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 ?
update from immigrationgirl:
***UPDATE #2 – 4/16/15 @3:30 pm – We received our first email notification for bachelors quota premium processing from California Service Center.***
so AD Is done 🙁
what time zone are you in? it’s only 2:08pm PST
CST..The attorney is in Houston, TX
Dude its from last year post !!! Try copy paste the comment !!!
AD/RP any news? (CA)
not yet.
I applied for AD/PP at California. Has CA sent responses to everyone? If yes, does that mean I did not make it?
Dont worry, U ‘ll receive ur receipt tomorrow before 4pm.
calm down and pray!!
WAC1513651483 3.48
WAC1513651553 3.53
WAC1513651590 3.55
all Central Time Zone !!!
so i am a little confused WAC1513651590
WAC – Cali
15 – Year
136 – Day
51590 – Total amount of receipts sent
Is that true or am i mistaken? I am guessing i am completely off but still would like to know.
Nothing to worry.
Even if AD/PP/CA are done, we may have our receipts being processed under NON-AD/PP/CA (Since for us the lottery is twice), which may take some more time for us to get informed.
Hope we may get it there
I am as tensed as you are. Being my last shot it is driving me nuts, not sure what i`ll do, but lets all pray at this point and hopefully get through. God bless!!
even i’m waiting…..worried.
Even I am waiting for AD/PP CA center
Anyone heard back from Fragomen ?
Nope! vermont/AD/PP
Nope. AD/PP/CA
Nope. PP/AD/VT
yep, CA/AD/PP
when did u hear from fragomen. Today??
Hello all,
Any news regarding AD/RP ?
I verify with my university regarding status still doesnt change anything? Its any serious ?
???? ?any updates?????
any updates from wipro (gims/ooc)?
Is it everything done for AD/PP/CA ???
I have seen all my colleagues getting receipts yesterday.
not to increase fear but i have not heard any activity today for AD/PP/CA on here absolutely none.
If PP will begins on April 27, do we for sure get to know before that if we got lucky in lottery. If in case if we dont get the receipt then that means our h1b was not selected/picked in lottery system??
I would say we would know sooner but for sure 100% on April 27th, after that maybe 1 or 2 miracle cases but mostly its done.
Any update on Non-AD/PP/VT receipt numbers??
Hi everyone..
My employer and attorney are from raleigh, north Carolina . I am not sure where my case has been submitted (i.e vermont , cali…)..
Applied under Non AD PP..still waiting to hear some good news
How many people for this
+1
i AM
Time Stamp: 1:28 PM Pacific
Latest receipt : WAC1513651439
They are also sending REGULAR PROCESSING
Case Was Received
On April 15, 2015, we received your Form I-539, Application to Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status, Receipt Number WAC1513651439, 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 15, 2015, please call Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.
Still a long way to go have faith guys.
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.
I guess this explains why no from vermont updates about emails…. So I guess all AD or non AD/VT ppl have time before giving up
Yes…Don’t loose hope… Keep the faith and think positive…. 🙂
does that mean we are done for California?
It only means we are not started with VT…. it does not mean anything with ending of calif… I know you are tensed, so am I but donot over analize
sorry i am not trying to overanalyze i read on another forum, 600 more Cali receipts have been sent and they mentioned that Cali might close most PP out by tomorrow, sorry should have posted this as well.
where did u see this information….any link?
Last receipt for vermont EAC1513753140
EAC1513753172 is the latest so far.
Bad news!!
Either ppl who r getting reply from vermont are not using this blog or no one is getting the emails yet from vermont.
I know few have option to check their accounts but even so it shows how very low or no one got any email .
I saw literally number move from EAC1513751400 to EAC1513753140 in like 5 hrs. i know not all are pp aps in those but I am sure atleast 80% are….
my case filed at Vetmont but in Regular process…havent heard anything from lawyer or employer
Same here
Has anybody heard anything from Fragomen?
My lawyer are also from Fragomen. Haven’t heard anything from them yet.
Yes
No response from Fragomen. NonAD/PP/CA
let’s do a show of hands
Hi all advanced /pp people who are still waiting to hear from cali or Vermont can we do a show of hands like +1 csc or +1 vt. Come on all
thakur Reply
+1 CSC
me too Reply
+1 csc
H1B optimist Reply
+1 VT AD/PP
one more Reply
+1 CSC
me too Reply
+1 Vermont (VT)
AD/PP/VT Reply
+1 VT
oneMore Reply
+1 AD/PP/VT
blessforh1b Reply
+1, but I even don’t know my files went to csc or vt…
CS Reply
+1 CSC
BBB Reply
+1 AD/PP/VT
KC Reply
+1 (AD/PP VT)
GOI Reply
+1 VT
Adppvt Reply
+1 for Vt
+1 CSC
AD/PP/CSC
h1Laughteragain,
You got it? If yes…awesome!!!
this thread is those who are waiting and i am still waiting. Someone used my name to post spam earlier. It wasnt me, I am still here trying to hold back my tears at the disappointment
R u crying?? man just take it easy.. All AD people are in the same boat like u.. crying wouldn’t pick ur petition in the lottery..
