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 ?
Those wo are not selected in lottery .start there alternative plan .h1b lottery me nahi hua selection koi baat nahi.w have to face these situation now .aur please koi Sreedar gajavali ko chip karaooo.
got my petition back and no hope
second chance and i am tired
no luck
No worries .something best is waiting for u.
Which service center has returned your petition and when did you received it?
Guys is there any hope left?
It’s my 2nd time going for h1b.
I guess it’s all over, as these days I don’t see anyone getting good news on H1b 🙁
Is there any hope for AD/RP/CA? I have been waiting for so long wait has been very stressful 🙁
This week is the last hope.No more comments on this blog.
I will only comment if i recieve the receipt number.
All the best guys!!!
Hello fellow Wipro(ites),
Did anyone checked the GIMS portal? I remember correctly that previous updates were reflected in GIMS portal first and then email notification were sent. So keep an eye on your application in GIMS portal and your inbox as well.
Hopefully we all will get good news this week, probably tomorrow or day after tomorrow 🙂
Keep the forum posted about any update.
Thanks.
Jai Mata Di !!!
Jmd
Jai Matha Di
Hi guys,
Just now, I was informed that I got through the lottery. This was the second time and I made it this time. Been hopeless but miracles can happen. Dont loose hope and best of luck guys.
🙂
congrats buddy!!!
Which company?
could you pls tell me what time u got mail? ru applied thru consultancy?
pls reply..
2hrs ago ..
Non-AD/RP
Hi All,
As of today date I will not receive any communication from my employer please let me know am I out of luck.
Thanks,
Did any1 from HCL chennai got receipt or any1 aware when will they let us know our status ?
JMD!!!
Hi,Who all waiting for result,Please ask your Immigration Attorney/Employer if USCIS deposited your H1B application check.By this time this should happen if application got picked in lottery.Most of the big organizations will not provide this information,So they need to wait until they get official communication.But whoever applied through consultancy they can use this option to confirm our status.
Hello TCSer
Do you we have any latest update guys..please post here. Thanks much!!
No updates.The result will b out in Mid of June.
check encash .waiting for receipt no
congrats!!!
When did your cheque got encashed ? I am waiting for my updates 🙁
Non-AP/RP
I think its all over now. What do u guys suggest. I m non-ad rp. Should I go for plan B.
There is a slight chance to get some receipts next week.Even if yes, it would be a little number. I would suggest you to work on a Plan B while not losing hope completely.
This name hasn’t worked for me. Two genuine employer filed my H1b this time. None got selected. Failing since last two year. L1 rejected twice. I don’t think US wants me anymore.
Ho yeah u understood now .. Bec of ppl like u so many how are badly in need opportunity are out of hopes and great dreams are shattered, filing 2-3 petition in single name .. how fair is that..
Bye guys… long wait over. Heard from my attorney they have received my petition back. 3rd time unlucky. Possibly wont try next year. Life isn’t fair. 🙁
any updates from Persistent ?
Any hopes guys for Non AD/RP/Cal??? Still hoping best!!
next year is election Mr President
Any one got the receipt starting with EAC15151XXX. This is the last series of receipts generated in VSC on 4th May.
this name will bring me luck..i will get receipt in coming week..jai mata di..im NonAd RP
is there any hopes for NON AD/RP
I got picked in lottery.
they shared receipt number.
what is the next step?
Hi Suresh,
When you got receipt ..pls inform
cognizant people any update from past 2 days? Will there be any chance? From my project already 3 people got their receipts,am the only one waiting.
In My team, Out of 7, only 2 received the receipt.
It’s over… Go for L1
r u sure its over? Can you please confirm how? 🙁
r u sure its over?how u know?
Its over. I got by petition back.
Which company bro? if cts, how you checked that?
Then left hope. Because they are selected project wise, if 3 are selected, then there is no hope
They are not selected project wise. It has got nothing to do with how many got selected from your project.
I got pickedup in lottery and explored in Visa tracker but no additional details.
How to get additioal details when explored in Visa tracker
Which company do you belong to ?
Is there any hope for Non AD/RP/CSC?
I got 2 receipts. What to do now.
How u got 2 receipt ? Not possible
May be he filed 2 petitions for him.
Stopping skilled people waiting for H1B
This man is mad, yesterday he was abusing people here…. I don’t think he is a genuine guy… guys please don’t respond to this fool
So what ? What is the point in saying you got 2 receipts here? Don’t try to fool people over here. If you got 2 (?) this is no more your place.
Get a life..
Inhale a deep breath. Meditate. Bless others.
Wipe your ass from the receipt you don’t want
I lost hope. Long waiting has come to an end. I don’t think I will hear back from employer any more.
For those one who were picked many congrats…For those RPs who haven’t received the receipt no yet lets hope for the best and stay together positively, as well as we have still time at least till 15th of May…. who knows maybe we receive a good news in any moment…if not don’t forget life is going on and we can try later as well…..
God bless all of us
any AD/PP who received their approvals ??
> 95% of PP have been processed, vast majority of them approved.
Is there any hope for Non AD/RP now?
Hey Guys,
Just thinking about numbers.
Can anyone tell give an idea, total how many number of advance degree applications might be applying for H1 Lottery this year?.
Thanks all.
Hey Guys I talked to my employer yesterday and he said check not cashed yet. Are there any hopes. AD/RP/VT.
All the very best to every one… b positive. ..?..hope for da best
I received this number from my HR saying I was picked in the lottery.
I still cant believe I made it….
after reading a few comments 1 week after the lottery, I did not have much hopes and then I never came back to see wats going on here and today I came back just to let you ppl know that worrying wont change anything….
If you got thro on April 13 youll get your notice one day for sure
if not you wont….
