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H1B Visa 2016 – FAQs – Lottery, Quota, Immigration Reform, News

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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 

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 

H1B Cap Reached – Official USCIS Tweet and Link to Press release :


Any other questions ?

Photo of author
Satheesh Kumar Ilu, commonly known as Kumar, is the founder of RedBus2US.com. He is an Immigration and Study Abroad expert. He holds an MS from the University of Houston–Clear Lake and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He studied, lived, and worked in the U.S. and Singapore for nearly two decades, and has traveled to over 25 countries.

   

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28,610 Comments

  2. I remember one person in my team got receipt on 23rd May.. so we still have hope.. I am quite sure that there will atleast be one batch of receipts coming this week.. I know lord chilukuru will help me and I will get selected in lottery this year..

    Reply

  11. Hi Friend,

    This is my second try Non-AD/RP. Still waiting to know my lottery status. Congratulations to all friends over here who got selected in lottery…and all the best to all other friends who are still waiting for the receipts like me.

    Reply

  14. Hi Guys,

    I have received the ‘receipt notice’ today. Mine is Non-AD/RP/CSC. The status of receipt is ‘Case Was Received’.

    I am working for an MNC (say company A) in India. I have an offer from another MNC (say company B) to work in India. Company A might not send me to US due to project constraints. I am thinking about joining company B in India as of now as it has better growth prospects. However I am planning to move to US after a couple of years ago.

    I know that I can do an ‘H1B transfer’ once it is approved. However that can take few months in regular processing. Can company B file an ‘H1B transfer’ even before I receive an approval for company A? What would be the consequence if company A withdraws its petition before I receive an approval for company B?

    Reply

    • DON’T DO IT before October.
      Company A can revoke your petition even if its approved and stamped.
      Search the other blogs to get more info.

      Reply

  15. Why is GIT team so silent since Friday.Please break the silence . Anybody whose Department info not updated since last 15 days ?

    Reply

    • I didn’t hear anything from GIT. I am assuming that the game is over for us… People are saying to wait till this weekend… However, I have a very little hope of success…

      Reply

  20. AD/PP/VT

    Got my receipt number on 4/20, and received approval today (5/11) around 2 pm.

    So relieved! Was rejected two years ago due to lawyer’s stupid mistake. Went back to school received another master degree, finally make it this year! Good luck everyone!

    Reply

    • No inputs… two of friends from B’lore have got the update that Petition is selected in the lottery… Waiting for the same update from case manager… Even INS Zoom has no updates.
      Lets wait for some more time… All the best.

      Reply

      • Hi,

        No update from INS ZOOM or from case manager..Can we wait for some more time or else that’s it for this year?…..Please share info..

        Reply

  25. I got it. Wipro: I didnt get any mail. But the status is updated in portal for my application as “Receipt copy received”. Mine is RP.

    Reply

  28. Anyone from Capgemini here ? As far as I know no one has got any confirmation email from HR on the lottery results. Anyone who has got the mail from Capgemini HR ?

    Reply

  33. My consultant confirmed that I have selected in lottery last week. I haven’t received any receipt/tracking number as of now.

    Any one in the same situation like me? any idea when the receipt/tracking number will come?

    Reply

      • Check your Application status under IMS. There have been no e-mails related to the receipt notifications this time. My application status clearly indicates “Receipt copy received” and the GIMS helpline confirmed that it simply means *selected in the lottery*.

        Reply

    • Please raise ticket with GIMS. I did the same today morning.
      No update reflecting in portal as well. its in sent for filing status. If you get any email updates pls post it here. Will do the same

      Reply

  35. Hi
    Can you please anyone confirm me ,if cheque is not encashed before may 5th means rejected?or still we can expect?
    thank you

    Reply

  37. Hello fellow wiproites,

    Anyone got good news this morning 🙂 ??
    Folks from Hyderabad and Chennai reported about “receipt” yesterday.
    Hopefully we will get it today.
    Keep sharing updates.

    Good Luck.
    JMD!!!

    Reply

      • Hi buddiee,

        I called GIMS service desk yesterday and as per them, they have received around 1000 receipts and rejection packages as well, and currently they are notifying only OPT candidates.
        However I doubt whatever they said,because I talked to my DM f2f and he said we should expect results this week, and he himself will share the results for his account even before GIMS.

        GIMS guys are giving scripted responses mostly, either you call them or raise a ticket.

        Reply

        • YES, you right buddy.
          they are only response as script, they have updates but they are not want to share….
          I don’t understand logic behind holding result.

          Reply

          • That is also fine, but they should give some clear timeline when they are going to share results.
            Its already 12th May for most of us in India and US east coast. They are suppose to share some update by today as per official email sent to all of us. Lets see if it happens.
            Their process could have been more streamlined. But …

            I would suggest, call your DM/PM and check if they have any specific dates decided for announcing results. Also, ask them if they have already started sharing the results with others.

            Wipro used to share results in batches until last year, so I doubt if they would be sharing case by case basis.

          • Dear I contacted DM/SPM/PM, Also they dont have any updates.
            I called helpline, representative , he told me they didnt share any single receipt yet,
            it means who are reported yesterday it was wrong info…

      • I’m going to contact my colleague with 15+ exp in Wipro this evening, and check if he has any update. I guess he will have more updates from trusted sources.

        Reply

    • Its tuesday morning. Still no update from GIMS. If anybody from wipro got update pls share here. none of my contacts in hyderabad and pune got any email from GIMS.

      Reply

  40. Hi,
    I am from CTS hyd last week there was flurry of emails from GIT and since then things have been very quiet .GIT team says wait till end of the month i am not quite sure what is happening !!

    Reply

  43. Hi
    Please anyone confirm me ,if still cheque is not en cashed,still can we expect.still how many days this torture.Till today am not received any returned documents.
    Thank you

    Reply

  46. Hi Guys ,
    Got my receipt today . Genuine AD / Single Application . Thanks to my employer . They applied last year too since I didn’t graudate yet it was under bachelor . This is AD got it . Hope this info helps other guys in waiting . BTW PwC US is my employer

    Reply

  47. Applied for non-premium, till when we will get the selected list information? or if we have not recieved any confirmation by today means , i am not thru in the lottery is’nt it? Please share the knowledge.

    Reply

  48. Hello Everyone,

    I was wondering how many of you with AD/PP got information on whether your application did not get selected in lottery. Doesn’t premium processing also means you get to know whether you are picked or not within the 15 calendar day period??

    Reply

      • If that’s the case what does this information on the USCIS mean?
        “USCIS will issue an approval notice, a denial notice, a notice of intent to deny, a request for evidence or open an investigation for fraud or misrepresentation within the 15 calendar day period. If the petition or application requires the submission of additional evidence or a response to a notice of intent to deny, a new 15 calendar day period will begin upon receipt by USCIS of a complete response to the request for evidence or notice of intent to deny.”

        I interpreted it as USCIS issuing a denial notice even if your application did not get picked in the lottery. Perhaps, I am wrong?

        Reply

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