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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. Got a mail from consultancy that my petition was not selected in lottery. They have sent me copy of uscis letter. Good luck guys who got selected and approved. I will again try next year.

    Reply

    • I’m sorry to hear that, but I thank you for the update. I’m glad the USCIS is returning rejected petitions, so we can move on with our lives.

      Reply

  2. Hi Frds
    I got h1b picked this time, but it went to RFE asking client letter. I know will not get this client letter at any cost as the client has been changed now.

    1. Am i exempted from cap /still be valid for next year if the company still withdraws the application?
    2. is there a way if we submit the MSA it will work?

    Thanks

    Reply

        • you will to have find a good attorney and project first than get LCA updated , chances are 50% though , still have a chance to try out. I see MNC filing for multiple locations LCA but that was when you file it. Not 100% sure how can you update it later but attorney will help. Ask Questions on avvo dot com. They are very experienced lawyer. you may see a response in 15 mins and hire one from there.

          Reply

  3. got h1b picked, but it went to RFE for client letter and this client letter will not get as the client has been changed now?

    1. Am i exempted from cap /still be valid for next year?
    2. is there a way if we submit the MSA it will work?

    Thanks

    Reply

    • Without client letter chances of petition rejection are high. You will not be cap exempted next year as you do not have an approved H1B

      Reply

  6. My H1 B visa is under process, meanwhile the pages are getting exhausted (10 pages are remaining) in the current passport (using with petition is filed). I am planning to get the passport renewed.

    What would be the best option:

    1) Get the passport reviewed immediately through taatkal. Will there will be any hindrances during VISA stamping because of new passport, of course new passport will have old passport reference.

    2) Get the passport after VISA stamping ? In this case what will be the VISA Expiry date as my current passport will expire in June 17. Will I not get the 3 years VISA?

    3) Travel with the existing passport and get passport reissued in US only. In this case what will be the VISA expiry date as my current passport will expire in June 17. Will I not get the 3 years VISA?

    appreciate your inputs..

    Reply

  8. Hi Guys,
    I’m selected in Lottery results 2016. Its Non AD/RP. Can anyone tell me, when can i expect Approval on my petition?? and when the people ready to fly for US in case of Non AD/RP. I know it can be redundant question for you as some others might also have asked same, but its not possible for me to search that on previous pages. thanks in advance for giving your precious time.

    Reply

    • L1B has nothing to do with H1B rejection…Both the VISA is valid as per USCIS…so unless there is no valid reason, uscis don;t reject

      Reply

  11. Hi All,

    My Receipt number is EAC15144*****.. Status of the Receipt is showing as “Case was Received”.. Is there any Progress you guys are seeing or do you have any information on EAC receipts..

    Thanks in advance!!

    Reply

      • Same here as well. My receipt starts with EAC15142*****, still showing the status as Case was received. Not sure how many days still we need to wait for approval..

        Reply

  12. is anyone from IBM got his package rejected from USCIS.
    As per VISA Team, they are saying rejection is not started yet.

    Reply

  13. Hi Guys,
    Just wanted to know if people applying through Collabera have started getting rejection letters?I got one letter from the recruitment team yesterday stating that my application has not been selected so bad luck this time!!!!

    Tota

    Reply

  14. Hey guys any news from Accenture…… I did not heard any update post 18th may mailer.

    God Help us Please 🙂

    Reply

    • I think there is no point in calling . They won’t disclose anything . Immigration girl says that they started to receive return packages from yesterday onwards. I think it will take around 3-4 weeks to complete.So we have to wait up to that time .

      Reply

  18. As per hyd fdfu no more batches. They r directly updating status as and when they got update. My friend directly got rfe mail a week back without getting selection notification..

    2 of my team members already got rfes..

    Reply

    • Oh is it, directly RFE email from FDFU without the selection intimation?
      I heard that there is one more batch to come. Is it true?

      Reply

    • Oh is it, direct RFE intimation from FDFU without the notice of selection? So your team mates didnot get “Awaiting lottery status” email from FDFU before and directly got RFE’s? Can we expect 4th list?

      Reply

      • Yes.. strange… got directly RFE mail without any selection intimation r awaiting status mail..

        As per conversation with Fdfu hyd they r not expecting any batches.. may be or may not be true…

        Reply

    • Game over for TCS/Infosys….
      oneindia.com/business/h1b-visa-row-investigation-in-us-will-indian-govt-save-infosys-tcs-1777721.html

      Reply

      • Ya Buddy… If game over for TCS means all the other fake consultancies would have already been shut down…
        First know its not USCIIS it’s USCIS and then about TCS.

        Reply

  19. Hi , I got an update on my Case saying Case Transferred And New Office Has Jurisdiction , Did any one had received from California server center?