Worrying / sitting here wont change anything. Good luck
M too still waiting. Non-AD \ RP from a middle scale IT firm in India. My employer has received the first set of receipts, and are expecting the 2nd batch in next week. They said they will be sharing it after 20th May, once they get sure that no more receipts will come. And its another way to hold back attrition.
Can we go on opt ead dependent visa, my wife is on opt now, if I didn’t get h1 I am thinking of about that option instead of L1.next year I will apply again h1.i am already .working for two companies and both are ready to file L1 if my h1 not done this year.i am not interest in L1 as I heard GC process is long for L1 comparing to h1, my qualification btech +5 years it experience
Hi Folks,
I got my application picked up in h1b lottery.
I have a query that what documents would I need for my wife to apply as H4 dependent and when this H4 processing initiates.
Apply for GC and get your I-140 approved then your wife can get H4 EAD, it takes 2 years for I-140 gets approved after you apply for GC
Congrats. Will need separate DS 160 forms and HDFC receipts for your wife. You both can schedule the Visa Interview together. She will be granted H4 visa if you get H1B visa in the interview. Very rare to see anyone rejected for H1B.
Once you have submitted all the DS 160 form and also have the HDFC receipts, you can take appointment using the bar codes for applications and HDFC receipts using the VFS appointment system. Once you select your desired date of appointment just before completion, just below you will see a tab for family appointment. Process is very self explanatory and very easy to use and think you will not have any difficulty in it.
Documents for H4 –
Completed Non-immigration H4 visa application form DS-160 stamped at the Visa Application Center (VAC). Separate form for each applicant. [Sample Form DS-160]. Application US visa fee receipt.
US Visa Interview Appointment Letter which you get in your email inbox at the time of taking a US visa appointment.
Valid passport of each applicant. Previous passports held by each applicant. Marriage proof – marriage certificate, pics, invitation cards etc. (depends on your marriage duration)
There are several sites where you can get information for H4 documents. So please consult those sites for complete information.
Its my second time and am losing all hopes now 🙁
Anyone got update in AIMs?
Nope
Old statements…say some thing new or hidden statements
RP/NON AD -> Still hope?
Yes, but it’s more and more slim as time goes on, so you’d better to start plan B.
hope i will get my h1b receipt coming week.
JMD!!!
Does anyone have any guess or idea what % of receipts received out of 63,000. Still hoping some miracle would happen for Non AD/RP.
Good thing is that still receipts are coming in for AD and Non AD RP folks. So I think we can still hear some receipts coming in next week. After that it will be marginal and a few very lucky ones might get something if the RFEs lead to denial towards the end of May or early June. However, the bad news is that lot of rejected petitions are coming back. For them its over for this year. Next year anticipate close to 300000 applications if the H4 EAD program is not successful.
More duplicate petition and good business for some consultancies.
Can you please tell me what is AD and non AD
AD – advance degree USA only
Non AD – bachelors only
Is there any hope for Non AD/RP/Cal?
Plz plz help me friends.
Thanks.
suggest you to wait for another week at least. Few receipts are expected to come in during this period.
Thanks a lot.
PP/AD/VT
Receipt date: 04/15/15
RFE:05/04/15
Case Approved: 05/09/15
All the best to everyone!
CONGRATS KRISH….
what is the employer name
Super congrats. After RFE getting approval u will be more relaxed now.Great.
Could you please share details of the RFE?
I have been in the US for last 8 years. I came here on H-4 then converted into F-1. I am a pharmacist now. Currently, I am on OPT. For RFE, they want to see me pay stubs. I guess just to make sure that my application is not BS
Any updates from Accenture PMSD team yet ???
Not yet…… I really hope I get it…
Any update from PwC? Anyone? probably game over…
Still nothing… wondering if anyone has heard about others that have got it?
no news from pwc yet i am AD/VT
No news yet. I saw a post from other web site that an AD/RP/VT received the recipt number.
Has anyone contact the HR manager or lawyer from PwC? I havent tried it since the lawyer sent an e-mail not to contact them until they reach out to each beneficiary ….
I emailed CANADA lawyer and didn’t hear anything back yet…
our group has someone received email from lawyer on 5/4..
One of my colleague got receipt on 5th.he is also non ad/rp/vt. I guess now hopes are extremely slim.
No news yet. AD/RP/CA. I spoke to one of the paralegals. He mentioned they were still receiving receipts till Friday. I believe receipts reach Florida office and then shipped to Canada. This might cause some delay I assume. May it’s just me who doesn’t want to lose hope.
God has been kind and finally I got it yesterday.
Non-AD/RP/Vermont EAC151485xxxx.
All the best to everyone.. Keep following your dreams 🙂
Congratulations Dude….Me too from IBM Banglore..still have hopes and waiting for my receipt…
Thanks Pal.. you will get it too .. Good Luck..!
Hopes still left for non ad rp..stay on the edge..anytime now till may 14
ru sure? can i put hope till 14th 🙁
any updates or any hope for cognizant? Kindly let me know.
I am also waiting mine is non AD/RP/VT. you can wait up to May 15th.
No Update from my Employer… Loosing Hopes… trying second time … couldn’t make it… god not gave the luck :(…
Who got selected congrats.. Keep up the good work..
No hope left for all….except Wipro guys …bec Wipro has not shared a single result so far…..lol
There are many employers who are not announcing the final list because they are waiting to get all the petitions and receipts to them. But the process is in the final stage and should be over regarding selection by next week. Then its up to the employer to announce whenever they want.
Anyone got Aims updated today?
Till now no info from anyone., eagerly wating
No update 🙁 eagerly waiting…..anyone contacted GI team for info?
They dnt recieved any list