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 ?
This is my third time applying for H1b. Last 2 years my H1b application did not picked up in lottery.
I am AD/PP
i got my reciept yesterday finally.
i am doing my 3rd Masters in United States
Where did u do ur 2nd and 3rd masters?
Relax guys, the results will be out only after 27th for PP. Anyone saying another thing is just messing with ya.
No. 27th is theoretically the last day on which you can get a receipt for PP. In practice, if you do not get one this week your chances are very low. After the 27th they start adjudicating the selected petitions.
People are sharing the receipt #, not decision. It is a known fact you are most likely out if you have not got your receipt # by then. For many knowing whether selected or not ASAP matters a lot. Don’t spread incorrect information.
Anyone got receipt for AD/RP or waiting for reply?
i’m waiting for reply
Anyone applied through Robinson +Cole?Still awaiting results AD/PP Vermont.
Anyone got receipt for Non AD PP?
No… Anyone else?
No, I think Non-AD/PP guys will start getting receipt numbers in the end of this week or even next week.
We can get our receipts anytime from now up to 27th of April, let’s be patient
Even i am waiting for reply from Fragomen. AD/PP/vermont
I am also waiting for response from Fragomen. Non-AD PP.
+1
Just contact my lawyer. He received two receipt by yesterday. I’m AD/RP. Still waiting. Life is hard…
He received 2 receipts for AD/RP??
Any One applied through Jackson Lewis from Reston Virginia
I am waiting AD/PP/VT
From Arlington actually, but both our cases might be managed from the same JL office. No word yet..
Hi,
Anyone applied through Fragomen received updates?
Applied through fragomen, no updates yet.
+1
As far as I know there are only two centers for H1 B processing, i.e-California and Vermont.People who talk about 04 centers, from where did you get this information?
Where do you find the most recent receipt number issued by USCIS? In addition, when I get my receipt #, from where can I check the status of the corresponding petition?
Wondering the same too.
Did anyone receive receipt in Advanced Degree-Regular Processing filing?
Nope! Assuming first will be AD/PP.. then Non-AD/PP, then AD/RP..
Did anyone receive receipt in Advanced Degree-Premium Processing filing?
I did. My attorney forwarded me the email from USCIS this morning.
No Proof. Just to my knowledge.
I believe vermont center finished sending emails to all PP requests. Yesterday I notices, the cases numbers were increasing by every minute. Today there are no updates. Hope they will do later today again.
OK can you share the place\site where you see these case numbers?
Guys,
Any update from bal global for Non AD PP??
I am AD/PP Vermont, I have not received anything from BAL yet
Also waiting. If there are no news today, I think our chances are very small. Third time applying. Oh well.
Anyone got AD/PP receipt
yep my friend got his yesterday AD/PP
I am sorry for asking , what is AD/PP
Advance Degree
Premium Processing
Any one got receipt for Non AD PP,
I have not 🙁
Anyone got email receipts for AD/PP applied through Vermont centre?
Not yet … I am eagerly waiting to hear back from my employer about the receipt notice … this is my second attempt and yes its frustrating
This is my second attempt too. I packed my bags from US last year, sold and gave away my belongings.
I think by april 27th we will get to know. If we don’t hear anything by then we should move on.
Good luck buddy 🙂
same situation here.. I was almost going back to India last year but decided to give it another shot.. who knows whats gonna happen in this pool of 233k applications… life is a joke here… h1 b is a gamble.. USA is the land of luck… feeling super frustrated.. hope for the best.. praying for all of you..
Yes 5 people from company got the receipts my employer just told me
Anyone got email receipts for AD/PP ?
google.com
Hi Vijay
Can you please share the official link where mention if any case got denied due to some employer fault whether he can use same receipt number or not or he need to go through with the same process
Check out the below link, for those who are confused about four centers.
uscis.gov/i-129-addresses
There are only two center for submitting H1B applications. California and Vermont.
Check this out .. its even more difficult to change clients after you get your H1B approved, now i guess !
mondaq.com/unitedstates/x/388590/work+visas/H1B+Updates+1+New+Petition+Required+When+Work+Location+Changes+and+2+USCIS+Ran+Lottery+for+Fiscal+Year+2016+on+April+13
Yes. I hope they make it even more restrictive for the so called consultants’ nuisance. Not everyone is in IT
What is the new rule?
This consultant sh*t deserves a death sentence.
Hi Guys
Last year my name picked in lottery but finally denied and don`t know the actual reason and this year I had apply for different employer
you are cap exempted. u can directly appply this year. inform the same to new employer
Yes, you are already counted in cap. So, use the old receipt number and you are in 🙂
Congratulations !!!
@yes
@Bandivedu
How is he cap exempted? And as far as I know he cannot use old receipt number and get H1B. He has to go through same process like a fresh applicant. Please correct me if I am wrong with a official link.
