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H1B Visa 2016 – FAQs – Lottery, Quota, Immigration Reform, News

Updated : November 25th, 2015

H1B Visa 2016 Filing Season Complete, Cap reached on April 7th, 2015.

Planning for next H1B season, Check out H1B Visa 2017 FAQs

As many of you know, H1B Visa 2015 quota was over in the first week and a whopping 172,500 H1B petitions were received in first week by USCIS.  H1B Lottery / random selection was held by USCIS to select 85,000 H1B petitions to fulfil the work permit cap. Many of the unlucky ones are already wondering about next year H1B Visa quota. Also, some of you are planning for H1B visa for next year, you also would be wondering regarding the same. This article addresses many of the common questions, it will be updated constantly, whenever any changes to info.  Bookmark this page !  To start with, firstly the news updates on this season, followed by many commonly asked questions.

Official & Unofficial USCIS News Updates Regarding H1B 2016 Season 

When will the H1B season for fiscal 2016 begin ?

USCIS will accept petitions for H1B Visa 2016 season starting from April 1st, 2015.  USCIS did a press release on March 12th outlining the details. Read summary of press release by USCIS on H1B 2016 .

Will there be lottery again for H1B Visa 2016 ? Predictions ?

We had lottery for FY 2015 and FY 2014. The total number of petitions filed for FY 14 were about 125,000 and for  FY 2015, there were about 172,500 petitions… As H1B Quota did not increase for FY 2016, and the demand does not seem to decrease, we would very likely have lottery for FY 2016.  Read H1B Visa 2016 Lottery Predictions, Dates, Results

What is the H1B Visa quota Cap Count ? Would there be any changes to H1B 2016 count ?

H1B Visa quota cap count is the total number of petitions that USCIS will accept for a fiscal year to provide temporary work permit for highly skilled workers.  For the 2016 fiscal year, the cap count is as below :

  • Regular H1B Quota : 65,000
  • H1B Masters Degree Quota ( only US Degrees) : 20,000
  • Out of the above, a total of 6,800 is usually set aside for Singapore and Chile citizens as part of the free trade agreement between them.

As per the press release in March 2015, the quota did not increase.  To give some background, as per the Obama executive action in Nov 2014, no changes were announced to the H1B Cap count. There was proposal in 2013 to increase H1B cap from 65,000 to 110,000 and Masters quota to increase from 20,000 to 25,000 did not go through as of March 2015. At least, for this FY 2016 season, the quota is fixed and it will be as above and no changes.

When should I start planning for H1B Visa 2016 ? What are the steps ?

It depends on your situation. Below are few scenarios and your plan.

  • If you are a student on F1 Visa in USA, you need to plan for your internship/ CPT or OPT employment  at a company that can sponsor your H1B Visa for FY 2016. In my view, you should start now to find something for the fall 2014 and continue that for next spring so that you can file for FY 2016
  • If you are in other country and planning for H1B, it is good to start your process around the end of this year 2014. It will give you enough time to find sponsors, search for job, etc.
  • If you are on H4, L1 or other visa in USA and planning for H1B for FY 2016, you also should consider looking around end of this year i.e. December 2014.

We have published step by step plan, you can read the article How to plan for H1B Visa 2016 ?Step by Step Guide 

Most asked Question – How do I Find H1B Sponsors for FY 2016 ?

This is a million dollar question !  One of the biggest challenges is to find a good sponsor that can offer you a job and wait for you to start work after 6 months of filing your petition.  You should review the detail article on How to find H1B Sponsors for FY 2015. Your first place of start is to find the H1B Sponsors in an area or by company. Use our H1B Visa Sponsors Database to search and filter. Read this article on details on how to search in our H1B Sponsor database. We keep the database updated as DOL publishes data. Do NOT share your email or phone number on our website as comments, there are many people do H1B Sponsorship fraud by requesting money using your contact info. RedBus2US.com never provides personal guidance on H1B sponsors or seeks money from anyone, we only display publicly available data on our H1B Sponsors Database page. We DO NOT sponsor H1Bs or guide anyone. Beware of H1B sponsorship Fraud ! 

What about Comprehensive Immigration Reform ( CIR) – H1B Visa Changes ? What are they ?

There have been some proposed changes to the H1B Visa program to cater to the demand in the  US economy as part of the Comprehensive Immigration reform. Below are some of the proposed changes.

