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 ?
Hi,
I have a question. Is it possible to file for H1 premium processing while waiting for the lottery result? Will this speed my lottery decision ? Thanks for the help.
Wait for 3 more days.. u will be saving atleast 1,250$
Thanks bobby. But I was planning on applying for premium once I get the lottery decision since I have an admit for MS and would like to apply for f1 if this doesn’t pan out. And cos to f1 take around 3 months or so I have heard.
According to my attorney, Premium Processing is completed. All receipts were sent out in last 2 days. Better luck next year.
How many apps did ur attorney file
Change your attorney, he’s full of BS.
Guys what is your prediction for 2017 H1b season? How many applications we will see?
minimum 250K total and 100K AD guarantee.
It’ll be safe to not assume any reform will take place. Expect and prepare for the worst next year. H1B will no longer be a viable option to stay in the US.
Around 350K for sure
There will be 148K who will not make it this year + 200K
I am working in this company from 5 years, I see every year my company files less then 5 H1B, and from past 3 years all the application getting selected. and This year my company has applied for 3 h1b
AD/PP/vermont still waiting. Dont know if i would be selected. i only have visa till june .
I am observing lottery since 7 years now. No I have never applied nor am I an applicant. The process as mentioned by someone is h1b is for American employers to get access to highly skilled labour. So every company gets a fair percentage of the visa alloted. If your company is an h1b dependent company i.e. foreign company with operations in US Or a company that has more than 15 %of employees on h1b. Then there may be a case that you have much lower or may be no h1b selected in the lottery. I have seen 14 companies file just 1h1b and in all lottery system they all went selected. All American companies. Where as i have also seen some consultancies file 5 visa and nonemail gets through. This random is random.
Looks fair that is why the LCA asks for whether your company is h1b dependent.
My Observations from past few years –
H1B Lottery as per me worked like this way –
past few years.
(1) Every company get some minimum of percentage.
(2) Last to last year as noticed for few companies – they all get 50 % of H1B out of the total filling.
(3) Last year they get around 40%
The ratio may go little up or down but every company get some percentage.
Is Regular processing started in Vermont SC ?
Kindly can some one confirm.
AD/PP/VT !!
Anyone ???
My friends employer called him morning his check was cashed and his employer is expecting receipt in couple of days. AD/Pp/VT
Good morning folks, another day and still some hope of getting our visa. Good luck to all
Last number from Vermont from day 135
EAC1513554016
Hi,
How are you getting the receipt number. From which site? Can you share the link please?
Hi one question about the check
So the check to the USCIS is it sent by the employer or is it sent by the attorney’s office. I know it is sent by my employer to the lawyer but want to know if that is cashed out by the lawyer office and sends their own check.
I want to make sure whom to ask if the check has been cashed out or not.
Last year my company filed 4 AD h1s. No of us got. On the other hand my friend’s company got 6 out of 7. The lottery is very random indeed.
Every company get the H1B. There is no company who gets NO H1B.
The percentage may go little up or down. You can go the myvisajob site and see the previous trends.
Still random. 4 people applied. Not one or two otherwise I wouldnt be here typing this. Before this they applied for one h1b in 2012. He got and now on Green card.
If your company is a foreign company it may not have any visa but every American employer gets a fair percentage of visa. No company goes without it. Fact.
American Company and owned and run by Americans
Last year My company filed only one application for me.. and it did not go through the company. FYI, mine is an American Company.. So I believe that the lottery is totally a random one..
Well if it’s an h1b dependent company with less than 25 employees and 8 of them on h1b not applying but are on h1b. Then that may be the case that it is random and no one gets it
Hi,
Any one got information about Non-AD/RP – Non-Advanced/Regular Processing?
Any one’s check cashed for Non-AD/RP?
after two weeks, don’t ask similar easy question.
Not everyone has time to follow this like a full time occupation. I’d like an answer to the original question too.
You mean we all come to know after 2 weeks ?
Any one hearing anything from Shah & Kishor attorney firm?
Yes, i got from them. Non AD/PP
Admins
Please block the below users.
Guy – This is not the site for the people like who is trying to advertise there business.
Thanks
where does the ‘lottery’ fit in this if that is the case ?
Mr Rohan
I am telling you the algorithm from last few years. Tell me in case of random selection, the company like Infy may take 100% of the H1B and rest US companies like Oracle may not get a single VISA.
Is it possible ? Do you think is this acceptable ?
I have studied from past few years. You can go to the myvisajob site and see the results from past few years. You will notice this algorithum.
I used to have OCD,Bi polar disorder and all types of psycic vibrations ..just wondering if i started feeding them again with this lottery stuff..
Have u guys started watching game of thrones??
Ya on my hi speed internet connection only in US
Well, that theory does not work, I know a small company who filled 2 candidates in FY 2015 and they both went through the lottery.
Went through the lottery means selected or not ?
I really hope I get my receipt today. Since Vermont has not sent out any receipts yet (or very few), I believe they will be doing it today. Today will be an extremely important day for AD/PP/VT
I agree with you..I am also in the same boat..Haven’t heard anything from vermont yet ( or a few).
