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

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Updated : November 25th, 2015

H1B Visa 2016 Filing Season Complete, Cap reached on April 7th, 2015.

Planning for next H1B season, Check out H1B Visa 2017 FAQs

As many of you know, H1B Visa 2015 quota was over in the first week and a whopping 172,500 H1B petitions were received in first week by USCIS.  H1B Lottery / random selection was held by USCIS to select 85,000 H1B petitions to fulfil the work permit cap. Many of the unlucky ones are already wondering about next year H1B Visa quota. Also, some of you are planning for H1B visa for next year, you also would be wondering regarding the same. This article addresses many of the common questions, it will be updated constantly, whenever any changes to info.  Bookmark this page !  To start with, firstly the news updates on this season, followed by many commonly asked questions.

Official & Unofficial USCIS News Updates Regarding H1B 2016 Season 

When will the H1B season for fiscal 2016 begin ?

USCIS will accept petitions for H1B Visa 2016 season starting from April 1st, 2015.  USCIS did a press release on March 12th outlining the details. Read summary of press release by USCIS on H1B 2016 .

Will there be lottery again for H1B Visa 2016 ? Predictions ?

We had lottery for FY 2015 and FY 2014. The total number of petitions filed for FY 14 were about 125,000 and for  FY 2015, there were about 172,500 petitions… As H1B Quota did not increase for FY 2016, and the demand does not seem to decrease, we would very likely have lottery for FY 2016.  Read H1B Visa 2016 Lottery Predictions, Dates, Results

What is the H1B Visa quota Cap Count ? Would there be any changes to H1B 2016 count ?

H1B Visa quota cap count is the total number of petitions that USCIS will accept for a fiscal year to provide temporary work permit for highly skilled workers.  For the 2016 fiscal year, the cap count is as below :

  • Regular H1B Quota : 65,000
  • H1B Masters Degree Quota ( only US Degrees) : 20,000
  • Out of the above, a total of 6,800 is usually set aside for Singapore and Chile citizens as part of the free trade agreement between them.

As per the press release in March 2015, the quota did not increase.  To give some background, as per the Obama executive action in Nov 2014, no changes were announced to the H1B Cap count. There was proposal in 2013 to increase H1B cap from 65,000 to 110,000 and Masters quota to increase from 20,000 to 25,000 did not go through as of March 2015. At least, for this FY 2016 season, the quota is fixed and it will be as above and no changes.

When should I start planning for H1B Visa 2016 ? What are the steps ?

It depends on your situation. Below are few scenarios and your plan.

  • If you are a student on F1 Visa in USA, you need to plan for your internship/ CPT or OPT employment  at a company that can sponsor your H1B Visa for FY 2016. In my view, you should start now to find something for the fall 2014 and continue that for next spring so that you can file for FY 2016
  • If you are in other country and planning for H1B, it is good to start your process around the end of this year 2014. It will give you enough time to find sponsors, search for job, etc.
  • If you are on H4, L1 or other visa in USA and planning for H1B for FY 2016, you also should consider looking around end of this year i.e. December 2014.

We have published step by step plan, you can read the article How to plan for H1B Visa 2016 ?Step by Step Guide 

Most asked Question – How do I Find H1B Sponsors for FY 2016 ?

This is a million dollar question !  One of the biggest challenges is to find a good sponsor that can offer you a job and wait for you to start work after 6 months of filing your petition.  You should review the detail article on How to find H1B Sponsors for FY 2015. Your first place of start is to find the H1B Sponsors in an area or by company. Use our H1B Visa Sponsors Database to search and filter. Read this article on details on how to search in our H1B Sponsor database. We keep the database updated as DOL publishes data. Do NOT share your email or phone number on our website as comments, there are many people do H1B Sponsorship fraud by requesting money using your contact info. RedBus2US.com never provides personal guidance on H1B sponsors or seeks money from anyone, we only display publicly available data on our H1B Sponsors Database page. We DO NOT sponsor H1Bs or guide anyone. Beware of H1B sponsorship Fraud ! 

What about Comprehensive Immigration Reform ( CIR) – H1B Visa Changes ? What are they ?

There have been some proposed changes to the H1B Visa program to cater to the demand in the  US economy as part of the Comprehensive Immigration reform. Below are some of the proposed changes.

  • H1B Cap to be increased from 65,000 to 110,000 per year.  Also have provisions to have it up to 180,000 in case of extreme demand.
  • Advanced degree from US cap quota to increase from 20,000 to 25,000
  • The Filing fee for H1B could go up to 10,000 USD
  • Additional H1B rules to avoid H1B Visa fraud by employers
  • Mandatory LCA posting for 30 days before it is certified.

These were proposed in 2013, but nothing has moved significantly and all the above are just proposed rules. We are not sure when they will be implemented. You can read  Summary of CIR – Immigration reform – H1B Visa and Green Card  to get an idea. The latest update is that Obama has taken executive action on Immigration in Nov  2014  and none of the below are included as part of that.  Stay tuned for updates.

