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 ?
Its Day end, did someone get an update from AIMS?
I called global immigration and they told me that they are updating AIMS on a weekly basis. The current lot that they have received will be updated in a couple of days.
I just called GI and they informed that my case is picked up in lottery, however they have not updated the AIMS yet.
Hi Friends,Same With me,I have AHD under global immigration.They have updated that my case got selected in lottery and will be updated in AIMS shortly.
Guys, is it true?
Please let us know in which category we have to raise AHD request.
It means they have recieved new list? Right?
Pls tell when was AHD raised post lunch?
@H1BWaitsM*
is your AIMS updated today? Mine still has old status.
Could you please let me know the GI team contact number(toolfree)
Hi
Just anyone please confirm me,every one has same doubt in their minds.If cheque is not en cashed before 5th may,still can we expect if we didnt received any returned documents.
thank you
It has finished. What you should do is that work and wait your return materials.
This is what i got from GIT!
They have filed 10k applications and around 2.3k have cleared the lottery from the batches released. so they expect 1 more batch this week. So still they are hopes of sround 1k guys clearing.
Keep your fingers crossed till 15th may.
All the best
looks like even I heard the same on selection…
I am also eagerly waiting for H1B. Can you pls let me the source of this news.
Any update from SYNTEL ?
No news yet. Informed to wait till May end or June first week before getting information.
Any one got receipt number from ZSLInc by last week?
Is there any update IBM India folks?
Not yet, Case manager might take his own time to update the individual. Cannot say anything until rejection mail is received.
Guys what is the status of your case showing in INSZOOM. Mine is showing Closed, Dose that means mine is not picked in lottery?
The case managers close an INS Zoom case once the petition is sent to USCIS. It just means they completed their work, and does not have anything to do with whether it is receipted, or approved / denied.
All the praise to Lord… I got it 6 days ago. 5 more people got from my team
From Which location?
Did anyone got confirmation today on H1B filing Non AD/RP
My friend got his receipt today he is from Igate pune
any updates from 8kmiles 🙁
Called HR as per him they have already sent the receipts to those who got selected. But mentioned that one should wait till 15th May.
Not sure who has got info from 8kmiles. Can anyone pls provide 8kmiles contact number.
Have you contacted india office or US office?
US office HR
WIPRO members, do post any updates as soon as u get. Till now no updates from CDC
No update from BDC as well.
Please contact your friends and colleagues who have applied for H1B, they may have some updates.
You can also reach your DM/PM for any updates.
GIMS guys have not been consistent with their responses.
Good luck.
JMD!!!
CTS folks, for us the receipts processing (conevrt hard copy to scanned copy and upload it to Post Processing App) will be done in Texas office. So, expect emails from 6.30 PM IST (9 AM EST) onwards. So, have patiennce…Pray god and wait for the email from ‘One Communicator’
All the very Best guys !!!
you made my day…
how u came to know
please let us know if this is true?
The info I have given about the process is accurate but getting emails from today is a guess…that’s why I said we can expect after 6.30 PM as it is their work starting time…But from the info I got from GIT team, they yet to get few batches,…so we still have hope….
Texas is in Central Time Zone. Approval notices to go the Teaneck office in NJ which is in Eastern Time Zone.
Confidently waiting for my H1B receipt ….All the bes to all.
Don’t know your CEO’s name correctly?
I am CTS employee, applied second time , Till now didn’t get any INFO
Any chance …wait …
same here buddy….u r not alone….we are the unluckiest of the lot it looks like….
me too .. cheers
looks like no updates for CTS folks till Friday..
you mean till coming Friday?
yes.. till 15th may..
What do u mean that?? can we expect another batch? or all receipts have been received for CTS and there is no chance for us???
We can expect one more batch results by Friday…
Any news from wipro GIMS?
Did any one receive mail from GIMS guys?
No Updates ….
Hi, There is no update and will u know whenver i get.
No update so far.
no update from kdc
Got Receipt Today Non-AD/Regular/Vermont..EAC15147*****. Best Of Luck To All Who Are Still Waiting…
From which Company
Synechron Pune
when your check got cleared ?
My dept info got updated on my visa portal on 8th may but haven’t got the receipt yet.. Does this mean anything
Where is the dept info? Where did you see it? In Myvisa Portal or where?
This is for all CTS guys
CTS H1B petitioners , Please share the info if you had talk with GIT or immigration today , What is the status as of today?
Did you get chance to talk to them? I spoke to GIT team , they asked to wait till June 1st week. Apart from that they didn’t have any update . They also mentioned that they are not holding any receipts.
