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
- November 25th, 2015 : There is no special news as such, but we have our readers reporting that their H1Bs are still being approved that were under regular processing. So, if your status is stuck at one status, there is still some hope…
- July 14th, 2015 : USCIS released a note saying that they have returned all the petitions that were not selected in lottery for FY 2016. If you do not hear back from USCIS by July 20th, then you can contact them. Check Press note
- May 4th, 2015 : Data Entry for Selected H1B Petitions Completed
- April 14th, 2015 : Premium Processing H1B 2016 starts from April 27th
- April 13th, 2015: USCIS receives 233,000 for FY 2016 Lottery complete.
- April 7th, 2015: H1B Cap Reached for FY 2016. Summary of USCIS News
- April 6th, 2015: Guidance to file Second Petition, if Delivery Service Errors
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
USCIS Completes the H-1B Cap Random Selection Process for FY 2016 http://t.co/fQ6EPUb8Y4
— USCIS (@USCIS) April 13, 2015
H1B Cap Reached – Official USCIS Tweet and Link to Press release :
We have reached the congressionally mandated H-1B cap for FY 2016 http://t.co/RTja7POWYY — USCIS (@USCIS) April 7, 2015
Any other questions ?
And the case numbers start being generated:
https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/mycasestatus.do
EAC1512650063
Good luck to everyone
Hi Guys, I have a question sorry if its a stupid one. Can someone put full forms of all visa related abbreviations. Like what this means AD/PP? and all other such short forms. I understand PP must be Premium Processing. Would be grateful if you all can share all abbreviations related to H1 processing.
PP = premium processing
non-PP = Not Regular = RP ( some folks use non-PP ; just in case)
RP = reguar processing
AD = Advanced Degree
non-AD = Non Advanced Degree (Bachelors)
Thank You very much.
Non-AD – (bachelor or master degree outside USA)
R u kidding? H1b applied, lotter done, waiting for the results!! now u r asking about abbreviations???
So someone who apply for H1 should be good technically and well deserving OR should know each and everything in H1b world along with abbreviations? What do you find “Kidding” in my question?
USCIS received about nearly 233,000 H-1B petitions during the filing period, which began April 1, including petitions filed for the advanced degree exemption.
Better to take state lottery.Plan B would be better.
Last year no luck for me…. hope i wil get good news this year……. Good luck to every one.. keep praying to GOD…
Out of my 12 petitions 3 had their checks cashed
bastard it’s cheque not check
Please no rumors i kindly request everyone lets be serious
U liar, u just want people to be scary. Do you know how much it would cost to file 12 petitions. You would have to work your ass a whole year may be 2 to get that money back..Even if you file more than 1, I hope your petition will not be picked.
@H1B2016, in USA they call it as Checks only but in India those are CHEQUES….. Keep your fingers crossed and good luck…
PP category?
Checks cashed already???? How is it possible that people already have their receipts??
Rejection Ratio is much more greater than Selection ratio… Too bad it is… . 🙁 🙁 🙁
Can someone please post the link for the official update on count.i am unable to get it
Check uscis official web, and go to their Alerts tab; or you can check uscis twitter posts
Does anyone know when the premium processing receipts are expected? Is it starting today or tomorrow?
In this week every one heard about PP.
Yes, tomorrow morning most of the employers will get the receipt notices. Last year PP/Non PP both were processed simultaneously.
Friends
Be Positive. I am selected in the lottery !!
Congratulations friend!
how do you know you are selected? Did you already get the receipt?
How do you get to know that you are selected in lottery
Can you post your receipt number please, you can take out the last 5 digits. All I am interested in is the first 8 alpha-numeric code.
Thanks.
Great news friend!! Did your lawyer get an email from USCIS today?
That’s sad!
230000 the number we hate now
would Premium processing cases start to get updates starting tomorrow ?
Yes, I think the email start going from today itself !
Keep the figure crossed 🙂 I am going to get the H1B approved this year !!
Yes, tomorrow morning most of the employers will get the receipt notices. Last year PP/Non PP both were processed simultaneously.
It wont make any difference to any of us lives, even if we don’t have a visa.. I just wish a better place for my family and me. being in US or UK or Europe..But to add Only small consulting companies will be scrutinized and I am sure this year they will hold a lot of petitions in queue. to add- as one person can use only one visa, majority of them multiple applications will surrendered and hence queue will pile up be filled by vacant multiple applications. I remember last year so of the petitions have come back soon by mid may and some of them were kept waiting till July end and were picked up. so as long as you don’t have your petition back, you are good. Agenda of multiple filing will remain forever, to add its not big 4 indian companies but students are piling up. Read it on google. it used to be 20 K odd student till 2011 and now they are 60 K per year so that is adding up a number a lot. 60K*2 ( considering an average muliple filing ) =120K + last year 40 K==> 160 K so rest of the companies are actually filing around 70 K. which was always the case.
