Updated : November 25th, 2015
H1B Visa 2016 Filing Season Complete, Cap reached on April 7th, 2015.
Planning for next H1B season, Check out H1B Visa 2017 FAQs
As many of you know, H1B Visa 2015 quota was over in the first week and a whopping 172,500 H1B petitions were received in first week by USCIS. H1B Lottery / random selection was held by USCIS to select 85,000 H1B petitions to fulfil the work permit cap. Many of the unlucky ones are already wondering about next year H1B Visa quota. Also, some of you are planning for H1B visa for next year, you also would be wondering regarding the same. This article addresses many of the common questions, it will be updated constantly, whenever any changes to info. Bookmark this page ! To start with, firstly the news updates on this season, followed by many commonly asked questions.
Official & Unofficial USCIS News Updates Regarding H1B 2016 Season
- November 25th, 2015 : There is no special news as such, but we have our readers reporting that their H1Bs are still being approved that were under regular processing. So, if your status is stuck at one status, there is still some hope…
- July 14th, 2015 : USCIS released a note saying that they have returned all the petitions that were not selected in lottery for FY 2016. If you do not hear back from USCIS by July 20th, then you can contact them. Check Press note
- May 4th, 2015 : Data Entry for Selected H1B Petitions Completed
- April 14th, 2015 : Premium Processing H1B 2016 starts from April 27th
- April 13th, 2015: USCIS receives 233,000 for FY 2016 Lottery complete.
- April 7th, 2015: H1B Cap Reached for FY 2016. Summary of USCIS News
- April 6th, 2015: Guidance to file Second Petition, if Delivery Service Errors
When will the H1B season for fiscal 2016 begin ?
USCIS will accept petitions for H1B Visa 2016 season starting from April 1st, 2015. USCIS did a press release on March 12th outlining the details. Read summary of press release by USCIS on H1B 2016 .
Will there be lottery again for H1B Visa 2016 ? Predictions ?
We had lottery for FY 2015 and FY 2014. The total number of petitions filed for FY 14 were about 125,000 and for FY 2015, there were about 172,500 petitions… As H1B Quota did not increase for FY 2016, and the demand does not seem to decrease, we would very likely have lottery for FY 2016. Read H1B Visa 2016 Lottery Predictions, Dates, Results
What is the H1B Visa quota Cap Count ? Would there be any changes to H1B 2016 count ?
H1B Visa quota cap count is the total number of petitions that USCIS will accept for a fiscal year to provide temporary work permit for highly skilled workers. For the 2016 fiscal year, the cap count is as below :
- Regular H1B Quota : 65,000
- H1B Masters Degree Quota ( only US Degrees) : 20,000
- Out of the above, a total of 6,800 is usually set aside for Singapore and Chile citizens as part of the free trade agreement between them.
As per the press release in March 2015, the quota did not increase. To give some background, as per the Obama executive action in Nov 2014, no changes were announced to the H1B Cap count. There was proposal in 2013 to increase H1B cap from 65,000 to 110,000 and Masters quota to increase from 20,000 to 25,000 did not go through as of March 2015. At least, for this FY 2016 season, the quota is fixed and it will be as above and no changes.
When should I start planning for H1B Visa 2016 ? What are the steps ?
It depends on your situation. Below are few scenarios and your plan.
- If you are a student on F1 Visa in USA, you need to plan for your internship/ CPT or OPT employment at a company that can sponsor your H1B Visa for FY 2016. In my view, you should start now to find something for the fall 2014 and continue that for next spring so that you can file for FY 2016
- If you are in other country and planning for H1B, it is good to start your process around the end of this year 2014. It will give you enough time to find sponsors, search for job, etc.
- If you are on H4, L1 or other visa in USA and planning for H1B for FY 2016, you also should consider looking around end of this year i.e. December 2014.
We have published step by step plan, you can read the article How to plan for H1B Visa 2016 ?Step by Step Guide
Most asked Question – How do I Find H1B Sponsors for FY 2016 ?
This is a million dollar question ! One of the biggest challenges is to find a good sponsor that can offer you a job and wait for you to start work after 6 months of filing your petition. You should review the detail article on How to find H1B Sponsors for FY 2015. Your first place of start is to find the H1B Sponsors in an area or by company. Use our H1B Visa Sponsors Database to search and filter. Read this article on details on how to search in our H1B Sponsor database. We keep the database updated as DOL publishes data. Do NOT share your email or phone number on our website as comments, there are many people do H1B Sponsorship fraud by requesting money using your contact info. RedBus2US.com never provides personal guidance on H1B sponsors or seeks money from anyone, we only display publicly available data on our H1B Sponsors Database page. We DO NOT sponsor H1Bs or guide anyone. Beware of H1B sponsorship Fraud !