Don’t take their word.If your petition is rejected, you have to go through the same process as a Fresh H1 B applicant.You are treated as a new application and subject to the cap.I don’t know why people come up with nonsense to reply.
@anybody from India got his receipt number, i mean whoso ever applied through desi consultancies???
not yet, still waiting
When can we expect the status for RP .still waiting for the status .I guess may be end of this Month April.
My Plan B is Newzeland because IELTS not required .Other countries we must sit for IELTS. Meanwhile ,verifying the other factors of NZ .kids education,distance ,flight charges ,weather ..etc.In some point I am applied H1b for earning money only why can’t we do the same thing in other countries .Please share your thoughts guys is it fine to migrate NZ.compare to USA.
hi guys,
My employer is not picking my call. Anybody can tell me when can I expect the update of RP.
next week till may first week
Bob,
We didn’t get any update from my attorney yet..
Thanks srini
Hi Guys,
When can we expect lottery for RP,Any idea.
Lottery is already done for both PP/RP. PP guys started getting the receipts and for RP it will take another week..
Has anyone received any mail or update from their employers or attorney as yet?
I want to know, as I applied from Texas, When we wil get the EAC/WAC number?
My employer is saying we will get to know only by May end whether my profile is picked or not? I applied for PP.
I heard may 11 they will start PP, means will they start processing our profile and tell the visa interview date? or just tell my visa is picked or not?
I think we dont have Texas center for H1
Employer is in Texas, so not sure from where he applied. By when we will get to know the receipt numbers?
Vermont service centre
I want to know, as I applied from Texas, When we wil get the EAC/WAC number?
My employer is saying we will get to know only by May end whether my profile is picked or not? I applied for PP.
I think the Texas receipts have the series starting with SRC.
EAC is for Vermont and WAC is for California
IF applied via PP, your employer or attorney should receive an email with a receipt number if your case has been picked in lottery. I would ask them if they have received such email, if not, then no your case has not been picked.
The receipts even in email take some time to come, so I will at least wait till May 11, as USCIS has informed they will start processing PP cases no later than that date. Be patient, and hope for the best.
***DAY 1 Statistics ***
Can people confirm who all have been confirmed as selected in the lottery . No long comments, please only those 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. This will help us understand how many receipts have been sent so far for Day 1
As far as I know, 4 guys in our company got the receipt today, which should be 30% already, so the rest of us are almost hopeless. I think.
No one in my company has received anything yet…. All premium…. So scared
If I have for premium processing and have got the visa, I should be getting the receipt by April 27 or this week itself? Else should I assume the worst?
if you get selected in the lottery and PP , you should get to know your result by the month end .. if you have been picked or not.. but there have been instances last year where I belv PP results were still being out by mid of may… so i would say as long as you get the package back .. keep the hopes alive
Thank you, this is helpful.
This is my second attempt…praying god for getting my application picked …Fingers crossed
which god?
H1-B Visa god….
I’m praying myself.
bhagwan Vishnu. The God of all gods. Jai Ho!!!!
wrong number hain ye
Phir aap correct no bathavo
My friend received his receipt from attorney today sharing the receipt no WAC15133XXXXX
Oh really.Is it for PP or RP
Any news from Nebraska center??
Those who have returned to India after completing their masters are also applying this time. The AD count must be minimum 75-85 thousand. I have three friends who went back to India after losing to find any sponsors six years ago. Now they are reapplying in AD quota. Lot of competition in AD this time.
Wow
You are absolutely right.
2008 was the year when there were almost 40k H1 petitions in AD quota. USCIS ran random selection first time in AD quota. In absence of right policy, they just did one time selection in AD quota and returned rest of those (they didn’t run rest of AD in general quota 65k lot). Lot of MS students had to go back to their home country. OPT extension just started that year, most of the employers where not e-verified. I got my petition back in mid June 2008 (PP, AD).
Hi Guys,
Any one from NON AD / PP from VERMONT received their receipts ?
If the receipts are only coming for AD / PP now then when will it be likely for NON AD / PP applicants ?
I assume receipts for Non AD/PP not yet started.
Me too Non AD/ PP
Cool thanks mate.. Yeah I can only find Vermont has started sending out AD / PP receipts today. I see that from other forums. Lets hope to see ours soon in NON AD / PP.
When would we start hearing from Texas or Nebraska Service Centers?
Hi, even my application is from Texas. I think it will take some time for the receipts to arrive. I think its Vermont first which is Vermont Service Center (VSC) , then Nebraska Service Center (NSC), next is Texas Service Center (TSC), and its California Service Center (CSC), as one of our applicant mentioned in the comments below.
