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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. One of my friend already received an RFE for 3 filings. And strangely they asked all three employers to respond With quite a detail. And two are a consultancy and one is an american MNC. receipt number WAC1513453500

    Reply
  2. I applied my H1b through consultancy. When I asked my consultant about the lottery result. He said he didn’t receive so far. He said stay patient.

    Can anyone tell me till when can I expect the lottery result. ?

    Thanks in Advance

    Reply
  3. Guys with AD (Advanced Degree), When u applied for AD course in US, all of you applied for only 1 college or u applied for multiple college. ?

    Reply
    • if you are talking about university application for F1 visa then, yes all of us will apply for more than 3 universities.
      If you are talking about H1b application, then you have to apply with the university from which you graduated.

      Reply
      • Explain how applying to multiple university is wrong? University clearly state their acceptance rate for a program.
        For the H1B you need have multiple job offers to file multiple petitions. In US you can work for more than 1 employer while you are on H1. You can’t work for Microsoft and Google at the smae time. There is something called conflict of interested. Par tu hai chutiya kaise samajh mein aayega. Zindagi bar fake kar kar ke kaam chalaya.

        Reply
  4. petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/remove-and-ban-cheaters-who-sent-multi-petition-h1b-lottery-selection

    Our petition regarding stopping multiple applications has reached 20k… Congrats every one who have supported for this initiative… Greate going guys!

    Pls extend your support as this will help ur successors…

    Reply
  5. Hi,

    I have been checking this website from past few weeks.

    Today got to know that my application did not reach USCIS on time.

    May be my employer DITCHED me. TCS SUCKS BIG TIME.

    Can’t stop myself tears rolling down my eyes.

    Good Luck Guys

    Reply
        • Looks a GAME was played at the backend…. Every IT gaints know very well that apps should reach USCIS on time… They have been doing this every year. How it could not reach on time…..

          may be it was never sent. I know this happens in many IT companies. They make employee beleve that H1 B was filed but only they and GOD knows whther it was submitte or not. They dont give any proof or ref number… How to trust these politcis filled INdian MNCs…….

          You make employee to get locked up with you for a year in the name of H1B… We believe them too and stay to see our luck…. Finaly this is how they cheat??

          I am not saying H1B is everything in life…. But its an oppurtunity to make our life better faster and our 1 year effort in the project to get nominated for H1 B filing……

          these guys are shits…

          Reply
        • The same thing happned one of my friend in TCS. He submitted all the documents filled everything in VTS after a month he came to know that, his application is not processed. Becoz of that he left TCS and now he is in UK with some other employer. TCS another cheating…

          Reply
          • Not only TCS , all major Indian MNCs are cheaters in this VISA process.

            We know many IN MNC companies paid huge fine and deniel by US immigration.

    • Looks a GAME was played at the backend…. Every IT gaints know very well that apps should reach USCIS on time… They have been doing this every year. How it could not reach on time…..

      may be it was never sent. I know this happens in many IT companies. They make employee beleve that H1 B was filed but only they and GOD knows whther it was submitte or not. They dont give any proof or ref number… How to trust these politcis filled INdian MNCs…….

      You make employee to get locked up with you for a year in the name of H1B… We believe them too and stay to see our luck…. Finaly this is how they cheat??

      I am not saying H1B is everything in life…. But its an oppurtunity to make our life better faster and our 1 year effort in the project to get nominated for H1 B filing……

      these guys are shits…

      Reply
    • Rajesh, USCIS has no such notification process, they will simply return your petition to the attorney. That is what happened last year with me. Hope it helps… stay positive!!!

      Reply
  6. Guys, I almost let h1b go away for this year but today I have my reciept from fragoman.. they recieved it on 17th April.

    Reply
    • I just want the same thing happen to me 🙁

      Non-ad/pp/ca fragomen 🙁

      Please god 🙁

      By the way congrats 🙂

      Where is your employer?
      Mine is in San Francisco

      Reply
    • Can you please tell me at what exact time(with time zone) you have received the mail?

      Also where are you from?(I am from India )

      Reply
      • No emails.. I just see the update on their website now.. they must have updated between 1PM to 6PM (PST). My job location is mountain view..

        I hope you get it too but don’t let a lottey be bigger than you..

        I am from France

        Reply
  7. Wipro Guys, I assume, we would not get any update for next three days. Just chill out and relax over the weekend.

    Next week will be far more interesting, with lots of information over the air again.

    “Life will be more interesting, if there are uncertainty with toppings like curiosity, anticipation & little bit of calmness.”

    My best wishes and mainly “”GOOD LUCK”” to all.

    Reply
    • Yes, no update till so far from GIMS i think , next week we will get for sure .
      All the best to everyone.
      God wish me luck 🙂

      Reply
  8. Just now had a word with GSMS guy, Cognizant hasn’t received lottery reult for even a single candidate till now. So nything next week only it seems.

