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 ?
IBM Blore, DL and KOL…received a lot receipts with in last 10 days…now its Pune’s …. All the Very Best…
Any update for IBM Hyderabad.
They wont see u r HYD or BLR or KOL..etc…they are sending receipts randomly
Guys..First list released by TCS (Siruseri – FDFU ) . Rush in your mails to check your status or you can directly reach out to FDFU. Good Luck every one 🙂
Anyone from IBM kolkata got any update?
:):(
nothing. this is my 3 rd attempt. God knows what happened. How many people got receipt from IBM Kolkata?
I have lost hope as GIT is not holding any receipts and expecting very few.
Good luck to all!
Bye RedBus!
My status is still showing as Filed with USCIS.
No updates. Called GI team to check the status & they replied to me in AHD as “This is to inform you that, we have yet not received the result of lottery for your H1B petition. As soon as we get an update from the USCIS, AIMS system will be updated on a real-time basis.”
RP VT- Receipt Date, 23 May … Last chance, 3rd Attempt..
Just got e-mail from HR, my petition wasn’t selected in the lottery. For those who didn’t get the receipt notice so far, I’m afraid you’ll have the same fate.
TCS’ers,
1st batch of lott results have been released.. 88 petitions approval have been sent to Chennaione FDFU.. I directly went nd spoke to them.. Unfortunately mine is not in the 1st list.. Pls check urs as well..
Great dude
Checked with Siruseri FDFU. 88 receipts recieved!!!
Any information from TCS KOLKATA??Thanks much in advance.
Are these results already in vts?
🙂 🙂 🙂
I see so many Receipt Number, has got RFE this year.. just did a random status check. 6/10 has got RFE.
What is the reason behind RFE cases?
I don´t know why, but I also had RFE!! after been selected in the lottery, I am really scared!!
My RFE is about Specialty occupation.
Totaly i have 2,33,000 request for approval.. and my limit is only 85K. I think i have approved your request, it must be with ur employeer, if not will process next year. please be patience and dont forget to give your hairs.
Regards
Balaji
Sure i do that . Thanks.
yes. He will send ..
so with Cts receiving updates from VT yesterday, on an educated guess i believe it’s over for VT centre. Perhaps for CA people could still have hopes.
CTS recieves updates for California center also.
EAC reciepts are awaited still so don conclude and confuse others
Most of them who got receipts yesterday are based out of VT centre, not sure if people recieved any updates yesterday from CA centre. You could also look at the posts here as most of them mentioned VT centre.
Healthcare people got WAC receipts
Still waiting for update from employer.
Me too bro… Did any body get from IBLESOFT?
IBLESOFT shared any update?
When I asked about details, they told me that the chances are very slim now,last friday few checks got encashed.
Any idea about HCL?
few people got the Receipt number in iAura yesterday. But emails are yet to come. I am waiting for my receipt.
is there chances for others yet ? because i heard ISG was waiting to collate all receipts and published it at a stretch in the portal.
How long can we expect for receipts
I called and they said not one receipt has been updated in i-Aura, it will start later this week and will ccontinue till june end.
plz giv some information on whom to contact in ISG as only they will have authentic information………..
can you share the contacts of ppl who got the updates thru Iaura??
I also heard the same from the nearby people. Can you guys pls updtae if anyone got the receipt number.
🙂 🙂
Wiprites.. Any received receipts from citi or capital one accounts?
Hi ,
Called GIMS today . Got to know that there are 1000 more updates which are yet to be released by this Friday .
Still there is a hope !!! Fingers crossed ….
Hopefully, whatever you are saying is true.
I wish both of us will get the selection result this friday 🙂
My gut feeling is GIMS has already received atleast 50-60 % of the expected receipts and remaining will be announced till end of next week.
Btw, i have also given up now and ave started working on plan B.
It seems like I have to make it my way to US 😀 . hehe
Good luck.
JMD!!!
Guys, those who received please share the receipt notice received date and the receipt number.
Receipt date was May 5
Thanks for the Info, Could you please share the receipt no as well? i
Thanks for the Info, Could you please share the receipt no as well?
Could you pls tell us which centre it is from?
EAC
Any Cts CA ppl received the receipts yesterday??? any hope for CA ?