Friends
Be Happy ! What ever the GOD is going to do. It’s in our favor.
Best of Luck to every one !!
Count 2.33 lac’s
When will we start getting result for premium processing. Is it from today or tomorrow. Will it directly reach to my attorney? Is there any other ways we can check.
I understand that we can’t fix this broken system through this forum. And we can’t eliminate those candidates filing h1b without project in hand either through consultancy. And we can avoid the candidate filing multiple petitions unless USCIS make a rule. Loosing hopes.
Let happen on what happened. Let’s continue this forum on next steps discussion. We
I just wish 1$ become 30 Rs soon..
for the ones who filed multiple petitions, I hope that your duplicate filings will be found and you lost the chance forever.
No buddy. it wont make any difference. Only small consulting companies will be scrutinized and I am sure this year they will hold a lot of petitions in queue. to add- as one person can use only one visa, majority of them multiple applications will surrendered and hence queue will pile up be filled by vacant multiple applications. I remember last year so of the petitions have come back soon by mid may and some of them were kept waiting till July end and were picked up. so as long as you don’t have your petition back, you are good. Agenda of multiple filing will remain forever, to add its not big 4 indian companies but students are piling up. Read it on google. it used to be 20 K odd student till 2011 and now they are 60 K per year so that is adding up a number a lot. 60K*2 ( considering an average muliple filing ) =120K + last year 40 K==> 160 K so rest of the companies are actually filing around 70 K. which was always the case.
Totally agree! and best wishes for people who filed single petition
Not sure ! Whether the multiple petition is going in lottery.
Hi Experts
I filed 3. Since now we know the final count please let me know what are my chances. Some encouraging words will soothe my nerves.
why do you want people to start bashing u left right and center. STOP asking and poking people by telling how many times you have applied.
If all your applications are genuine (without you paying for the application), I wish, one of your applications get selected. Or else, I hope all get rejected.
How do the process knows if any one has paid ? Can you please explain ….
Totally agree! How can people don’t even feel bad that they are gaming the system and don’t realize that it is extremely unfair to other people. It is furious.
Your chances are pretty good. At least better than those who filed one petitions, honestly.
You mean multiple filling is a part of the H1B Lottery ?
Unfortunately, yes.
I didn’t mean that, but that seems like what they are suggesting. The only action USCIS has ever clearly stated to take is “not returning fees if a petition not selected in the lottery, if it is found to be a duplicate filing”.
Good Luck to all who applied for H1 B this year. Fingers crossed until a Month. Last year Myne was not picked in the lottery. I am sure and confident I will be through this time and will land in US.
Good luck to all once again.
Last year my husband and I had gone through this. His was PP mine was regular. We got to hear about receipts from our lawyers on 16 april and 22 april. This time it will be delayed a bit. But don’t worry. You will hear soon.
Good Luck to all who applied for H1 B this year including Myself. Fingers crossed until a Month. Until Last Myne was not picked in Lottery. This and I am confident and sure i will be through in the lottery and will land in US.
Compile a list of “highly suspicious” consultancies and email/call senators/congressmen for scrutiny. What’s wrong is wrong and this will eventually come to those not legit, even after H1B is issued.
All the best for all of us… 🙂
USCIS announced it received about nearly 233,000 application and the lottery is done today…Start waiting for our turn.
guys please sign the petition it might not help us this year but will definitely be heard. Lets not forget about the petition.
No.. No point in being different.
Next year Min 10 application Max- NA
So what’s next? How soon can we expect to hear, if we are selected?
I think you need to wait till May.
USCIS will process PP begore May 11th.
Isn’t that for the processing period? Don’t people find out earlier if they are selected in the lottery or not? and then the processing of the visa is done?
Yes we are going to inform earlier. Lets keep on waiting.
Friends – Be Positive this is the only thing we can do right. Be Happy guys.
GAME OVER!! 🙁 huge count it is 🙁
I applied for h1b last year and was finally approved in September. I clearly remember the suffering during the waiting. Best wishes for everyone who applied this year!!
congrats to you and thank you for coming back this year to wish. Did you have any hope last year?
Thank you, it was tough last year and it is worse this year. I was extremely nervous but kept the hope all the time… I was selected and then got a RFE, waited several month till I got it.
would it be too much to ask if a prayer was offered for me and others. We really need it.
Of course not! It’s just the start of game now. Keep the hope at least for now! Wish you and those who filed single petitions all the best.
@CC : Was yours a single or multiple petition. Just curious to know if any of single petition was selected or not ?
@JP Mine was single and I was the only person applied for the visa in the whole company (though i don’t think this added any chance to win)
Lottery done ….close to 233000 received as per USCIS.
USCIS received about nearly 233,000 H-1B petitions during the filing period, which began April 1, including petitions filed for the advanced degree exemption. On April 13, USCIS used a computer-generated random selection process, or lottery, to select enough petitions to meet the 65,000 general-category cap and the 20,000 cap under the advanced degree exemption. USCIS will reject and return all unselected petitions with their filing fees, unless the petition is found to be a duplicate filing.
