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 ?
Hello Infosys Guys…did anyone received any update on AIMS portal last week for selection /Rejection 🙁 ??
Yes many of people received REJECTED status.
3 of my friends received rejected status.
I think our should come to a point till 15th
Even though it is very rare did anyone got selected last week?
At least from our a/c no one not sure for others.
But again I called them 2de and same status that USCIS is yet to send one more list to them.
They said me you have to wait till they havent received any status from USCIS
Do they mean the list of Rejected candidates or list which has most rejections with very rare selections?
If You have an approved petition,….and if you do not travel to US for 5 years or so for some personal/official reason and if you travel in 6th year (5 yrs 6 months) then will you be still be eligible to stay in US for another 6 years from there or you can stay only 6 months more and then again have to apply for H1B and go through lottery Process?
H1b petition is generally for 3 years only. If you travel, in the 2nd year, ur I94 will be valid only for a year.
797 approval valid for 6 years.
Right…so if donot travel for 5 years and travel in 6th year using cap-exempt then will I have my 797 valide for another 6 years from that time or it will be valid only for the remaining 1 year.
check this out,
you can recapture your time outside.
murthy.com/2013/02/19/recapture-of-time-abroad-to-extend-nonimmigrant-status/
Thanks
If you do not use your H1B for the approved period, you can apply Cap exempted H1B from same or different employer. In your case on 6th year apply for Cap exempted H1B which will help you to get 3 more years.
Thanks.
Hi Guys,
I would just like to create this blog to be informative ! it cannot be series wise approvals from USCIS side but its just for analysis…of course many of us are bit curious about our series ….. mine is Cal ser center WAC1514752@@@ Regular process…..anyone with the same series can catch up here…thanks
Vasanth-Deloitte
Mine is with the same series and got approval on 9th July….all the best to others with this series…swetha
Congrats swetha, please share your visa experience here if time permits for you!!!! … thanks
Vasanth
If You have an approved petition,..and if you do not travel to US for 5 years for some personal/official reason and if you travel in 6th year (5 yrs 6 months) then will you be still be eligible to stay in US for another 6 years from there or you can stay only 6 months more and then again have to apply for H1B and go through lottery Process?
HI Friends,
Is any one schedule visa interview ? , my visa status got approved but not received any document and information from employer .
When can i schedule interview , what document required.
any information is greatly appreciated.
You need atleast the I797 form. Based on your type of employment you will need additional douments like
1. client letter
2. project dox etc
WAC1514253XXX approved on July 10, Non AD regular
Congrats !
Anyone with series WAC151415**** ? Any news on approval ?
Hello, my case was in the same series and i got approval on 6th July 2015.All the best to others.
Cool.. I see some movement on the series WAC1514152*** which was earlier a dead snake . Hopefully, they will eventually approve mine .
Just so many plans and so many dreams whose realization are hinged on that one approval as of now.
Congrats Mate… Did you apply from US ?
Hii.. Is there any way to get details such as First Name / Last Name from the receipt number? I have the receipt number but I am not sure whether it’s mine or not. Don’t know why companies applying for our H1 just won’t share the receipt numbers with us!
Ask your Employer to share a copy of I-797C…. Are you Applying from US ?
hi guys, my case was received on April 13, since then status is same no movement, mu number WAC1514052***
All H1 b holders
Just wanted to know if we are working in US …is there any company who gives employee indian salary because we are on rolls in india
Please mention your company name and mention whether you will get indian salary or not.
Are you asking if you will be paid both Indian and US salary? Or you are asking just INDIAN salary alone but not US.
As long as u r in H1, your company shd pay standard H1 US salary.
My case received on April 13th and was concerned till today. But happened finally. Thanks to Jesus. #happy#all the best guys.
“On July 10, 2015, we approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC1514*****”
Hi, First of all congrats….. could you please let me know whats ur case number starts with? mine is Cal Ser centre WAC1514752###…. Id just like to know if they go series wise!!Thanks in advance
Vasanth-deloitte
Many of colleagues in my company(same April 13th Case received) got approval a month back and I just got today. Processing time varies but dont panic just wait..