How USCIS communicate receipt number to employer either by email or postal mail ?
For premium through email. For regular through mail/postal
Hi, h1b guys
Guys could you plz tell if Non AD RP receipts have started coming in. Mine is vermont center.
not yet i guess
But what of the company only filed for 1 or 2 employees.. ?
Take out the percentage for small companies. You will see some they will selected as per 30% or little less.
So, my company applied for me only, does it mean that maybe I will be selected?
Nope, Last year my application was the only application from my company, rest were transfers. I did not get through.
This process is completely random. My application was the only one last year from my company, and I did not make it.
last year we had filed just 1 person from one company we got through lottery and approved after rfe.
I think we as humans are inclined towards finding patterns in randomness to make sense of things.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apophenia
Count please.
How many AD/PP guys have got emails for receipts so far?
You won’t get any count from people who got their receipts . They will be merrying some place and won’t come here to hear everybody asking almost same questions again and again .
Does any one got for PP REGULAR ??
Please do not ask this question again. As DM (one of the blogger) asked you to read the previous page 😀
DM, Please do not mind 🙂 If you can tell the previous page number which you are talking so that we all can check.
On April 14, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC1513554030, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your receipt notice by May 14, 2015,
Hello.. Has anyone tried to crack the lottery selection algorithm by using the history data of selected.
Can anyone share the link for the good h1b tracker avaliable.
I have noticed from past few years.
(1) Every company get some minimum of percentage.
(2) Last to last year as noticed for few companies – they all get 50 % of H1B out of the total filling.
(3) Last year they get around 40%
I think this year every company is going to get 30% (whether it’s a big or a small company)
I think it is based on required skills in UK, Last year I have seen few of my friends got selected, they were trying on hadoop technology. 5 of my friends got selected.
I am certified in many technologies and working on highly skilled technologies. I am trying from 4 years, your calculation looks not correct.
I am trying to study the H1B lottery selection algorithm. This is what I had observed.
1) Every company get some minimum of percentage.
(2) Last to last year as noticed for few companies – they all get 50 % of H1B out of the total filling.
(3) Last year they get around 40%
I think this year every company is going to get 30% (whether it’s a big or a small company)
Looks like Non PP also getting processed.. as of now last receipt is WAC1513554030 (Non PP).. so around 4K got processed
Mr Sar
Thanks for your update but the below information do not tell whether it’s a AD PP or RP PP ? Please explain
On April 14, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC1513554030, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your receipt notice by May 14, 2015, please call Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.
Ho do we know by looking at the receipt number’s that they are PP or RP?
Any one for the RP PP or RP without PP get any update ?
Any one more than 1 get selected (multiple filing) ?
Is multiple filling legal and a part of lottery ?
Experts please comment …..
Read Earlier pages.. You are starting same questions again
Please give the page number
I believe in receipt EAC1513553840, case number is 53840.
Have following doubts related to case number,
how is this case number assigned to a petition, is it generated according to any pattern?
Does these case numbers are processed or the lottery selected case numbers are processed in ascending order?
Will all the 233K petitions will have case numbers? I think will not have, because max 5 digit (last five) is allowed for case number in receipts.
No dear – The application processed on the day is 3840. – 5 is prefix and applicable to all the cases..
Got it. Thanks DM
I read in this forum someone commented that there is no wait list concept.
Pls go through below link. Although this is old info but from USCIS itself. And there is no further updates to the process after that…. As far as I know…
Here you go the link…
http://www.uscis.gov/archive/archive-news/uscis-runs-random-selection-process-h-1b-petitions
Good information – Though its old, they have clearly explained what and how they do about Applications – Selected, Wait listed, packages will be returned.
dm
This is the last receipt i could see from vermont
On April 14, 2015, we received your request for premium-processing of your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC1513553840, and mailed you a receipt notice. Your premium-processing receipt notice contains contact information for direct inquiries on your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, contact the premium-processing unit directly to update your address.
I am missing my paranoid friend @H1bslaughteragain
Where have you disappeared my friend! Please come back.
Don’t even think of sucide.
FYI, tried some randam number status and got below. This should be from Vermont Service Center
On April 14, 2015, we received your request for premium-processing of your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC1513552345, and mailed you a receipt notice. Your premium-processing receipt notice contains contact information for direct inquiries on your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, contact the premium-processing unit directly to update your address.
@SMK congratulations! You discovered a treasure.
Great job!
Is their anyone who got receipt or information for Non AD and RP candidates, and also is there any one who filled multiple petitions and got selected in any RP or PP oR AD?????
Friends
Any one received any notification for RP with PP and non PP ?
And the latest one is WAC1513554040. So as of now 4040 of them have been notified. Tomorrow it would be 10k of them. And then 20 and then 30 and then 40… and then 65…
This is wrong. WAC1513554040 is not belongs to fresh petition(it is not part of 65K application which got selected in lottery). It is extension or change of status. See the below message.
On April 13, 2015, we received your Form I-539, Application to Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status, Receipt Number WAC1513554040, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case.
My bad. But still 4k and 10k and 20 and 30 and 40 and 50 and 65 and 85k people would be notified …
Everyday there are 1K applications – Which is avg workload od USCIS besides H1. They will continue processing the same.