You know what guys if things doesn’t work out for me this year, I am going all wrong ways next year. if I will find 10 employers I will file 10 time, If I can find 100 I will file 100 time … this is ridiculous I am so so so upset… I have no HOPE left have to change my name now on this blog.. I am so loosing confidence.. it was this chance all I had.. but I will not stop now.. I am not going to let this be my last chance.. I am very very frustrated please forgive if I have hurt anyone feeling with anything I have written here or going to write further… I am dying inside… 🙁
it gets worse with each passing day when you find out if you arent selected while others around are getting updates. I have a single application as well and thoroughly heartbroken.
Mr Hope
Please do not loose the hope. The GOD when closed one door open the another one. Every one is in the same boat like you.
Keep Patience and remain with us in these blogs. Keep us updated and we know “I” and “You” are already selected 🙂
Thanks so much for your words but this is terrible OMG I cant stop my tears I am sitting in office.
i just have tears in my eyes right now, despite the fact that i am at work.
I was going to write the same, I am in tears don’t know how to control. Already texted my husband to start selling our stuff as we are going back this year. 🙁 this really hurts.
Mrs Hope
Please do not loose the hope. I had distributed all my things last year to everyone when I returned back to my country.
The GOD is going to open some way. The life is still on and keep hope. Best of Luck to every one.
You are seriously an angel 🙂 thank u.. Good Luck to you too…
Thanks Mrs Hope !
I am filling for the fourth time in my life. I am still keeping the hope and let see what GOD has decided 🙂
Even bringing the Immigration reform next yr wont help if this trend continues as it proposes to increase the quota to 195k only.
USCIS received close to 233,000 petitions during the FY2016 filing window, which ran through the first five business days of April.
What is the winning percentage who had filed say 3,4,5,6,7,8,9 ?
I assume 9 might be the maximum multiple petitions filed by one person ?
170,000 unsuccessful people will again apply next year taking the count to 300,000.
My prediction 300, 000 in 2017.
Those who get it this year must consider themselves extremely lucky.
Next year there are elections .. I hope something is going to change. Either in favor of H1B or not in favor because the American Citizens are against the H1B.
Completely agree. RIP the immigration reform.
No point in being good.. Looser will be called looser
Next year, 10 application
Same here, next year as many as possible ,as many employers I can find.. ENOUGH
It is going to be blood bath….multiple petition or single petition….
Doesn’t matter anymore whether you have filed 2,34….with such a high number your chance is
4/233,000
total 233,000… it’s updated on uscis site..
Assume about 30% of these 233K have advanced degree based on the H1b tracker on this website.
Advanced degree holders have about 48.3% percentage to get selected.
Undergraduates have about 27.5%
The ones who have multi-petitions who know which way is easier of course can calculate the number themselves.
233000.. That’s ridiculous. All those predictions. All that hope. I have made up my mind I am never going to travel to US. Good luck you guys.
13th april 2015 comes odd number 13042015=7
10 April comes odd number as well 10042014=3
Seems I’ll be unlucky again ….
Look how multiple filings has zoomed the count. I was expecting around 1.8 to 2 lakhs. Feel sorry for ppl like me who have single petition filed 🙁
You mean this number is because of the multiple petitions. If yes, are they put in the lottery ?
If they put in lottery than there is no use to sign.
Even though they’re in this lottery, the petition may also make sense for the coming year. It’s for both us and coming guys.
Which petition you are referring here ?
It means the USCIS is going to work as per the process and as per the current law.
There is of no use whatever we say or sign.
Yes for sure increase in count has something to do with multiple counts of petition filed. We already had many folks here who admitted to this. And these guys who admitted were not even 1%. There are many who did not utter a word, others who do not follow dis blog. And signing dat petition proved to be a waste of time. M sure uscis had no time to read it.
233k. No Link to post. Official figure from USCIS. Subscribe to USCIS for current updates
uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-completes-h-1b-cap-random-selection-process-fy-2016
Lottery conducted. 233k is the figure..
In 2013, It was 124000.. When i rejected onsite.. now i want.. its 233000
Bye
Ohhh my god. 233000.. yes its official.. just now received the mail from USCIS. Fingers crossed. Lotteru done. Painful.wait begins.
Can you post the link?
go visit USCIS website, Its under the News section.
uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-completes-h-1b-cap-random-selection-process-fy-2016
Post the link guys
147999 unlucky guys
Friends
Is this mean that the Lottery is completed ?
read on USCIS website. Clearly states lottery has been completed.
my only request to all is not to spread rumours starting now, please keep this forum useful and helpful. Please no more jokes and nonsense.
Everyone post updates as you receive from your respective companies and lawyers
Yes you are correct !!