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 ?
Friends told that we need to wait till 1st week of May for NON AD, Regular processing applicants to receive receipts. Is that true? Anyone already received? Please comment.
Even in my junk email i dont have any update. 🙁
sometime i feel my mailbox is not working 🙂
I am in the same boat too, last chance, I am AD/PP/VT too. Is VT really being slow. Kind of freaking me.:(
Last night, my check was cleared. Does it mean i am selected? I am ad/pp
Just did some google and found information that. PP Fee will not be waved off, does that mean, If applied with PP, even though if not selected in lottery, PP fee will be cashed.
hi A,
No, it will not be encashed. Last year, my husband’s application was not picked in lottery and his check was voided. Check will be encashed only if your application gets picked. Checks will be encashed only when picked but rejected.
I think premium processing fee will not be charged until selected in lottery.
Many people said the same in this site.
Anyone received any receipt with Non AD Premium Processing…Any guess when USCIS will start sending receipt number for Non AD Premium Processing cases….Hoping for the best 🙂
Friends
As per the few bloggers they have filed multiple petitions. Is there chances of selection are more like some one has filed 3 applications or some has filed 2 applications ?
Experts please comment …..
No they all get rejected this year.
Anyone from Cognizant India got any update on NON-AD/RP petition??
Not yet. Waiting! I guess, we will start getting it from 27th April. Let us know if you received it. All the best.
Heard from colleagues that GIT would receive list of receipts by next weeknd.. So should start receiving our receipts by week starting 27th Apr
Hi Guys,
Anybody heard from Accenture yet??
With Accenture it should be a normal processing right,. waiting for the same..
Hi Guys,
i have filled two application with different different companies and both are NON AD and NON PP, i mean in normal Regular processing quota, Do we have any one else here like me who filled files and got response even from one employer????
What is your selection percentage to win the lottery seat ? As you had applied for 2 petitions.
Guys – Please comment on it.
Any one heard from the multiple applicants ? Did they received any selection information ?
Please update if anyone got the receipt for RP.
Wipro guys any news you know from our OOC
Few guys is saying that they started getting for the RP.
I hope by next week we all come to know 🙂
No Raj , OOC is telling end of April we will get the results.
Anyone got for NON AD/PP from VT ??
will wipro apply PP for anyone??
Yepp, they do apply PP provided you negotiated before joining.
OOC sent an email saying they will have updates only by 2nd week of May.
They will tell like that only , But till may first week we can keep hopes , after that no more .
Last year also wipro filed for me , but i didnt get . God will give me this year .
As per last year thread, people started getting notification from OOC in May 1st week which continued till May 3rd week.
My Employer did not even tell me what kind of processing was done whether PP/RP. I am a non AD so worth to wait till mid May
He was a good guy.
middle finger for you bro
My receipt came. Non AD/PP/California WAC151XXXXXXX. I really wish the best of lucks to everyone. Still another round to go through. I hope we will all make it!! 🙂
How many application was filed on your name.
Nice try! But nothing can bring me down right now muahahha. Goodnight world~
Kab Aayegi…Kab aayegi.. kab aayegi..
Jism se jaan..juda hogi…tab aayegi…
der na ho jaye kahin der na ho jaye…
Mauka Mauka…Mauka Mauka…
Just to bust some stress guys 🙁 keep the faith
RQ/RP/VT.. The game for us is on till may 15th..Anxiety and stress is going to control us for one more month
Waiting for todays gamble to start
Hi Guys, sorry for the ignorance but whats this short forms like OPT/AD/VSC/RP/CA etc? Would appreciate the knowledge transfer. 🙂
google it
Mr DM is an angry man. Buddy please do not mind, why you have the problem if any one ask any questions ?
Guys – Please keep on clearing all your doubts.
Its too much in this forum… What is the point if the same questions asked – and many fo… response …if you want to do TP go to You Tube..
Ask questions which is not repeated at least 10 Times..
