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 ?
My check has not been encashed till today early morning?
Any hopes left?
NO ANY HOPE.
“NO ANY HOPE.” What was your TOEFL score? Do you have a chode?
He didn’t need to give TOEFL. His English was terrific. The examiner was blown away
so do you think i have to give up?
Hey Ramu,
This is raghu, Can you provide me with both the application numbers?
I will report to USCIS and make sure you receive an RFE and never be able to apply for H1b again
hmm this is not happyschools forum i think
Hi,
Today i got email from my employer that my case(Non-AD/RP) has been picked . I have received the Reciept number too. Guys can any one guide me , what will be the next step??
Go through all the comments in this blog and u will find the answer.
I think, It’s tough to read 15000 comments. So, if you know or someone else know the process, then please do let me know here. that will be really helpful..
@arshad
Next step is approval, you dont have to do anything unless you get RFE. Once you petition got approved then USCIS will send approval notice.
If you get RFE then your employer has to provide requested doc.
If you outside US then you have to do the stamping before entering into US.
Arshad
Just relax and chill
Now the case will go for approval process
in best case by june mid or by chance if RFE comes , then your employer need to reply to RFE and will wait for approval ( Aug~ sep)
Once approved and you get approval notice , other project docs from your employer
then you can take appointment and go for stamping of visa
Plz look into USCIS website or google before you post your question.
The status in my BAL portal still says “petition filed and awaiting receipt”. Tired of seeing the same status everyday.
I tried this and raised a service request since my OPT expires on May 25th. The officer said that no info on this case and they would need to further investigate. Did anyone experience the same?
To call 1-800-375-5283 and chose option 1 (for English),
Choose option 2 (for check status of Application),
Next, select option 3 (for lost H1B receipt number)
You will then be talking to a customer service rep. Tell them you have applied for an H1-B visa and you haven’t received a receipt number yet. The rep will ask when did you apply (it needs to be more than 30 days) and at which service center.
Then you will be transferred to another rep who will ask you for your name and some other similar questions.
You will then be asked for some info about your employer.
These include your employer’s name, company name, address and federal tax ID # (same thing as Federal Employer ID # on your I-129 form).
You will be told to wait for a while as the USCIS rep will be talking to your employer (or a representative of the company).
After the rep talked to your employer and you can ask for the H1B Receipt number. If your application is already in the system they will give it to you.
WOW !! I was reading with full attention.
For my case my employer called to USA to take an interview.
I went to USA last year for the interview. I was unlucky last year for the H1B visa lottery.
This year the same employer has applied for me. Do they think the employer wants to hire me instead of a local guy without any reason ?
Got an email from CapGemini US today that I made it thru the lottery – Non AD / RP / Cali.
Congratulations buddy!!
Hi ,
Are you from CapGemini FS sbu in US ?
Anyone got I797 approval notice?
When I look at this forum, people who got picked up in the lottery is more than who did not.has the USCIS selected more than 85,000?
Do you see more than 85k comments on acknowledgement of selection ?
Folks,
Nothing is bigger than your destiny. I am a firm believer in destiny. If your destined for something in this life then come rain or storm nothing will prevent you from getting it. You cannot change your destiny. You have to put efforts and let your destiny do what it is meant to do. Those who got the Receipts and petitions approved. Congratulations. Those who haven’t may realize that they are destined for something else. Destiny is supreme because it gives the ones that should get it. You can try to change your destiny but it does not change. So keep putting efforts but do not challenge your destiny. When one door closes another one is opened somewhere. Relax and enjoy your life. Its too short to waste away repenting and cribbing. You can do many good things with the opportunities you get or can get. Always be positive and focused and let destiny work its magic. All the best to everyone.
Agreed
Thank you friend. Going with the same spirit….Congratulations to all friends out here (who got selected) and all the best for others 🙂
Well said.I have 2 degrees and 10 year work experience.I can challenge those bogus AD category,they can’t do even 10% of work we do!
Very well said my friend.
Let all well deserved people either AD/RP get through!!
