Home » US Immigration - Visas » H1B Visa » H1B Visa 2016 – FAQs – Lottery, Quota, Immigration Reform, News

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

| by | 28,610 Comments

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.

   

Other Articles

28,610 Comments

  3. Today 04/06 : This far we waited and another 7 more working days to get a result from GIMS(Wipro).. let us hope for the best..

    Reply

  5. Talked to a different lawyer today who said he applied for 8 people and hasn’t heard anything back yet. For anyone….
    And he said I should just wait cause there is still hope.
    I just don’t know what to believe anymore. AD PP VT

    Reply

    • I’m AD/RP/VT. I’m on OPT, first time and off course one application. My small agency said they got receipts for all other ADs except for me. But I didn’t give up. As I know, I cannot compete with those group of fake applicants in reg cap again, I do not like to believe that there are too many multiple applications in 20k cap like those in reg cap. So, just waiting. . .

      Reply

        • Hi,

          I got Below Mails-

          1st mail-
          This is to inform that your H1B Nomination is “Selected in the lottery” and the Receipt Numbers will be updated if it is not already updated in iAura

          2nd mail-
          Receipt numbers are not being shared by ISG with employees nor with SPOCs and it will not be uploaded in iAura. It is confirmed that your nomination is selected.

          Approval notice will be shared with the employees only during stamping process.

          However I got my rnumber. number

          Reply

  12. Hi, my employer told me recently that he hadnt got receipts for cheque encashed and waiting for same…after that he l inform me abt my status…he has provided me petition number.is there any link on which we can enter petition ID and find out if the case was picked in lottery or not.

    Reply

    • if you got the petition number starting with EAC or WAC that means you are selected in the lottery. ho to uscis website and check you case status.

      Reply

    • Same here. My company told me that they found one cheque encashed, but they still didn’t receive any receipt notice by now. any ideas on what happened?

      Reply

      • I have not seen much people getting lottery update.Is that USICS is sending late notifications or is it over?I am soo confused ..its disheartening

        Reply

        • Same here bro…I did not hear any news of receipt recently… If we check with case managers they reply in diplomatic way….they tell us to wait till june end and also they tell they will inform immediately if we they get receipt number.

          Reply

  17. I am from IBM and wanted to check if people are still receiving the information regarding lottery selection and most of us are waiting probably in queue in bangalore. Please comment experts.

    Reply

  25. In this week they are expectn few recpts after this week they are saying that they wil send rejection list…

    GIT team playin with our hopes????? Any info pls share

    Reply

  26. what does this mean?
    business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/new-h-1b-visa-norm-to-impact-indian-it-firms-115060101544_1.html

    Reply

    • Short answer is it will become little expensive for companies/consultancies to move their consultants around on different client sites. This means more money for USCIS and maybe for lawyers.

      Earlier if your consultant changed a location in US, you would have to file LCA. Now companies would have to file and H1b amendment which costs money and time.

      Reply

  27. Hi All

    Still waiting for results from Infosys….Any idea if we can expect some good news even now? Lots of accepted receipts have come, but I am yet to recieve

    Reply

    • I got to know my rejection on the 1st week of July last year and my friend got his receipt number on the next week (2nd week of July) after I got my rejection.

      So, with my past 2 years and this current year’s experience, I would say to wait till end of June as people did get receipt numbers till then in the previous years.

      I know the wait kills and its frustrating, but what other choice do we have? Lets just hope for the best and wait and see.

      Reply

  29. Any one got any update from synergy global solutions/Siyaton Global Solutions ?
    They are still saying no updates yet.

    Reply

  31. Hi experts,
    Can anyone please explain what it means “your request to have your case expedited was completed”?

    Thanks in Advance

    Reply

  32. Friends

    Nothing is over, please trust on yourself and do the hard work. Life if close one door open a new door for us.

    Keep Smiling :-D, do not come in stress.

    Reply

  33. I thinks, its already over. There is very bleak chance to get receipt now.
    I am waiting for my receipt too, but almost lost hope.

    Reply

  34. 3rd June 2015

    I think Its over for Accenture, no more result declared by PMSD… no mailer/update for further update.

    I guess PMSD will only send rejection mail now and that too @ June End.

    Reply

  35. Any guys from Infy – got any inputs/updates from AIMS team..??
    One of my friend got receipt number on may 20th itself. Are v still expecting more numbers or its over ????

    Reply

  37. Is there someone on this blog that didn’t apply to one of those big IT company like Infosys, Wipro, etc that uses each year 25% of the H1B visa ???? Is there any limit of application per company and if not I really don’t understand why it is not the case ?