Oh god , send my receipts soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Total i have 2,33,000 request for approval.. and my limit is only 85K. you r request will be processed next year.
Regards
God
Lolz…
God, nahi send kar raha bhai…
it’s USCIS responsible for… 😛
Till now Wipro received 1500. still i am waiting…..
How do u know its 1500 they received?
till last nite they replied to my helpline ticket stating 1000 they received.
did anybody get update today as well?
Hope this name brings the luck … For this week….
Any hope for CTS guys? non-ad/RP/VT.
or it’s all over?
It’s over It’s over
Why is it over ?
………….
………….
It’s not over, it’s not over, it’s never over
Unless you let it break you
– from secondhand serenade
Hi..
Do you think Wipro is done with sending all receipts yesterday itself? Plzz share information those who have updates.. plzzz
Yesterday many has received mail, but today i hope no mails from Wipro.
Any one from IBM get mail today or yesterday..
Hi Folks,
I am IBM Bangalore. Any folks from IBM got receipt number? How long can we wait and decide that doors are closed for this year?
Yet to receive an status on my H1B. As per discussion with ****, management have received some receipt but not yet disclosed to anyone.
The plan appears here is to inform everyone on same day. I am hoping for some good news this week.
Thanks,
Anyone received receipt today ?
Nope .. no one from my account
CTS Friends, can anyone who received their receipt yesterday or today please tell me that your receipt # starts with WAC15148*******??
Or the first 7 letters of the #..Your information will be highly appreciated.
so, it’s all over for cts with yesterday’s batch being the last?
Yes…sort of
I think this time the selection rate is far too less compared to last time…
Of course it will be less! Didn’t you learn math at school?
Guys, is it true that few people got their receipt yesterday?
Yes, I just called GIT Team and they said, they received the batch and sent email to all the selected people on May 12 205. They also said that they are expecting more receipts. Nothing I believe we can do other than Waiting…. 🙁
I guess they know how many check got encashed, based on that they may be expecting some more reciepts.
Hope we will get
Thanks for the wonderful update guys, pls keep everyone posted with all sort of available informations, it will be helpful for everyone.
in Deloitte, almost everybody got status report…seems 30% got approval
Got Below reply from GI team
“, We would like to inform you that in the latest update tracker your name is still not mention. Please wait until we receive the full list of employee selected in lottery and it take 5 to 12 weeks to receive the acknowledgment number from USICS and once receive same will be updated in AIMS and you will receive AIMS messenger email for same.. ”
let me know if anyone got selected from Infosys
Is there any body from IBLESOFT?
Any Update?
Me too waiting for update from employer.
All calls to GIT are going to voice mail. Are they still sending receipts?
What is GIT?
Hi
TCS’ers..
Spoke to ISU RMG personally.. They confirmed that they will release the results only batch wise and mostly the 1st batch will be released by july.. And the last batch could be released by Nov.. So we have to wait till then..
Seems like thy want to influence appraisals and attrition with it…
Typical Indian MNC…
Anyone from IBM got reciept this week??or any colleague of urs???
One of my team mate got mail last night.
I am still waiting.
Please specify the IBM location. Is the mail from US case manager?
It is Bangalore.
It is not exactly same case manager who worked on petition. This email id is different one(different person)
Even i heard 2 more people got receipt 2 days back in my Floor.
Any one applied and got status from 8kmiles
No positive response 🙁
anybody from jeanmartin got any update?
Looks like CTS received its third batch of receipts yesterday. Does anyone know if we are going to receieve anymore batches? Did Global mobility responded regarding this? When i called, they are not providing any info. All they are saying is “Please wait till May end”
how do u know that 3rd batch is recvd
I assumed. In the below comments, cts people have said that they received receipts yesterday night
All are fake news..
GIT is not giving any info about receiving batches and they should NOT. Their duty is to complete the data entry once they receive.
Anyone from Wipro (Intel account) got receipt yet?
Anyone from Nike/Intel account whose work location is Oregon state got selected yet?