Hi, I have applied for h1 this year, April 2015, through one consultant. Unfortunately my name was not picked from the lottery, but my friends names got picked. Just for the curiosity what parameters that the algorithm considers for choosing a candidate? For example if the candidate already have a b1 visa and applied for h1 will not be picked like that…waiting for you replies…thanks…
I don’t see anything like that.But I’m pretty sure that the algorithm assure every company get a quota! For instance, Its my first time and got picked up, Non AD/RP
Guys,
Any one for HCL Comnet heard any thing?
well said
I do agree there are ppl belonging to that category.. Not all do that though. There are genuine people who come to the US just to pursue their academic dreams through good research programs.
Need an advise on my receipt notice, I received I797C and want to know does it make any difference when you receive I797 “A” , “B” or “C” in this case. I mean for H1B receipt number.
Or has someone received I797 “A” or “B” for H1B receipt notification, please advise.
Thanks
Check the below link for your answer:
http://www.uscis.gov/i-797-info
and Just to add here – Ad has specific quota of 20K and then remaining petitions added to regular cap. So AD guys always have better chances of selection in lottery but still some people criticize the H1b process. I have got no update as of now but if something is here to criticize than its your luck.
So Common guys accept what is coming your way. Appreciate what you have. Be happy for those who got selected and figure out other ways to give your life a meaning rather than yelling at system and anyone else.
If you want to get your frustration out, then use a mirror rather than blogs and forums.
cheer up. Congrats to those who are through and all the best to rest who are waiting..
Being an AD/RP/VT and not Indian coming from Europe, I respect all your effort to get H1-B and it is open to everyone who qualifies. The thing I do not like is to duplicates application. That is not fair!
I have been following this website for a month. I have realized that majority of followers are from India. And their companies are located in India. I have seen that you received the receipts, yesterday or today. Does USCIS send the receipts to India or somewhere in USA? I am located in US and waiting my result, AD/RP/VT.
The receipts are sent to your employer or attorney…wherever they are…comprende?
This Indian company for example IBM Bangalore or whatever, their receipts initially sends to where?
Usually they have a US counterpart…and mostly they have attorneys here who take care of the rest…
“Here” refers to India or USA
Here I meant US…sorry about the confusion…
H1B receipts are sent to US locations and the petitions filed in US locations. They simply send the documents to other countries once they receive it to provide it to employees for Visa stamping.
H1b is filed by US companies only
MS, goog, or infy us , hcl amer…, or ibm in us or tcs ( in us)
so, the mail is sent to their registered us office ( us office of Indian company registered in us as us company)
so , who call desi company actually mean us office of those company ( registered as us company in us)
Agree….good one bro
NAD/RP/VErmont Center
Cheque not encashed yet.
Still any hopes for me?
Same sinking boat !
Very thin hopes buddy…
It is over if check not encashed
Your chances are very very slim.Work on a plan B.
Same here NonAD/RP/VT check not cashed.
True.. I am an AD as well.. There are very few people coming here to pursue their dreams in academics but where as other ppl just come here to pursue the so called US life.. I am totally against those people.
Anyone from AITC got any updates?
Please let me know here.
I didn’t received any updates yet!!
I have no update from AITC. Still waiting for the news. I am Non-AD/RP
I got my check encashed one week back and still waiting for the receipt. I hope I get to hear about it today.
And I!
Got the receipt number from attorney yesterday. AD/RP/CA.. I guess we still have some hopes for ADs
Do you know when was your check cashed?
Not sure about that.. I asked my employer on 1st My, and it was not cashed then.
Hi Everyone,
Did anyone with the last name starts with the letter “V” i.e “Vasu”, “Venkat” and etc., received the receipt number?
Please let me know. Thanks in advance.
‘did anyone received’. You guys first should learn English before trying to come to an English speaking country!!!!
Friend
With due respect, US accepts Chinese, Africans, Europeans, Mexican, Indians etc. The H1B is a skilled VISA in a particular field, I hope they do not consider how good every one is in English or not.
