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

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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. Did someone received Approval for AD/RP?????????
    Tired of this waiting, waiting & waiting. How long it takes to get the approval for the RP????

    Thanks

    Reply

    • “Did someone received” – 70% of the kids following this forum have absolutely no basic knowledge on English Grammar! Just cannot imagine how they can interact with their American clients fluently with their H1B!

      Reply

      • Don’t worry about the English mate. If someone is skilled enough, they would survive. I understand communication is important but not everything. Skills does matter. Of-course, when it comes to H1b – your astrology does matter… lol..

        Reply

  2. Guys, people who are still awaiting receipt notice from USCIS do not loose any hope. One of the member was good enough to post the archive note from USCIS. As per the archive press release USCIS officially announces till when one can expect the receipt notice.

    archive link:http://www.uscis.gov/archive/archive-news/uscis-runs-random-selection-process-h-1b-petitions
    Current news release: http://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-reaches-fy-2016-h-1b-cap

    Reply

  6. Got an update yesterday “Acknowledgement received from USCIS”…
    This is my 2nd time… RP… File number WAC15********….
    All the best for people still waiting… My friends are waiting too.. Hopeful for them… I am from Infy MNG.. Please raise an AHD if not yet raised, they might tell you…

    Reply

  7. Hello All, I have been following this website for last 3 years since my visa filed from 2013, 2014, 2015. I only had disappointments for last 2 years and a good news came to me yesterday that my Visa got picked up this year. I work for Indian MNC. Good luck to all who got picked up. Thanks to God!!

    Reply

  8. Just got to know from my employer that I am not selected in the lottery. No further lists expected.

    Good Bye redbus2us. Feeling sad and down today. Was my only chance as I cannot work for this company more with this less package.

    Bye Bye US. We will never meet 🙁

    Reply

      • I do not have any info if my packet has been returned or not, but we were informed in groups that we are not selected.

        Thanks for your kind words but I have accepted the reality that I am not going to visit america atleast in this lifetime for I will be switching now.

        Good luck all. And yeah good luck to the real h1bslaughteragain. Happy for you for getting through after the long wait.

        Reply

  12. Hi,

    I called to GI team and they told that they didnt receive update on my visa till nw. And told me to wait till june end.
    Do you know guys, Is there any batches yet to be received in Infy.
    Please reply.

    Reply

    • Yes. Some will say there are batches. Some will say it is over. How can you believe anything for sure? For example, how do you even know if I actually am from Infy or not?

      The only way is to be patient. If you have plans to come to the US – Step 1. Learn to be patient. No one will rush things for you here just because you cannot be patient. Things will go on at the same pace no matter what. Wait for USCIS/GIT/Your Manager to give you the information. No one else can give you the true info.

      Reply

  17. Hi guys, I think its over of cognizant because all other companies got visa mail daily. so we can wait still this month end. Definitely there will be one huge batches is waiting. so Wait and grab the sweets….

    Reply

    • I am waiting too.. AD/RP/CSC
      I also tried different receipt combinations (WAC) at USCIS website. It seems from last few days approvals are just stuck at WAC1513952136. If you do ++ then you will see all pending cases and if you do — then you will start finding the approved cases.

      Reply

  20. if check encashed, receipt Number comes along with receipt Notice?is not it?Then how would employer/atornery know receipt number when check got encashed???

    Reply

  21. I am among the silent audience of this forum and almost lost any hope. But I just got my acknowledgement notice today. So, I think its not over yet till you received rejected in lottery notice.

    Reply

  24. I got confirmation about my petition approval today….

    It seems game is not yet over but still going on ….

    Thanks,
    Ajit

    Reply

  28. Hi All, please visit the below site. I think it is all over.

    http://redbus2us.com/h1b-visa-2016-cap-count-updates-tracker-news/

    Reply

  30. I am working in Malaysia and I got my application accepted for US H1B Visa. I would be the only guy to say that I don’t wanna go to that stupid country for 3 years and suffer. Don’t know why my company is throwing me to San Francisco. That’s so unfair.

    Reply

  32. Guys instead of cursing others please pray…that who ever got RFE for multiple filing should be denied..so that the genuine single applicants who are in waiting list should get the H1 approved.

    please guys pray.

    Reply

    • So far , most of the people I asked had multiple filing , some also got twice approved .. I am gonna go ahead and file multiple petitions next year . Its just the way it is , and when I get multiple selections , I wont give a sH%% what everyone has to say . JUST the WAY IT IS

      Reply

  33. Any one know what does this mean?

    “On May 20, 2015, the Post Office returned your document to us. We will hold your document for 180 days or until November 16, 2015. Please go to uscis.gov/e-request to request that we resend the document to you. If you do not submit an online request by November 16, 2015, we will destroy your document and you will need to file a new Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with fee. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.”

    Reply

    • It simply means that either the address listed was wrong or there was no one to pick up the package when they tried to deliver. Speak to your employer / attorney, they can request for delivery again.

