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

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

  1. Please do not waste your time. Contact your employer. It does not matter if your money has been taken or not. We will send the receipts as and when we want. So keep in touch with your employer. When they get it you will get it. Until then asking foolish why what when etc. will not help. If you do not have work or other activities then do not bore others with your Why how when what etc.

    Reply
  2. Heyy guys, got confirmation from my employer today, that my application has been picked up in the lottery. Mine was non-ad/ rp . Thanks redbus n good luck to you all.

    Reply
  3. ” I will give you money and make you rich & richer, but i will take away everything from you, let me know how it felt – By GOD”
    this is my situation right now.

    Reply
    • God told me…I will get your H1B approved but not your wife’s and then will sit back and have fun watching you and your wife struggle by staying apart from each other…howzat !

      Reply
  4. Hi Guys,

    My employer told me 3 weeks ago that the check was cashed, but the attorney has not received any receipt number for my case as of today. Should I still keep my hope?

    Thanks.

    Reply
    • yes, be optimistic

      Check is cleared — Congrats

      Receipt : you should get it
      ( might have lost in mail : so ask your employer / attorney to request USCIS for the same)

      Approval and all shall complete by october , so chill

      Reply
    • Yes, you should, some times the mail from USCIS may take more time to reach your employer/attorney.. Remember this when we(employer) sends our H1b forms to USCIS, we put it in overnight express and the same can not be expected when USCIS sends something to our employer.. they usually send it in .75 cents envelope

      Reply
    • If your check was cashed 3 weeks ago, you should have received receipt notice already. If check cashed today, receipt notice will come in a week. Follow-up on your employer and make sure that the check was really cashed.

      Reply
    • You should have receive your receipt notice by now. Mine was cashed 04/27/15 and I received the notice 05/01/15. Ask your employer to view the back of the check, you can find there the receipt number.

      Reply
  5. This year is my first attempt ..and It’s over….but still this is not the worst part…..worst part is next year the number of petitions will be even higher….I dearly hope USCIS take some serious steps, even if that means I would not meet the eligibility criteria….

    Reply
  6. I got receipt num from my employer and when I checked status on USCIS site it shows me validation error. It has been more than one week and still same. My employer is saying that its common. My employer sent me only receipt num not scanned receipt.

    Does anyone know about this? Please help.

    Reply
    • May be they sent you wrong receipt number i.e., any one of the numbers wrong or missing. So better ask employer for confirmation

      Reply
    • it’s normal

      Donot worry and chill ( just believe your employer 🙂 ) , scan copy of receipt is not a big thing , so fine if u donot have
      ( be happy with number )
      I got receipt number last year ( and was happy with number only till I got approval , went for stamping in october , I am now in USA )

      in USCIS site : still regular case is received or may be validation error as u can see

      donot worry , if u have just receipt number : chill

      Reply
  7. I have received the receipt copy on 30th April. How many days it takes for approval of petition ?

    Thanks in advance

    Reply
  8. Hey guys,

    I too have applied for visa, waiting if it turns out luck.

    Apart from this, let me use this as forum to see if there are like minded people. I see a lot of clever guys here(might be in India or MS grads from US) from great universities. I have an few ideas of a start up. Can we start some venture in India? Instead of falling behind this lottery s/m, shall we try something innovative?

    I’m based out of Bangalore . let me know if someone is interested(location doesn’t matter).

    Thanks,
    Infy Guy.

    Reply
  9. i just got fed up with my life, i had a good job, applied non-ad/rp, but still i didnt hear anything on my file, and today i just a argument with my girl friend, she cant convince her parents for marriage if i didnt get visa.what a life i was cursed. i lost visa and and 5 years relationship gf and now what more left for me.

    Reply
    • Usually I don’t reply, but man, I can totally feel your pain since I’m in the same situation as you. I don’t have OPT extension, applied ad this year, haven’t heard of anything by far, and most likely have to end the relationship as well. Life is hard, bless all of us.

      Reply
    • Dnt care at all about people who dnt care !! There is always a tinny hope of light in deep dark shadow !! Life is not all about H1B,Gf ,its more on you only!!!

