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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

  1. Dude this wait is driving me nuts as it always has from day 1, i know i have been panicking and pissed of people (@chillpill) and also got support from several people on here.

    lastly i have noticed people using my nickname, would request you all to please leave me alone. This is an extremely hard situation for me and i am not creating or spreading any rumors, I try and help where i can, i hope you folks do the same. God bless!!

    Reply
    • I hear you my friend and I hope you get what you are wishing for. I have been watching you since day 1. But its not end of life and we have to move on with the situations as we come along in life. Be practical and face the problems with courage and strength, overcome them and don’t panic.

      Good Luck…

      Reply
  2. My H1 was filed in the AD/PP category at the Vermont Service Center. I had paid for the premium processing with my own check as my employer was unwilling to incur the extra cost and I wanted it due to this being my last chance. Anyhow, early today morning my premium processing check was encashed by the Vermont Service Center. I haven’t heard any news from my lawyer or my company’s HR yet, but is it safe to assume that my case has been picked in the lottery?

    Reply
  3. Hello to all who got an update regarding their H1b application,

    Can you please specify your application category for example AD/PP, AD,RR, RR/PP or RR/RR along with the centers. This might ease some of our anxiety. Thanks and all the best

    Reply
  4. APPPPRRRRRROOOOVED!!!

    I am very sorry for whoever will be out in this ridiculous system!!! Keep trying guys, I’ve been to very hard times these past years!!

    Stay Hungry, Be Humble!!

    Reply
  5. Did some research in USCIS case status website. I believe this is the process they are following for PP(My assumption)

    1) As soon as they generate receipt# for any case, they have message like below
    ****
    “Request For Premium Processing Services Was Received”
    On April 15, 2015, we received your request for premium-processing of your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC1513554000, and mailed you a receipt notice
    ****
    At this stage, they have mailed receipt notice for the case.
    2) Then it moves to second stage and gets the message like below
    ***
    “Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was Emailed”
    On April 14, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC1513451634, and emailed you a receipt notice
    ***
    This change mostly happens at that night/next day and email is sent.
    They lawfirm comes to know about the status immediately.

    So for guys out there. Do not loose hope. They have just started to premium processing receipt# since todays number WAC1513650001 is also premium processing. So everyone has chances to get.

    Reply
  6. Ok folks,

    did anyone received good news from VT center?, I see they are generating receipt number, but why no one actually received any good news ?

    AD PP VT

    Reply
    • If the check which got cashed has your name on it, that means yes you have got through the lottery and it will take two to three business days to get the receipts.

      Reply
  7. I just got an email from my employer confirming that I got picked in the lottery. I am soooooooooooooooooooooo happy.

    Thank you all for praying for me. I will update my receipt numbers soon. Stay tuned. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Latest from Cali Center

    *** PP We should be able to hear back something today***

    On April 16, 2015, we received your request for premium-processing of your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC1513650757, 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.

    Reply
  9. Case Was Approved

    On April 16, 2015, we approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC1512951****. We will mail your approval notice. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.
    *******************************************
    I pasted this to encourage and enlighten some of us about H1B. H1B is better but not the best, those folks coming from outside USA, do not be decieved by your employers that are promising you heaven on earth.Once they can not find job for you, they will terminate your H1B petiton and make your life miserable.
    My last project ended by the middle of December last year, my employer paid my January salary and terminated my petition at the end of January without informing me. With the help of GOD, I filled for change of status to F2, since my wife is on F1 Visa. Though lawyers told me that I am out of status same day they dropped my H1B. I got another job this month and they reactivated my H1B with above notice. DO NOT BE CARRY AWAY WITH YOUR EMPLOYERS SUGAR MOUTH. Good luck to you all and base your trust in GOD.

    Reply
  10. Case Was Approved

    On April 16, 2015, we approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC151295****. We will mail your approval notice. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

    I

    Reply
    • Not yet… Give it a week or two more… Premium Processing will start from April 27th as per the latest news release from USCIS.. Therefore as a guesstimate I believe they will be sending out Regular processing receipts from April 27th onwards. Best of Luck.

      Reply
  11. Hello am jelilu from Ghana I have been admitted to study mechanical engineering at a university in the USA without any test it was just my transcript and diploma but they indicated on the program on my admission letter as non degree seeking-ND that means I am required to take ESL TEST before I can register for classes as an engineering student so how do I answer if I am asked during the interview ”what is your program of study” what would be the best answer.

    Reply
    • eMail Receipt Notices for Premium Processing Cases Arriving

      The **** Law Firm began receiving eMail receipt notices for premium processing cases on April 14, the day after the lottery was completed. However, the USCIS has indicated that “the 15-day processing period [for cap-subject H1B petitions] will begin on April 27, 2015, regardless of the date on the form I-797 receipt notice, which indicates the date that the premium processing fee is received.” This is a change from the previously announced premium processing start date of May 11, 2015.

      Standard Processing Cases: Notification by Mail in 2 Weeks

      The USCIS sends receipt notices for standard (not premium) processing cases by regular mail. There is no eMail option for these cases. In the last fiscal year (FY15), these notices began to arrive within less than two weeks of the lottery completion and continued to trickle in well into the month of May. It remains to be seen whether the same will hold true this year.

      Reply
  12. still no update from anywhere, and have not seen a lot of status updates for California here. Does this mean anything?

