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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. I think so they have mailed to avoid the individual queries and may be 1 set of Visas may come, if so they should have been in by today or by tomorrow., so wait until Tomorrow, then it is Game Over for CTS.

    Reply
    • Cognizant filed greencard to everyone working in USA…They got 4000 PERM Greencard approved this year for their previously filed applicants.. So they dont depend heavily on H1B like Wipro or TCS or Infosys. I can say only barely 1500 applications would be selected in this year lottery for cognizant. They also proceseed immedidate greencard EB1 to many senior assocaites and developers. All the guys went to USA thru cognizant will settle there and never come back…wow what lucky guys they are!!!!

      Reply
      • That’s false information man, I am in the US and lots of my friends have Ph.D with lots of high peered reviewed publication working as a Principle scientist or Sr. Software developer, No green card yet. I my self has a PhD and 1.5 years of experience with publication but won’t be able to file in EB1 as I won’t qualify.
        Just don’t come up with the story.
        We are working in big shot companies i.e., Pfizer, Oracle etc…

        Reply
  2. guys – do you think USCIS may be sending any more receipts or receipts may in transit, called my consultancy firm and they said they have neither received approval, nor they have received packet back so there is still hope, do you know if people are still receiving lottery selection emails or its game over. Thanks in advance.

    Reply
  3. On asking TCS-Chennai FDFU, got a below response:
    Please connect with your ISU RMG latest updates will be share to them.

    How would IMG know on H1??

    Reply
  4. Cognizant folks, are we still expecting few more receipts from GIT? Not sure how to interpret the e-mail sent by GIT couple of days ago.
    Are they telling some more receipts might come based on the count they have depending on the number of checks encashed. Or, they simply don’t want to be disturbed by individual enquiries and sent out that e-mail. My petition has been filed in CA. What about you folks? Still having any hopes or can we move on ? Heard from those people who got last year, May 25 or at worst May end is the maximum time we can wait. Cognizant usually doesn’t hold any receipts till June.

    Reply
      • Cognizant filed greencard to everyone working in USA…They got 4000 PERM Greencard approved this year for their previously filed applicants.. So they dont depend heavily on H1B like Wipro or TCS or Infosys. I can say only barely 1500 applications would be selected in this year lottery for cognizant

        Reply
  5. Hi All,

    I have been looking at this board for some days now.
    Trying to know if people are still getting through.
    So wanted to share with everyone who are waiting, I got my “Congratulations” mail today. So hold on and expect the best.

    Thanks..

    Reply
  6. ;;check EN-Cashed on 4th but still waiting for Receipt Notice.Any one on same boat…?when can expect?any idea…

    Reply
  7. check EN-Cashed on 4th but still waiting for Receipt Notice.Any one on same boat…?when can expect?any idea…

    Reply
    • If the cheque is encashed, your attrony/company will come to know receipt number on the same day. USCIS will send the receipt trough mail/post with in a 7-10 days. Please check with your company for the receipt number.

      Reply
      • if check encashed, receipt Number comes along with receipt Notice?is not it?then how would we know receipt number when check got encashed???

        Reply
  8. Hi Wipro members, Just now i call GIMS for knowing my application status, They are saying totally 2500 applications got selected in loterry as of now and they are expecting few more. Till june 1st week they are asking us to wait.

    Reply
    • Thanks ! Its good to know about it. Pls keep posting us if any further update. Will do the same if any news from my side

      Reply
  9. TCS guys,

    I checked with Siruseri(chennai) FDFU today.I got selected in lottery.Please check with them to know your status

    Account: Morgan stanley,chennai

    All the best

    Reply
    • Congrats dude,
      By the way.. Whats your name and under whom you are working..? Even i was working with MS till fe months back..
      Also may i know when did you approach FDFU.. Bcoz yesterday they got some set of results in which my name was not there. Any new set released today again? Any idea?

      Reply
    • Hi,
      I got mail on 19th from the attorney along with scanned receipt although “Receipt Number” was updated in INSZOOM portal on 14th May. I am from Dell 7, Bangalore.
      So keep your hopes alive by this month end. Hope this is helpful.

      Reply
      • Hi hopefulKaran,

        Thanks a ton for the info! I’m from the same campus too!
        Did you get the INSZoom login post the receipt of number or before itself?