What about Comprehensive Immigration Reform ( CIR) – H1B Visa Changes ? What are they ?
There have been some proposed changes to the H1B Visa program to cater to the demand in the US economy as part of the Comprehensive Immigration reform. Below are some of the proposed changes.
- H1B Cap to be increased from 65,000 to 110,000 per year. Also have provisions to have it up to 180,000 in case of extreme demand.
- Advanced degree from US cap quota to increase from 20,000 to 25,000
- The Filing fee for H1B could go up to 10,000 USD
- Additional H1B rules to avoid H1B Visa fraud by employers
- Mandatory LCA posting for 30 days before it is certified.
These were proposed in 2013, but nothing has moved significantly and all the above are just proposed rules. We are not sure when they will be implemented. You can read Summary of CIR – Immigration reform – H1B Visa and Green Card to get an idea. The latest update is that Obama has taken executive action on Immigration in Nov 2014 and none of the below are included as part of that. Stay tuned for updates.
H1B Visa 2016 Fees – Any changes ? How much does it cost ?
There are various components of the fee. The H1B Application filing fee could range anywhere from $1,600 USD to $4,400 depending on the size of the company. The attorney fee can range from $500 to $3000 depending on the attorney. If you apply for premium processing that is another $1,225. The fees has not changed in the past couple of years for FY 2014 and FY 2015. Unless USCIS revises fee based on immigration reform, it should be same. We will keep you all posted. For complete details of the fee by components and break up, read the article H1B Visa Fees and Who Pays for What ?
H4 Visa EAD rule impact on H1B Visa 2016 Season ?
As you know, certain H4 visa holders are now eligible for EAD. The H4 Visa EAD Rule Passed earlier in 2015 and is effective from May 26, 2015. USCIS will start accepting applications for EAD from those eligible H4 visa holders starting from May 26th. The question is that will that have an impact on number of H1B petitions for this fiscal year ? It very likely will have certain impact on the number of H1B applications that are filed for this year 2016 quota. Many of the H4 holders, who would now be eligible for EAD, may not apply for H1B visa, just because it gives them more flexibility to work and more choices to work as well. We would have to wait and see, how much of an impact that would have, but it is very straightforward and no brainer for eligible H4 visa holder to avoid the H1B processing.
H1B visa Premium Processing Changes to H1B Visa 2016 quota ?
USCIS updated in their press release that the premium processing will be accepted for FY 2016 quota and they will only begin that “no later than May 11, 2015”. What it means for the petitioners is that the official 15 day premium processing clock starts from May 11th, 2015 and their petition could be adjudicated within 15 days from May 11th, which would be May 26th, 2015. USCIS can process them earlier as well, but their new timeline is just indication for setting the right expectations to meet the stipulated time frame for premium processing.
Track H1B Visa 2016 Cap Count updates ?
As in previous years, we have created a page, where would track the cap count updates for FY 2016. You may check out H1B visa 2016 Cap Count Tracker.
While you wait, you can check out April 1st – USCIS H1B Visa 2016 Season Starts Today, When to expect Lottery ?
H1B Lottery Completed – Official Tweet and Press Release
USCIS Completes the H-1B Cap Random Selection Process for FY 2016 http://t.co/fQ6EPUb8Y4
— USCIS (@USCIS) April 13, 2015
H1B Cap Reached – Official USCIS Tweet and Link to Press release :
We have reached the congressionally mandated H-1B cap for FY 2016 http://t.co/RTja7POWYY — USCIS (@USCIS) April 7, 2015
Any other questions ?
Hi Guys,
Just came to know that my Non-AD/ PP/ VSC got approved, just got a confirmation email 🙂
Good Luck guys!!
Kanna, USCIS called me up personally to inform my Green card was approved though I applied for only one H1B visa. Mind it!
got anther call. this time picked up for citizenship and nominated to senate also
Hello
I got email from employer that my case got picked.
Hope everybody gets it.
All the best guys.
Guys plz tell me when RP/RQ starts? My employer says only last week of April …is t so?
yes I guess…!!!
Thank u for ur quick reply
No one has received their receipts yet for rp/rq however ad/rp has started..so relax for sometime..u can expect it anytime from tomorrow to end of may..
Anyone AD/RP/VSC got any news regarding lottery? All i see is PP…
This is really frustating wait time for everyone of us.refreshing inbox,redbus….no updates …God give me some peace.Lets concentrate on work.
Hi,
I am also waiting for Regular PP.
