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 ?
Any one from MRCC?
folks in frustration I started praying to devil for my H1 and very next day I got the receipt. Mine is Non AD/RP/California..If praying to God is not helping we have option of devil..:)
hahahahaaaaaa…..:)
Any updates from 8kmiles. Please let us know in this forum. They are not providing any information. Don’t know how long should we wait 🙁
Still have faith, still hoping to get it!! will get it this time.
Any update on Non AD/PP/CA….. its all over?
Wipro
Guys any news about wipro.is it done with receipts or yet to come?
Looks like game over for Wipro guys.
As per GIMS they already notified most of the employees yesterday.
Now they are waiting for more return packages for those who were not selected in coming 3-4 weeks.
Last year, they updated on every Tue and Fri. So we can expect few more selection result this Fri. But chances are very slim.
Even I am also waiting 🙁 waiting for last 2 years 🙁 🙁 very very sad.
Don’t know what to do.
a bunch of us in an account didnt receive the update. can that be possible that all 8-10 people not being selected from a single account.
Any wipro person got it today 13 may? pls respond!
I am not sure, but chances of selection are very slim now. GIMS has not spoken anything about the number of receipts they are expecting in coming days.
They are now talking about return packages for those who are not selected in coming 3-4 weeks.
btw,you can contact your DM, he may have account level update.
Please keep the forum posted about any info you get from GIMS/DM/Colleagues.
It will be of gr8 help for those who are still waiting. like me …
Anyone from Wipro (Intel account) got receipt yet?
Anyone from Nike/Intel account whose work location is Oregon state got selected yet?
Please reply.
Anyone got receipt today?
Heard many got yesterday.
Wanted to know if still receipt are u process today also
Hi All.
Today i verified with GIMS. They have received 1500 receipts yesterday.(12/05). They may receive some more by next week and count may not increase. So there is no point in waiting for it. Try for another county VISA. Heard this time they have filed around 10 K petitions , not sure about it.
Anyone from Infosys has any updates. Mine is still showing filed with USCIS in AIMS system
same for me too,did u checked with GI
No I didn’t checked
Raise an AHD to GI team they will update you on the status
Do we still have hopes?
If see last years trend, we still have .. but is the process same as last year or they have changed the process this time?
Guys check with GI team or raise AHD if your priority is P0 or P1 or P2 , seems since last week only P0 and P1 ppl are getting updates ….there are P3 and P4 people, they can wait till next couple of weeks…
Correct.
Hi H1BSlaughteragain, I’m also from Wipro. I didn’t get any email like that.
Any updates from Wipro (13-May-2015) ???
Hi All.
Today i verified with GIMS. They have received 1500 receipts yesterday.(12/05). They may receive some more by next week and count may not increase. So there is no point in waiting for it. Try for another county VISA. Heard this time they have filed around 10 K petitions , not sure about it.
Thats all over guys and gals!! I received mail from our employer that the wait period is over and we will receive package returns from First week of June.
Luck did not favor us as always!! Till now had hope in last corner of heart that we will recevive but the answer is “NO”. Hard to belive it…but thats life :(…
Anyone from cognizant ?
Looks like few people got the update yesterday evening….My friend got yesterday around 7:00 P.M
Guys, anyone confirm this?
I got receipt yesterday at 7:30 P.M
WAC or EAC?
EAC
congrats!!! Are u from chennai??
what is the receipt date..pls update
Hi guys, please wait still next friday. There are few more batches to receive…. All will be good….
Any one got receipt from TringApps?
Not yet …They are holding the results I guess.
They might share results with us today.
Hi All, I got a mail that only 1000 applications they received back from USICS. I’ve a question. Will they receive it daily or once in a week only Wipro would receive the next set of bundle?
I got the good news today. My employer said my H1b was picked today. I checked the status in the afternoon and it said “Case was Received”. I checked the status again now casually and surprise, the status was “Case Was Approved And My Decision Was Emailed”. My petition is a Non AD / Regular / VT.
I cannot believe this, as I expected this would take 3-4 months or even more.
Congrtz ! 🙂
Any idea on check encash date ?
got receipt today, notice date is May 1st.
Good luck to everybody who is still waiting. I am AD/RP/CA
Congrats man..it is really miracle that in short period of time even your case is approved..congrats once again
Any further updates from wipro, in our account no one has received still now .. Hoping for the best…
I applied for AD/PP/PT .. i have i bachelor degree in civil engineering from my country and master’s degree in civil engineering from USA, i received RFE on my H1B, i dont have the license and i need to know if there is any solution.
” you seek to employ the beneficiary as a civil engineer with your heavy industrial mechanical contracting firm. you have submitted evidence of his educational qualifications for the positions. please submit further evidence to show that he has been registered by the board of architect and engineering examiners to practice the profession in the state of Tennessee.”
