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 ?
Anybdy frm Cognizant got any update from immigrations????
Does USCIS guys work on weekend?
I don’t think so
no
I asked for an updated I-20 and on it my OPT end date was extended from Jun 1st to Sept 30th and it also had a receipt number. I checked my status on USCIS and it says “Case was received and receipt email was noticed”. Does that mean I got selected in the lottery? I haven’t heard back from my employer yet since it’s Friday evening and technically the weekend now.
Yes. Congrats!
Yes, congratulations! Happy for you. A lengthy and tough journey came to a good end… All the best of luck.
Thanks guys. I can only hope so. I had asked my employer
( Disney ) for an update today and they said they haven’t anything yet. I only found out about this through my new I-20.
I just checked my email from employer got my receipt AD/PP/VT – First attempt. Hang in there guys all is well
Anybody out there who couldn’t sleep???? Unnerving is an understatement…
It seems regular processing has been started in Vermont.
Just check this # EAC1513854123 .Can someone confirm kindly
No RP till now..this might be a cap exempt case you referring to…I believe only PP is being provided receipt number
Non-AD/PP/CA – received my receipt today. Good luck to you all..
Congrats! Hope I get mine too.
have a good weekend and pray for people like us.
Anyone applied multiple partitions picked? if yes, multiple petitions picked?
I guess most of the people who r selected will stop looking into the site. However who r checking please respond… Thank you…
Yup, mine PP one got selected. Received the receipt today. Other one was RP, so didn’t get any update yet.
Then I have 2 words for you ….. You guessed it right
I have 3 words for you “Get Well Soon!!!”.
You will go out of status soon.. As they will find out..!!
Guys, before abusing read this:
What is not a Duplicate H1-B Filing?
If you have an H-1B petition filed by employer ‘A’ and another petition filed by employer ‘B’ to the USCIS at the same time, it is not considered a duplicate H-1B filing and this is allowed.
Source : h1bwiki[dot]com/h1b-visa-2015-duplicate-filings-prohibited/
I’m just curious to know — when people file multiple petitions, it means that their skills are needed by several employers. How can an IT person working for Company A convince B,C,D,E etc. to file when he is not even employed by them?
you are the true shaitan ka pujari. Hats off. Tum log duniya me andhera kayam rakhoge, tamraaj kilwis ke numainde ho tum.
Please do not become the SHAKTI MAN.
Vermont no receipt till yesterday, my company’s law firm said. did not ask today. any news?
Sahi bole mere bhai.
Beta log, kisiko BAL se Vermont center PP/AD ka result mila kya? Tau ko bata do jara.
Muze mila hai. BAL walon ka email aaya hai.
To mera Pappu beta paas ho hi gya :), Tau ka nam roshan karo beta, khub tarakki karo
tu to meri lugai laage he , apne kasam na aiya baat khyu bole he meri raani? ma tau from haryana tu tai
One thing is sure guys, Vermont center has not send receipts till yesterday my attorney firm (BAL) said this, I did not ask, I asked any status of my case they said, no status for any case form Vermont. I see many ppl saying same thing here. Any idea?
I Like that … Bhagwan to sunta Nahi shaitan shayad sun le..
yes bro, thats the idea, you got it. To sab milke bolo (jinki bhagwan ne batti laga di) – Shaitan Jindabad!!
My employer too saying the same. He has applied for 30 and didn’t receive any till now.
Non AD / PP / Vermont
good to know thanks, to Mauka Mauka hei, its like Dhoni at the end with 9 wkts down and 17 RPO required.
Andhera kayam hei mere aka!
Andhera Kayam Rakho.
May the dark force be with you all
That’s not entirely true
I got mine yesterday 16:00 EST from Vermont
use your brain before commenting. I said ’till yesterday’ and I commented on 17th and you say ‘yesterday’ on 18th.
Can you please recommend other forums? I am AD/PP and have started to lose hope…. This process is brutal. God help us all.
Don’t loose hope
you have 2 chances and receipt will come till 27h April or 30th April.
Also, you have 2 chances so lots of chances….
keep the faith and you will get it
Received my receipt no. from my lawyer (Fragomen) today. AD/PP/Cal.
WAC1513653xxx. It seems there is some delay between the receipt generation and email being sent out. All AD/PP guys, PP receipts were getting generated even today, so don’t loose hope. You might still get it by next week. Good luck to Y’all.
Yes guys! hang in there.. its not all over
Wow! I Hope to get it soon!
Have a great weekend
Just got mine from lawyer, CA/PP/AD
Date Received: 04/13/2015
No idea why the lawyer didn’t send to me until today. Such a good Friday evening. Hope every one else best luck!
Lucky you!
Congrats!
Pray for me too please
Hi Guys
I am just preparing for the worst.
Can you please share your plan B?
