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 ?
Anyone here from People tech ?
hi I am from people tech.
I got my receipt number from my university yesterday. Guys, call your international student office no matter your expiration date is before or after October because mine is the end of this year. Best wishes for all of you.
Ok, I just received email from my employer: My employer received mail of my notice from WAC. I am AD/RP.
Center
On April 13, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC151375xxxx,
AD/RP/VT here.
My lawyer informed me just sometime back that my H1B petition has been accepted in the lottery. I am a non-IT guy (first time petition and had only one chance, not applicable for STEM), had only 1 petition from my employer, and am knee-deep in student loans (like many others) — so you can imagine the stress. Was following this blog for a while and chimed in every now and then with my comments. Just want to say — have faith in yourselves (regardless of the lottery result), have a Plan B in place, and continue doing great work. Won’t ask anyone to stay calm as I know its virtually impossible (I freaked out plenty in the last couple of weeks, even though AD/RP folks have plenty of time left to get receipts). Thanks to all the guys/girls who provide helpful and constructive comments on here!
Best of luck to all!
Do you think AD/PP have any hopes left? And congratulations .. 😀
Based on my last year experience, I have seen receipts for AD/PP even one week after the 15-day count started. So don’t worry as of now.
Hi all! Just want to let you guys know my employer filed over 40 applications through California Service Center, all under Regular Processing and mixed of AD and non-AD. An update from HR this morning, there is no receipts received yet. But they will come in any day now.
I also have a question too, is the Sevis status change an accurate indication of whether you got picked or not? I called my school this morning, they said my status is active.
Ask them specifically about change of status such as receipt number, pending, or extension.
Of course you status will be active always. All you need to look for change of current status to any new status…..It is an accurate indication but not the legitimate way.
Any one from *ris Log*c ?
Anyone from beta soft systems?
Hi Guys,
So I just confirmed with my school’s office and they tell me that my SEVIS status is showing active. My OPT expires July 2016. Does this mean that I am not selected. The attorney says no update on my case yet. Mine is RP but I already feel LOST in this battle 🙁
Abey chodu !!!
When you know that RP hasnt started…why the F r u crying since day 1….wait and watch and stop asking !
pata hai teri behan ke saath hai aur wo uska pareshaani kam nahi kar rahi hai….choot bahot lose hai uska ! tu itna mat choda kar usko…behenchodh !
same case man 🙁
Wipro guys…Any update from GIMS..
No, still dinnt any updates from GIMS AND/OR OOC?
its fraustating man!!!
I dont know, why wipro inform last…..
Wipro guys please provide the correct information here.
One guy posted that his friend got the mail from GIMS and disappeared.
Please post the info which you know exactly.
Does any one remember when did Wipro inform first set of selection last year? This year no info so far. Also, my status shows as Sent for Filing. Should it not be Filed with Authoroties?
AD/RP/VT – APPLICATION ACCEPTED/CHECK CASHED
At 11:08 a.m. I received an email from lawyer congratulating me on the acceptance of my application. The check was cashed but no receipt number yet. Good luck to everybody!
Hi,
i am not sure if you guys are aware of this…but Herguan University is closed…CEO pleaded guilty in VISA fraud Case…..guys be careful if you opt for university that give CPT from the very first day…..I have a friend who is stuck in this mess….even if his visa is picked..it will be denied…
good luck guys !
Shut your mouth bullcrap, your post is non-sense…
Get the hell out of here.. Don’t post crap
It is shady for sure.
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2014/09/04/beyondstanford-silicon-valley-foreign-talent.html?page=all
is anybody here from synmeta irvine ca? did you get any update?
Hey Guys,
I just checked with school’s international service, he said there is no change with my sevis yet. I am in regular process.
I am wondering if the SEVIS update batch by batch or all the SEVIS update at the same time. I want to know is there any hope for me to wait…
I am really appreciated for your response.
you still have a chance, i got my cheque cashed yesterday morning and when i checked with the DSO they said no change on the sevis. It takes some time to get updated
Are you AD/PP/VT.? Did you get receipt or only cheque cashed yet.?
Thank you for your response! Hope I will get it soon!
Guys mine got approved yesterday. You can call the International adviser and ask for SEVIS change even if your OPT ends after October. My OPT end in next jan but my SEVIS is updated, also you can ask your employer if the cheque is chashed or not. Good luck to everyone and thanks for all the updates you guys made in the comments which helped me a lot… good luck
i guess that doesn’t work, i got my cheque cashed yesterday morning and when i checked with the DSO they said no change on the sevis. It takes some time to get updated.
for me it took one day to get the update ….but I just want to tell for RP guys this is also an option
does it work if no opt applied and still in 3rd semester
Just received receipt a few hours ago! 🙂
NAD / PP – applied through NYC based bank…
Any one applied under EMC Corporation ? Trying to make a head count in here +1
+1 no update on my case..
Can someone please confirm the order of sending-out receipts for the H-1B petitions picked in the lottery:
1. AD/PP
2. NAD/PP
3. AD/RP
4. NAD/RP
Is that correct?
Its premium and regular doesnt matter with AD.