      Reply

  34. I am tired of waitingggg.. arghhh … Kuch to result batao , Rejected denied , not picked .. wtf , no news yet ……

    Reply

        • AD/RP/CA

          Next year, I will file multiple petitions.
          I have compete with these “IT” people who come in Bulk.
          There is no hope for others. Mech, Elec
          All you IT people are sheep. Herd mentality.
          Good luck with your fake resumes.
          And don’t forget to live cheaply in the US. 10 men in a 1 BHK to save rent.
          I will try my luck somewhere else.

          Reply

  35. Hi, Got the receipt on Apr 20 th… Same status ‘case was received and emailed’ on de uscis website for past one month even though it’s premium processing… Please let me know if u have any idea on this…

    Reply

    • Please relax your case is picked up and being processed. Now you are worried why is it taking long. People are still waiting for a word on their case. USCIS will return your money if they don’t make a decision within 15 days. You should consider yourself lucky!

      Reply

  36. How USCIS lottery works – decode the below regulation.

    8 CFR 214.2(h)(8)(ii)(B) describes the selection process as follows:

    “When calculating the numerical limitations or the number of exemptions under section 214(g)(5)(C) of the Act for a given fiscal year, USCIS will make numbers available to petitions in the order in which the petitions are filed. USCIS will make projections of the number of petitions necessary to achieve the numerical limit of approvals, taking into account historical data related to approvals, denials, revocations, and other relevant factors. USCIS will monitor the number of petitions (including the number of beneficiaries requested when necessary) received and will notify the public of the date that USCIS has received the necessary number of petitions (the “final receipt date”). The day the news is published will not control the final receipt date. When necessary to ensure the fair and orderly allocation of numbers in a particular classification subject to a numerical limitation or the exemption under section 214(g)(5)(C)of the Act, USCIS may randomly select from among the petitions received on the final receipt date the remaining number of petitions deemed necessary to generate the numerical limit of approvals. This random selection will be made via computer-generated selection as validated by the Office of Immigration Statistics. Petitions subject to a numerical limitation not randomly selected or that were received after the final receipt date will be rejected. Petitions filed on behalf of aliens otherwise eligible for the exemption under section 214(g)(5)(C) of the Act not randomly selected or that were received after the final receipt date will be rejected if the numerical limitation under 214(g)(1) of the Act has been reached for that fiscal year. Petitions indicating that they are exempt from the numerical limitation but that are determined by USCIS after the final receipt date to be subject to the numerical limit will be denied and filing fees will not be returned or refunded. If the final receipt date is any of the first five business days on which petitions subject to the applicable numerical limit may be received (i.e., if the numerical limit is reached on any one of the first five business days that filings can be made), USCIS will randomly apply all of the numbers among the petitions received on any of those five business days, conducting the random selection among the petitions subject to the exemption under section 214(g)(5)(C) of the Act first.”

    Reply

  37. Please read carefully!

    1. Follow blog decorum. No abusive language or abusing others through this blog.
    2. Please follow the blog pages and comments to get information.
    3. Do not ask or repeat questions that have been discussed many times on this blog.
    4. It is your duty to put efforts to scan through information available and then ask a question if still you are missing something.
    5. Please do not use holy names and try to comment.
    6. Kindly use this forum to ask relevant and better questions.

    All the best for FY2017 H1B with 300000 applicants. If it was not your year then do not believe that next year is going to get any better.

    Reply

    • Next year you can expect 350000 to 400000 H1B applications. Please guys file through more than one employer to get possible results

      Reply

  38. w w w . uscis . gov /archive / archive – news / uscis -runs -random-selection-process-h-1b-petitions

    remove spaces

    Reply

  39. 2nd attempt in CTS. Still i didn’t receive any receipts. Already wasted 3 yrs in my career for waiting H1B. Dont know whether i need to wait for another year or not. Any suggestion guys?

    Reply

  41. Anybody getting the following message? –>
    At this time USCIS cannot provide you with information for your case. Please contact the NCSC 1 (800) 375-5283 for additional information.

    Reply

    • Same status here. It has been 2 weeks. It is a system error. You can sign up for email or text updates by making a account at USCIS and adding your receipt number.

      Reply

    • I am getting same error since I received my receipt number. It has been 3 weeks. Did you ask your employer or lawyer? Why are you getting this error? my emp said that it’s normal.

      Reply

  42. Amit’s List
    1. Go to USA
    2. Work with Professional clients
    3. Buy a house in USA
    4. Get married to my girlfriend. Throw a big party.
    5. Work towards PR in USA
    6. Buy a car in USA
    and so on ……………….

    Go please give me H1B. My dreams will be shattered if I don’t get it. My talent will get wasted in India working for these useless IT companies and their useless managers. I need a break. Please god give me an opportunity to showcase my talents in USA – feeling desperate

    Non AD/RP/CA – still waiting

    Reply

      • “My talent will get wasted in India working for these useless IT companies and their useless managers. I need a break. Please god give me an opportunity to showcase my talents in USA”

        – Who told you that such won’t be the case for you in USA ?
        Showcase to who ? Do you always speak like a circus monkey ?