My options in order of preference at the moment are:-
1) Go back to India
2) Try to go to Canada
3) Enroll in any university in US and get CPT
Also please share how do you plan to go to Canada if you are planning, else, which college you will seek admission in for Plan 3
I wouldn’t give up so soon man, pray hard and say I am gonna get it. Worst case if you dont get it (I hope that doesn’t happen), do MBA on CPT, I did the same or contact David Cohen law firm in Canada. Canada have express entry program this year and you can get Permanent Residence within 6 months. Again, I am praying for you and you wont have to go through this. Pray to god, stay strong…:)
Going to Canada is a pain in the back. You need to have a job offer to qualify for their new immigration system. If you do not have one, you must have very high score of IELTS, MSC OR PHD, years of experience, and other so many stuff. You try though.. I am in the same boat, my OPT expired already and not sure what to do?
@hopeful, you do not need to have a job offer to be able to qualify, you just need to appear for IELTS which is very very easy. I have applied and its not difficult at all. Meanwhile, I hope everyone makes the lottery and nobody needs to give a damn about Canada…:)
Any Non AD applicant from Fragomen received confirmation email ?
Anyone got any updates from Bal for Non AD premium?
Finally received receipt.
Can you share when was it processed? Even i am waiting for AD/PP/CA
And Congrats !!!
It was processed on 15th april.
Congrats!
Oh dear god/universe please end our pain soon and give us some good news!
non-AD/PP with BAL got the Receipt today! WAC15…
Best of luck to everyone else!
This is my third and last time in the lottery. Almost three-fourth of us are not going to make it. Let’s be realistic guys. Last year all of ten of my colleagues did not get through the lottery. 3 of them went back to their countries. The results are already out, and there’s no reason to come here everyday to lose productivity and panic. I wished the congress would helped us out, but unfortunately they didn’t. If I had hired a Mexican to get me cross the border when I first came here at 14, I would have had my EAD by now through DreamAct. Well, shit happens.
So let’s get off the internet, and give yourself a long needed break after a hard day of work. Maybe go to a movie, get a Swedish massage, or treat yourself with a nice meal or two. It’s best to get yourself prepared and ready to execute plan B.
Cheers
Is AD/PP/CA and Non-AD/PP/CA done?
Waiting since eternity … don’t know for how long .. AD/PP/CA receipt updates seem to have slowed down …
Even I am waiting for AD/PP/CA… Hope for some miracle !!!
No, it’s 10 days more, keep waiting, Ca center started send receipts for Non-AD/PP only today and they still not finished with AD.
Please don’t lose any hope… It seems this year, VSC starts to send receipt letter via USPS hard mail, not Email, even for PP.
At least I know two ppl, are getting their scanned receipt letter from attorney office 04/17 morning, which means attorney office ONLY received hard-mailed receipt letter from USCIS this year, at least, well before they would receive email noticie from them, if any …
so keep praying and do not lose hope … hope this piece of info helps you!
Any news from seyfarth shaw?
I have a question.
When they are doing lottery, are they putting a limitation per nationality? for example, 6,000 for Indian, 6,000 for Chinese, 4,000 for…etc.
Or is that they just randomly pick regardless of nationalty?
Of course they will pick based on AD or Non-AD, but just wondering about the nationality part.
Thanks, guys and good luck! (( am waiting for regular processing as well)
Nothing is considered… Everyone are treated on par .
It a Random Pick… Only Singapore and Chile are different.. they have about 6000 visas set aside for them as US has a special treaty with these countries … This 6000 doesn’t fall in the regular quota of 65,000…
Other than these 2 countries.. everyone fall in the 65K…
Ah.. I see.. Thanks for your response!..
My company filed H4 petition for my wife along with my H1. Today I received I-797C for her H4. It provides her receipt number EAC151355XXXX. Does it mean that my H1 is picked in the lottery? No guesses please, I hope you understand my situation.. Thanks
Yes, it means your H1 got picked as your wife’s VISA (H4) is dependant on your H1B.
Three of my friends got their receipt numbers today(Vermont center). Guess their lawyers were lazy, My friends called the school and found that their SEVIS has been updated and got their receipt numbers from there. Mine is from cali and I got mine too.
Is it for AD/PP from california?
What is happening with the Vermont center? They stopped generating PP receipts today (at around number 2600), but almost nobody heard any news from them through email.
two ppl from my company (both AD/PP/VT) got their receipt number/letter today. It seems they are coming from USCIS via USPS NOT email, and were mailed to Attorney office. but I haven’t got any news yet…
FYI
NonAD/PP/VSC.
Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.
We can wait for few more days till next Wednesday for nonAD/PP/CA
Are PP/Vermount done? my employer started receiving applications, he said there are few checks cashed but i am not one of it :/. So, is there still hope???
same here… ppl are getting their receipts from VSC (AD/PP) today at my company. The receipt letter is mailed to attorney office by usps, not via email as people expected before …
I would assume USCIS (at least VSC) is busy mailing out all the receipts these days, hopefully, AD/PP is not done yet…
My gosh, I can’t believe this, why would they send the receipts by mail instead of email? Do you think they have problems with the system?