  • H1B Cap to be increased from 65,000 to 110,000 per year.  Also have provisions to have it up to 180,000 in case of extreme demand.
  • Advanced degree from US cap quota to increase from 20,000 to 25,000
  • The Filing fee for H1B could go up to 10,000 USD
  • Additional H1B rules to avoid H1B Visa fraud by employers
  • Mandatory LCA posting for 30 days before it is certified.

These were proposed in 2013, but nothing has moved significantly and all the above are just proposed rules. We are not sure when they will be implemented. You can read  Summary of CIR – Immigration reform – H1B Visa and Green Card  to get an idea. The latest update is that Obama has taken executive action on Immigration in Nov  2014  and none of the below are included as part of that.  Stay tuned for updates.

H1B Visa 2016 Fees – Any changes ? How much does it cost ?

There are various components of the fee. The H1B Application filing fee could range anywhere from $1,600 USD to $4,400 depending on the size of the company. The attorney fee can range from $500 to $3000 depending on the attorney. If you apply for premium processing that is another $1,225. The fees has not changed in the past couple of years for FY 2014 and FY 2015. Unless USCIS revises fee based on immigration reform, it should be same. We will keep you all posted. For complete details of the fee by components and break up, read the article H1B Visa  Fees and Who Pays for What ?

H4 Visa EAD rule impact on H1B Visa 2016 Season ?

As you know, certain H4 visa holders are now eligible for EAD. The H4 Visa EAD Rule Passed earlier in 2015 and is effective from May 26, 2015.  USCIS will start accepting applications for EAD from those eligible H4 visa holders starting from May 26th. The question is that will that have an impact on number of H1B petitions for this fiscal year  ?  It very likely will have certain impact on the number of H1B applications that are filed for this year 2016 quota. Many of the H4 holders, who would now be eligible for EAD, may not apply for H1B visa, just because it gives them more flexibility to work and more choices to work as well. We would have to wait and see, how much of an impact that would have, but it is very straightforward and no brainer for eligible H4 visa holder to avoid the H1B processing.

H1B visa Premium Processing Changes to H1B Visa 2016 quota ? 

USCIS updated in their press release that the premium processing will be accepted for FY 2016 quota and they will only begin that “no later than May 11, 2015”. What it means for the petitioners is that the official 15 day premium processing clock starts from May 11th, 2015 and their petition could be adjudicated within 15 days from May 11th, which would be May 26th, 2015.  USCIS can process them earlier as well, but their new timeline is just indication for setting the right expectations to meet the stipulated time frame for premium processing.

Track H1B Visa 2016 Cap Count updates ?

As in previous years, we have created a page, where would track the cap count updates for FY 2016. You may check out  H1B visa 2016 Cap Count Tracker.

While you wait, you can check out April 1st – USCIS H1B Visa 2016 Season Starts Today, When to expect Lottery ?

H1B Lottery Completed – Official Tweet and Press Release 

H1B Cap Reached – Official USCIS Tweet and Link to Press release :


Any other questions ?

Photo of author
Satheesh Kumar Ilu, commonly known as Kumar, is the founder of RedBus2US.com. He is an Immigration and Study Abroad expert. He holds an MS from the University of Houston–Clear Lake and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He studied, lived, and worked in the U.S. and Singapore for nearly two decades, and has traveled to over 25 countries.

   

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28,610 Comments

  1. guys a friend of mine from VSC, has an update in school records for extension to 9/30/2015 but no receipt number? Does that mean he is through

    Some are saying it means nothing other are saying he is selected, which is it??

    Reply
      • I am not sure if i get what you are saying. Are you saying everyone who applies for OPT on last attempt gets extended to 9/30 by default.

        Reply
        • No. Status will be F1 student and lets say OPT is until Dec – 2015. It will remain intact.

          But if it gets picked then status will be in pending and once approved OPT gets terminated to 09/30/2015. This is my understanding

          Reply
          • what if status is till july 10th 2015, as is with my friend does his automatically get extended till 9/30?

      • Yes, that’s where the cap-gap rule comes in. Your friend can stay and work legally until 9/30 and from 10/01, they will be officially on H-1B.