      Reply
    • its easy to say that there is more in life, but hard to accept.a visa decided my fate today,i earn more money. i learnt life is not about money.i dont think so miracle will happen to me even at last moment.
      dont know guys how you all dealing with this visa stuff.i was a person who always believe in hard not in luck, i keep saying to everyone that luck is not something which should have always with you, luck should come in to ur life at the right time and it will change everything there after.

      Reply
      • I just replied to your other post…we share the same pain…been 7 months staying away from wife…whats the use of such money…

        Reply
      • You are really lucky man!!!! Somebody who can’t marry you if you don’t have a Visa. Do you think you can hold on for rest of life with her!!. They are a kind of Selfish girls who says reality, I am more realistic and so on. Love is not bound to be in geographies at least. God did this to you, because you wanted to learn about people!!! Ditch that girl even if you get through later, look out for someone geniune. Life is not easy !!! I know it is hard to get convinced now, but it is worth it…

        Reply
    • dude, sorry to say this but u have a job and life. Visa cant decide entire fate, the girl is selfish. What can u do if lottery dint go through, she seems to need a reason to move on. True frnds/gf wont dump for a visa. Its better to not live with such person. Who knows u might be a Millionare in future 🙂
      P. S……. I am a girl, and i hate such girls who dump for such lame reasons.

      Reply
      • True that girl….. I am in the same situation, I am married and my husband’s in same situation and this is his second time and no news yet. I strongly believe in hardwork and not in luck and lottery is not the one deciding our fate. We need to stay strong and be helpful during this kind of situation rather than dumping them. After all, you should love a person not a visa.

        Reply
          • We both have US advanced degrees. I got through this lottery last year and my husband is still struggling to get his. He is working here in US.

          • Hopefully your company applies for ur GC this year, so that your husband will get h4 ead in 18-24 months.

            God bless you both!!!

      • she was in US and the present lifestyle changed her a lot, from past 20days .work 3 companies earn 5-7 laks per month, if i am in US i will earn minimum 10 lakhs per month, she was even not after my money, she needs her parents, i can understand her from a girl point of view how important the parents.
        i realized 1 thing ” i will give you money make you rich & richer, but i will take away everything from you, let me know how it felt – By GOD”

        Reply
    • I can feel your pain brother …
      i have been in same sitn since last 2 year …
      only diff is i am in india, and my gf in usa …
      i have been trying so hard … tried L1 transfer, but it dint worked out due to my “bad luck”, I wud say… then switched to services cmpny leaving top notch job just for H1b, and now sitn is i have nothing left.
      except “pain”
      dnt feel like doing anything, no friends around … family stays far away …
      i dnt know if I plan for something else, its gona workout or not. Dont know if its worth, considering the min turn around time which is 1 year.

      hopefully i will do something to make myself, my family happy …

      Reply
      • btw my gf is very supportive …
        i dnt want her to return just cz of my visa stuff…
        she is the only priority…
        we are gonna work out on some other options …
        i want to be there for her ,, support her all possible ways…

        Reply
        • That’s a better option… like finding out your ways … wish you both good luck in your future endeavors.

          Reply
    • may be her parents are just after your money ( or son in laws status)

      hard , but reality is the same

      donot worry , think about future , you will get better things

      Reply
    • I know about someone who was in a relationship for 4 years and wanted to get married but the girl’s parents delayed it because the boy had not gone to onsite 🙂 The joker parents of the girl made put the guy under tremendous pressure. He finally got US visa and married her.

      I think its best to avoid such type of girls and their families. They will suck you dry and in old age you will be left alone. Get into relationship with a better girl.

      Reply
    • Dude, Don’t worry, What ever happens don’t loose your love. Put more and more effort to convince your GF’s parents. But don’t loose your love. Unfortunately I missed my love (but not because of H1B). Hope god gives strength to you both.

      Reply
  10. I was approved today. This was my third time trying, so stay at it if you were not approved this year. Don’t give up!