No I didnt speak with GIT yet now , I may speak with them later in the evening today , will update here once done.
Just now people confirmed that it has nothing to do with the receipt number :)…Let wait for another 2 days
People?
There was another thread for the same question..Please refer
Is there still hope for Ad/RP?
The checks have not been cashed yet as per my attorney. Should I look for other options?
Anybody from Smartplay got selected in Lottery ?
Wipro – GIMS team already sent mail to who and all got receipt.
This time I lost I guess. 🙁
did you called GIMS?
No one from Wipro posted about receipt email.
I think GIMS has not informed yet to anybody except OPT guys.
I even talk to my DM and he is expecting results this week.
Any news from wipro GIMS?
Did any one receive mail from GIMS guys?
Finally recieved happy news on Firday…. I got picked in Lottery…..The wait is finally over…..Thanks all and all the best…..
TCS’ers,
Any update?? Anyone got the receipt??
Cognizant guys… Any update???
any update guys? Did any one received any receipts
For the ones, who’s Department link has been updated with recent date, any update on the Receipt number? You guys had mentioned that it was updated recently right…I don’t see any update in my portal 🙁
My department link has been updated on 9th May 2015 , but received no receipts , I think there is no link between department update and receving receipt notice. Any one from CTS knows the impact of this department update in myvisa portal , pease share.
for one of my team mate, its showing as “11-May”. who already received receipt.
May I know when did he receive his receipt number?
5-May-2015
I think no impact on receipt.
Global Mobility II May 11 2015 2:34 PM
Mine is showinglike this
Global Mobility II May 11 2015 3:41 PM
Department is updated for everyone i believe . Same here updated on 11th May 2:09 PM
My got updated on May 7…I dont know what does that mean?Hopefully it does not mean that they have recieved our package back on those days.
I am trying to be positive, this is my second time.
Under View Department Details –> Mine Under Info of Person Signing Forms I have it as Texas. does any one have the same? and does that mean anything???
Where to see the department update?
Is der any way to find the results?
In view case details page , you can see your currnet department name as a link.
For me it is Teaneck, NJ
Wipro guys….
any update from GIMS……please share here…………
No updates till now 🙁
hi guys,
I just spoke with GIMS guys. As per them, they are already sending receipts to the OPT guys. For general category, they will start sending receipts by end of this week or early next week.
Dont know why they are taking so much time.
Did anyone else called them?
Please wait till May 15th. Till you receive your packet back there is always a chance.
For those petitions applied under premium processing, USCIS will begin premium processing for H-1B cap cases on May 11, 2015 i.e. today.
Keep calm and wait till 15th May.
Hey HCL Guys Is there any update from ISG or from WPC spoc? No one sharing anything so far.
Thanks
No updates from ISG even though they received some news on lottery.I raised SSD but standard reply mentioning wait till early May-june.
Yes. No update from ISG or WPC spoc till now.
I think we need to wait till this month end..
No updates from ISG yet but in iAura its mentioned like “ISG to update USCIS receipt number” on Jun 3rd (for me)…does it mean i need to wait till jun 3rd for my status or for all its same date ?
To avoid the inquiry emails may be they will update both accepted (Selected in Lottery) and Rejected petitions at the same time!! If that is the case we may have to wait another one moth (June Mid) as USCIS itself announced that it may take few months to send all the rejected petitions!
This forum used to be useful, but nowadays it contains more crap than information. It has become full of superstitious, abuses, racist comments, jealous comments.
Come one people cheer up. Those who didn’t get selected stay calm, don’t start abusing those who got selected.
For the gentlemen here, please ignore those who abuse, like a gentlemen. The place we all are trying to go, people use hell lot of abuses when you are informal with them, yeah but those abuses would be in English and I guess for most of you that would sound cool not rude.
Agree !! Stay calm !!
are you from tringapps? Any updates ?
Yes! and No!
Hello Forum,
Please let me know if any one received update from IBM India regarding the receipts. If yes Please update us.
Guys.. The forum is for H1b updates and not fight against which part of india you belong to. we need all the side of india to make this country a better world. So please keep this site to minimum. All the best to everyone in the forum to get a positive response from USICS.
I have received it on 28th April …INZZoom also got reflected with the same. I know few of my friends for it last week…so i guess you can keep hope alive till this week end.
My friends have received the receipt numbers in two batches, first set in 28th april and next last week. I hope the next batch starts tonight. As per the discussion in this forum this week would be the last week to have any hope for FY2016 aspirants. By the way in which service center your petition has been filed? I am also waiting for the update.