        Reply
      • If his OPT end date has been extended then there will be a receipt number associated with it. It should mostly say pending status and a receipt number. if the school gives you receipt number he is in

        Reply
  2. Just took out an hour and found out receipt numbers at which the day ends… This is very approximate but gives a general picture. Looks like a total of around 33K receipts have gone out till now (PP and RP both)

    Latest Receipt Numbers Total
    (per day at both centers)

    EAC1514053210 2210

    WAC1513953999 2999

    EAC1513854320 3320
    WAC1513851260 260

    EAC1513754500 3500
    WAC1513754220 3220

    EAC1513654340 3340
    WAC1513653945 2945

    EAC1513554015 3015
    WAC1513554040 3040

    EAC1513452635 1635
    WAC1513453845 2845

    WAC1513351760 760

    Grand Total 33089

    Reply
  3. Light lele bhai, I hear you man, but kya kar sakte hai. I am thinking and getting irritated on this thing since more than 2 years and I am in the same boat as you bro…Good Luck to you…:)

    Reply
  4. Hi all,
    I am still waiting for my receipt (applied through AD/PP/CA). My attorney has not received any receipt yet from USCIS. When I contacted my university, my SEVIS status is the same as before.
    Any chance I made through the lottery?? Please advise.
    Thanks.

    Reply
  5. Friends, i have a question.
    i am Non-AD/PP and waiting to hear from employer.
    Who can check whether the check has been en cashed? Is it the employer or the attorney? My employer is sponsoring my H1. Appreciate any response..

    Reply
  6. Friends, i have a question. Who can check whether the check has been en cashed? Is it the employer or the attorney? My employer is sponsoring my H1. Appreciate any response..
    i am Non-AD/PP and waiting to hear from employer

    Reply
      • Bhai/Behen, ignore abcd’s reply. Lawyer will get to know first, the check goes from lawyers account and the not the employer. Employer will pay total fees including counseling as well H1 fees for all employees. Employers are not crazy to give them 100 checks for 100 employees. So answer to your question is Lawyer.

        Reply
        • check goes from employer account.
          My check got encashed and my employer informed me about it. when i was checking with my attorney regarding the receipt number he advised me to ask my employer when the check was encashed.

          Reply
          • Your lawyer is making stories, believe me. Employers pay single check to lawyer for counseling and application fees for all, use some logic dude, I saw my packet returned last year along with checks from lawyers firm. In other word, Chyutya bana raha hai lawyer…

      • It depends on who has applied for your H-1B. Usually the IT body-shop type of employers are the ones who can get you this kind of information – either they write the check to USCIS or they employ a smaller immigration attorney to keep costs low who you can also approach for this kind of information. Most of the bigger and genuine companies will not be able to provide such information since most of them deal with cashier checks/money orders which cannot be tracked.

        Reply
        • Dude:
          Employer pay all the check to USCIS. Employer pay lawyer fee also. But Lawyer doesn’t write any check for you petition. My company showed me scanned copy of all the check. Unlike other employer my company/account manager continuously checking the company account for any check deposit.

          Reply
  7. Hi guys,

    I have been trying to get into us from last 3 years , i work for a call centre here .
    I applied 4 petitions with the help of my friends in usa , they paid evrythng for my stuff as i’m desperate to come to USA and earn money.
    Does USICS send receipts after the cheque is cashed or they send receipts first and later cash them.

    Reply
      • stop pricking me , i know how you guys get jobs there my friends tell me evrything by keeping 7 years fake experience… if you can do i can also do . I want to come to usa and it is my dream .

        Reply
        • Hi I am Tarun Gandu. My resume is fake with 7 years of IT experience I work though at call center! Once I am in USA i will get lost. I have no IDEA what IT is. I know I use in sentence like IT is a very bad thing that I fake resume. but i love IT

          Reply
        • Tarun, not everyone is like that. Out of 100 probably 30 are like that. Remaining all the 70 genuine attend interviews and do the hard work.

          Don’t fall for incorrect information and putting multiplications will put you into troubles

          Reply
  8. Loosing hope looks like its game over. Last time i was not picked in the lottery and even this time i haven’t heard anything

    Reply
  9. guys a friend of mine from VSC, has an update in school records for extension but no receipt number? Does that mean he is through

    Reply
    • No. Cap Gap Extension is granted once anyone applied for H1B. It doens’t mean you have been picked in the lottery. It will be revoked if the person didn’t get selected in the lottery.

      Reply
        • Unfortunately, yes. My school status shows the same. Here is what i found on the USCIS website:

          Once a timely filing has been made, requesting a change of status to H-1B on October 1, the automatic cap-gap extension will begin and will continue until the H-1B petition adjudication process has been completed. If the student’s H-1B petition is selected and approved, the student’s extension will continue through September 30. If the student’s H-1B petition is denied, withdrawn, revoked, or is not selected, the student will have the standard 60-day grace period from the date of the rejection notice or their program end date, whichever is later, to prepare for and depart the United States.