    Reply
      • I am focusing on work but with wet eyes and tears trickling down every little bit. Never thought such a day / situation 🙁 would arrive.

        Reply
      • Latest

        On April 16, 2015, we received your request for premium-processing of your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC1513650757, 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.

        Reply
  13. Hey guys? I am sure all you feel this is very stressful. So just wanted to know if anyone got any receipt from Cali center for non-AD/PP? This is my last chance to apply as I am on OPT after completing my bachelors.

    Reply
  14. I thought everyone who sent the application will receive a receipt notice (either email/mail depending on the type of application (premium or regular) ).

    SO ONLY APPLICANTS WHOSE PETITION GOT PICKED IN THE LOTTERY WILL GET THE RECEIPT NUMBER?

    Reply
  15. my employer called me just now and confirmed that my check got cashed.
    But he said he is waiting on reciept.
    So can i take it as confirmation that my petition is picked in lottery…
    am still confused and tensed….

    Reply
    • If I know there will be lottery when I complete master studies. I will not come to the USA. this chance I very unlucky fellow. spending 30000 dollar to master not worth.

      Reply
      • I wouldnt have come to the US and completed the master degree if I knew there would be the lottery.

        If you did get your master degree in the US, I think there is more serious issue US government needs to deal with other than the immigration system.

        Reply
  16. Hi Friends,

    Got really frightened with the no of applicants for H1b 2016.
    This is my last chance to get a job this year. last year i waited till june 2014 thinking i might get picked up in the lottery ,but i didnt.

    This year i just filled my visa and didnt even think about it and my friend called and said your case no is picked in the lottery.

    Happy to hear this after my previous rejection.
    All the best.

    Reply
    • man the pain is so hard.

      Its 233000 not all will get through.

      Becuase of multiple petitions from the regular guys thinking about guys in us earning 1000s of dollars made this.

      We did not earn all this that easily we got it with hardwork..
      Uscis should make the sysyem more filtered.

      Reply
  17. Guys applying from India its just a Jackpot to you guys , but for us its LIFE.

    We know the pain of Being here spending lots for Degrees.
    If you just think 1 lakh as your jackpot money and throw a lottery filing 3-4 petitions, if you get man you are the SH**t who ruined our careers.

    Reply
    • In that case I deserve more than anyone in this entire blog as I have finished my Highschool and Bachelors in USA and currently doing my MBA in USA aswell. I dont even have my family back in India, as I have lived in USA for past 15 years, but unfortunately my parents got GC when I was 24 practically after 13 years of waiting. So please lets not jump to conclusion and decide who deserves more based on qualification. Its purely luck right now which is the bitter truth.

      Reply
      • At least you grew up in USA. I grew up in India and now I want to come to USA like you parents and get green card and Nice car and house. I deserve it more than you. I have to see USA and make more money.

        Reply
    • Go and cry to USCIS dude…
      don’t tell this crap to ppl who are trying all the possibilities in genuine way as per USCIS standards.

      Reply
  18. Is it true that AD candidates have a higher chance of getting selected in the lottery compared to candidates in Regular Quota?

    Reply
    • Yes man!!! we deserve it .. DOes it hurt you.
      Do you think we are playing a jackpot to settle our careers .Its our careers ruined by playing jackpot like you guys.

      Reply
      • Just becos you came US to get advanced degree doesn’t make you more deserving. You had money to get a jackpot to study in US ..so others also have right to apply for jackpot in some way or other

        Reply
      • I understand your anger buddy. I have a masters from an Ivy League, working at a big mnc in NY for last 2 years. This is my last chance for getting a H1 too. It really sucks that our whole career is decided by a f***in lottery. No point in arguing with these guys, they will never understand how it feels for us to be here, living in US for 3-4 years and asked to go back. Anyway, stay calm and pray that deserving people like us get through this mess.

        Reply
  19. ***UPDATE 4/16/15 @11:15 am – We have not received any email notifications from Vermont yet and other attorneys have reported the same. Don’t panic! This is just the beginning. USCIS has 11 more days to send out premium processing email receipts. If I have news, I will post it.***

    immigrationgirl.com/hday-receipt-notice-stats-fy2016/

    Reply
    • is it really regular because it says
      Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was Emailed

      Regular processing dont have email sent to them

      Reply
      • Might be true. noticed below

        FOR PREMIUM PROCESSING
        ========================
        Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, contact the premium-processing unit directly to update your address.

        REGULAR PROCESSING
        ====================
        Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

        Reply
    • thats ok man loose hope, as you are already in india try applying every year.
      We are the deserved here Advanced Degree , we worked hard we got degrees we know the pain. That’s ok dont feel bad even if you wont get … You are just trying for jackpot but we deserve it.

      Reply
      • In that case I deserve more than anyone in this entire blog as I have finished my Highschool and Bachelors in USA and currently doing my MBA in USA aswell. I dont even have my family back in India, as I have lived in USA for past 15 years, but unfortunately my parents got GC when I was 24 practically after 13 years of waiting. So please lets not jump to conclusion and decide who deserves more based on qualification. Its purely luck right now which is the bitter truth.

        Reply
      • Mr. Deserving Candidate,
        Your attitude shows how much you deserve. You had money, you went to study there, it doesnt mean all others are not. And you went there because you were not sold out here. So we are much more deserving than you.

        Reply
    • atleast you can check if its encashed, for us where our employer paid for PP we are in a blackhole with no insight into anything. Good luck and keep the faith.

      Reply

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