    Reply
  11. Guys anybody got petitions back. Please provide genuine update.
    From what I kno petitions are returned in June 1st week. As per last year.

    Reply
    • I am waiting for mine, but I heard in this and other forum that few have got back the petition.By May end max people will get.

      Reply
  12. Not sure about what to believe and what not to believe… Lost all hopes.. Thanks to everyone in this thread for keeping me on my toes with a your updates…

    Reply
  13. @”original h1bslaughteragain” – i hope you are having good time now.
    I heard you are getting married next month. Congrats !!!

    please pray for me … even i am in similar situation …

    Reply
  14. hi Experts
    i am selected in H1b visa lottery but my employer did mistake in Lca. they given city xxx in state xxxx but this city is not in state xxxx. they wrongly given state name so it will create problem at a time of interview or visa stamping .

    Reply
    • LCA can be modified without having to amend the I797/H1b petition (e.g. if you are changing client or work location, but still are with the same employer.) New LCA will be filed (which does not cost money) and would take around 2-3 weeks to get approved. I would suggest to get the LCA modified as soon as possible.

      Reply
  15. Buddies – Any Update from Capgemini HR for Lottery status updates.
    Didn’t hear anything on this forum so far. hope secret wallet will open today 🙂

    Reply
  16. Hey guys today i got mail from the my Employer as i was picked up in the Lottery….Its really awesome feeling,as i was working in Kuwait ,just came to India on vacation and attended one company and offered to sponsor h1b visa..finally flying to USA…bye bye Kuwait….

    Reply
      • Thank you buddy,but no idea buddy,when was cheque got enchased.As i am following this blog so thought h1b completely on luck.So i didn’t take seriously..looking to shift Dubai/Singapore..But my luck i got mail from my employer as receipt received,This means that your H1b application is picked-up in the lottery.

        Reply
  17. So misery is here to stay.

    Lot of people will get through this year and a lot lot more won’t get though As we all kno. And my belief is all these people apart from a few will reapply plus the new set of graduates from US and other employees across the world will join the h1b force next year. Even more people will go for multiple filings as per the record last year there were a handful of multiples this year every 4th person I ask has more than one application.
    Next year my guess is 400k easily. And then lottery will be much more brutal much more worse. If USCIS does not find an alternative we shoulf .
    How good you will feel to lead a year in transition without any idea of future and again take this lottery. Guys learn from your mistakes. I wish atleast some of you see that success is not equal to h1b. I wish you all get strength to wait till you get confirmed acceptance or rejection. I wish you get strength to accept the future and embrace it with your hands wide open Without blaming anyone for this.
    God bless

    Reply
  18. Hi guys ……..Game is over ,,,,,,,,, get ready for Next Year ……..Start praying now onwards…..:-))))

    Reply
  19. I can see lot of posts accusing Indians. Its simply shameful. These kind of people who accuse us should be banned for life and never be allowed to enter USA. You people do not deserve it because you are racist. H1B program was not created to target any particular nationality. It is hard for these kind of people to understand the fact that Indians have contributed in a big way towards growth of US economy and technology. Still they keep accusing Indians as if they think other nationalities do not get chance. Everyone has equal opportunity to go to USA and work. So its time that they keep quiet and stop being racist. And if they want to be racist then they should add that to their real name. Then come out here and accuse us Indians.

    Reply
    • Dude! As much proud as you are of us Indians, the fact remains. Sure, we did contribute a lot to US Economy and Technology growth, but we are the main reason there is this H1B mess. Not all of us are fake, but the number of fake applications, shelf companies, body shops are alarmingly high! We discovered the loophole in the immigration system and we are exploiting it. Not saying everyone is doing the same, but the majority of those doing this come from our very own motherland. I am an AD/RP/VT and this is my last time and I have submitted one application. It didn’t go through and I have to leave the country in 6 months. But there is nothing to be angry about it. All our rants won’t solve any problems. Unless USCIS finds a strict way to track down this bullcrap. And as far as Racism in India goes, it has nothing to do with the H1B or the USA Brother. I am from a Telugu state, and (many, not all) North Indians hate us because they believe every other guy from Telugu state is a fraud/fake. Many southern state people have a feeling that they are superior to North Indians and well educated. We are all a bunch of hypocrites! Peace out and nothing is going to change. Every year there will be tough competition and more and more people will be forced to look for alternatives. Some take a tough but genuine one, others resort to whatever they feel is right. Just decide who you want to be and work on it!

