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

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

    • From my experience last year… WIPRO peeps heard pretty late from thr internal GIM team or whatever it was called. This is all from comments that were posted here last year from folks from Wipro. I dont work for them so i dont know.

      Reply
  1. Can people confirm who all have received updates. No long comments, please only that have been selected, leave a +1 along with your center and type of application , AD/PP/RP etc.

    Please lets keep it informative. Again request only those to comment have been selected.

    Reply
  2. I stood here last year while others received petitions. I stand here currently congratulating everyone that receives them. Hopefully one day I get the chance to be congratulated as well. Awaiting my receipt..just praying and praying more with every second. I have done everything i possibly could, now I want God to shower his grace on me and bless me. Hopefully he hears me out.

    Reply
    • Seriously? Is it end of life if you don’t get a H1B? This is not our country, and nothing is in our hands. Have a plan B and move on. Don’t be a slave to the system.

      Reply
      • No one is being a slave to the system. But some of us have family and friends all here, it will be hard for you to interpret that i guess since its not the usual scenario.

        Reply
        • No matter what, you should have a plan B. If this country does not want us, we should leave. I’ve been here for 8 years, and have an advanced degree. I’m working for a giant company. This is the third and last time I’m applying for H1B. There are equally good opportunities outside the US. Look for them! You can also stay here and go for an advance degree. Apply for it! You need to do something. Do not allow chance to dictate your life!

          Reply
          • Karl, i am an advanced degree candidate and I am working for one of the leaders in my field if not the leader.
            I am not sure if a Phd after so much effort would be sensible to go through this nightmare again.

  3. I am seeing only updates from ad/pp…how about non adv/pp..any updates…i also did thru fragomen…no updates…like someone said no response from the paralegal..

    Reply
  4. Not a clue of how this process works.. Vermont centre and regular processing..when can i expect an update about the lottery result..

    Reply
  5. Guys,

    Applied RP from Vermont..are the receipts being received only for pp??When can regular process guys expect a result..pls help

    Reply
  6. Case number getting increased in sequential order. 30min back it shoed as invalid number. In 30 min nearly hundreads of case numbers are added. So Vermont center guys should have update by today or tomorrow. from employer or attorney.

    Reply
  7. Hi Guys,

    Hope everyone is doing well!

    I just wanted to share my experiences from last year incase it is of help to anyone.

    I worked for one of the big fours, and filled through premium processing. Most people in the company in PP heard back in about a week’s time from the lottery date. I had no news until early June. In early June I found out that my visa did not get selected. From April 14th until June I would check this site every so often (more than once a day) and read people’s story of how they got the visa / how did they didn’t. It was a very stressful time for me as I am sure it is for you.

    However, when I found out I wasn’t selected , my company worked with me to find me an option overseas and now i am in the UK. Therefore, I would suggest for all of you to start thinking of back up options as soon as possible, as this process is extremely nerve-wrecking and does not always have the best results.

    For those of you who are desperate to stay in the U.S (why wouldn’t you be, it really is awesome) I would recommend looking into universities for admission or position as a staff / faculty as these are exempt from the lottery system. I know for a fact that there a certain universities in New York that do not even need GRE scores and are willing to give you CPT as soon as you join. I almost feel like they are designed for this visa process.

    Good luck everyone! But take it from, whatever happens, it’s always for the best. However it is good to be prepared.

    Reply
    • Dear Friend,

      I am one of the 233000 who is desperately waiting for receipt number. …
      I also got offer from one of the Big 4 accounting firm but haven’t started my work because January starting pool was full.
      Like you said, I guess I need Plan B in case I am not selected this year, and need your advise since your situation seems to be similar with mine.

      Could you share your experience how you have reached to UK branch? and Also other plan b I can take?

      Here is my email address if you allow your precious time to me.

      [email removed spam alert]

      Thank you
      Joshua

      So, does big 4 help most of

      Reply
  8. Wear Pink. I am wearing all pink to have that lucky charm, btw this happened somewhere
    http://www.businessinsider.com/iowa-lottery-hack-2015-4?utm_content=buffer95c64&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

    Reply
  9. I think approved doesn’t mean they picked from lottery I guess it should be Just received, I think they will conduct lottery on April 28th or may be I am wrong someone can clarify??

    Reply
  10. I literally have huge tears in my eyes, with no response from my lawyer or company. Also no one else has heard back yet. Not sure if that means game over for us, but so be it, packing my bags starting today, if god wants me to stay he will shower his grace on me else bye bye

    Reply
      • I think EAC center started sending out. Now within 10 min the case numbers reached to EAC1513552775. Previously it showed me wrong case number.

        Reply
          • No. This is not correct. Have you noticed the case title? It should be “Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was Emailed” for PP. However, in your case, it’s “Request For Premium Processing Services Was Received”. Can you see the difference now? So don’t panic and be patient. You will make it.