I wish NAD/PP comes at the end 😛
I am with you on this @No luck
Anyone here whose cheques has been cashed but hasn’t received their receipts yet? My employer and HR told me last friday on 17th that both the premium processing/regular fee cheques had been cashed. But still waiting for receipt number.
I’m AD/PP/VT. Appreciate your response guys.
my cheque cashed out in the morning today and will atleast take 1-2 weeks to get the receipt.
Was it yours AD/PP/VT please confirm
As i am also waiting check is not cashed yet i have some hopes as your cash cashed this morning
By his reply you can understand that it’s regular processing.
@ abhijith
Was it yours AD/PP/VT please confirm
As i am also waiting check is not cashed yet i have some hopes as your cash cashed this morning
are you pp vermont?
Yes mine is pp/ad/vermont..
Thanks for confirming so we still have hopes 🙂
@abhijith
Is yours PP Vermont? Because mine is PP/AD/VT and cheque had been cashed last week. 1-2 weeks is quite a time to send out receipts for premium processing right.
Did you checked your sevis?
No . Unfortunately, my DSO says they wont provide any information:/ They told to contact my respective immigration attorney concerning any receipt number.
Guys hang in thr, 4 AD/PP/CA receipts that i know were informed yesterday and 1 AD/PP/VT, so thr might still be hope till tomorrow evening
On the other hand – i see a lot of h1bsluaghter’s popping up, whats up with that 🙂
Hi, @h1bslaughteragain
By informed, do you mean they receive email or the check is cashed??
Dude.. did you get it.. Lot of H1BSLAUGHTERING popping up coz, ppl were looking for you and you wouldnt respond..
What was the date on the receipt received notice?
Hi,
Is there anyone here whose cheque has been cashed but hasn’t received their receipts yet? My employer and HR told me last friday on 17th that both the premium processing/regular fee cheques had been cashed. But still waiting for receipt number. I’m AD/PP/VT. Appreciate your response guys
I am NonAd/PP/VSC my check got cashed on monday,. still have not recieved the receipt number.
Just be informed by my employer that the checks have been cleared. AD/RP/CA. Good luck to everyone else. Bless all of you who haven’t received any information yet.
ANY HOPES ALIVE FOR AD/PP/VT
PLEASE RESPOND
still hope till friday or even monday. hang in thr friend, my receipt came on the 14th but was informed yesterday, so you never know.
Haven’t heard of anything yet..
AD/PP/Vermont same here..stupid Fragomen didn’t tell me anything yet..just like last year. I hate it!
Any one got receipts for Non-Ad / PP/ CSC?????
Can someone tel me abt the chances ?? How long I can expect ???
U can expect 5″ long in ur ass. It will hurt a little. Lube it up/.
I am not asking abt what ur mother is expecting
Has the PP ship sailed completely? Or is there still hope?
Hi,
Is there anyone here whose cheque has been cashed but hasn’t received their receipts yet? My employer and HR told me last friday on 17th that both the premium processing/regular fee cheques had been cashed. But still waiting for receipt number. I’m AD/PP/VT. Appreciate your response guys.
Got mine PP\Non AD\California but waiting for my husbands 🙁 he was same as mine not sure what to do if he does not get selected I do not want to stay away from him 🙁
Me too waiting PP/CA/Non-AD . could u plz tell me when u received urs?
Just got a copy of the physical receipt today from lawyer. No email receipt was ever received. WAC1513351526. Don’t lose hope, guys!
Now it’s time for receiving notices for AD/RP and NAD/RP. Good luck to all! 🙂
Did anyone get any update for Non-AD/RP from Balglobal.
Anyone from Oracle…plz update.
Non ad/RP anyone got receipt??????????
Any updates from Splendtek inc?
Got a call from them …picked in lottery.but no email or no receipt or no other information after that.
regulat or premium processing?
It’s premium.but they didn’t share the receipt number.
@arun: when u got a call from Splendtek? Is it today?
Arun,
Same for me, have u tried to reach them.
My friend got receipt NON AD/PP. Mine is regular I am waiting
Got My H1 Receipt….yeyeyeyey..jinchakjinchakjinchak….AD/RP/VT.
Congrats!
Congrats!!!!! did you get an email from your HR? I heard RP will get notice by mail (Please confirm).
Some random number i was checking WAC1513453450
Ha ha ha.. Dude I think you watch too much chodu CID
Any person got info from Hexacorp?
guys plz update.
how many got their receipts?
Non-AD/AD/PP?
Anyone still waiting?
Fragomen guys are not responding.
I’m AD/PP/VT.
Still waiting (and have already emailed my old HR manager from overseas, lol).
Greetings to Amazon (interned there).
I am still waiting for a reciept.
Why are people interested in the receipt #s of the one that got picked ?
They just want to check when the recipt was generated. Say if it is generated recently, then hopes are alive if those are generated few days back then no reason to excite. So they need it for a reason, Good luck in case you are still waiting…:)
I am still waiting for a reciept.
Any update from Wipro GIMS on non-AD/RP at CSC/VT,
ppl who are waiting please vote. Lets have a count.
+ 1
+1
Good to see so many wipro guys active on this blog.