Finally case is approved…Vermont centre 🙂 wait is over!
Hello Is it AD/PP/VT ??
I received email from my Attorney stated my case is picked in lottery.
I checked with my university last Friday and they told me the same thing. Mine was Vermont.
My previous status was MAILED. Now it changed to emailed. So Vermont was able to process all cases.
Mine was a final attempt. I already started thinking on what I might be doing.
All AD cases from my company are through. I haven’t seen a single one of my friend got rejection. Almost 20/20 result
My company applied for 3 AD category application through PP and all of us just recived news that we have been picked in the lottery. 🙂 End of this tension.
Congrats.. In which state your company is.?
Any news for Non AD/PP/VT???
Dying to know
Pls don’t die
Just heard to those magical words “Picked in Lottery”
Got check cleared copy from employer w/receipt # at the back and followed by official USCIS notice in mail.
no email/confirmation from attorney yet
AD/PP/CA
Notice Date April 16
Receipt # WAC 15-136-5XXXX
Guys In these 10 days of time i see people’s agony and frustration and also how important it is for them. I am really praying for the one’s who are AD, and on their final attempt because we are the guys really under pump right now. I will pray for you guys as I am one of you. The receipt notice dated on April 20th, so guys there is still plenty of hope for AD/PP/VT. they are sending email notices unlike last week. Please believe in your luck and god. I was listening to saibaba songs and my attorney’s email crashed into my inbox. I called my parents and the next thing is posting here for the people who are suffering here to give them some hope and time to wait. Thanks for all your suggestions and prayers. On a final note I pray for h1bslaughteragain to get picked.
Its funny you mentioned saibaba, all i have been doing is listening to hanuman chalisa/gayatri mantra and constantly trying to pray. But with each day gone, I am thinking my prayers are not being heard. Come on god, please help us out…we ADs are on our last attempt.
On a side not i am super happy for you brother. Atleast some of us will live the life all of us dreamed of and worked hard towards. Congratulations from the bottom of the heart and appreciate your note towards the end. Thank you!!
Thanks for your wishes. God will hear you bro.. You will get it. Good luck.
thanks again. so far he hasn’t heard my prayers. I will constantly keep questioning him through my prayers and would like to see how long can he not answer my prayer or give me an answer!!
why havent i been picked. I am still baffled by this question. How can my luck be so bad, come on god, come on, please give me your blessings and send out my receipt. Please
I just got a notification from my employer that I got selected.
WAC15137xxxxx
AD/PP/VSC
Sorry it is AD/PP/CSC
non ad/RP/VT
i have never waited so patiently and anxiously for anything in my life… UURRGGHHH… People its so frustating….!!!
Take a chill pill buddy
thanks… hanging in there…!!!
if you are anxious you must have done PP dude.
What’s the latest receipt number in vermont?
Just got email for HR telling me I was selected… Good luck everyone!
AD/PP/VT
Are you through Fragomen? And what is your work location?
Btw Congrats!!
Not Fragomen. My company/lawyer is at CT/NYC.
When RP /RQ results ll start? Very tensed
All the best. Based on what I have seen on other forum, RP has started and will continue till first week of May.
Guys…I am waiting for this moment to post this here..the time has come..I just received the email from my attorney that my case is selected in the lottery. I had tears in my eyes while reading the email. This is my 2nd and final attempt. I hope this is the end of the struggle i faced from past 10 days. I got the email 5 min ago from my employer and i believe they got the email (not USPS mail) not less than half an hour ago from USCIS. My attorney copy pasted what she got from USCIS.
my case details:
AD/PP/VT
EAC1513552xxx
my employer first two digits : FR
attorney: baker donelson
area: Nashville, TN
Receipt status on USCIS website:
On April 20, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC1513552XXX, and emailed you a receipt notice. It is being processed at our Vermont Service Center location. The notice describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.
— The Form I-797 Receipt Notice will follow in the mail. ( from USCIS mail)
Guys In these 10 days of time i see people’s agony and frustration and also how important it is for them. I am really praying for the one’s who are AD, and on their final attempt because we are the guys really under pump right now. I will pray for you guys as I am one of you.
The receipt notice dated on April 20th, so guys there is still plenty of hope for AD/PP/VT. Please believe in your luck and god. I was listening to saibaba songs and my attorney’s email crashed into my inbox. I called my parents and the next thing is posting here for the people who are suffering here to give them some hope and time to wait.
As the email notice dated 20th, I am still confident they are doing AD/PP/VT even this week. and they are sending email notices unlike last week.
Thanks for all your suggestions and prayers.
On a final note I pray for h1bslaughteragain to get picked.