        • Have you noticed the case title? It should be “Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was Emailed” for PP. However, in your case, it’s “Request For Premium Processing Services Was Received”. Can you see the difference now?

          Reply
  11. One of my friends explained this to me today and that’s all i can think of now
    “Ho shaam bhi toh kya
    Jab hoga andhera
    Tab payega dar mera
    Uss dar pe phir hogi teri subah”

    Reply
  12. good news my employer got emails, my file got picked. bad news is i applied from 4 employers and 3 got picked up now i am getting confused with whom i need to proceed better pay or better environment.

    Reply
    • Congrats, but remember you lost the hopes of three other candidates. You may not know, the importance of those people to stay here.

      Just think, what if none of your applications haven’t picked. I am not saying your selfish.

      Anyways Congrats!!!

      Reply
    • Congrats!! I won’t be mad at you or others like you anymore because I am going to be 1 of you next year. I already know in my mind I can do 3 but I will find more and apply. If I get selected in all 3 I am sure I will go with the one who are my current employer Uhh!! Luck , Destiny and Me will see who will win next year.

      Reply
    • dont you guys feel some fishe here!!! Out of 4, 3 got picked and register on the first day. Also, all the employer has contacted you immediately.. Thats quite strange.. I know its h1 session and employers are also active but all the three at same day!!! Anyway congrats!!!

      Reply
  13. I think it is the time to say good bye to USA.. This is my last chance and my OPT is only valid until june.. In this ocean of 233K applications, my application could be anywhere… No Hopes, No more chances… bye bye Unites States of F***ing America..

    Reply
    • You can always enroll in a degree program to extend your stay. For instance, if you did your masters, you can start your phd now.

      Reply
    • Just heard from my lawyer that some other premium processing receipt notices have been trickling in, that is to say, I may lost in the lottery.

      Reply
    • We cannot do anything about it. Blame not the people, but the system. The current system itself has paved the way for Multiple Applications.
      If stealing were to be not a crime, would stealing be even considered a crime?
      The system is, what we get….. That’s the sad truth…
      I filed Single Petition nonetheless, and my prayers are with all my fellow single petitioners as well…

      Reply
  14. It’s my third year apply and I have been living at US for 5+ years including school. It’s not a fair systems for those Indian folks to apply more than once.

    Reply
    • Say what you may, but if the cap is so low and it is legal to submit multiple applications for the same person, the system is broken. Don’t blame the people.

      Reply
  15. Is the random lottery really random? It’s US govt. Trust me when they say random is not totally random. Random is they pic without seeing the petition not the state employer. Of course they consider all of it. So random may not mean totally random. I have tried to analyze using several data sources like state population, open doors data on students. And computerwrld reports from uscis to congress. How random is random. We may never know

    Reply
    • you have any idea how the random process working, as u said definitely they are not doing random selection like pick 65 k randomly from total, definetly they have some desiring factor

      Reply
      • my analysis from the data I have observed and people I have worked with (don’t ask me whom) makes a strong case that there is a definite subjectivity involved in selecting those petitions. It may never happen in the process of random selection some state may have a high proportion of h1b workers to US workers. It may not happen that am employer like xxx filed so many petions that they have 50% of h1b visas. Such factors mus have been taken care of. But unless there is any right to information disclosure we may not know for sure.

        Reply
        • I’ve been looking for this answer like forever…I agree with you that there should be some factors that they look for sure…If the applicant has degree in STEM from an university in US (bachelors though)… Do you think this helps?
          I just don’t think its a complete lottery system.

          Reply
  16. Is there any AD/PP still waiting for the receipt like me? Staring at the time slaps and worry so much, this is my last chance.

    Reply
    • Me too. I can extend my h1b, but I don’t want to do this, because I guess the condition of coming year will be even worse. Pray for all of us.

      Reply
      • be thankful you have the option to extend your visa, some of us dont even have that option. Our only option is a flight back home.

        Reply
    • I have no idea what you thought before you posted this. If you indeed got multiple offers, then big congrats on you. If not, I won’t put any curse on you, because I could understand all of us wanna stay here, especially for those who’s been hard working here for several years. But we hope every one could get equal opportunity. No matter for what, please don’t hurt others, otherwise you’ll get payback.

      Reply
    • We cannot do anything about it. Blame not the people, but the system. The current system itself has paved the way for Multiple Applications.
      If stealing were to be not a crime, would stealing be even considered a crime?
      The system is, what we get….. That’s the sad truth…
      I filed Single Petition nonetheless, and my prayers are with all my fellow single petitioners as well…

      Reply
      • The opposite: It is exactly the people who are to blame ! As hard as you try to justify it, the civilization is based on ethics …

        Reply
        • You must read, my entire comment :), before accusing me of justifying this intriguing matter. Anyways, ethics is not exactly law of the land, is it? This aspect has been clearly taken advantage of by many. That is what I wish to point out.
          And I am most certainly “not” the beneficiary of this loophole :).