Yeah! Cali and Vermont are apparently issuing the receipts. But haven’t heard anything about Nebraska or Texas. Wouldn’t all these service centers process the applications simultaneously?
🙂 I’m not sure on this
My petition was submitted AD/PP to the Vermont center. My employer hasn’t heard regarding status of any of the PP cases they had filed, including mine. Hopeful that I hear something soon.. Else I will have to sit at home on H4 unemployed for another year, despite graduating from an Ivy League University a couple years ago. Good luck to everyone out there who is waiting for this torture to end!
Best wishes to you. I have a friend will be facing the same situation if she doesn’t get her H1B this year so I can relate. Hope you both succeed!
AD/PP Guys,
I believe if we don’t get a receipt tomorrow, then there is a very high probability that we are not selected. But that is me and I could be wrong
You are surely wrong.
Guys,
Some times we may even receive the receipt even after June , So don’t loose the hope. It happened to me during 2013 lottery.
But not for PP. PP should receive by May 11.
I would like to share my story here…
I had completed my MS in Dec, 2007. My employer (FTE) filed H1b for me in 2008 in Advanced Degree (AD) quota.
2008 was the first year when there was a lottery even in AD quota. Because it was first time, USICS had no idea how to give 2 chances to AD holders. The wait after Apr 10th was killing me. By May first week as per forums, H1b checks were started getting cashed. I had no news from my attorney. I was under 10 lacs Rs loan and at any cost I was not prepared to go back to India. May passed. By the starting of June my attorney sent me an email saying looks like its over for you. If you would have had selected, we would have got receipt by this time. I still didn’t loose hope as people were still reporting receipts and cashed checks in forums. Meanwhile my wedding was fixed in Dec 2008 and still had no idea about my future. Finally in June 3rd week, I got a packet from my attorney and letter from USCCIS stating that my petition was not selected in random selection. OPT extension was an option for me as my employer and most of the employers were not e-verified. I bought one-way ticket to India for Month of Sept, 2008.
Typical failure story!!
whose failure?
He is not a failure but a successful man. If you listen to yourself deep in your heart you will hear a voice which will scream out deafeningly loudly saying abe ch00tiya . If you dont hear it keep listening and you will sooner or later because you are one that will hear it no matter what and no matter where you are.
Anyone here applied through EMC Corporation got a receipt?
Nop !!
Any receipts for non-ad / pp ?
I just talked to my lawyer and she said answers for PP will be heard only after 27th April. So, don’t believe these fake terrorists here…
Dude, the last person you want to consult with is your lawyer ! He will feed you whatever crap he can find to just keep you calm :))
Gosh.. I was freaked out and talked to my attorney and he said the same.
why the hell do they confuse others?
that’s right.
Any one applied from TX got news?
Not yet… Still waiting 🙁
By the way, I’m non-ad/pp
No Not yet, still waiting
Anybody here applied through Fragamon? Have you heard anything from them?
Not yet!
Are there only two USCIS centers were the H1Bs are processed? I read about 4- TX, CA, VT and NE… How do we know which center has our application? I know its based on the location of employment.. does anyone know where I can find it on the website? Thx
mee too same question
1. Vermont Service Center (VSC)
Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Virgin Islands, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia
Receipt numbers start with EAC.
2. Nebraska Service Center (NSC)
Jurisdiction: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming
Receipt numbers start with LIN.
3. Texas Service Center (TSC)
Jurisdiction: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas
Receipt numbers start with SRC.
4. California Service Center (CSC)
Jurisdiction: California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Guam
Receipt numbers start with WAC.
Thx Info! This is the same information that I have.. I read on one of the posts that if you work in Iowa then it was sent to the CA center.. which is not true… for IA it would go to the NE center..
There are only 2 service center for H1B processing …California and Vermont …don’t make up additional centers…:)
Is it an option to apply for GC if I am not selected in the lottery? PP/AD.. Currently on OPT
Depends on your employer. Usually that is not an option. You would need an excellent lawyer since the chance of getting GC coming from a student visa a small as far as I know. It is a very risky process and if you get denied you will never again be eligible for a non-immigrant US visa. Talk with a good lawyer and think of the consequences before doing it.
This is wrong.
1. Visa and GC are two separate process. While GC is in the process you need to maintain your legal status, it doesn’t matter if you are on H1b, L1 or any other visa.
2. By denial do you mean perm denial? Even if it is denied you are still eligible for any visa or a new GC application.
Bottom line is, sooner you start GC process better it is for you as it sets your priority date.
My GC is in i140 stage even though I still do not have H1b.
There are limitations with other visas but starting GC process asap always helps.
Thank you so much @Incorrect
Guys,
Hardly I am in need of h1b.If I go back to my country I have to face lot if problems. So I want to stay here.Last year no luck.Let me see this year.