Hi Guys,
Whoever applied through small to medium size Indian consultancies in US got any update?
My consultancy is saying they have few checks cashed but it wont pin point to any case or application in particular.
I am waiting for the update.
Any one applied and got status from sriven technologies virginia
Asking for RFE.
Mein is Specialty Occupation. Position is Senior Data Analyst.
I don’t know how i can get this kind of RFE. Actually this kind of position even requires PHD degree for some company.
Does anyone have any experience about it?
I didn’t get through the lottery last year and used CPT to work, this year i was picked in the lottery. Now i am facing this problem.
are you filing under AD or non-AD?
1st Reason: How many years of experience do you have? Because Senior Data Analyst requires a lot of experience. If you just started working then they might think its fishy.
2nd Reason: You must have enrolled in a college which gives CPT from first day of work. That also creates suspicion.
Just saying
if the check has not been cashed up today what are the chances?
Do i have any left?
thank you in advance
No….
Any one from Accenture who already got an update with their petition?
They are saying after mid may.. so maybe next week we can expect something..
Did anyone on regular processing from California get Approval for this year. The website says general processing time is 2 months. When does the 2 month period start from April 13th? or from the day of receipt?
Waiting…
Case Status did not update since the last 20 days. Online checking of case status just mention that receive your petition and we will process your case as mention in the receipt notice.
Mine is AD/RP/VT
Don’t know what to do? How long I have to wait for the approval?
Can someone guide me here regarding why my case status is not updating.
RP takes much time usually 2 months for approval..so don’t worry..people are yet to receive receipts.long way to go
Hi All,
finally got the good news. My petition has been picked up in lottery.
Non AD / RP / VT –
Received Date April 13, Notice Date April 23.
I have filed 2 petitions one in premium and one in Regular (through 2 different employers). No update on premium, but finally got the regular petition picked. I have to say this — I have used the name of H1Bslaughteredagain.. That worked.
All the best for other folks
Hi, Is there any deadline for the selected non ad premium petitions to get approved?? Receipt notice dated April 20 th
My employer has not contacted me since April 1st. Is there still a chance that I may get selected in the lottery?
Contact your employer…
I hope tomorrow I will receive news from my employer that my petition was not picked in lottery and package has been sent back….Please end this misery…
The receipts are sent by last name order? Any idea, or clue? Any logic behind. I am asking my lawyer to check whether or not check has been encashed, he said “no, he cannot check.”
No one knows that information. Stop bugging your employer and go on with your life. You will hear the news when it comes.
Any updates from CTS immigration team? It seems like we are running out of time..
Nope. Waiting. They said, please wait till end of May.
when will vermont center non ad regular processing receipts will be sent?
wer r u bro, everyone is thinking game might be soon over
Good to know whether its been picked or not. This waiting is horrible 🙁
Right now there is no check encashed any more. If your check has been encashed, you get selected. If your check hasn’t been encashed, you don’t need to wait. Prepare next year’s application.
Is there any AD/RP/VT waiting for receipt including me?
Me too !!
Me too in the same boat but I am not waiting.
Approximately what is the time taken to make the decision by USCIS after the application selection? Since in the updated case status website we can’t get to know initial review as in the previous case status website.
Ya me too having same doubt.May be approved PP guys can clear our doubt.
2014 no luck, 2015 still waiting :/ i have to join a CPT university now, which is so expensive and on the top traveling every month, i don’t understand this broken Immigration system. I am a developer, how hard is it to eliminate the Duplicates and multiple application and pick the genuine one’s through algorithm. So even if there is a duplicate application and only one gets picked, then what its get approved if everything is right.
They leave a loop hole like Multiple petitions, there you go everyone is applying multiples to just get to the Lottery. I did my masters here and it will be soon 5 years in America. My job, personal and social life everything is here. what if my application will not go through next year?? i have to leave the country or do third masters or Mba again. Ufff….People will not stop applying Multiples unless Immigration system is Fixed.
Was in your situation, but with 10 years in US (selected this year’s lottery). I don’t think multiple applications is the biggest problem, the problem is that the quality bar is quite low. Body shops supply workforce to the companies that do not even interview the candidates. If multiple applications are prohibited, the body shops will just bring more candidates with fake resumes.
+1
One way to fix this is to have seperate quota for people holding US degree or to put a cap on number of applications by companies for the the candidates currently residing outside of US or have point system like uk,canada etc
But i feel like body shops will still find loooholes. They spend more time looking for loopholes and less time for hiring lol
Im non-AD still i disapprove your thinking! Caltech is not ivy league so its degree has no value? If money can buy everything than why are you still waiting for H1B? Buy your way in man whos stopping you? Ivy league fan boys lol
One way to weed out people like you is interview at the first step so authorities can see how you see US in general, this will help them save some time and paper. You sound like one of those guys who watches hollywood films and develops wrong perception about US. Keep it up you are up for one hell of a shock lol
Or simply only allow applicants with over $100k annual comp…
80-90% of the selected AD candidates and house wives show 8-9 years experience in resume and get the job (that too interviews through proxies). But the genuine candidates are not selected in Lottery. The H1B system needs to be changed.
h
Anyone is still waiting the receipt from BAL GLOBAL lawyer company?