          Reply
  17. i talked with my employer again and according to him their will be delay only of 2 days between the cheque encash and the receipt received, and according to him all Regular processing candidates will come to know about their status from starting of next week only as USCIS will send all the receipt to PP candidate first by end of this week only.

    Reply
  18. With every passing day we loose hope. I dont want to go back. I want to earn $$$ and have a good life. I dont want to see traffic again and honking on the roads and so many people. I want to win the h1b lottery. Please pray that I get the lottery. I hope you too but I want it more than any one else right now.

    Reply
    • Try other countries, New Zealand, Australia and Canada all seek for good professionals, they have much more simple and fast immigration rules and processes, while still having good salaries and big markets. There is a lot of possibilities apart from US, don’t give up.

      Reply
  19. Hi,
    I am on OPT-STEM EXtension,
    My EAD expires on 15 may 2015, when should I can apply for CAP-GAP Extension?
    My employer filled my h1b application as AD/Nonpremium(regular).
    I need suggestion,plz……….

    Reply
    • did you get picked in the lottery. you cant be eligible for CAP GAP till you get picked up as far as i know. Could be wrong.

      Reply
      • @h1bslaughteragain

        I think lottery is already done.
        I dont know, about my application picked up or not in lottery may be its reflecting on my sevis.
        Hope my DSO, cooperate to find this out.

        Reply
    • As soon as your application is picked up in lottery and is assigned a receipt number, they will update your status on SEVIS and it will automatically extend your OPT until Sep 30th.

      Reply
      • @ AD/PP

        Yes, you right in many university.
        I talked to an international student adviser, according him my university required to send them all required docs and they will issue new I-20 for cap-gap extension.
        but still I am not sure, whats kind of docs they required, I’m waiting for list of required docs of cap-gap i-20.

        Reply
      • how am i bothering others ? Is it bad to vent out your feelings along with fellow members who might be going through the same? Seems like this is the only place where people understand as they are in the exact same situation….geezz!!

        Reply
        • @h1bslaughter
          No one is screaming and irritating others like you, even though people are traveling in the same boat just like you they are just being patient

          Reply
          • I am sure others are in the same situation, its a comment not a rumor or spam….i am sharing my concern here and my plight. If its not for you, please dont comment, i dont comment on your 10000 posts to sign the petition. All of us have done everything we can, so lets stop this madness and pray to god.

            At this hour, the only thing we can do is pray to the almighty and hope he hears us out.

      • @McKain,

        What have you changed or what we changed after signing the petitions multiple time just wasted our 3 days in that, as we can see people who filled multiple petitions are also getting selected in the lottery, so please at that point of time stop this, i mean about the petition sign let the people focus on their results first after that people who will not get selected will definitely sign the petition again multiple time

        Reply
  20. This is so crazy, first we all were commenting how many petitions are there, then the focus shifted to single vs multiple petition discussion then people were loosing all control and started fighting with each other over race , nation. As soon as the count was out every one yesterday was depressed and lost hope and today we all are back in game with new hope to see if we are selected yet or not. This is a vicious circle of life. 🙂 Good Luck to all and me too!

    Reply
  21. Does anyone know whether the status of F-1 (active or pending) will be updated in your school’s system immediately after the lottery, or would it takes a couple of days to update this information?

    Reply
  22. Anyone got the receipt #, is it possible the employer/layer do not want to tell you due to considering other employees?

    Reply
    • They applied for you, which means that they want to keep you as an employee. Where’s the logic in “I’ll spend a few thousand dollars on this guy’s application and then if he gets selected I’ll not tell him about it?”. Unless you paid yourself for the application, you employer will tell you the result when available.

      Reply
      • Sorry I did not explain clear, what I want to say is: maybe the employer want to collect all the employee’s notice[as much as they can] and then tell us once, they may do not want to affect other employees mood which are still in waiting if one employee got selected

        Reply
  23. Does the applications from Big US MNC’s have more chances to get picked up in the lottery based on smart logic in algorithm?

    Reply
  24. Hi,

    I looked at the H1B tracker. It seems like two people heard back from Texas Service Center – SRC. One was picked in lottery and one was not. Did anyone else hear back from the same service center?

    Thanks.

    Reply
  25. Isn’t the fastest way to to know you were selected or not is checking with your school’s international student office? They can look up the SEVIS number for you, if there is a pending case associated, means cong….you were selected 🙂

    Reply
  26. My receipt no. WAC141325XXXX. I applied last year. So this year it should be WAC15XXX….good luck guys…hang in there….i remember how scared I was at this time last year….do not worry this is not the end…be phenomenal in your field… and then nothing can stop you from achieving greatness……I will pray for you guys…Good Luck !!

    Reply

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