Hey Congrats, When did you come to know about ur petition approvals?me case also received on April 13th so still waiting for approvals and receipt also starts EAC15143*****. Please reply
It was today, I just checked casually in USCIS and found approved. Receipt Number EAC151465****. Dont worry guys, wait for some time to move to approved status.
Thanks and All the very best
can you please share two more credentials of ur receipt number ..
Hi,
Does any one here have any experience with Value Consulting,Virginia?Please let me know.
Hi,
I am currently in the US on H4 visa and last month my H4 extension was filed at USCIS. last week my H1b visa got approved and hence would need to withdraw the H4 extension petition. Could anyone has a sample letter to be send to USCIS to withdraw the H4 xtension. if yes, please share the template.
Thanks in advance.
Have you asked the USCIS about this issue? Wouldn’t your current status be mentioned in I-129 and maybe they are already aware you are on H-4 and applied for extension?
Just call them, ask and then send anything.
My petition has been approved yesterday. What is the next step. How many days will it take USCIS to send the approved documents. When can I go for Visa stamping.
next step is stamping
approval doc will come by Mail ( not email) : 5-7 days
When can I go for Visa stamping: any time now ( I heard 90 days before oct 1) after your employer give you docs
please god….. let my h1b get approved soon.
I will approve soon 🙂 just chill
God please approve mine too!:(
I know the wait is seriously a torture 🙁 🙁
Friends, there will some rejection during petition approval even though they were through on lottery, in that case how do they fill those rejected slots? Any idea?
Based upon last year rejection rate, they select more ppl in the lottery. May be around 70K, depends upon last year rejection rate.
Can someone say if a person is selected in lottery and all papers are in proper order, he/she will surely get approval for H1b?
Not only the papers, but also the employer track record, address, employees education and relavent work experience should also be in proper order. 🙂
Hi all,
I got h1b petition documents today. What’s next step?can I go for visa stamping?
Yes. You can book your slot for visa stamping. What are all documents you received. When was you case approved and when did u get ur documents?
My petition approved on june 8th. I-797 and I-129 and support documents. Is client letter is required for interview?
Hi can you let me know, what all the docs you got.
Above i mentioned… I-797,I-129 and support documentation
Hi all,
I got petition documents today… What’s next step? Can I go for visa stamping?
I am also waiting for documents, can you please tell me what all docs will be there in documents set.
Receipt was received on May 13th and July 9 got RFE
Hey ,just wanted to know that have u received RFE directly on 9th july or before u received receipt no
Hi prasad,
On 9th July directly u received rfe or before that u received receipt no?
July 9,I got RFE..
No idea,how much will take to approve the case..
Any update from CTS ?, Still I have not received the Receipt Number.
Neither will u receive it anymore this year…move on buddy…
Hello TCSer ,
Is everything finished now or do we still have hopes?
Its almost 10th July and we haven’t get any update yet.
Last news was 4th list has been released.
Is there any way with which we can get receipt number from TCS ??
There is still a slim chance still ,as two lists are still to be disclosed;not sure when though
One of my friend in TCS – chennai has sent a mail to FDFU requesting the status in reply he has got a mail saying his Petition was not Selected in Lottery 🙁
The Slim chance has faded away 🙁
Will it work if person from Mumbai sent mail to Chennai FDFU for status?
Mumbai people is not getting any update from Mumbai FDFU
Who told u 2 list are still pending?
last update was 4th list has been received to Manager level.
Also those 2 list that you are talking are present with managers OR they also have not get it from Visa department??