    Reply
  9. All AD’s who are will not be getting Visa this year..

    L1 is on the table and review. It will be through this May/Jun. All the offshore companies will file L1 instead of H1 (as people leaves jobs once they are in USA).

    Hold on until next year

    Reply
  10. Did anybody get receipt numbers for NSC (Nebraska Service Center) Region and receipt number starts with “LIN” and this is for regular processing.
    Please let me know if anybody knows on the same.

    Reply
  11. Can anyone help me understand how the PP works? USCIS website says they will start processing PPs no later than April 27th. But, alot of people on this website’s been saying if we don’t hear back by the end of this week, chances are very slim. I don’t get why the chances would be slim since they could technically start the process as lats as the 27th? Am I missing something? Btw, I’m non-AD/PP/VT…

    Reply
    • Hi guys, I am non-AD/PP but have not yet received any posotive feedback of being selected…Lawyer says to wait for a couple of weeks, but what’s the point of PP then??? what do you think? Is it time for plan B? cheers and good luck to everyone!

      Reply
    • Premium processing results (receipt numbers) are out dear but the actual processing of petition(approval notice) will start from 27th April 2015. Hope this thing is now clear to you.

      Reply
    • Well technically, the phrase “no later than 27 April” means the processing of premium applications will start on or before 27 April.
      All other assumptions are equally likely, i.e., they may finish by 27th or before or later than that date.
      If I were you, I would wait until I get a official confirmation from the Employer. In the mean time read the blogs for fun.

      Reply
  12. USCIS is working in such a random fashion which is not making any sense. On their website they say they will start processing premium application from 27th april regardless of I-797 receipt date and in the e-mail receipt they say they will adjudicate the case within 15 calendar days of the “received date” set forth above which is 13th april.

    Reply
    • Also is it possible that employer didnt received any single update.means no h1b till date. ..my employer said that they applied for 10 h1bs this year..but didnt hear anything till date..

      Reply
    • My Employer filed 6 applications(Non-ad/PP/VT) and got 2 selected until now. i think 4 were not picked up in lottery.
      My employer says, Even next week we can expect some more receipts for the same as VT works slow.

      Reply
  13. Hi Guys,

    It seems that game is over for AD PP, my employer yesterday he received 3 receipts for non ad regular processing, and I am not in the list he asked me to wait for 7-10 days max for regular, I hope I will get that this time very tensed now

    Reply
      • @GOI: Thanks. I have one more question if you wish to answer.
        My attorney received e-mail receipt on 17th april and it had the “date received” as 13th april. But when I check my case status on uscis website it says they received my application on 17th april. there is a discrepancy. Is that normal?

        Reply
        • If I understood it right your application is fine. They received the application on the 13th and they notified you (receipt produced) on April 17 which means as soon as the applications are sent to service centers, receipts are not produced. So don’t worry. Just chill and enjoy the coming weekend. And congratulations.

          Reply
      • it means you are selected, when was your opt expiring? Sevis status might not updated right away, give the receipt to your DSO and he/she can make the change. so dont panic and congrats

        Reply
  14. heys Guys Look at this WAC1513453500 my friend submitted 3 applications only one picked so far . but he got an RFE today. requiring all 3 employers to respond to RFE.

    Reply
    • his lawyer said as soon as they saw more than one application even before processing starts they issued an rfe. which is strange

      Reply
    • Where it is mention that the RFE because of the 3 applications ? I think if he got one selected then USCIS is not going to see other 2 applications at all. This is treated as 1 applications.

      Please comment from where you get this information that this is because of multiple applications ?

      On April 22, 2015, we suspended processing of your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC1513453500, because we need more information from you. Your notice explains what we need from you to resume working on your case. We will not take action on your case until we receive the evidence or the deadline to submit it expires. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your request for additional evidence notice by May 22, 2015, please go to ucis.gov/e-request to request a copy of the notice. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

      Reply
      • Yes absolutely right.If only one application got picked how come they will know about his other two applications which is not selected in lottery.Also why USCIS should bother about the applications that is not picked in lottery.Friend please don’t spread rumor.

        Reply
  15. please to infom that my receipt was picked. Its my second attempt, didn’t get picked last year so had to leave US and work overseas. I actually gave up and was relying on filing L1. Just got the news today from attorney. AD/PP/CSC. I don’t know but I don’t feel the happiness anymore may be because I have up on it, and this came as a curve ball disrupting my current plan :). Anyways all the AD guys please choose wisely your next step. Just take a step back and think about your career not just about sticking in US.( This wouldn’t apply to the consultant guys I know how that works). I would recommend going out of US for a year(if your employer has offices overseas) or so and apply for H1 and in case that doesn’t pan out apply for L1. This will give you job security and chance to get back. If you want to take gamble on RFE doing 2nd masters that your take.

    Anyways stay calm if not picked, the feeling will be there for a month or two. Just enjoy your days there. Lifes not going to end but is taking a pause, and you need some adventures time to time in life.