    Reply

  22. Hi , I got an update on my Case saying Case Transferred And New Office Has Jurisdiction , Did any one had received from California server center

    Reply

  23. guys,

    for who r still waiting & worried… dont be worried… h1b or US is not the end of life. try switching the company in india if you want more money..we get extend our presence to live with our parents more!! i move on with it & what about you?

    Reply

  24. n this system of lottery is another unfair thing. people who have been waiting for years will have to keep waiting & luck just plays a role here?? what a stupid system in this digital age!!?

    Reply

  25. Its ridiculous to have such a system by USCIS & each software concerns which keeps people waiting & waiting, wasting time & frustrating each & every time it strikes us. Cant it be an online announcement? Cant it be expedited than having this stone age system?

    Reply

  27. Any news from this fake guys? I doubt whether they filed or not? They are trying to extend so they won’t return the money

    Reply

    • We have no option. Just wait for their response. I hope USCIS will do an announcement when they return all the packages back. If they hold the info after this we can ask for money back. But now I doubt , will they return back our cash ?

      Reply

          • How about inform USCIS of a company named 8kmiles that is offering sells H1B visa applications? USCIS tends to take fraud quite seriously and will revoke visas for a company if they’re found cheating.

          • Lol … this guys seems to the be head of USCIS … “Please inform (period) uscis will do nothing” !!

  28. I got the receipt number which my employer forwarded me but waiting for the notice how long does it take to receive the notice approval/denial? as I am checking the status on USCIS website but no updates. Can anyone please let me know.

    Reply

  29. TCS’er.. As of today, there is no update from FDFU.. After the 3rd list released on 29-May-2015, there is no new list released.

    Can we expect anymore list? or is it over?

    Reply

  30. My dear fellow beings, please read this article before you start build your dreams in US. The US gov. has not taken any action till now against this attack.
    thehindu.com/news/international/indian-student-shot-dead-in-us/article7317377.ece

    Reply

    • Are you telling people that everyone who comes here ends up the same way? Or that there is absolutely no crime in India? Or that every case in India is immediately handled?

      This is an unfortunate incident that can happen to anyone and anywhere in the world. Should not base your career path based on such incidents alone.

      Reply

  32. Hi, This is the reply which i got from my employer, on my H1B Petition..
    We have not received any further updates from USCIS on your petition. The chances look slim but we will have to wait till we get a final notice from them and until then we have to wait.

    We will keep you posted if anything comes up.

    Reply

      • Someone pls…comment. It’s unbearable from past 2 months.
        Mine was Non Ad/Reg Processing. Do i have to wait until end of this month to get the final status whether got selected or rejection

        Reply

          • August is very far…>If you dont get it by the 2nd week of june.. i would say … Chances are not all that bright.. I dot want to be Harsh to anyone But thats how it is…ad it was last year…By this time they would start sending rejection notices

        • Last year By this time few of the Rejections List have been recieved. Hope this year it might get delay 1 week.. however there is slim chances to get update on selection unless until if your application is kept on waiting list .Hope fully next week most of the members who hasnt selected might recieve start getting updates. Purely it is my last year experience

          Reply

      • There is no update from GI team. Not sure why they are taking so much time to update either selected/rejected in lottery. If we ask on status they mention the same bullet points mentioned in AIMS as they are yet to receive on your application. I am not sure still anone has chance of selection. Anyways we need to continue to wait…..:(

        Reply

        • I am also waiting for the response. I too got to know that GI team is also waiting for the responses. I think now the chances are very less.

          Reply

          • Now there are very less chances for selection. Lets lost the hope & concentrate on the current things..

        • So let me explain. Can you please answer the following questions?

          1. Have you been selected in the lottery?
          2. What is your receipt number?
          3. Have you been rejected in the lottery?
          4. Where is your application packet?
          5. Are you sure that you are not selected in the lottery?
          6. When will you get to know the exact result?

          If you have answered “Don’t know” to any or all of these questions, that is because you do not have any information from your company or team or whatever. And the reason they do not give any information, is because they did not get any information from USCIS. You cannot keep bugging them about information that they don’t know. The fact is that if you have been selected, you would have known by now. If you didn’t hear anything, most likely you didn’t make the cut. But that cannot be confirmed until the application comes back – which no one knows exactly when it is going to come back. So move on with your life and stop asking the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. That is insanity.

          Reply

          • hello mr Okay, thanks for your very good explanation.. we are (atleast me) aware that even our immigration teams are not informed yet from USCIS.. we are not blaming anybody here but just checking the status with each other. and FYI, I have not even once called up or checked with our immigration teams about my appl. status

        • I believe these guys have not sent any selected note to any one. They are sending generic mails to all. May be we all have to call and ask them what is the real status

          Reply

        • I knew 3 persons who filed from them but still none got selected. They are asking to wait and saying still there is hope. USCIS has already completed the lottery, but i still wondering if they got the results for all or they are still hide’ing and holding the money…..