Respect every one, irrespective you are Ph. D in English language. The education always teach us, respect every one & then only we all get the respects.
Keep Smiling & May God Bless You 😀
‘ENGLISH’ you are the only reason i go through this forum….so funny people are……can’t form a proper sentence…past, present, future…all these 3 tenses going up for a toss…
How far this is reliable to CTS? Can we try this?
To call 1-800-375-5283 and chose option 1 (for English),
Choose option 2 (for check status of Application),
Next, select option 3 (for lost H1B receipt number)
You will then be talking to a customer service rep. Tell them you have applied for an H1-B visa and you haven’t received a receipt number yet. The rep will ask when did you apply (it needs to be more than 30 days) and at which service center.
Then you will be transferred to another rep who will ask you for your name and some other similar questions.
You will then be asked for some info about your employer.
These include your employer’s name, company name, address and federal tax ID # (same thing as Federal Employer ID # on your I-129 form).
You will be told to wait for a while as the USCIS rep will be talking to your employer (or a representative of the company).
After the rep talked to your employer and you can ask for the H1B Receipt number. If your application is already in the system they will give it to you.
I tried calling USCIS with options you said with my employer. they couldnt find my record on their system? what does that mean?
Has GIT informed anyone about returned package yet? Any color?
My LCA is updated today at 5.53 PM in case details -> Date/Details in myvisa portal.
Does is mean anythin?
for me it showing Apr 24 2015 11:00 PM
for me its old date only 🙁 🙁
Hi Everyone,
Did anyone with the last name starts with the letter “V” i.e “Vasu”, “Venkat” and etc., received the receipt number?
Please let me know. Thanks in advance.
Hello CTS’s One of my friend “Vishnu” got receipt number on May 7th.. i don’t think so still you guys are waiting for the results…. till now who all got the receipt numbers they are lucky and who are not yet they are un lucky… no more receipt numbers will come… Good luck for next year / choose other country
What nonsense is this.
Anyone cheque encashed and waiting 4 receipt
Do we know how much time it take to process Regular Processing – Mine is RP ..
DM
Hi All,
Did anyone received the receipt number whose last name starts with the letter “V”?
Please let me know. Thanks in advance.
Yes, one of my friend got it.
yes,even one of friend got the receipt long back
Need an advise on my receipt notice, I received I797C and want to know does it make any difference when you receive I797 “A” , “B” or “C” in this case. I mean for H1B receipt number.
Or has someone received I797 “A” or “B” for H1B receipt notification, please advise.
Thanks
I797C is only an acknowledgment that ur application was received. Basically what it means is that ur appln was picked in lottery and they have cashed ur cheque. Once ur application is approved then u would receive I797. Foe more details refer to this link. uscis.gov/i-797-info
I request all wiproites to call GIMS service desk and ask them two very specific question:
1) How many more receipts they are expecting?
2) Are they going to share more results this Friday?
Roughly every employer has 25-30 pcnt chances of receipts , if Wipro applied
a) 10000 —> 2500-3000 receipts
b) 7500 —> 1900 – 2500 receipts
My gut feeling is Wipro shared 900-1200 receipts yesterday, so approx 800-1200 receipts are still awaited.
Hopefully mine is one of them.
Good luck all.
Keep praying.
Any genuine response will be of gr8 help.
Jai Mata Di!!!
Today I was in GIMS office to discuss my business Visa.
I asked one senior official in GIMS regarding H1B status
He gave me below update
1)Wipro applied around 10000 visa this year
2)Till now they have received list of 1500 selected candidate
3)They are expecting more receipt but they are not sure about the number
4) they will update the remaining list by end of this week or mid of next week
So hope for the best
All the best to everyone
JMD!!!!!
Thanks “Wipro_GIMS_OOC” for the update.
I wish GIMS has not shared all of the 1500 receipts yet , and they would share the remaining plus the new receipts on coming Friday 😀
I am hoping, I would get selected this time 🙂
JMD!!!
we updated your name for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number :
can any one help what it mean
This means that there was a minor error in the name that was printed on the application receipt which they have now fixed for further processing..