          Notice the wording “selected”

          http://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations-and-fashion-models/extension-post-completion-optional-practical-training-opt-and-f-1-status-eligible-students-under-h-1b-cap-gap-regulations

          Reply
        • Yes. I have the same school status right now. I found the info on the U*S*C*I*S website.

          Once a timely filing has been made, requesting a change of status to H-1B on October 1, the automatic cap-gap extension will begin and will continue until the H-1B petition adjudication process has been completed. If the student’s H-1B petition is selected and approved, the student’s extension will continue through September 30. If the student’s H-1B petition is denied, withdrawn, revoked, or is not selected, the student will have the standard 60-day grace period from the date of the rejection notice or their program end date, whichever is later, to prepare for and depart the United States.

          Reply
        • AFAIK if the package has not been picked up in lottery, there will be no impact/change in sevis, only once you have been selected the sevis will be extended till Sep 31.

          Reply
          • thats what i thought so as well. But read the extract posted by B…that states everyone gets an extension?

      • No, Cap gap starts when H1B is filed. Nothing to do with selection in the lottery. Read this:
        Once a timely filing has been made, requesting a change of status to H-1B on October 1, the automatic cap-gap extension will begin and will continue until the H-1B petition adjudication process has been completed. If the student’s H-1B petition is selected and approved, the student’s extension will continue through September 30. If the student’s H-1B petition is denied, withdrawn, revoked, or is not selected, the student will have the standard 60-day grace period from the date of the rejection notice or their program end date, whichever is later, to prepare for and depart the United States.

        Reply
        • You are wrong buddy…do you think they open up the “not-selected” petition, get the SEVIS and then update it? Does not make any sense to me.
          By the way, I have a pending SEVIS – no receipt…and GUESS WHAT- I’m am NOT on OPT..just F1

          Reply
          • i am as confused as you are….dosent make sense that they will update so many SEVIS accounts as pending and then revoke. Also so many people confirm no activity on sevis accounts. So really unclear as to what the outcome is.

  10. Did any one you find that “Agarbatti” guy funny?
    He helped me a lot with my stress and all. People who dont know him, he was asking in this forum “Can I apply for H1b now bcoz I heard USA is a great business place for Agarbatti (incense sticks)”

    Reply
  11. Hi guys just checked with my school DSO that my SEVIS status have changed. They also gave me receipt number. EAC1513551xxx
    I applied under advppvt.
    Waiting for my lawyer to confirm it. Donm’t give up yet!!!

    Reply
  12. This is my third time, APRIL has been killing me, like previous 2 times, please almighty, this is getting unbearable 🙁

    Reply
  13. Can someone give me an explanation about what all the acronyms mean or a link where I can look it up? Like AD/non-AD/VT and etc. Sorry this may seem to be a dumb question but I’m really trying to figure it out. In addition, has anyone received notice in the Texas area? Is it processed based on area or company?

    Reply
    • AD – Advanced Degree
      PP – Premium Processing
      RP – Regular Processing
      CSC – California Service Center
      CA – California Service Center
      VSC – Vermont Service Center (East Coast)

      Reply
    • AD – Advanced Degree (Master Degree/Doctoral Degree etc.)
      non-AD – Bachelor Degree
      VT – Vermont (am I right?)
      PP – Premium Processing
      I was also confused when I first joined this forum 🙂

      Reply
    • AD- Advance DEgree (Masters, etc.)
      Non-AD: Non Advance Degree
      PP- Premium Processing
      RP- Regular Processing
      VT/CA etc. are processing centers Vermont, California, etc.

      Reply
  14. I’m so freaking nervous. Happy for the AD guys but it feels very few slots for RP but I’m in Non AD RP and I’m getting sick in my stomach thinking about my fate. Hope I get it or I would have to sit at home and sell pickles. 🙁

    Reply
    • There are other alternatives, you need not sell pickles. Here are few tips :
      Apply for a Job in non-profit. You will not fall under the cap in that situation. There is no quota limit in that case. Any public and research university falls under non profit. (higheredjobs.com/)

      Stay and focused and confident. Defeat is always momentary 🙂

      Reply
  15. My employer told that I did not get picked up in AD Quota, he said you still have slim chances in Regular Quota and should hear by Friday
    AD/PP/VT 🙁 🙁 🙁

    Reply
  16. Hi,
    picked in lottery. All the best to all..
    category: Non AD/PP/VT. Received mail from my employer.
    Case NO: EAC151375XXXX

    Reply
  17. Hey check the link below, I think it might be helpful for the folks who are still waiting. This link has details of the processing time per each center, like CSC and the VSC etc..
    https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplayInit.do