    Reply
    • AD/PP/CA .. waiting anxiously .. one question .. what are preconditions to move to Canada .. with same employer … I am contemplating that as plan-B … met an attorney today .. he suggested exactly as your post states .. please reply

      Reply
      • If your employer is ok with it, all they do is apply work permit for you there thats it. I can’t comment on canada work permit, but should be easy to get I guess. Canada would be good not to much of a lifestyle change compared to US. Should work fine for you.

        Reply
  16. Hi,

    Could someone please let me know how to check and where to check the sevis number?

    Phone number or email or website?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • You need to contact the international office at your university. Your Designated School Officer (DSO) will check your SEVIS account and will let you know if any changes has happened to your record. It is a good sign if he/she told you that your OPT is automatically extended to Sept. 30 – this is in case you are currently on OPT.

      Reply
  17. I am still waiting and hopeful. Been online all day. Enough stress. Positive vibes! Ommmm! We’ll get through one way or another 🙂

    Reply
  18. AD/PP/VT – Received an email from my lawyer on 4/22:

    Today we received notification from the USCIS that the H-1B petition we filed on your behalf was selected for processing in this year’s cap. Currently, we are awaiting the official I-797 Receipt Notice. Once our office has received the official notice, we will provide you with a copy to present to your DSO who should then issue you a new cap-gap I-20 indicating the continued extension of your F-1 status.

    Reply
  19. Guys I filed 4 applns (all Telugu consultancies) and got 3 of the picked today. How do I withdraw other petitions before rfe?

    Reply
    • People like you reduced the chances for other people to get Visa to work and live in the states. If you got 3 selected, what about 2 that are just gonna be wasted instead of giving 2 other people to have their happy life in the states. Get lost.

      Reply
    • Given they are all different employers. You can wait until they all approve then choose the one you want and withdraw the rest. I don’t why people upset with multiple filers. If it’s allowed by USCIS, then it’s fair game. I apply one because I could only find 1 sponsor.

      Reply
      • People get upset because no two genuine companies will file for h1b for the same candidate. Also, it is considered unethical in US to accept job from multiple companies at a given time. For e.g., you can’t say yes to job offers from both Google and Amazon at the same time. You have to accept one and reject other.

        Reply
  20. My lawyer told me today that there are delays in VT in issuing receipts. I am AD/PP/VT… I checked my SEVIS and it is untouched. Do I still need to stay hopeful????? Any ideas / comments?

    Reply
  21. Hi. Sitting waiting. Does anyone know of a university offering CPT from day one in NYC or nearby? I am a teacher but could find a link with technology or MBA type of courses. Information appreciated- I know of a place in Delaware but hoping for something closer to my job.

    Reply
    • Congrats! All the best of luck, Maria. Would you please share your receipt number (mask the last 4 digits)? I want to measure the lag.

      Reply
  22. Yippe.. After a woeful and miserable two weeks finally got my receipt today dated 04/13. Finally Won the game.

    Reply
    • congrats!!! could you please share some details? where are you located at and was the notice a mail or an email?

      Reply
        • Did you check your SEVIS status? is it in “active” or “pending” status? If you haven’t checked it yet can you please check that. It would help many of us waiting for AD/PP/CA

          Reply
          • I called DSO today in the morning they said Active F1 and no change in status. I lost hope three hours later got the receipt. Seems like it will take time to get updated and everything is slow this year unlike last year. Only way to determine is cheque getting cashed.

          • @AD/PP/CA
            Mine is also AD/PP/CA and selected in lottery but I checked with my university and there is no change in sevis yet. Is that the same case with you?

          • @AD/PP/CA-2nd time
            What is the date received on the e-mail and what is the notice date? Please share if possible

          • @AD/PP/CA- 2nd time: Thank you! There is some hope left for us then.

            @Lalu: I am still for my result. I checked with my DSO, they said there is no change in status.

      • congrats 2nd time, you deserve this….so happy you got it.Good luck others who are waiting, stay patient and keep praying. Good things will come your way soon

        Reply
    • Congratulations buddy! Did you check your SEVIS status? is it in “active” or “pending” status? If you haven’t checked it yet can you please check that as that would help many of us waiting for AD/PP/CA. We still have hope!

      Reply
  23. i filed three petitions from 3 employers, non-ad h1 from india, i didnt even received any news ,its seems this year i didnt have any chance.

    Reply
  24. AD\RP\CA
    I just checked with my employer and got know cheque has not been cleared yet. Does it mean i missed it this year or is there still hopes ?
    Thanks !

    Reply
    • You are regular processing. So you could still wait. I know two of my friends who were regular processing last year got their receipts on 3rd and 4th of May, one each. My lawyer says regular receipts tricked in until May second week last year.

      Reply
  25. My university told me my sevis status is status change pending applied on april 22. Is that mean i am selected. My opt expires on June end.

    Reply

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