P.S: I’m assuming that u r a guy.. u can continue crying if u are a girl..
+1
Hello guys, did any of the Non-AD/RP started to surface yet? thanks ^^
Me in the same boat…not heard anything
Hi guys,
My lawyer applied for H1B for me and I heard there is some kind of lottery involved right? Can you please tell me when will they do the lottery?
Thank’s
Anand
Heights of innocence. the lottery was done on 13th and we are half way through getting the receipts for who got selected.
The lottery has been done and you should be getting the receipt soon if you are selected. My only advice is to keep you eyes and ears open. In a way you are lucky, your ignorance to the H-1b process, saved you from 16 days of torture that all of us have been going through. But i wish you best of luck brother.
Thank’s guys.
Just called him and he told m he received my approval yesterday.
Have a good week.
you have some luck brother!! congrats. Just pray for the remainder of us.
so no updates for CSC anymore?
Hey did you get your receipt??
Any updates from VT?
EAC1513753054
EAC1513753083
EAC1513753099
let’s do a show of hands
Hi all advanced /pp people who are still waiting to hear from cali or Vermont can we do a show of hands like +1 csc or +1 vt. Come on all
thakur Reply
+1 CSC
me too Reply
+1 csc
H1B optimist Reply
+1 VT AD/PP
one more Reply
+1 CSC
me too Reply
+1 Vermont (VT)
AD/PP/VT Reply
+1 VT
oneMore Reply
+1 AD/PP/VT
blessforh1b Reply
+1, but I even don’t know my files went to csc or vt…
CS Reply
+1 CSC
BBB Reply
+1 AD/PP/VT
+1 (AD/PP VT)
+1 VT
+1 for Vt
+1 AD/PP/CSC–(I know almost 10-15 people who are waiting with same category as mine )
+1 non AD-PP-CA
Guys someone told me if you look your status with the receipt number that you were issued when you submitted the visa, then that should be updated to show if you are selected? Can you please answer this question. If this is true or not and how can I get access to that number.
Sorry if I don’t know the details of this works.
Hey any updates regarding AD/RP?
I work at Seattle. What USCIS center would my application go to?
I am AD/PP and still waiting for news from lawyer.
Seattle is located in Washington state.
Then file with the California Service Center.
Keep the faith. The most amazing things in life tend to happen right at the moment you’re about to give up hope.
Think positive and keep the faith.. All of us will get selected.. It ‘s just starting… 🙂
How can we know whether the receipt is AD or non-AD?
My employer is based in Illinois and my attorney has sent the application to California. Is that the correct place to send the application to? Thanks
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, or Wyoming – then file with the California Service Center.
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, or West Virginia – then file with the Vermont Service Center.
EAC1513752948 : Latest
let’s do a show of hands
Hi all advanced /pp people who are still waiting to hear from cali or Vermont can we do a show of hands like +1 csc or +1 vt. Come on all
thakur Reply
+1 CSC
me too Reply
+1 csc
H1B optimist Reply
+1 VT AD/PP
one more Reply
+1 CSC
me too Reply
+1 Vermont (VT)
AD/PP/VT Reply
+1 VT
oneMore Reply
+1 AD/PP/VT
blessforh1b Reply
+1, but I even don’t know my files went to csc or vt…
+1 CSC
+1 AD/PP/VT
+1 CSC
Any nonAD/PP got confirmation?
If not, Any idea when Non AD/PP will start?
any news for AD/RP?
Still waiting. My Lawyer is on PTO and paralegal doesn’t even know sh**t about it. She is saying they haven’t even started receipting. huh… Anyways, good luck guys
let’s do a show of hands Reply
Hi all advanced /pp people who are still waiting to hear from cali or Vermont can we do a show of hands like +1 csc or +1 vt. Come on all
thakur Reply
+1 CSC
me too Reply
+1 csc
H1B optimist Reply
+1 VT AD/PP
+1 CSC
+1 Vermont (VT)
+1 VT
+1 AD/PP/VT
+1, but I even don’t know my files went to csc or vt…
+1 AD/PP VT
feel like getting drunk 24*7 so easy to wait then.. its painful, my career will fell apart…
Does anyone know in total how many petitions are processed?
XXX petitions – 80000. RP start thinking
AD/RP tickets yavaga baruthe guru!!!
Nandu AD / PP / VSC .. innu bandilla guruve … neen aaramaagi iru … bande baratte ashte aaitha
Hassan??same here.. In NYC.. Guru! My cheques are not cashed yet! Ad/pp/ inna hopes itkobaudu anthiya?