Guys just one request,
please don’t spread rumor, post only if you have any genuine update from GIMS or colleagues.
Thanks.
Dude ! What’s with your consulting companies man, spamming the whole US. This is not your right, it’s the right of the AD Holder who have the right to get the H1B first.
ANy updates on NONAD/REGULAR/VERMONT?
Waiting for it…..
me too..
+1
Me too….
anyone from EY waiting from Egan???
I am. You Adv or non-Adv?
Are you CSC or VT?
I am Non-AD/VT. I heard my friend from my office had update on the tracker in this morning
+1
I am waiting for non-Ad /PP/CSC.Is there any chance?
Do colleagues around you all received??
No one in my offc got the receipts. Any one got receipts for Non-Ad / PP/ CSC?????
Can someone tel me abt the chances ?? How long I can expect ???
Check your tracker regularly. I got mine last Thursday from the tracker site but haven’t received any email from Egan. I called my DSO on Thursday and my SEVIS didn’t change. On Monday I received an email from her telling me my SEVIS status was changed to H-1B. however, my case status on USCIS hasn’t been updated since receipt.
Anybody with multiple receive RFE LOOK AT RECEIPT NUMBER WAC1513453500. what are they issuing RFE for. Multiples anyone??
It could be any reason, chances are very less that it may be due to multiple petitions.
It one of my friends and he filed 3 petitions
Deserves it, I would say.
But they have not started processing. His lawyer said as soon as second application was discoved they issued RFE to all the employers. If any one doesn’t reply then it’s rejected.
Did all the 3 petition got selected in lottery for him?
MULTIPLE FILING deserve RFE!!! yeah!! hope you get reject forever
REJECTED… you dont deserve it…they will or rather have already rejected all your app…
Hi Guys,
Does any body know when we can expect the results for nonAD regular processing, I filled 2 application from indis one is sumitted in california cener and second is in vermount but till now no update, my employer is saying they haven’t received anything, according to him they filled 96 petitions this year but didn’t get a response even for one till now, guys please tell me is this possible and also when we can expect the news
You can Expect the result from next week tuesday onwards till June
All the best
Results for RP may start anytime to flow, but it might stop by may end.
as per last year’s data.
even i am waiting with same eagerness and curiosity..
Hope USCIS can take action to those who are multiple filling
Then before filling they should inform.Not now.That’s not correct.
Its absolutely correct.
They should pick somone in the lottery and then in the other list check if this guy still exists in the other list.
If yes then Rejected for LIFE !
Game over for Premium Processing. Regular Processing starts pouring in now! Heard from my lawyer.
Are you sure? Did he tell we will not be receiving any more PP receipts from now on?
dude this Toni guy has been posting negative comments since many days. Forget about him. Keep hope until end of next week.
This is so not true
My employer said me that PP receipts will be coming more from this Monday… and my employer hasn’t received receipts for any employees.
Hey mind your language
Chup be bhosdike…ekdum sahi bola wo ! tu ja teri lawyer ki ghaand me ghus
I am AD/RP/VT, i was wondering if anybody got the receipts yet in my category? I heard Vermont is slow in sending letters but not sure if anybody got…please reply, thanks
did you check your sevis, checks cashed? for me- neither sevis updated not checks cashed . im also AD/RP
One of my friend got receipt few mins back.
AD/RP/VT
My Employer has just told me that my check has been cashed..this morning.. im still waiting for the mail confirmation. i have applied under masters/regular/at vermont
got Sevis update with H1B receipt number yesterday from college, case status shows April 13th received date.
Guys,
Plz pray for me that I enter USA on H1B visa this year.
I have been trying since 2013, but no luck so far.
Thanks.
God bless all!!!
My mother says, that I have worked really hard to achieve what I am today. Never depend on luck. Work hard and keep trying, again and again. Never give up.
Thats what I have been doing so far and will continue in future as well.
I hope I will be able to fulfill my promises I made to ….
soon …
AD/RP/VT – GOT H1B 😀
My DSO notified that my cap gap got extended and my OPT was extended to 9/30 and upon further request she sent my my receipt number which confirms the same.
congrats when is your opt going to expire?
@Dan – Mine was goin to expire in July this year.
Please shut up your personal conversation.
Band Karo tumhari Bakwas.
Did everyone get receipt for Non AD/ Regular Process/ VT?
Sorry I meant, Did anyone get receipt for Non AD/ Regular Process/ VT?
Long way to go dude.. Wait for 2 – 3 weeks
AD/PP/VT.. I feel so unproductive these two weeks.. Its been hell..
I am with you ! Feeling lost completely…Not sure what to say ..beyond this..
Do you think its done for AD/PP/VT?
I really cannot say that…but chances look very slim now..I am trying to reach Univ DSO..and they look completely non co-operative so..there is now way that information is passing through at the moment..But remember that I am strictly speaking for myself..May be I will hold back until tomorrow evening and decide on plan B….
Yeah me too.. Have plan B decided, but will start executing it from Monday.
Me too. Have not heard anything from lawyer yet. Depressed 🙁
:-()
AD/PP/CSC- Still waiting and was unlucky last year as well. Its been hell from last week and loosing hope for this year too!