I am Non-AD/PP/CA. I haven’t heard anything about my H-1B and I think it was not picked up in the lottery. However, when I asked my lawyer about my case, he said he hasn’t had any update about my petition so he cannot say mine is not picked up yet.
What does that mean ? Is there any hope for me ?
My attorney says the same too.. He says he hasn’t received any update yet which means I still have chances.. I have no idea how it works.. All we can do is wait for the receipt or for the package to return.
You will only know for sure once your attorney receives the petition back with the checks. There is no use fretting. You simply will not know until that happens. Just wait it out. With that said, I met with my attorney yesterday and they have not received any receipts this week so far. That is a pretty sure sign it is over. Perhaps, perhaps, there are a couple of stragglers to come through. But like I said, just wait!
I am also on the same boat.. CTS GIT team says wait till June 1st week. Not sure how long to wait.. 🙁
Anyone from AITC got any updates?
Please let me know here.
i have heared that 3 batches of results are already came for H1b and global mobility team sent out emails for all the members who are in the listed. whether we can expect few more batches? or its over for cts…
I had a call with GIT this morning and they said they are expecting few more receipts after this 3rd Batch and asked to wait until June 1st Week. Not sure when the next set of lists will be sent
CTS GIT is in silent mode
I am non-AD/RP. I called them yesterday and they said that they have no updates for RP cases yet.
Not sure how is that possible.
Hi h1bslaughteragain,
From where did you get this information that now its Pune’s turn to get receipts?
Did you get any mail regarding the same?
My department link is updated three times today , last updated by GIT HR , Guys please guide , Does it mean anything?
ya wanted to ask same thing bro… mine was updated twice.. last updated by some guy in BPS… dont know whats happening.. is our package returned???? 🙁
Dont know Bro, lets hope for the best!!!!
Same here bro.. let us know if any of u get receipt number
Just updated for fun machi
wanted to see if i will get famous here…i will update everyone’s recipt
Dept link has nothing to do with ur selection
Can someone tell me how can I view the department link? Is it in my is a portal?
Dear TCSers from KOLKATA,
Please share if you have any update from Kolkata FDFU..
just send an email with your empid asking for lottery status . If yes , they will reply you back. I am from TCS chennai . Unfortunately, my name is not in 1st list . Its a very short list . Good luck
Its not location specific . It is across TCS . So kolkatta FDFU might have also some information
Hopefully if So,then I will not be selected at all!!
Should we wait for mail or wait for VTS update..In VTS ..my petition status is still ” Filled and Submitted”
I am also from Chennai . FDFU will not give you result directly.
They will send to ISU RMG .RMG to Manager. That is what they told me .
Can not believe you .
There is no gain here by posting wrong info. Even i am one of you wiating here for the result. I have directly checked with FDFU . They will check your empid in the excel they have , and will tell you if your’s is selected or still waiting for lottery result. Still cant believe! I cant help
OK man … Those who are selected got any mail. ?.Bcz I don’t have any. If contacting fdfu is the only way .. Then today I will also check.
Any Update from WIPRO-GIMS today ??
I didn’t heard anyone getting receipts today.
Probably next batch of results will be announced this friday.
Just pray that you get selected in next announcement 🙂
and me too…
I really need it. God knows that.
Jai Mata Di!!!
heard??
Wipro, I heard something strange. Even though you are selected in USCIS lottery, DMs and Account managers with decide to disclose that result to you or not. Because once you get H1, you become a risky resource for them. They are forced to send you onsite, else they will loose you to another account who has onsite opportunity. Based on current need, they will process the VISA further. Not sure how much this is true, but seems logical.
This is not true at all. GIMS only have right to share the result to employees and they are sharing as soon as they are getting the results (receipts). There is no role of PMs or GMs to hide or show the result, in this process.
HI I have received receipt number EAC15144xxxxx with I797C
What is this mean
AD or Non-Ad ? which center ??
Did you get it today ?
another dumb question. what do you think it means?
Any one from MRCC got selected?