You can hopes till April 27th…and a few days after that Ideally April 30th
Baruthe anna. swalpa kayibeku…
En baratho anna.. This s second attempt.. lol! Anyways no other go. Just wait
LOL, True… But nam kai alli enu illa saar..
This is my last attempt too…
– Bengaluru Huduga
??
Anyone can share screen of USCIS site, status page where you need to enter the tracking number.
After entering tracing number what does it show..?
Thanks.
On April 16, 2015, we received your request for premium-processing of your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC1513651014, 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.
This is after selection in lottery..? I am still trying to know my tracking number. So not sure if selected.
Cognizant emplys got any update from Immegrations/Myvisa ??
cts wont disclose until april end.. also I think most of the cases AD then RP here. RP hasn’t started as of now it seems
Then how do we know they had sent it in the first place ?
CTS – dont lie.. Immigration is awesome , they do follow up etc .. perfectly and send the petitions ontime.. we dont have to worry about if they have sent or not..
no.. receipt yet.
Hi all advanced /pp people who are still waiting to hear from cali or Vermont can we do a show of hands like +1 csc or +1 vt. Come on all
+1 CSC
Still waiting AD/PP/CA.
Most of my coleagues got their reciepts yesterday.
+1 csc
+1 VT AD/PP
WAC1513651014 – Latest !!!
Initially when i saw someone posted that they received thr receipt under my name, I was a little bit angry for them using my name. But now i am actually grateful for the following reasons:
1. I do realize my constant rants are not helping and are pissing of people but despite that the responses that post received was really touching
2. It made me realize no matter how different we are and what are situations are, for a second we rejoice in one of us surviving this torture and battle
3. Lastly ill have a vodka and coke with everyone if i get mine. Praying for all including me !! God bless everyone.
Way to go buddy !!!!!cheer up…!!
thanks VP still awaiting my receipt and praying as i work constantly. Hoping get to hear the news soon. How are you holding up?
Hey, I got mine last year…it was my last attempt…I have been reading your comments and I can feel the pain…god is great…he has a plan for you….you may not see it right now…but it will fall in place…do not be depressed…believe in yourself….H1bs and lotteries do not and can not define our career path….stay strong….
AD/PP/VSC …. Not sure what I’ll do with so much loan taken for MS degree if I am forced to leave the country. I guess I’ll have to earn as much as possible with whatever OPT time I’ve got left 🙁
Nobody leaves this country.. there’s always a way.. people normally take up a CPT course and extend their status
You can ask your employer to file L-1 Visa, My company always gives you that option
Any updates from Fragomen and Non AD/PP/VT?
No word from Fragomen yet. Non AD-PP-Cal
Guys any one from non-ad regular got any info?
Also any one from accenture,tcs,cts,infosys,wipro etc got any information regarding h1b?
You will get news in May. No use checking now.
so have to wait till may end? this just kills..
EAC1513752810
its EAC1513752825
Kali maaa Shakti deee. Kali maaa Shakti dee
Om Namah Shivya Om Namah Shivya Om Namah Shivya
Guys Vermont is generating receipts and has generated around 2700 today..the point is where are the email receipts? Very few seem to claim receipt of emails..,most of them say cash is withdrawn..
Well, if they just started today then it will take some time for the lawyers to process them. Maybe people will receive notice starting tonight or early tomorrow.
Guys, I have a question. My employer’s headquarters are in California but I’m working from their East Coast office. Is my application sent to Vermont or to Cali?
Cali
Work Location determines service center. My company’s HQ is in Cali, but I’m in Texas..hence Vermont for me.
In this case, I think my lawyer sent my case to the wrong address. I work in CA but my company is in east coast. I knew the lawyer delivered my case to VT center…
oh dear..that adds salt to the wound..
I don’t think it should affect you at the lottery stage if it should affect you at all. They don’t even open your packet unless you are picked. Do you work from home with a mailstop location at your HQ?
I understand your pain man, law firms can sometimes be frustratingly incompetent (considering they are the experts). My lawyer was convinced that premium processing receipts would start to come after April 27(interpreted it wrong). I’m hoping some incoming receipts would have opened his eyes. Anyhow, check up with your lawyer. If they don’t respond to emails, then call.
My lawyer said my LCA has 2 addresses, because I both work from home and fly to HQ from time to time. In this case, the h1b application should be mailed to the HQ location, which they did… What a releaf! Thanks man.
Your application should go based on your employers address not your work location…
How do you know this? Did it change starting this year? Mine was sent based on my work location last year. Not based on my employer’s headquarter location.
Found out it’s sent to Vermont, in case anyone else id wondering. As KeepCalm correctly noted, your actual location determines the center.
Keep calm is correct, but for everyones record it depends on where your LCA is filed which is determined on location.
Anybody got updates for Non AD/PP
Same question!
Same question here too.,,am not seeing any update abt it