These 2 lists are to be received from TCS US branch and yet to be notified to the managers
I see in below post that 5th list has been shared now ? In that case only one more list to come then
Any news from TCS Mumbai ??? Waiting waiting and waiting 🙁
TCS guys,
Listen.. Looks like even 5th list also have got released. Only ChennaiOne FDFU team is genuine with this notification process.. I never contacted FDFU team for knowing my H1B status.. But whenever the new lists are released, i am receiving notification email from fdfu (my id in bcc)
Yesterday i got another email saying “as per the latest list that was released on 7th july, my id is still awaiting” which means there was another list released on 7th july which was 5th set of list.
Fortunately we have good fdfu guys in chennaione..
Arun, is it possible to check my id in the list you received?
Got my petition approved. EAC151425****. It was great following the blogs here.
I got my rejection packet yday. Will try my luck next year. Good luck guys and thanx a lot redbus for this platform that enabled us with some info periodically.
Applied through a consultancy, they haven’t received any update since the lottery. Any hope for me now? It’s a Non-AD.
I have applied H1B Visa through a consultancy but till date i didn’t receive any updated news from the consultancy. Now just waiting for any news ( May good or bad News).
Can we have any hope for the selection?
I believe your employer is 8kmiles … They are not reveal anything till date.
I haven’t got any news on lottery, Is there any a ray of hope ? Or it is completely gone? Please reply
Reply what? It has been over for a period. You are still asking stupid question.
Looks on June 29, one of our friend got lottery selection mail … also whatever selected in lottery may not get approved on petition, in that case how do they fill those rejected slots?
Hi All,
By God’s grace my case has been approved today. Thanks and all the best to everyone. My receipt date is Apr 29, approval date is Jul 9. EAC1514851XXX. Could anyone tell me what is the next step.
Congrats Sundar… Was your AD or Non AD ? Did you apply from US ?
Non AD. Applied from India through a consultancy.
Thank You…
Hey Sundar, can u giv me the name of the consultancy, so I can apply next year.
Hi Sundar,
Can u pls tell me the name of ur consultancy..
Anyone got RFE. Do you know how long it will take to process the case again?
It depends. 2- 3 months normally. 5-6 months some abnormal cases.
Hello All,
No more waiting on H1approval.. My case WACXXXX was approved today. i think WAC applications started moving from Received Status.. Good luck to all.
Congrats man. 🙂 we are still waiting for approval…
Congrats Ram… Was your AD or Non AD ? Did you apply from US ?
Anyone still waiting for Approval with a case received date of 13th April ?
Yes, me too as my case received date on 13th April
+1
+1 same date same status….
+1 same date same status EAC15142*****
Yes I got approval today…wait for few more days…All the best?
Most people are waiting for approval, so be patient. Any day in next 2 months, you may get approval notice.
+ I am also waiting. Mine was dated 13 April 2014 and Vermont Centre.
Case received on April 13th…Still the same old status.
Me too. Eac151425****, Apr 13th received date.. This waiting is horrible..
For those who r waiting for lottery result, its like a hell..
Me too case no EAC151495**** 🙁 🙁
Yes, EAC15143*****
++1
On April 13, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC151435****, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case.
++1…
On April 13, 2015 my case was received and I am still waiting for result… EAC15139XXXXX
Anyone who got selected on 18th may from Accenture got any updates whether petition got approved or anyone got RFE ?
No updates from PMSD, i believe it will come around end of August or first week of Sept ..
Accenture is sending the rejection and RFE information. Approval information they will share in August only
TCS Guys,
Any new updates?
Any news on lottery status?? or rejection mail?
Nope..Still the same
Wait to hear back from management continues …dont know why they hide these things…..
heard that still two lists will be out …dont know that is true though
Two list from USCIS? or is it internal TCS list? pLease confirm.
its internal list in TCS which they must have consolidated based on return packages or receipt notices received recently from USCIS
Again ,imp point here is that managers will get these lists,sharing or not sharing is solely on their discretion
One of my friend in TCS – chennai has sent a mail to FDFU requesting the status in reply he has got a mail saying his Petition was not Selected in Lottery. 🙁
What is guarantee that if our application is really filed by Employer unless they share any proof of rejection 🙁
Had a call with “immigrationgirl.com”. She told most of them are “ON HOLD” as the companies are misusing the H1B program.