D-day for me today…In fact the next 15-20 mins
Why? Are you AD/PP/VT?
why do you say so??
Waiting for RP… God do sth this time. Any update regarding RP guys.
AD/RP started.. Next is RP/RQ.. Tension tension
Bhai log ,
I got picked wohooooooo AD/RP , VT centre… Yahoooooooo
Hey dude are you from Akula associates, All the 25 AD/Rp got picked it seems.
I don’t think so , i heard nearlky 15-20 people got it.
Btw im from akula yes.
I am from Akula. Npp/adv. How do you know 25 are all picked. No one reply me yet.
All the 25 are from you company or akula only apply 25 this year?
Hi buds,
AD/RP got picked today , CSC centre
Congratulations!!
How did you know your petition got picked up?
I think the cheque would have got cashed.
picked
Congratulations
Can we know what center petition was filed and how did you get to know that your petition was picked up?
Cheque Cashed.
When did the check was cashed?
How did you come to know buddy?
Cali? VT? Email or letter?
AD/PP/Vermont. picked today. i’ve been following this blog for the past so many days and nights. thought ill wish everyone good luck. my 2 cents on this would be, receipts are still coming in from VT, my lawyer said only today VT has actually been sending out receipts big time. there are more to follow until this friday. keep your hopes up high. i work for an american company, total of 3 from this company applied and i’m the only one so far who got it. the other 2 are hopeful too. so pls dont give up. thanks
Serious your post … lifted my spirits!! thank you so much !!
An update: I think California Processing center sending out regular premium processing cases today! I got mine today its wac1513xxxxxx
from California in premium processing regular! Goodluck guys! Be optimistic
For those of you who are worried about Vermont they are still generating receipts for premium processing dated 20th April. hang tight. Nothing is lost. AD/PP/VT
Thank you so much for the positive news !!
Hi guys,
Does applicants from different company/firms have an equal chance of getting selected (or) is that the percentage varies from one firm to other firm.
Ex : if a small firm files for 20 h1 visas and a big firm like tcs , infy files around 2000 visas , what is the applicant prospect for getting selected in small firm Vs big firm
As far as I know, it does not makes a difference.
thanks #help
my name is sudhakar. I am btech mechanical from malla reddy college of engineering. All my friends in US working TCS, Infosys. I want to go america also.
my qualifications:
7th class: 78%
10th class: 75%
12th class (inter) : 77%
btech: 51%
can recommend me for america job. pls pls pls pls
dude.. you want to come to here even after seeing everyone struggling here and consoling eachother.
Get married to some gay here who has green card and come to us and start working .
You can come and mow my lawn.
my dad very poor. He work in photocopy job. want to help
Hey Sudhakar,
There are tons of information online, just try googling for higher education in US. Looks like your family cannot afford to fund your education right away, so first concentrate on getting a decent job in India. From what I hear, even that seems to have a very bad competition these days.
Once you start working you’ll have more exposure and better understanding of how all these things work and then you take a call. Prepare hard for your interviews, get a job and start supporting your family. Rest of the things will follow.
Good Luck man. My Best wishes to you.
h1bslaughteragain man.. did you get picked up.. or still on vodka..
not picked yet….and no hope anyway. But thanks for remembering me.
I do remember u were praying hard even last year.. I was in the same boat too.. I haven’t received any thing this year till now.. Have kinda initiated things needed for plan B. 🙁
yeah… fun will begin during approvals..
Guys any luck for Non AD/PP/VT ? Did any one received receipt ? Do we can still hope for receipt?
Ohh man you are so desperate.
Don’t be so nervous man if you can’t make this year apply next year ,as you are already in india that doesnt make much difference, its our life here and struggling after paying 1000 of dollars and getting degrees
Yup mate I agree with you but you guys at least have quota and have 2 chances to get picked up. But for us its a big dream of big apple and I could have been there long back as a student there but due to my financial problems I could not be part of you guys and that’s the reason I am desperate about this. Hope you understand my pain for last 7 years and missing the chance of applying H1B for 2 times.
I am AD/PP/WAC. I just contact my school and nothing on my SEVIS has changed. I am giving up waiting. This is my second time going through this lottery and this year is my last chance. Although I could always go back to my home country and find a job there, I still feel sad. There is nothing that I did wrong. I worked so hard to get my degree and find a job here. It’s just so unfair.
Buddy you still have chance, cheer up.
Did Uscis officially said you, you got rejected, Wait till 26th.
Take Sugar pills. Do you know what i mean 😉 LOL
They won’t tell you that you are rejected until Mid/Late June. I went through this last year and got the notice from my lawyer on June 24, 2014 that my case was returned. Only good news comes early.