+1
are u AD/RP/VT ?
AD/RP/CA
I had checked with my employer and the check has not been cashed yet. So no more hopes for this year 🙁
Waiting for the same. Contacted my lawyer today and they said they didnt receive my receipt yet. I think they have started updating those who are picked. They are still getting receipts this week but the count is low.
Has the rejection notice started pouring in?
Heard we can have hope till this Friday
It is over this year. No matter how long you wait.
You are adult, not a child. You need learn how to face, not cheat yourself.
Dil behlane ke liye ghalib ye khayal acha hai….
Yep..can wait till 15th assuming uscis generated the receipt on 4th, which takes 10 days to reach us
This is my third try..still waiting..down but not out..hoping to get some good news 🙂
Please let me get my receipt today …hear my prayers … #IWillGetIt
Kittum 🙂
Anyone got receipt in LCC?
at last i received my receipt. Non-Ad/Reg/CA . Thank you Redbus.
Got receipt no. last week. Non adv-RP-Vermont.
When I tried to enter receipt no in USCIS site to check my status it shows me following error:
At this time USCIS cannot provide you with information for your case. Please contact the NCSC 1 (800) 375-5283 FREE FREE for additional information.
What does that mean? anyone knows about this validation error ?
give them a call. The number is listed
Hey Minal
Same happened with me.
This error comes when thy are about to change status
Thanks a lot for reply.
Its been week but nothing is change. Can you please tell me, change status means approved application?
Hi ,
Even i am getting the same validation error since last week . Do we need to check with our employer on this or will it be changed automatically ?
My employer told me that they will call USCIS today. Can you please tell me your more details? Are you AD-NON ADV, RP-PP, center? When you received your receipt? My employer just send me only receipt number so I don’t know anything received date and other information. Who is your employer?
My employer told me that they will call USCIS today. Can you please tell me your more details? Are you AD-NON ADV, RP-PP, center? When you received your receipt? My employer just send me only receipt number so I don’t know anything received date and other information.
Finally Got The News Approved….2013…not Picked…2014…Picked but denied….2015…Picked and Approved
Why denied
As my Advance degree is not related to the position offered by the company
Is it RP or PP?
AD/RP/VT
WAC/EAC ?
RP/PP?
EAC/AD/RP
My company applied for h1b 2016 Non AD/PP/CA and still the checks didn’t get cashed. This is a total sign of rejection i guess. Secondly the way people apply from multiple employers is totally unfair.
People who aren’t competent create a mess for people who are worthy of getting h1b. I guess the immi should go ahead and change the rules next year.
Did anyone get rejection notices for non AD/PP/CA?
There is no any unfair. You didn’t get selected doesn’t mean it is unfair.
It is not about the other comments, but the fact is that someone who gets through the lottery rarely comes here to call it unfair. Only the ones who didn’t get through keep saying that. But the fact is that it is what it is. We are like that. We do anything to get ahead of the competition. Some of us exploit the Immigration loopholes. Those immigration loopholes exploit others. It is just a cycle. It is a genuine system for a better opportunity if we are genuine. If we spit at the sky, it will definitely fall on us or someone else. The change has to come in everyone of us as a whole – which is never likely. The change has to come in the immigration system – equally unlikely. Peace out!
FYI – Last chance/AD/RP/VT/One application from the entire firm/Packing up to leave home. Still smiling. Still strong.
Few unselected people does not mean ” Everyone”
Donot talk like a loser, try next time ( may be with multiple to over smart others) , you too are not an idealistic
Just trying to make other agree to your point of view is not required
and by accepting current rule , I am not supporting multi filings , I never did so personally , but never crib on people who did so, it’s their (financial ) planning — That’s it ( more tickets means more chances of lottery : call it mathematics or probability )
Try something else if this does not work and be happy
My friend just got informed by her employer that she was NOT picked in the lottery. She is under AD/PP/VT.
did she get a notice by email or mail?
She was informed by her lawyer
Hi,
When did they inform you this? Are you RP/PP?
I have not heard anything from them yet.
I am waiting for their response
anyone got receipt from 8kmiles?
For Ad/RP has the processing started? did anybody get approval
yes, even I’m waiting..has anyone got approval for AD/RP?
Mine is AD/RP/VT
I am also waiting for approval. I got receipt on 15 April, but the case status is same since then. It has not been changed since the last 3 weeks. Don’t know what is going on.
Did anybody AD/RP or AD/RP/VT got approval?????????????
processing takes time for RP..u wil not get approval this much earlier