        Reply

        • Amit, Goku is right. I am living in US for last 4 years. My wife has applied for her H1B. Her employer and the managers she work for are not better than any ‘respected’ IT Indian companies. So not necessary all managers here in US are good, again it is sheer luck.

          Reply

    • You seem to be a greedy person and scared of competition, at least show some gratitude towards your home country for making you enough talented.

      Reply

      • Just for your clarification buddy I put in lot of effort to learn things on my own. No one taught me the stuff. Moreover in India these so called TL, PL and PMs commit unwanted things to client and then make me work like a dog. These is lack of professionalism from these PM and PLs. They don’t understand work ethics but dumb everything on us. And ask us to do the impossible each time. So my talents are getting wasted working under such scumbags. If I work directly for the client they will appreciate my efforts more. More professionalism. You don’t need to butt lick for getting recognized. No one is greedy. If you have talent then leave India because there is no professional approach and good practices are just on paper. It is never implemented.

        Reply

        • So let’s clarify something here. You’re still the same, the reason why the client is paying for you is because you’re cheap labour (we call it travel endorsed labor). You’ll still be a second class employee, you still won’t be doing ground breaking work. Someone else is building a building, you’re a brick worker. You always will be, unless you take steps to change that. Everybody knows this. Earn some respect in the world. The reason you’re still cheap labor is because you haven’t achieved much in life other than a visa stamp. You’ll never be promoted, you’re still going to be ruled by masters beyond your control. This is the reality of life. Good luck. Learn something, pursue higher education. Get a MS degree. Innovate, start a company, employ people, then you’ll be respected anywhere in the world.

          Reply

          • Absolutely true! Employees of IT companies (most them can be seen in this forum just eager for the visa) are only willing to get money- lot of money. One of my managers once said, only qualification for these people is they have visa. Amit is partially correct though. Managers do not care about their underlings; really ask them to work as a dog. And most important, they do not have work ethics. They and their masters (till rank of CEO) only care about money and not about quality of work in return of payment. Nobody provide training to employees. Heuristic approach keeps employees at the level of ‘labor’ and nothing more. After returning to India these people gets frustrated what to do next. It is again responsibility of individual to gain skills. But on the other it is also true, very few people have talent to secure admission in US universities with scholarship and money to do extra certifications (which is no use in Indian IT companies as nobody cares if there is no relevant project). One Indian guy who worked in my team was a highly skilled mate in doing something but as the company did not have any project he was asked to work in the project where all these skills are completely irrelevant. His rare skills are completely in vain. US should think of visa reforms and getting visa should not be a luck factor. Low quality people are not only blemishing job market but also American society.

  43. My case is PP/CSC/Non AD and haven’t heard anything yet from USCIS nor the checks got enchased. Why is that we pay $ 1225 extra and still not hear anything. More than 40 days have passed whereas PP is 15 day Calendar processing!

    Reply

  46. The guy behind “Jessica Miller”..we understand your frustration level ..But Dnt waste your !!! Get out right now….

    Reply

    • Got an update yesterday “Acknowledgement received from USCIS”…
      This is my 2nd time… RP… File number WAC15********….
      All the best for people still waiting… My friends are waiting too.. Hopeful for them… I am from Infy MNG.. Please raise an AHD if not yet raised, they might tell you…

      Reply

  48. 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

      • I understand that you guys are working for world reputed multinational corporations like Pfizer,Oracle,Microsoft,Google or in highly respected scientific fields.
        But Cognizant already filed tonnes of EB1C greencards for kids who work as senior developers with 5 years experience and So called project managers with 8 to 10 years experience with poor technical skills in software . More over they filed 4000 green cards in period 2011 to 2013. Labour applications for those after a long wait are approved surprisingly last month.
        Lots of People from TCS,WIPRO ,HCL and INFOSYS are nowadays jumping into cognizant to process their green card easily and enjoy their long life with their bullshit knowledge in USA. Famous saying “When u enter cognizant offices in India ,8 out of 10 guys talks about H1B visa all the time ,When u work with cognizant at client place in USA,they talk about EB1C(If you are a lead,Please go back to India for 1 year and come and file in EB1C) and Green card is like a credit card for these cognizant people. so much of misuse. Lot of petitions already raised for these Indian companies misuse.

        Reply

        • Cognizant sponsors green card in EB1 category only for its employees who are on L1A in US. H1B doesn’t qualify under EB1 unless you fall into research category which is not possible in a regular IT job. It tries to send all its senior resources on L1A since company can sponsor L1A anytime and don’t have to wait till October as in the case of H1B.

          But these days L1A is also difficult to get and started facing audits in green card processing specially for Cognizant.

          Reply

          • Wrong man. I know 7 people working in cognizant at Hartford location got green card in EB1. All came through H1B but I accept they file eb1 for L1A too.

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