H1B Visa 2016 Fees – Any changes ? How much does it cost ?

There are various components of the fee. The H1B Application filing fee could range anywhere from $1,600 USD to $4,400 depending on the size of the company. The attorney fee can range from $500 to $3000 depending on the attorney. If you apply for premium processing that is another $1,225. The fees has not changed in the past couple of years for FY 2014 and FY 2015. Unless USCIS revises fee based on immigration reform, it should be same. We will keep you all posted. For complete details of the fee by components and break up, read the article H1B Visa  Fees and Who Pays for What ?

H4 Visa EAD rule impact on H1B Visa 2016 Season ?

As you know, certain H4 visa holders are now eligible for EAD. The H4 Visa EAD Rule Passed earlier in 2015 and is effective from May 26, 2015.  USCIS will start accepting applications for EAD from those eligible H4 visa holders starting from May 26th. The question is that will that have an impact on number of H1B petitions for this fiscal year  ?  It very likely will have certain impact on the number of H1B applications that are filed for this year 2016 quota. Many of the H4 holders, who would now be eligible for EAD, may not apply for H1B visa, just because it gives them more flexibility to work and more choices to work as well. We would have to wait and see, how much of an impact that would have, but it is very straightforward and no brainer for eligible H4 visa holder to avoid the H1B processing.

H1B visa Premium Processing Changes to H1B Visa 2016 quota ? 

USCIS updated in their press release that the premium processing will be accepted for FY 2016 quota and they will only begin that “no later than May 11, 2015”. What it means for the petitioners is that the official 15 day premium processing clock starts from May 11th, 2015 and their petition could be adjudicated within 15 days from May 11th, which would be May 26th, 2015.  USCIS can process them earlier as well, but their new timeline is just indication for setting the right expectations to meet the stipulated time frame for premium processing.

Track H1B Visa 2016 Cap Count updates ?

As in previous years, we have created a page, where would track the cap count updates for FY 2016. You may check out  H1B visa 2016 Cap Count Tracker.

While you wait, you can check out April 1st – USCIS H1B Visa 2016 Season Starts Today, When to expect Lottery ?

H1B Lottery Completed – Official Tweet and Press Release 

H1B Cap Reached – Official USCIS Tweet and Link to Press release :


Any other questions ?

Photo of author
Satheesh Kumar Ilu, commonly known as Kumar, is the founder of RedBus2US.com. He is an Immigration and Study Abroad expert. He holds an MS from the University of Houston–Clear Lake and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He studied, lived, and worked in the U.S. and Singapore for nearly two decades, and has traveled to over 25 countries.

   

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28,610 Comments

  1. Guys signing the petition please sign this also.

    petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/rename-planet-uranus-diarrhea-planet

    Great help!

    Reply

  8. Anyone here from Michigan? I filed with Belcan. Since I’m not AD but PP. When should I expect to hear the decision? Good luck to me and everyone here as well.

    Thank you

    Reply

  10. I just got sick checking refreshing my emails and looking at my phone every now and then. When I’m not sick.. I’m just tired..

    Reply

  13. Clearly those that got selected did something right or god favored them to be picked up this year. While some of us might not have done something right, long flight back, ill probably introspect my luck and fate and then decide what my next steps are.

    Reply

      • to Goodluck,

        that’s not strictly speaking legal. That’s like using F-1 as a bridge to cover the “out of status” gap. I wouldn’t recommend that.

        Vi

        Reply

      • yeah my company would never deem that right plus its not even right, so i am not interested in that route. but thank you for the suggestion.

        Reply

      • to Goodluck,

        Before you go on saying many people are doing that… I talked to a lot of attorneys .. LOTS.. last year when I did not get selected last year and Universities (ones which are accredited and are on the map). In fact, an international students advisor from one of the universities got pissed and started shouting at me for even asking that question.

        So……

        Reply

        • Wait until the end of the week. If no update then the chances are slim. Of course, if no update by April 27 then 99.99% you are not selected. This lottery sucks but we cannot do anything about it. Prepare for plan B.

          Reply

        • Of course, all this depends on your company and lawyers. If they have a policy to not let people know until they receive all receipts and processing is starting then you may not find out until after the 27th.

          Reply

    • Are you serious man?? Not getting in H1B lottery wont make u a sinner.. So dont think too much… Everything happens for a reason.. you should be a man enough to face the failure as well… just hope for the best. thats all u can do now…

      Reply

  14. I want to share my story to all you, and some of you who are disheartened will hopefully take inspiration out of it.

    I was once without a Job and it was very difficult finding one. Then one day while in a rest room saw something scribbled on the door which cited “You got a million dollars between your legs” and i was like eureka and fell into the thought of a lucrative business. Today i’m very rich and famous. So don’t give up people one day you guys will also make it big.

    Reply

  15. Anyone from Fragomen, I am with AD/PP/CSC- No updates yet! I was unlucky last time! I wish my petition went through from the lottery!