Just got back from fragomen. My application got picked. I dont know my reciept number. There is still hope for AD/PP/VT guys. All the best for people who are waiting.
hi Guys i got picked for AD/RP . I just got my cheque cashed.
congrats..! From VT or CSC.?
CSC
I heard that AD guys are given more priority even in the 65 thousand count. My company filed 25 applications and 22 got picked and 3 are waiting for results.
Is it regular processing ? and which service center
Mine is regular and out of 25 its all mixed, im not sure. CSC
I thought only premium processing checks are getting cashed. Can you explain this clearly, did you meant you regular processing fee got cashed ?
How you came to know about your cheque encashment??
Same question. I don’t think employer shares this info
CA has no update today???
lottery picked
Center, Category, Receipt number,Mail or email?
V, AD, Still yet to get an email from lawyer on receipt number (on both the things). He called me to give an update about the lottery
are you PP or RP
Thank you and congratulations.. 😀
Still waiting for NonAD/PP/CA. Is there still any hope?
Hi all,
AD/PP/VT. I just got the email from my attorney. I got selected. The past few weeks were the longest period in my life. I can feel your pain. Doing exercise and get sweaty, and please just to believe and stay positive. I mean it, sometimes it can really bring you luck.
Pray that you all get good luck!!
Thank you guys, thank you Redbus!
Congratulations.. Email or mail..?
Thank you! Email. Fragomen.
Thank you..
Hi, Are you AD or NAD quota? Actually mine is NAD/PP and havn’t yet received any intimation.
As in did your attorney get your receipt from the USCIS via email or mail?
Email
Hey u got email or scanned copy of post mail receipt. Also your work location pls. And congrats btw 🙂
Thank you! My attorney in Fragomen got EMAIL. My location is Philly area, PA.
Congrats !! and thank you for the kind words !!
Thank you very much! Do not lose hope. It is not done yet. 🙂 While I was waiting the result last week, I felt so tense and I bothered my attorney a lot. She told me it was too early to lose hope before 04/27 for PP (if you are not PP, you should wait for longer). Hang in there, buddy!
BTW, my attorney is from Fragomen. Personally, I trust her. They have reputation.
I am AD/RP.. I can call up my university and find out if my sevis has been updated or not But i have applied through regular processing. So will my sevis be updated ??
Anyone from Deloitte Ny??? Still waiting answer from seyfarth shaw……
Deloitte-PA, waiting for updates from Fragomen
+1 waiting for an update from Fragomen…….
Mine is NAD/PP Deloitte but not yet heard from Fragomen!
Got there receipt today (20th) from Fragomen!
Got approved on 17th actually.
So its not the end for AD/PP/CA. Hang in there.
wow…congrats…can you give out your receipt number….you can obfuscate last 3 and give us the rest. When was the receipt generated?
Its WAC151365…
Hi guys,
Did anyone received receipt for regular cap for VT forTexas??? Please tell me has USCIS started sending receipts for the same…
Not Yet…Probably it should start by this week or next week and should go on till many end… There have been instances where Receipts were received even in the first week of June last year.. Very less though..
I meant May End
Thanks for the info buddy!!!
Just got my H1b Picked. AD/RR/ PP from California processing center.
Not sure if i got picked in regular or advanced! But so HAPPY. GUYS PLEASE DO NOT LOSE HOPE. I ACTUALLY GAVE UP AND TODAY HEARD GOOD NEWS. JUST BE OPTIMISTIC AND PLAY THE WAITING GAME WITH OPTIMISTIC ATTITUDE!!! Anything can happen in this world!
Can you plz share the WAC15??? # plz
its WAC1513
And i also contacted lawyer. Even though I have STEM advanced degree I got picked in regular.
So, I am assuming right now they are processing regular!
AD/RR/ PP, what is RR means??
Thank you
Guys,
AD/PP/CA picked just now. So don’t lose hopes yet.. All the Best 🙂
Can you plz share the WAC15??? # plz
i wish i was this lucky. Congrats
Anyone getting any updates from AD/RP on Sevis?
Curious…….
nope . I checked today morning .There were no updates
finally got it!!!!! this was my second attempt… so relieved.. Everyone hang in there… good luck..
Congrats!! email or USPS?
what was the second attempt which you are refering to can you elaborate …
I got email from employer/attorney.. Its dated April 20th.. so dont lose hope at least till this week.. I was not lucky in last year’s lottery and I am currently doing my second masters.. and I applied again this year (2nd attempt)..
Guys any one from TCS got any info? When can we expect an info?