    Reply

    • I applied for a normal company (about 50 employees). This company did it for 3 person, 2 got the receipt and 1 until now no.

      Reply

      • I think my company applied for the visa only for me so it shouldn’t take much time to process the receipt number if they received it. But they haven’t received anything yet so it must mean that USCIS didn’t send any receipt number for me :s

        Reply

    • I got an offer from Google, so not everyone is going to those crappy outsourcing companies… and yeah I probably wasn’t chosen either, since I haven’t got a receipt number.

      Reply

      • Yes, true..iam working for General Motors and i have also nt received anything on my applcation..pple like me who did masters in US ..searched job in us and filed only one application are still waiting..its frustrating to know these crappy companies are also amongst d same pool of all d applications..guess wat ..my opt is expiring pretty soon..and i have to stop working if i dont hear anything soon…whom should i blame ..myself for working hard or to the system for not being fair!

        Reply

        • LOL! When it comes to H1-B, even USCIS thinks we are better deserved irrespective of how many years of experience they have. I think that is what burns up the insides of these people. :)) =)) They just want to curse every MS candidate without even reading what they say. And these say “grow up!” Gods must be crazy!

          Reply

    • You’ll get everything back, all the fees and documents with a letter from USCIS stating that you didn’t make it in the lottery.

      Reply

    • Radhika

      All fees means : 325 + 1500 + 500 = 2325 ( USCIS fees) + 1250 (premium fees)

      Other expenditure such as attorney fees (paid to lawyer to make case) : 500 to 2000 — is gone forever
      and Fed ex ( courier/ postal fees) : 100 -200 or may be more — is gone forever too

      Reply

  40. I have a question. Does every applicant has a receipt number or only those who were picked have the receipt number?

    Reply

  41. Got my Receipt no finally!
    Was waiting for eons and after tossing and turning and spending endless sleepless nights!
    Non AD/RP/Vermont

    Reply

  43. Myvisajobs.com says my case was certified. There is a case number. I-200. Can anyone share some thoughts that does this mean?

    Reply

    • That’s your LCA (Labor Condition Application). You must have certified LCA to apply for H1b. It doesn’t mean anything for this stage.

      Reply

      • Isn’t July too late, I have heard by mid June the process will end.
        Don’t know why HTC people need such long time to reveal the results 🙁

        Reply

      • I think we can give it one more week max. They are not saying anything , looks like none of the employees have recieved an update.

        Reply

  45. Anyone got approval/RFE for non-AD/RP/VT. My recepit date is 29th April, status is still showing as Case was received.

    Reply

        • I guess they are first processing ADs, I am assuming the order might be
          1. Premium AD
          2. Premium Non-AD
          3. Regular AD
          4. Regular Non-AD

          just my guess, me to waiting on approval; received receipt date is April 13th

          Reply

    • I am too waiting for same… Don’t know if they will send today or not. But as some of our friends mentioned in this blog that they will disclose result this week. Lets keep finger cross

      Reply

      • I got update ..stating that they dont want to reveal anything until 30th of june.
        Take the situation as positive manner … Really you want to lose your company reputation? Please don’t use the employer name in public forum.
        Still we have a chance.. Touch wood…
        otherwise we will knock the door next year .. 6 months more..

        Reply

  48. Hi, Is there any hope that to get the lottery results or pick list already got generated?. I have not received any updates still. My employer asking me to wait upto June end. Can some of the experts over here clarify this?

    Reply

  49. Last year, data entry was completed on May 2 and Immigrationgirl got the first returned petition on June 2. Returned petitions rolled in until June 27th for her firm, but 43% of the petitions were in by June 10th, and 85% of the petitions were in by June 16th. (She posted a lot more data, the above is just two points).

    This year, about 80% more petitions will be returned because of the additional applications (233k-85k vs. 172k-85k). So I expect the June 2-27 time horizon for last year (25 days) will stretch out to around 40 days, or July 10th. I also expect that around 18% of the applications will be returned by this Friday (June 5th), 40% of applications will be returned by next Friday (June 12th), 70% of applications will be returned by June 19th, and 90% of the applications returned by June 26th. The remaining 10% will trickle in until June 10th I expect.

    These are just my numbers based on last year’s data and some reasonable assumptions about the additional time it will take to return the extra petitions from this year. Hope it helps.. I will post updates as we get data for this year from immigrationgirl.

    Reply

  50. Hi,

    I spoke with my lawyer. he advised to wait for next two weeks. Our cheque was chased 20 days ago and we are waiting for receipt no. Huge volume of petitions caused delay this time. Those who have got notification of their check cashed, they don’t need to worry and just wait

    Reply

Leave a Comment