Rather Than giving suggestions – Answer the query
whats this short forms like OPT/AD/VSC/RP/CA
Sure Buddy !
Optional Practical Training
Vermont service center uscis
Regular Processing
Advance Degree
California Service Center
Please give room to ask the question and let the interested participants to answer the questions.
You can avoid those question for those you have the answers. Please Chill Pill 😀
Anyone here applied through chugh law firm? Heard anything from them?
Yes I am from Chugh law firm. Please tell me !
Did you or anyone you know hear anything from them?
The firm is going to inform to our employers. I think we all come to know by next week.
Yes I too from chug law firm. R u non adv /rp
no i am AD PP..
@Emigrant,
Don’t worry man, i am on the same boat, i have filled two application through RP, But till now haven’t heard anything from any of them, according to employer we have to wait till April end
this waiting is killing when this will get over I am desperately waiting
I am waiting…worried
@Bobby,
Don’t worry man all multiple filling candidate will get their status by next week end, any way did you filled any application through PP in any of your multiple file???
I field through 3 employers , all of them did premium.. still waiting
You had applied as AD or RP PP ?
AD PP
I had interviewed with them separately last year. And working currently for one of them.
Nope! Both application was from RP, but just was checking if anyone has done PP multiple filing.
Hi PK,
I am also on the same boat.I filled under two different consultancy. Will there be any problem if we do two filling.Also some are saying multiple applications are not picked and some are saying about NOID.I am very much tensed.
Hi,
Any got the receipt from Non-AD/RP….because I can see all the receipt has been generated only AD/PP.
not yet.After AD/PP are done PP Normal will start getting notification.
Anybody having received the receipt no. from Fragomen? Are the AD category getting the results first?
No update from Fragomen yet. They told me they are receiving receipt numbers and will update us once processed.
Anyone, with multiple petition with multiple employer(legally), got selected?
No… still waiting
Anyone in ur contact with multiple, got?
I been following this thread from 3 days.. no one with multiple has got till now.. Is it a bad news this time.
No I don’t know anyone else
Mine were filed under PP..
I did.One in PP and one in Regular.Still waiting for update
Thats a wonderful news dude, Are you that worth three clients sponsor you …please stop kidding ……..i pray all multiple get rejected, unless they are genuine
I know several who filed mulitple and got through
Still i didnt hear from Fragomen :(..
WAC151355XXXX
Got the receipt today
Congratulations. When and how did you receive the case status no. Whos your employer if you prefer to say. Pls help
Any idea when the RP PP is going to start from CSC ?
So I have a question , are people truly receiving approvals for their h 1b or are just joking and making us nervous ? I thought all the receipts for premium will be sent out starting April 27 th . For my case I am tryna think off it as it’s killing ne knowing we have 30 percent chance to get through this unfair lottery . I am already thinking plan B which is going back home . I am suffering since last Monday after they announced 233 k applications were received . I think for all of us that have been America for all these paying school fees and working hard to make out dream come true it’s just unfair . This system is just BS . Hope God will do the best for us , never loose hope in ur life America is not for all of us . Anyway good luck to everyone
Bro. There are definitely some people who are making us nervous but many of the people on this forum are getting receipts. We can only hope that our applications get picked too but until we need to be patient not panic.
Thanks bro , I wish u good luck
Nothing to worry. For Masters students, lottery is done 2 times. All the people who got receipts are mostly AD/PP/CA. From now, USCIS will be issuing the Non-AD/PP/CA receipts.
May be we were not lucky in the Masters lottery, but for sure we will get it in 65k category.
I wish you, me and h1bslaughteragain gets the reciept.
Hope we get through bro otherwise its whatever for me . Life won’t be over just because of a stupid lottery
Yahoooooooooo Jahe koi mujhe jagli kahe yahoooooooooooo
Selecteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeddddddddddddddddd gottttttttttttt theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee emailllllllllllllllll from the employerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Yahooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Please do not mind as my going to drink votaka, Red Piper my favorite brands. Cheers with all 😀
when will RP receipts comeout
Ram,
My employer told me that,after may 11th..