My Last 2 years exp says that – both the centers will process 6000-7000 Applications/Day – Just to generate the receipt. so its going to take 12-15 working days. which is till end of April.
You can easily get an idea when the number of receipts / applications reduced below 2000. The have almost finished generating receipts..
For Non AD/AD – They will send mail for PP they will mail. (I dont know if they have changed this year)
Practically – Your checks should be cleared max 2nd week of May. ( end of may for wait listed).
Hi Obama…
Could you please cancel these visa stuffs and allow everyone to your country…:D
We can see that 4000 Application receipts on both the centers getting generated. Out of 4K – 1K is non H1 /Misc applications – That is average for any other day.
Concluding – 6000-7000/Receipts a day – USCIS will take 15-20 days to generate the receipts. They will start processing all PP by 27th Apr or before as per history. This really doesn’t matter AD or RP for PP.
One more thing – Its all random number – the way lottery was conducted and not based on alphabetical order.
Hold on…. Please post if anyone gets receipt
If your account is correct, they finished releasing AD PP today…
Not really – I have seen last year they were processing AD and RP until end of April — Some waitlisted people got receipts end mid of May.
Did any multiple filling cases selected ? If yes, how many of them are selected ?
Most recent receipt number WAC1513553840
Five seats are going to count.
Could anyone please clarify my doubt?
Since people are processing multiple applications, say a candidate is processing 5 applications and if all 5 got selected (dont get tensed), that candidate will take only one for sure. So to fill 85000, for the remaining 4 will the lottery be conducted again or would the USCIS already have picked more than 85000 as a initial step.
Asking this because either me and/or any of you can get those 4 spaces…:)
I think they count as “1”.
There is something called waiting list, May be WL people will get chance…. correct me if I am wrong
1. If application coming from different employer then its legal and will be counted separately. Like you said same candidate applied through 5 comp, considering all authentic and all of them selected, then those will be 5 application for same candidate and can be approved all of them or may be not or may be few of them.
2. Waiting list is a concept rumored by users around here. USCIS never mentioned anything like waiting list or conducting 2nd round of lottery (Not until last year at-least)
No, Those 5 cannot be approved for sure, Since He cannot work for 5 companies at a time and it’s illegal. He has to select one and withdraw others. But I am not sure about 4 empty slots.
@asap
It doesn’t matter if s/he can work or not. If they all got selected and authentic and get selected then the count would be 5 and not 1.
It will be counted as 5 / whatever it has been selected in lottory
USCIS has never made the exact method used for random selection public. So please take everything you see here with a grain of salt.
However if you are AD/PP and selected in the lottery there is a high probability of receiving the receipt before April 27th.
I am sorry that we all are going through this and it’s very tough.
Actually last year few cases were approved on October. I think that might be the waiting list. Anyway thanks for the updates…
Rumour, waiting list, legal, illegal everything is USCIS call, not ours. Only thing that we can do is just wait for the best.
Think positively, be strong and believe in what you want and you will get it… Especially for H1Bslaughteragain…:) What the video called ‘Secret’ you will get 100% hope…:)
Can someone suggest if receipts are sent in alphabetical order as mentioned in few comments or its just random as the lottery is ?
Can we conclusively say now that it is the end of the road for AD-PPs for those that have NOT received any notification? Perhaps we can give it time till April 27? Haven’t people in the past with PP received notifications well into early May too?
Employer in michigan. Which service center would the receipt be generated?
Friends
When we get notified for the Regular PP and non PP results ?
My petition was filed AD-PP. If it wasn’t picked in Masters quota but made it in regular quota, would it be notified in AD-PP or Reg-PP category?
Dude,
It will be in AD-PP category, It does not matter what quota its been selected from.
Thanks .. Appreciate .. Can you also suggest if receipts are sent in alphabetical order as mentioned in comments or its just random as the lottery is ?
I don’t work at USCIS, so this is purely subjective comment and based on my past 2 years of experience, I don’t think this is the case. Like mine, last year I got attorney notification in mid May and I was in AD/RP, while few of the PP guys was getting receipts around that time. You can check 2015 thread for more info.
I hope this helps.
@DS, I don’t think they mention under what category it was picked.
No it is not alphabetical, at max i might depend on the number that was assigned to your petition.
Have patience till end of the month. It has only been 2 days.
Thanks guys … it helps …
WAC1513553645, does this mean non pp processing is started?
No, it’s jus a receipt number generated from California Service Center(hence starts with WAC..). If the application is processed in Vermont Service Center, it would start with EAC.. Seems like Vermont Service Center has not yet started processing..
I have checked few WAC* but not found that USCIS has mentioned that it’s a part of the RP or AD PP.
Instead, you should have spent some time reading this forum and educating yourself ! you should see the term “email” in the PP cases
Guys… see the difference:
1. “we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC1513553645, and sent you the receipt notice”
2. “we received your request for premium-processing of your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC1513553646, and mailed you a receipt notice”
I am from Regular PP from CSC. Did any one start getting the receipts for Regular PP ?
Probably from next week…. NON AD / PP should start