Who ever got receipts – congrats and all the best….
Who ever didn’t get receipts – take it easy and H1 not only the life and enjoy with your family.
Who ever crying here for not selecting in the lottery,….Better have some petrol on your head and light it up.
New udpate for Wipro guys..
I called to GIMS, they just told me that. Wipro started receiving receipts , and we are getting lot selection results on daily basis from wipro onsite team. Watchout for this week guys..
There are no information on my result so far.
Whatever the result may be , I am & will be happy to accept it.
There wont be any receipts coming from USCIS, all receipts are sent out 100%……..
Hey Sai Baba, give me good news…waiting for good news for long time..at the end i ll be selected..:-)
Shaadhi Karo, enjoy karo
Sai baba is same for all. He can’t be biased to you.
Don’t think chanting his name will bring favors for you.
CTS GIT team is all mum since Friday 🙁
Every time we call, the answers from GIT team is different. This time they said they are not sure about batches and we should wait for another 3 weeks i.e till june 1st week 🙁
Dude what do u expect them to reply…when they themself dont know anything. One thing for sure they are not holding back any receipts, and they dont have any batches. Whatever receipts they got was delivered (12-24 hrs delay).
I know people are going to ask me for source. All i can say is from a trusted source of GIT.
Note: I am still waiting for mine.
I just spoke to the mobility team. She said she is expecting a batch to arrive this week. She also asked to wait until June end. Not sure which is true.
I just received H1B receipt notice , Form I-797 C, Notice Of Action.
How can I check whether it is payment receipt or selected in lottery ?
How are Ram and Sita related to each other? Brother and sis, or father and daughter? Don’t be ridiculous. Read about H1, or at least read other posts before asking such questions.
Any H1B updates from CTS Chennai GIT today?
nope.. losing hope
Guys, please stop this nonsense discussion in this forum. Try to use good words no need better ENGLISH WORDS.
Hi CTS Folks,
Did anybody received mail from GIT in last 4 days,mine is RP-CA-NON AD.
Nopes .. not me … i am still waiting..
Still waiting..
Any update from Infosys?
Its Monday morning, any good news? or heard of any update in AIMS to anyone?
Lets keep posting here below for todays update.
I haven’t heard from anybody today…but 2 of my friends got the update on 30th April..
Is it game over for infy guys if no update in AIMS by now?
It seems after May 1st there was no update till now 🙁
If no one has got any update, then relax guys we can expect a new batch coming up soon with our names in it 🙂
No update for me too. But seems they have not updated the status after 4th May
I too have heard that some of guys have received the receipt numbers.. I am also waiting.. all the best for everyone..!
No updates for me yet. I haven’t heard anyone getting receipt after 30th April.
Hey HCL Guys Is there any update from from ISG or from WPC spoc?No one sharing anything so far.
Thanks
Any update from Infosys?
Its Monday morning, any good news from any of you or heard from any of your frnds abt AIMS status update? Keep posting below here for todays update.
No updates.. Still waiting for it.
Guys,
Any hopes left for RP/VT/Non-AD?
Game Over Buddy..!! I am also in the same boat.. 🙁
CT guys,
I feel, shipment is slow and internal CTS process also little slow, so, RP petitioners can have hope till 13th May. In best case, till end of this week. All the best.
Hello guys, any update? Can we expect receipt from CA center ?
I am from west india
any updates?
No Updates …
No update HDC
No updates …
Any one from accenture got any update on L1 to H1 conversion ??
I m waiting too.. cheers!
Hi,
Has anyone from Splendtek Inc received the receipt number?
Did you heard anything from them?
Nope not yet. No call or mail. Do you anyone else who had applied through them?
Anyone from cognizant received any update in past 3 days? please comment…
Nope… But I expect few RP/Non Ad/VT results today and tomo… Keep ur hopes alive…
How come you know SAI…
VT center sent the final list to the employers only on 4 th. Cognizant taking a week time to sent receipts to the employees.. If the receipt dated 29th April.. People receiving only on 7 th may.. So we can get it today and tomo…
any idea on CA center? when can we expect reply from them
Praying..
Wiprites.. Update..
I was informed that I got through the lottery. This was the first time and I made it this time. Been hopeless but miracles can happen. Dont loose hope and best of luck guys.
Mine notice was generated on 22 April and got usps mail on 1 May and the lottery num WAC 1514151xxx. Hope this helps