Please reply.
looks like some people got yesterday.
gr8!!!
congrats to all 🙂
hopefully wait game will end soon…
either selection or pkg return notice
either of two will help
i wish people dont have to suffer anymore now…
including me …
Keeping my fingers crossed… today GIT should send my H1B lotterry selected receipt .. this name should work … #IWillGetItIWillGetIt
I will getmy receipt today… swami saranam
Hi Friends, suppose if application is not selected in lottery then in return will they send case number also or only documents…how to know whether my employer really applied H1B for me….is there any way to check in USCIS site regarding status for return once…your suggestions much appreciated
They would have sent your petition thru FeDex courier, look for the delivery report and Tracking #..it should be updated in your portal somewhere.
When you receive the rejected packet, it includes a letter from USCIS that says your application was not selected in the lottery. You will also receive the checks for the application fee. It has USCIS stamp at the back which show the date they receive our application.
hi, I applied on pp didn’t receive rejection or acceptance till now. What is the chance?
You just need to wait. Keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best.
I need good wishes!
Our job opportunity is now decided based on a lottery system. Heck!
Hope this name brings me luck:) 🙂 🙂
Hope this name brings me good luck in the next 2 days
Guys, just when you think the receipts have dried out, there are mails from GIT . Guess, it’s not over yet for CTS .
Hi cts, Is CTS ppl started getting reciept
Stop using the word “god” or “bless”, this lottery shit has nothing to do with god or blessing. This is a broken system and has been introduced because of Indian consultncy companies, that’s the fact!! Because those bullshit indian consultancies share the applicants with each other and apply 3-4 times (or even more) for the same person, for what? To increase the chance in the lottery that has been created because of them in the first place. Some others; apply for anybody who has basic IT knowledge with wrong resumes or fake work experinces to make them modern slave in the US (they consider 3 h1 approvals out of 10 as a good rate) all those things increase the number of applicants, thus we have the lottery… The whole system is sucks and needs to be replaced. The applicants who got degree in non-US institutions shouldn’t even be considered; there should be higher criterias, so only for those who deserve it will get it; because this is a not bullshit visa, it is a VISA for skilled and experinced person, not for people who will work for 50k-60k/year. But any kind of change in the system requires congress votes and you know how things go slow when it comes to bureaucracy in US, especially if the next year is the election period, nobody wants to touch anything about immigrant to avoid losing votes. I suppose, the system will go unchanged for another 2-3 years and less than 3 years; the applications count will hit the 500k. So, stop using the word “god”, and also stop praying. Blame the system, blame those companies who have been trying to take the advantage of this broken system. I studied engineering masters, worked hard, found a nice job in one of the big companies, making decent amount of money, i have career goals; but guess what? Because of those companies and the broken system, i have to quit the job and leave US, no f.cking way. God has nothing to do with this, this is not what had writen for me, praying doesnt fix anything (even i was selected in the lottery, i would think the same way; i am sure there many out there like me, so what about them?) Period.
Another self obsessed AD , who thinks H1b is made only for ADs
After 5 years in the US, with a hard earned MS , now I have rely on a lottery system. I have compete with these sheep and goats who fake resumes and join these tele tubbie consultancies. Multiple and duplicate apps.
These IT companies don’t even have projects on hand. They just apply in case they get a US based project.
What about non-IT people. These fakies abuse the system and now I have think of Plan B C D…. This is bullshit
So guys anyone has got any updates?
Do you know any one who has got an update today i.e 13th?
I know few people who got updates on 11th and 12th.
Pls post her so we all are in synch and know if they are updating weekly or on daily basis so for rest of the week we can keep our self calm and wait for Monday 🙂
game over for Cognizant with yesterday evening batch?
Yes People got update on 13th that is today.
is ur AIMS portal updated today?
yes
No need to wait till Monday. Contact the Immigration team they got the new list. If you are in that one then they will provide your receipt no. I got mine :). Lot of my friends also got selected. All the best!!!
I got below reply from ADH 🙁
Please wait until we receive the full list of employee selected in lottery and it take 5 to 12 weeks to receive the acknowledgment number from USICS and once receive same will be updated in AIMS and you will receive AIMS messenger email for same..
Please confime, if your name is selected in lottery and is still not updated in AIMS?
WHAT IS YOUR SERIAL NO
Did u get the receipt no. or just the selected message?
I got the receipt no. Waiting to cross check against the AIMS file no. Still they haven’t updated. It seems it will take another 2-3 days to update in the system.
It is updated today for me.
WHAT IS YOUR VISA REF NO