Apr 27th-May 11th PP process will start..
Hi Guys,
Yesterday i spoke with my employer,He told me that,need to wait till May 11th,They will disclose the lottery results for RP,Is the correct msg or not?
Even my employer told me that we will get to know by second week of May… Fingers crossed!!!
any one from wipro got
Not yet… OOC guys will update in 2nd week of May.
Last year, result started coming out in 1st week of May. Lets hope for the best.
Good Luck!!!
Guys heard from my friends that ones who filed multiple application didn’t get picked up till nw from my friends, is it true?
It seems USCIS cracked down multiple applications this year. Nobody is getting them…
No…. i have seen people who filed multiple petitions getting receipts.
They won’t do premium processing mostly. We can’t say until all the receipts are generated.
I doubt it.
Some of those selected under multiple cases may not want to identify themselves.
That’s what my friend says me or may be USCIS is picking up only 1 against multiple or they are being verified thoroughly and these people stand or have less chance
Please see the note from USCIS, as per USCIS its ILLEGAL to file the duplicate petition. They do not mention about the multiple filling.
I think it is not going to impact anything but lets wait till next month.
“Picture to abhi bakki ha mera dost”.
Hi,
Did anyone received any update on NonAD/PP/VSC.
Thanks
Someone is using my name and I pray for Krisna for him stop doing this. I
RIP h1bslaughteragain
Why you talk to me like that?? I don’t pretend to die any time soon for your information… Keep praying for Krisna!!
I am also waiting mine is AD/PP/VSC.
I still have now news , I am literally sad and crying
I got a Good News Today from my Employer saying that my premium check was cleared. (Vermont/AD/PP)
My employer told me a good news today “my petition got picked up in the lottery”.
Details: Time – around 1:30 pm est
Center: Vermont
Proessing: Premium/Advanced deegree
Congrats!!
Hi I just got the news from my employer that the payment fees (the check) were cashed and they are waiting for the official receipt.
Does that mean I was selected?
Yes. You are in.
Thanks. Hope you will be selected as well.
Comments section is this blog needs to he better. Kumar please look into this. It will be great if you can add this. Comments from only registered users need to be allowed so that atleast identities will not be misused.
Don, Well, there are pros and cons of it. It inhibits the users from sharing as there is more process involved. Hope everyone follows basic online etiquette.
Yes guys got it!!!!! Happy Happy Happy 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
WAC151365079X
Congrats .. when did you get it .. after 0500 pm pst? who was attorney ?
i will provide you with my services tell me and i will pleasure you
Loser
thats how much i want this….these words will always stick with me:
Ho shaam bhi toh kya
Jab hoga andhera
Tab payega dar mera
Uss dar pe phir hogi teri subah
Dude did you get it or not ?
Most messed up ppl Miusing names and shit. Wtf ? Grow up bitches!
no i did not get it yet…still waiting..yes people are misusing my name and let them i will not change my name.
Is it time for Non-AD results?
Any way to know if it was filed for cal or any other office from lca and other documents. I don’t have receipt number so not sure.
anyone frm bigblu in India recd anything ? No update on courier tracking nos. how do we know it was sent ?
I am also waiting from oracle….my attorney is BAL and I am non-AD/RP.
Did you check with Bal..any updates from them..??
Nope..not yet…I think we have to wait till may end….last year in Oracle ppl get their receipt number till may end.
Huhhh!! AD/PP waiting. This is my 3rd time..
Any one from Oracle got receipt?
what is meant by AD and non AD?
Advanced degree (Masters degree from US)
WAC1513652224 is the last receipt number on April 16. This numbers says it’s a premium processing case. So I believe no RP notices have been sent out from CSC so far.
All RP people, hang in there.