      Reply
  20. Just Called CTS GIT team, per them, “Currently they are not holding any receipts, but expecting some from USCIS. Wait until this month end” Same old story, but need to believe as we don’t have any other source to rely on 🙂 🙁

    Reply
  21. looks like game over for Wipro guys.
    very very sad 🙁
    there were so many things on stake
    all efforts in vain …
    pain and suffering … to continue like past two year …
    it hurts when ur none of ur plan A B C works …

    Reply
  22. I am sure the employers and their attorneys are well aware of how many cheques were cashed. So they have the actual number of how many petitions got selected or rejected. If they are asking you to wait then please do that because they have all the data by now. So keep faith.

    Reply
  23. Just to update u guys that I have not been selected. My employer informed me yesterday, they received my petition back. Feeling sad. It was my second attempt, will try next time. This lottery su**s. Now there is hardly any chance left (may be lucky few of waiting list gets receipt), so those not selected should think of alternate options or wait for next year.

    Reply
  24. Vunnaaavaaaaa asalunnaaavaaa???? Vunte kallu moosukunnava?????Balaji…where is my Reciept?? 🙁 🙁

    Reply
    • Right now what we are discussing about doesn’t focus on application, because everyone knows this year’s application has finished, but some people can’t face this result, so there are still questions what, why, when.

      Reply
    • I wish its not over.
      I need H1B badly, this year …
      lots of thing on stake 🙁
      years of hard work will be wasted 🙁 my family, everyone hoping for my selection …
      🙁 god plz help me … you know why i need it so badly …

      Reply
      • Are you sure? All the people whom I know and whose visa is initiated have not heard anything from PMSD. Do you know anybody who has received or have you just heard??

        Reply
        • PMSD will only notify by next weekend. Some people know because Accenture already has the information and its being used for planning and estimation purposes.
          What’s done is done. A few more days won’t make a difference. All the people I know are hand picked talented folks so a lottery is not going to decide their future.

          Reply
          • What do you mean by hand picked talented folks .. lol .. Hahahaa……Also I know a few people whose visa has been initiated and no one has received any updates from PMSD. Lets see next week they might update everyone

  25. My suggestion, I would be more than happy if atleast one person considers this.

    Please pray to god that you will leave one of your bad habit for getting H1b visa.

    Even if you get or doesn’t get. It will be benefit you.

    Also fear of God will forbid you from doing that Bad Habit

    Reply
  26. Thoughts has powers, If we think “We will get”, We will get it.
    If you can hold it in your mind, you can hold it in your hand 🙂

    Reply
    • Hi, We have not yet received you’re application status, we received only 2500 application status and we are expecting to receive more application status in coming weeks. As soon as we received we will update you without any delay. Appreciate your patience and support. Thank You

      Reply
  27. We have not yet received you’re application status, we received only 20% of application status and we are expecting to receive more application status in coming weeks. As soon as we received we will update you without any delay. Appreciate your patience and support.

    Reply
  28. Guys, checked the case status in INSZoom portal which has become my daily routine. And guess what, too my surprise I got the details fetched for my case mentioning the receipt number instead of the error message.
    Mine is RP/VT from Dell, Bangalore.
    All the best to all the H1B applicants.
    Have faith in god and have much more faith in yourself.

    Reply
    • Two things.

      1. if CTS is saying that one more batch is still awaited, It must be true. Because a) They know how many checks got encashed b) They are the ones speaking with USCIS, defenitely they are more informed than our pointless guesses

      2. There is no point in saying hopeless statement. We must be confident that we are the lucky ones in 3rd batch.

      Miracles do happen 🙂

      Reply

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