          Now the Trust are getting down on them

          Reply

          • Don’t worry abt money.. In rejected case money will be refunded.. Last year who r not selected,they got their money refunded( from known contacts).. At this time we should be more bothered abt current status on our petition

      • We checked for chennai location but they dont have any update from Chennai US visa cell…any update from other locations…seems wipro has started sending rejection list after 3 weeks wait….calm before storm….start working on alternatives

        Reply

        • If its so, then totally only 1300 people have got selected from TCS.. But I heard from management people that around 2200 people have actually got selected in lott.. Not sure.. But as u say, I think we have to start looking for alternates to avoid disappointments..

          Reply

          • I heard from Upper guys that around 4300-4400 application were filled from TCS end and they had already got 2k+ in all locations…so we can hope but chances are minimal…

          • If TCS is filing for 14k+ h1b every year, it’s pathetic. These guys need do to some introspection.

  38. Hi All, Got a mail from Wipro that now they are expecting only rejection list.
    Waited for almost 2 months so within 2 weeks I’ll get my rejection application status.
    See you all… 🙂

    Reply

  39. Hello Everyone,

    I just recently graduated from my Masters program and luckily I just got an employer who is willing to help me with my H1B. I am meeting with their attorney this week, but I have a few questions.

    Can I still submit an application or I have to wait for 2017, I read the application process what Opened April 1st and this is June 14th. Are applications still accepted. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Applications are accepted by USCIS starting on April 1st every year. The application count reaches the max possible in about 4 -5 days and then they stop accepting.

      Your employer must apply next year on April first for H-1 2017.

      exception: If your employer is a non profit, they are cap exempt and can apply year round.

      Reply

  41. People who haven’t received the updates on lottery yet, please don’t waste your time and energy on it anymore. In many companies, they actually don’t even file the nominations and later send internal mail updating about rejection.

    This is end of 2nd week of June and in case you haven’t received the update yet, don’t let your company fool you anymore.

    Reply

  42. Guys is still anybody waiting for h1b lottery result ? its already 14th june.
    Do we still have any positive hope?
    I have not received any info from my employer ,then are saying they did not received any update from USCIS or any receipt number yet .
    Please update if any once received selection or rejection info this week.

    Reply

      • SN:did you talk to your employer?
        I have talked to my manager he just told very less hope now…as
        USCIS already informed for selection result. But I still have little hope that may be I got H1B this year…

        Reply

    • Same case for me as well. My employer have no update about my Petition. However, still I am positive because up to that time only 3 person in selected from my project and around 30 person is nominated. We are expecting atleast 10 should be selected in Lottery. Same ratio in other projects as well. May be if we didn’t get any update by last week of June then we are in rejection list of USCIS. However, If you received any update during this duration then Please post on this forum.

      Reply

  44. Did anyone get updates from Synery Global or Siyaton Global? I am still waiting for a response to my emails.
    Do you know anyone who got selected this year from Synery Global or Siyaton Global?

    Reply

      • Hi,
        Can you please let me know more details like when did your application got picked in the lottery and application center.

        I am following it up with them since last 1 month , they are not updating any thing.

        Reply

          • Hi Friends,

            I am also waiting for Siyaton’s update. Since last month i am sending emails to them but no reply.
            I don’t know wether they really applied my H1b application 🙁

          • Thanks for your update. Regarding application center they told me they applied through Vermont, but you are telling your’s is from California.
            Till now i didn’t get any update from them.

  45. Standard Processing Cases: Notification by Mail in 2 Weeks

    The USCIS sends receipt notices for standard (not premium) processing cases by regular mail. There is no eMail option for these cases. In the last fiscal year (FY15), these notices began to arrive within less than two weeks of the lottery completion and continued to trickle in well into the month of May. It remains to be seen whether the same will hold true this year.

    Cases Not Selected in Lottery: Packages Returned After Receipts Finalized

    Cases not selected in the lottery are returned by mail with the uncashed filing fee checks to the petitioner or attorney-of-record. However, this process does not begin until after the USCIS has finished issuing receipt notices for the cases that were selected. In FY15, the rejected cases began to arrive in early June.

    Reply

      • Did they confirmed ur rejection…or just told u to wait for some more days…? If they got ur rejection v can ask them to cover page of rejection package..

        Reply

        • they did not even sent email.. told over phone.. I dont think you can ask more with them..

          I was not sure before they told they will file. How can a company file H1B for free. just by doing a simple technical interview.

          Reply

    • Common guys, they are genuine, did they take any money from you?
      No, right. then why are you guys behaving like they owe you something?
      They are following the same process as any other company, they do batch processing and inform stage wise, Be patient.
      And remember the odds were 1:4 since beginning anyway.

      Reply

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