    Reply

  18. AD/PP/CSC receipt forwarded from immigration lawyer and employer. CSC. Hopefully it is ultimately approved. Best of luck to everyone.

    Reply

  21. Latest receipt number from California center is WAC1513550900. Today, California center already sent receipt notice to more than 900 PP candidates.

    Reply

    • I got it through them last year. They update everything on the portal once a day. So I was checking the portal once a day at 8AM US Time. If not there, then not received yet. They are pretty good in communication.

      Reply

  27. i am waiting too…filed at vermont i think in RP….my lawyer hasnt heard anything…just got an emil from him…how long to wait for RP….uurrgghhh

    Reply

  30. WAC1513453847 I see this as Last number from California center. And it looks like regular processing as status doesnt have “emailed” in it. May be all PP receipts are sent.

    Reply

    • I believe that is the last but it is for some employment authorization…so it is not for the new H1B petitions…which makes WAC1513453845 the last…

      Reply

  36. Hey guys how do you check that which was the last receipt processed in Cali and Vermont centers? I was not able to find it on USCIs website. Can sm1 please help and let me know?

    Reply

    • Are the numbers EAC15135… corresponding to processing done today or yesterday? Looks like they do ~4000 per day at each center so 8000 total per day. That means they will be done with everything in 10 days. So yeah, PP will definitely be done by Friday.

      Reply

  41. Gottaa add my story here having followed the blog and comments.. I came to US in 2006, did my MS and PhD in Mech Engg and graduated last year (2014). After 6 months of Post-Doc following my PhD, I got a full-time offer (in R&D) from one of my dream companies – I worked reallllyy hard (crazy at times) to achieve these things. Well, I am sure you had your struggles too.. My Company filed H1 for me this year (AD/PP) and I am waiting to hear from my lawyers. My company is not e-verify and if I don’t get picked I pretty much lose my offer – I will be very sad, but its OK, Not end of the world!! Unlike in IT, it is not easy to get another offer in Mech at least not like the one I have at the moment. If staying in US is the only thing I care about, Yes, I can join IT consultancies – probably end up getting more pay as well. But, not all of us here are after money (again not generalizing that everyone in IT is after money – so, please refrain from BS comments). And Yes, I can of course to go back to home country (will do it on my terms..) So, plz don’t gimme these BS comments. I am not a dumb f***.
    Now, for the folks who filed multiple petitions: How fair (or ethical) is it to do that? Yes, there are issues with the current immigration system but still.. Sometimes, I really wonder if you guys are in such desperate situations in your life that you find it reasonable and justified. Anyway, congratulations to the folks who received so far..!! I am not taking away the struggles you go through but then again there are many ppl like me as well.. And Multiple petition folks – hope you do justice to your job roles! at least, don’t brag about the pay to Non-IT folks (came across some idiots who do that).. Good luck!

    Reply

    • Hey there,

      I am currently in the US as well, with a J1. I wasn’t really planing on staying much longer. I am an architect (MSc from ETH) from Switzerland. I work for a very small architecture studio in Los Angeles. After our collaboration in the studio has been so good and productive my boss offered me to sponsor me the visa. I had some other offers from stararchitects in LA as well. But I really wanted to to finish the projects I am working on and see them built. So I decided to go with my current employer. I had the option of filing multiple applications, but that thought never ever crossed my mind. I hope, I will come through. I feel like I am doing really good in the US and whatever I create can be seen by people out there. As the H1B is for highly skilled professionals, I know like I am one of those. The thing is: I know I would have a better life back home in Zurich, but I decided that I want to stay in the US, because it feels right to me. I don’t care about the money. I care about what I can create here.

      So yeah. Let’s hope we get lucky. I can feel it will work out. Our time is not passed yet. Let’s think pink.

      Cheers

      Reply

    • I do feel, the same way as you do. I understand what you are going through… This is a difficult time for all of us (single Petitioners).
      This is my last chance as well, although I am not as academically well endowed as you… I do pray you have all the good luck, God can bestow.
      I am listening to “The Good Life” by Three Days Grace
      “No More” by Three Days Grace.
      Have faith.
      -A Well Wisher

      Reply

    • Story of our lives man, at least for many of us. I see what you’re saying about the multiple petitions, its ethically wrong. But when you give scope for such bu&& sh** then shameless fu*%s as some of us humans are will thrive on such bu&& sh**. The system is totally f%$^d up and they talk about equal opportunities.

      Reply

    • huhh… its really unfair to treat Phd. candidate as well as some b.sc candidate in the same way.. This system is completely broken.. As long as they keep these loop holes open, people always try to abuse it.. Good luck brother..

      Reply

  43. Does anyone know how many applications been filed under the master cap this year? any guess based on last year figures if possible

    Reply

  49. Why these WAC and EAC numbers are sequential?
    Did any one get receipts for AD/RP? What is the time range to know if we are selected or not?

    Reply

    • For Premium wait till next week end.. you can also keep checking the uscis status for the reciept numbers …if you stop seeing “email the receipt” message on the status then you should consider that regular have started and premium is over

      Reply

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