        Reply
  10. Is there any hope remain for WIPRO guys?? Anyone heard anything recently from GIMS?
    Any information, please share

    Reply
  11. My status is changed to Acknowledgment notice received from USCIS. What does this mean. I’m awaiting reply from AIMS.

    Thanks in adv.

    Reply
    • Yes, I been selected. Checked with AIMS team and also on USCIS site. God is great. Feeling very happy. This is my first time and got selected. I gave up initially after reading earlier posts. I’m from Pune, CIS unit. Thanks Redbus and the people here for keeping updated on this lottery updates.

      Reply
    • It means your petition has been accepted in the lottery by USCIS. Its an acknowledgement for your petition. Congrats bro 🙂 . All the best

      Reply
      • Are people from teams getting results in different slots ? or once some one from our team are already selected, does it mean rest of them are rejected ? or can they keep hope for next list

        Reply
    • i got the mail as pending with usics.is there any chance to get selected in lottery or can we treat it as rejection? Please advice

      Reply
      • Dude, the game is over. There is no other list/batch. Sorry to say but people will just get Rejection mailers from next week onwards. so, better to go for Plan B.

        Reply
  12. Does lot results in TCS comes consolidated account wise? I could see only for few accounts only results were released. Or can it span through multiple lists for same account..if any one is selected in yesterday’s Lott , please mention your account name so that we will come to know the trend..

    Reply
  13. Hi All,

    Just now called the Infosys GI helpdesk and they asked for employee number for status update. They told that they didn’t received any update till todays batch while when asked about the next expected batch they said they are expecting it on 1st of June.

    So I think we still have hopes but chances are very less :(. Please let us know if anyone from Infy has any further updates.

    Thanks

    Reply
  14. Any news when will the next batch of results will be rolled out for Accenture ?

    Do we still have Hope ?
    Any information you guys have ?

    Reply
  15. guys – do you think USCIS may be sending any more receipts or receipts may in transit, called my consultancy firm and they said they have neither received approval, nor they have received packet back so there is still hope, do you know if people are still receiving lottery selection emails or its game over. Thanks in advance.

    Reply
  16. Anybody who was getting the following message got an approval without RFE?

    Validation Error(s)
    You must correct the following error(s) before proceeding:

    At this time USCIS cannot provide you with information for your case. Please contact the NCSC 1 (800) 375-5283 for additional information.

    Reply
    • I think this message is displayed when the entered receipt number is incorrect. Please check the receipt number and try again.

      Reply
    • I know some people who got this error in context of OPT. Their tracking was working find but it started to show that message all of sudden. USCIS told them it means the status is being updated. And within 2-3 days, they got OPT approval status. So I guess, maybe the status is changing, to approval or RFE which depends on your documents and luck.

      Reply
  17. Any further updates from ibm bangalore this week,ibm still sending receipts I know but not able to figure out why they are not sending them in small numbers.

    Reply
      • if our documentation work not verified completely and not uploaded into INZoom correctly then they are taking time to correct those and then they will send receipt numbers if u got from USCIS.Also, we cant view the documents they are woking in INSZoom as they have not given access to see completely.It will be visible only to case managers.

        Reply
        • So as per you the slowness in communicating the receipt numbers is due to documentation ..hmm.Lets c..thanks for the info..

          Reply
  18. Got my receipt number last night updated on AIMS portal. Long wait is over finally 🙂
    EAC-15-147-*****

    For Infy its certainly not over as they are yet to update many.
    All the best 🙂

    Reply
  19. AD/RP/Vermont. First time and regular processing. Status updated to “Case was approved” on May 19th. Good luck to all others.

    Reply
  20. Hello TCSers,

    So far, how many batch or list(s) we could expect for H1B selection? Someone please reply as per previous year’s assessment. Awaiting response ! Thank you..

    Reply
    • As of now…2nd list released !! Can anybody aware about the number of batches would be released .Kindly helpful.. It will be much helpful to all TCsers.

