may 6 2015,regarding my maintenance of status.Mine is h4 to h1.
The rfe is about my I94 date.I have I797A approval extension till 2017.But When i recently entered US on dec 2015 I got I94 with my old visa which is 27 Sep 2015.Now Uscis is asking me to show validity of status for 28Sep 2015-30 Sep 2015.Since my H1b will start at 1-oct-2015.Orlese they said it has to go by consular processing.
So what i did is i wen to CBP office and corrected my I94 date to reflect my latest extension date (ie 2017) and my attorney responded to the query yesterday.Waiting for the decision.I am not sure whether i will get approval .Please throw in your thoughts from your experience whether this RFE will get cleared or not?
After long struggle I got picked this time.I have lot of dreams in my career sacrificed many things for this career.Please god let me in.
Any update in AIMS for infosys? sick of waiting
no update today also.this was my 3rd attempt in this company.
Ya no update on AIMS 🙁 this is my second time….losing all hopes now.
Still any chance of getting receipts from AIMS….?
How long it takes to get the case status update at USCIS? AD/RP
Any suggestions/comments regarding why my Case status shows that case received and has been like this since the last 10 days…….. Please help….
Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!!!!!
For those waiting, don’t lose hope. I hope that you Still have chance for positive news. Keep hanging for one more week.
Good Luck! My prayers and well wishes for those who are still waiting.
Nothing will change except your application has been approved or Request for Evident. You can see this information on I797C Form – Processing Time.
I really don’t understand why the blame is on H4s as well.I’m on H4 here. I graduated from IIT Kharagpur and gave up my job to join my spouse here.Still waiting for any updates on my H1 application.Your frustration is understandable,but please just don’t throw words in air.
Is it too late to apply for H1B? I think the police are after me!
Any AD/RP/CA check cashed and waiting for receipt.
Please update.
Here is my quick analysis for AD
In 2008, USCIS received 163,000 applications out of which 31,200 were for advanced quota. That is roughly 20% of total applications.
So for this year , out of 233,000, 20% of applications would be around 46K. even if we add 10K of last years repeat, total advanced degree applications would be 56K. 56K for 20K seats and then another shot at general. That gives advanced guys roughly 60% probability. Which is in line with Immigrationgirl and other blogs.
So total of 40% of AD applications will be rejected, i.e. roughly 22K out of 56K.
Can you please enlighten me?
Do you have a better analysis based on real numbers?
Well for starters, probability has to be a number between 0 and 1. Not a percentage. Further, adding two percentages, as you have done above is not math.
To explain this to you in detail is beyond the scope of this forum. Please stop posting any future numbers you may cook up.
Mr Math Nazi, while I haven’t checked his calculations, you are being prudish about probability being a number. A 0.5 probability can, and often is, represented as 50% chance.
Very happy to share that i got my receipt from Cognizant Global Mobility on May 7th @ 3.47pm IST.. God is Great.
My centre was Vermot.. Receipt no EAC1514755***… NON-AD/RP/VT
Receipt Date: 04/13/2015
Receipt Notice Date: 04/28/2015
All the best for ppl who are waiting..
could your share your first letter of your last name
My last name starts with “E”
My last name starts with S and my case is non as/rp/vt is there still a hope for vt?
especially first three letters “ABC”
Whats the last day by which USCIS had to responses back for PP?
I just got picked in h1b visa lottery and working in IT industry and masters from USA also in IT.
But i want to transition into something else now.
If i am hired as full time model for a good brand could I transfer this H1b visa there? Please help appreciated!
Hi All, I am a silent follower of this forum and it has been very helpful. It is my second attempt this year and i just received my receipt from my employer. Thanks to each one of you for sharing your valuable information.
Can you please let us know the receipt date? Several AD/ CA are waiting..
If you could also share your initials I will really appreciate it.
I am also h4 , applied for Masters , having 10 years of experience and had been here on L1 and applied for h1 also. Do you think people like me shouldn’t apply for h1 through consultancies. Do you thinks housewives like shouldn’t at least give a try to work here ? If you are from India go back to your home country and try to get a job there . Don’t blame h4 housewives. Once you get married you will also apply for your spouse from a fake consultancy with a fake resume
Good point .. Theres lot of deserving people in H4 too who gave up their careers in India to join her spouse .. Pls don’t blame all .. I know theres plenty who are undeserving too .. This entire system is a mess…..