    Reply
  18. Got picked up in lottery PP/AD/VERMONT… Got mail from my lawyer today… Thanks a lot for the support from this website .. Good luck to all the ones who are waiting…

    Reply
  19. — Need Help —

    Lets assume someone has filled two application from different employer, so in that case both has picked in lottery, so what is the next step on the same ..means can he/she eligible for two time visa interview or ONLY ONCE … Clarify..
    Thanks in advance

    Reply
    • When people are waiting here with their lives on the line, you are posting about multiple approvals. You are only inviting hate here. Clearly right now this is not the place to be asking that question. Ask any immigration attorney and proceed forward.

      Reply
    • Really?? There are people here desperately waiting for their application to be picked and you come and talk about multiple applications?

      Reply
    • In that case, you can decide which company you want to work for and can keep the second H1 as inactive. This is what i heard.Not sure.

      Reply
    • @Help, If you have applied twice and both are approved, then the ball is in your court to decide which H1 you want to go ahead with. By the way, how could you appear for two visa interviews man? ask some logical question man/girl/woman (whatever)…

      Reply
    • I am waiting on AD/RP/CSC. @Sharky123, You know two cases approved so far?? I haven’t heard anything until now on Regular Processing. Please respond with details. Thanks!

      Reply
      • A few of my friend’s co-workers received an approval yesterday around 3pm PST. They were AD/RP/CSC. Also VSC has given out quite a few AD/RP since last two days. I’m only curious about CSC.

        Reply
    • only dealt with parallegal, but they seem useless, no answer at all to simple questions. I’ll advise to next year company to avoid them

      Reply
        • give or take 2days inf sup
          4500 5500
          14-Apr 1 4500 5500
          15-Apr 2 9000 11000
          16-Apr 3 13500 16500
          17-Apr 4 18000 22000 AD-PP+RG end
          20-Apr 5 22500 27500
          21-Apr 6 27000 33000
          22-Apr 7 31500 38500
          23-Apr 8 36000 44000
          24-Apr 9 40500 49500 NAD-PP end
          27-Apr 10 45000 55000
          28-Apr 11 49500 60500
          29-Apr 12 54000 66000
          30-Apr 13 58500 71500
          01-May 14 63000 77000

          Reply
          • we have until end of week easy, the sooner the better of course. but if no news before weekend (esp CSC) bad weekend coming ahead

          • yeah looks like it..
            The approximations looks pretty good..
            I have been finding last receipt numbers issued..
            It is around ~2000 for CSC daily..

            lets wait this week.. 🙂

      • Received a query response from Fragomen just now..

        They are saying it is too early to say case status as USCIS is still issuing receipts.. And they will let me know once they have an update..

        I guess I will keep my fingers crossed for some more time..

        Reply
  20. Guys, Srry to say this but looks like AD/non AD PP CSC is done. If you are one of the lot who applied in this category activate your plan B.

    Hope is miserable. So lose it and start working on your next step.
    FYI,
    I am in this category , 2nd try( from outside US), last year was my last try on OPT. Looks like need to w8 till oct to file L1 or just say f**k off and make my dream world here.

    Reply
    • Wait until 25th and even then if you don’t have an update. I think you can activate your Plan B, though its better to start working now.

      Hope for the better

      Reply
    • What you said might be true.
      But want to share my status here:
      I’m currently working in US. My company (Consultancy) filed one application for me. They filed a few hundreds (to BOTH Vermont and CA) in total but only received 9 receipts so far. Don’t know what’s going on there but that’s what they told me.
      This waiting thing has not yet ruined my life but has affected my organs. Have been having cramps, panic attacks, diarrhea, urges to vomit for days.

      Mine: CA/AD/PP/

      Reply
      • You are not in this alone.. Same here.. Hang in there.. The news that only 9 got it out of hundreds maybe good news… Maybe there is a hick up in the system… Try to take it easy

        Reply
    • @Strategy … why did you say that you have to wait till October to file L1. Why not now or in the month of June?

      Can’t we file L1 until we get a rejection mail on H1 ?

      Reply
  21. Got notified by my company’s HR yesterday that I got picked. I only filed one app with my current company.
    VT – Non-AD / PP

    Reply
  22. My lawyer has started receiving PP receipts for Vermont non AD only yesterday. So, there is still hope for PP folks. And they came as mail and not email. Lawyer in Georgia, work location Texas. I am Non AD RP, and still no news on those.

    Reply

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