Hold your breath, you might be rejected!
Wrong info
Oh no
I am going to catch you “mis users”! You can run, you can hide, but cannot escape.
Well said police uncle…
Waiting Waiting and waiting for rejection
Did any one got any updates (select/rejects) information from anginfotech or ez2techonlogies.
Any regular processing approvals from California service center?
speed up the Approval processs
I haven’t gotten a receipt number till date. Any chance of being selected? I haven’t gotten a rejection either!
Any regular processing approvals at all from California service center?
Why WAC***** centers are processing so slow. Are they guys on long holiday??
The timelines are pretty mysterious. It is possible H1 approvals are slower in Calofornia compared to Vermont. However, for certain other things Cali is miles ahead. For instance, a friend of mine got L1 extension regular approved within a month from Cali, while mine is pending at Vermont for over 100 days
I think my luck in not in favor. My H1 is with WAC , which is slow in H1B processing & L1 is with EAC which is slow in L1 processing. Both are slow.
Do you have B1?
No
My petition is approved today. EAC1514352XXX. The receipt notice was received on 27th April, and it went straight to approval from case received status.
Congrats…
Even I’m in the same series eac1514353xxx. Its in ‘case received’ status since 27th april. Hope mine gets approved soon too.
My case as well in ‘case received’ status since 13th April.
Mine also in same series eac1514355xxx. Its in ‘case received’ status since 13th April. Let me know if you get any updates
Can we move to different employer before Oct 1, which is normally the date when the H1 B starts, if the visa is approved.
I Checked today. My status is – On June 12, 2015, we approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. Whats next? Can i move to a different employer now with this approved petition?
Hi All,
I had applied for H1b visa this year, and till now I did not hear anything from my consultant whenever I ask them they say no update on your petition . But I am 99.99% sure that my petition is not picked for this year. But strange thing is I did not receive my package yet. So I would like to know if there are any chances(0.11%)? 😛
Please let me know
No hope buddy. I received rejection notice yesterday.
Same here.. 🙁
Need Advice???
I got my visa approved and currently working with a consultancy firm in US on my OPT. I am getting a full time job with another company. So do I am eligible to transfer the visa?? I mean can I switch the job before October 1, the date when the H1b starts???
Any suggestions or guidance, will much appreciated. Thanks in advance
Non/AD/RP
No update after the case received. Neighbours of my case got approved. God when will be my turn.
I will approve on time just chill 🙂
H1BSLAUGHTERAGAIN YOUR CASE WILL GOTO RFE dont worry.
today any update from infosys
Yes, stop visiting redbus2us during office hours and concentrate on the work for which you are hired.
first, you do your work and than suggest other
Why do you want to go USA ?
I will give to 10000 rs increment stay here why do you try to grab 10000$ which the students there deserve . Take 10000 rs and stay here buddy . i will give you 2 more extra days leave too.
My work is to make other Infoscions do their work which is what I am doing.
peoples are not listening you in campus itself and you are talking about this portal…l0l…go and get a life…you can not keep some like school..#donotteachusourduity
Dear Hr, this USCIS is slower than the sites that we developed for our clients… If you send me to US, I will do some performance tuning and also, I will pull you there to manage USCIS resources…Win-Win naa 😉
Hey
Did any CTS employees get any updates (selection / rejection) information for your case in the past 3-4 days? Or have they left all of us hanging ?
I received an RFE and i didnt receive any mail mentioning that my case has been picked in the lottery.
Congratulations – Looks like you have been selected. An RFE at this point is better than a rejection mail.
Seriously did u rcv a RFE mail ??? Is ur receipt number updated in myvisa or nomination app. If u r not a fake case plz reply.
Yea i received and it is acknowledged in myvisa site and assigned to a person from immigration team as well on 8th of july.
reciept number is not updated yet