I support all H4 housewives.I am one among them.Left my career half done back from India..waited for this work permit two years.Got sponsored and picked in lottery this time…Ended up in RFE and waiting for my final decision.Those stressful days should never ever happen to anyone for people dreaming of good career.
You are absolutely right.I am in H4 visa for past one year.I have 10 years if experience from well reputed companies. I am not sure why are they always blaming H4 peoples in this blog.As if only those who did masters from US are talented. Don’t predict knowledge by Visa.
My skill set is sharepoint. Please forward my profile to your company if there is any requirement, schedule interview . I will attend and clear all rounds. So please forward my profile and also try to sponsor from your company. Then I don’t have to go to a consultancy. Please do this favor to all h4
Did anyone gets approval for AD/RP/VT ??????? Any change in case status?? Nothing is changed in the case status since last 15 days
“My case status is not updating, it just say that they receive the case on 13 April and will process the case as stated in the receipt notice”
For people who are still waiting, I would say have faith and trust in GOD. People are still receiving the receipts and their checks are getting cashed as stated by few users in this forum —I am not sure but I hope that people are posting correct information and telling the truth about receiving the receipts and getting check cashed as on 05/08.
Good Luck to you all!. God Bless you all.
This was my 3rd time and the good news came this morning from my employer !! Guys there is still thin line of hope for few of those who are waiting ! Till this morning I was expecting a return package news! Well hope all ends well.. Good luck for those are deserving and waiting.. EAC151485****
Was your package non ad or ad application? Is it rp or pp?
Regular.. NON AD…
was your application at VT ?
Dear God .. Please make it happen .. Hate being stuck in transit and undecided .. . Don’t know whether to wait or not . What a counterproductive day fiddling about nothing at office …
Sorry for the rant ….
I agree with your view on multiple H1B petitions. But what do you mean by fake desperate H4 house wives? H4 people are also as skilled as you. And they have the very same right to want to work as you.
In someone’s eyes you will be looked as fake F1 student desperate to settle in US.
USCIS just says it a random lottery. While I believe it’s not truly random if there are 233k applications I would believe there are 2 or 3 times as many non AD as the number of AD.
AD applications will be around 80k and 150 will be non AD. Since clearly immigrationgirl mentioned the chances of non ad guys are same last year and this year. If 80k AD then probability of AD should be less than 50%. Which I have not seen. I know around 35 AD gteceipts 22 of them have received receipts and 11 know that their checks are cleared. 35 is not a small sample of which 33 already have got in. …good going USCIS
This one is going to be one of my longest weekends ever…… Good luck to you all guys , Best wishes ….. Giving up on my American dream……………………. >< AD/PP
Why to increase the quota so that more undeserving people can get to USA. I think Quota should be as follows.
AD – 30000 only one application per candidate. One time lottery
Non AD – 55000 only one application per candidate. One time lottery
No fees to be paid back if you are not selected in lottery. That’s how lottery works. You buy ticket. If you don’t get you loose the money. Weed out applications having multiple entry based on Name and Passport number. One single entry per applicant.
Then automatically everyone will have fair chance. I think out of 233000 almost 80000 must be duplicate petitions.
I like that…but for sure more than 80000 duplicates man…the least then can amend the rules if not increase the seats i mean…
AD/PP. still waiting and waiting .. Does praying to God help . I don’t pray much , so if I pray now , does it make me an opportunist .. hmmmm . Please God Please help ….. this is killing me ..
Hope for the best . Wait till your pkg returns . Keep calm !
I just heard today that I got selected!!
My company had received the receipt, but they didn’t know that the receipt meant that I was selected, they thought it was common to receive it!
(Small IT company in Boston)
I only found out because I asked if they had something!
EAC1514852***
It was PP or regular?
Regular, Non AD.
2nd year trying
Receipt date Apr 29
I am getting two opportunities. My company plan to send me to Europe, the engagement could last till 2017.
Even I got picked through same company for H1B, which one is better?
+1 to you
great, let support it.