Looks like RP started on CSC. It could still take three, four more days before RP people start hearing from their lawyers/employers. Here’s what one of the receipt numbers say (because the word ‘premium’ is missing, i am guessing this is RP. I am also assuming it is not cap-exempt petition):
On April 13, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC1513751974, 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 13, 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.
Any hope left for Non AD/PP California Service Center?
same boat…..NA/PP/CA
same here.. waiting and waiting………….
Stay strong, be positive and generate positive!
we are going through this together!
Same Here .. IS it all over ?
Ok any update on REG/PP receipts from Vermont today ? Does this mean that all the PP both AD and REG will be delivered by today COB ? In that case Vermont should have processed all PP by now as its COB in east cost and its strange that very few got receipted from Vermont. So is it game over for PP ?
Anyone got update on regular Processing?
Is it the end for AD/PP/CA?
Even i’m in that pool……But slim chances are there….May be we can get it.
Same here.. I still am hoping for something in the next few days.. I didn’t see many CA receipts on Apr 16/17.. I doubt they sent out everything on Apr 15..
Same situation but it seems that the chances are very bleak now.
Is AD/PP/VT all done? Do I still have hope?
The latest receipt number as of 5:27 p.m. is EAC1513853101.
Case Was Received
On April 13, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC1513853101, 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 13, 2015, please call Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283. If you move, go to to give us your new mailing address.
Does that mean Vermont has started regular processing instead of premium processing?
Keep your hope alive until you get your packet back..
Does below mean that they have started regular processing?
On April 13, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC1513853034, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice.
I have the same question. Any expert here can explain?
Please continue to sign the petition.
share the link for the petition for someone who just started following all this
Share the link of the petition. I am seeing this sign the petition from last few days but have no idea about what is that.
Note: I just dont know so don’t say which planet I am from or anything else. I will sign the petition once I see it
Alright any update on REG/PP receipts from Vermont today ? Does this mean that all the PP both AD and REG will be delivered by today COB ? In that case Vermont should have processed all PP by now as its COB in east cost and its strange that very few got receipted from Vermont. So is it game over for PP ?
Does below mean that they have started regular processing?
On April 13, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC1513853034, 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 13, 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.
Anyone got news from Danalaw from pleasanton ( CA )so far???
Update from Immigrationgirl:
***UPDATE 4/17/15 – Sorry for my later update today, I was hoping to have some new information to share. I have not received any email notifications from Vermont yet. Not much to report. There is still plenty of time for premium receipts to come so don’t worry, it’s not over till the fat lady sings 🙂 ***
There is still hope for AD/PP/VT. Fingers crossed…
Where is that fat lady?
How reliable is that website update?
Happyschoolsblog follows her updates very often. MOst of her predictions are correct regarding H1B. I am pretty sure that’s reliable piece of information. AD/PP/VT fingers crossed.
Someone asked this in immigrationgirl. Hope this answers why vermont is not sending emails.
AD/PP/Vermont
April 17, 2015
Emily ,
Is it true ? Vermont is not sending email, its sending physical USPS mail for Premium process ?
Reply
ImmigrationGirl
April 17, 2015
No, they will send the email, it just takes time with so many cases being handled.
University just told me no updates to my sevis. Cal center. Does this me I am done this time?
You are done Kate. Start packing your bags.
I am through guys. I got it 😀 😀 good luck to you all
how many “h1bslaughteragain” in this forum? which one are you? lol
I hope at least one of the so many “h1bslaughteragain” guys get through the lottery.
In fact the odds are in favor. If there are more than 4 of them out there, one ought to get through. 🙂
You are fake, but still happy for you.
A friend’s letter from lawyer (screenshot at 1:54PM, EST I assume):
We have received notification from US Immigration that your H1-B Cap Petition has been selected in this year’s lottery. USCIS’s 15 calendar day premium processing timeline will begin April 27, 2015 regardless of the date listed on the receipt notice. We do not expect any further communication from US immigration during this time. We will notify you as soon as we receive any further correspondence from US immigration regarding your case.
Please note that USCIS is still actively in the process of generating and issuing email receipt notices for H1-B petitions selected in this year’s lottery. This email generation is an ongoing process and may continue through next week. As such, we advise that you remain sensitive to colleagues and friends who are anxiously waiting their own email confirmations. Thank you in advance for consideration.
So don’t worry you all!
@All,
Guys I am so depressed and frustrated while reading all these comments that I forgot add chicken in my chicken curry and while eating that I realized where is my chicken?
Please help me guys, finding that chicken and land that into my curry. As a reward I will let you half of that curry.
Appreciated!!!!
you are giving hard time to chickens. Get a life ! Use your brains.
please sign the petition ! now !
Non AD/PP/Cal center – My wife’s application picked up in lottery.
What did you do to her?
Going to have a nice dinner tonight huh? lol, congrats
Great !
My sevis was updated as per school advisor but when i checked with fragomen they told me that they havent heard anything and asked me to wait.
waiting continues..
Has anyone heard from Seth Batuklal and Asso. LLC?
Not from bathuklal.But got the reply from pappu lal chaube