      Reply
    • Check with your branch FDFU!!!
      Y’day we have called them and they said status of every associate who called them.
      Mine is still awaiting 🙁

      Reply
  21. Hi,
    I have a question on h1b aproval once the applicant is slected in lottery..can any one kindly suggest or provide the information.
    1.if the person is already travel.on L1b for nearly 2years and it is expired 3 years back . In this case what is the chances of rfe ?
    2. And also holds UK business visa which is expired. Would thsese two previous visas give added advantage for getting approved quickly.
    3. Maximum when regular applications will get approved and at max how many years of H1b visa we will get considering the above cased( max 3years i know…just want to wethere uscis will givr visa according to the client letter mentioned duration)

    Reply
    • No. Whatever visa you might hold, it will not speed up your h1b process.
      If your client letter is only for a year you will get h1b only for a year

      Reply
    • 1. L1 visa should not be a problem.

      2. UK business visa will not provide any advantage.

      3. Depends for how much duration has been mentioned in I129 and LCA. Both Form I129 (Part 5 Question 10) and LCA (Part B : Question 5) have fields for dates of intended employment(that contain start and end date.) I129 and LCA usually contain the same date and are filled according to the client letter. The employer/lawyer may fill dates of intended employment less than what client letter has mentioned but generally they don’t file beyond that duration.

      Reply
  22. Hey guys, my h1b got picked in lottery. I am working on OPT in BankOfAmerica but i applied as consultant. I have my contract till Jan 2016, I have submitted client letter also which has contract end date. How many years of h1b visa am I more likely to get???

    Reply
  23. TCS’s second list is out on 20th.One of friend from my account got selected.Mine is still waiting for lottery result.The update is not from FDFU but from Manager.I am from HYD branch.

    Reply
        • How did you come to the conclusion that 50% got selected? Do you know the total counts of records selected in Round2?
          I am in same ISU and the selection till now for our account is around 20-25%

          Reply
          • Dude how did you get to know 20-25%?? I know the total counts of the records….I’m a team lead and i get all the info from my manager….so STFU

          • Team lead and you cannot mind your language? Ouch! Definitely not a team lead material! You must have gotten lucky!

          • Lead by example you SOB! No one gives a sh*t if you are a Team lead here. If you are, behave like one. If you know the total counts, give the correct numbers. Or else you can STFU!

  24. Hi, I got my selection receipt Today. Finally I made it. Mine was first time, regular processing and no master degree. Mine was genuine single application based upon my technical experience in semiconductor industry and H1B filing selection process was done strictly based on technical. I fully trusted in God and finally I made it.

    Guys, please do not lose the hope. My case shows that receipts are still coming. All the best to all deserved candidates. I wish all deserved candidates get their H1B.

    Reply
  25. Hey guys,
    Finally wait for me is over. I received an email from Administrative Assistant stating:
    Congratulations! We have received confirmation that your H-1B cap case was accepted by USCIS. A copy of your receipt notice has been uploaded into your INSZoom portal.

    Your INSZoom portal also contains a direct link to the USCIS website, where you can check the status of your case.

    Standard processing times for H-1B petitions are approximately 4-5 months.

    Upon approval of your H-1B petition, we will contact you to confirm your mailing address, and send you your original approval notice via courier.

    Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns regarding the above.

    So PwC guys, stay hopeful and GOOD LUCK!

    Reply
  26. On Monday my lawyer said I was not selected in the lottery this year and you’ll need to wait for next year. I was devastated after working so hard this is the output, then in the evening I got my i-20 from my school and it has case status update: H-1B pending and receipt number on it. Next day I asked my lawyer and found out either USCIS didn’t send me a notice or USPS misplaced it.
    Mine was selected on 13 of April.

    So don’t lose hope anything can happen!!! Everything is possible. Miracle do happen:)

    Reply
    • Congrats 🙂
      i cannot imagine how happy u must be
      u deserved it …

      and i agree with u that miracle does happen … but u cannot plan ur life based on miracle 🙂

      anyways …
      god luck for ur future
      JMD!!!

      Reply
      • Indeed was very happy, I understand that you can’t live on miracle, but for something like this you need that.

        I wish all the best to all other who are waiting just keep tight and let god handle the situation. Let the best come out of it…

        Reply
      • Sorry man I have no information regarding when check en cashed I wish I could, my company is quite big and corporate office handles everything.
        So don’t have any clue about that.

        Reply

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