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,
Did anyone applied through International System Technology???
Any hopes on NonAD/PP/VT?
Is employer get mail if the PP application is not selected in lottery? Please answer?
I don’t think so.
But, go to ask your employer if check is cashed or not. Or, ask international student office to see if there is change of status and receipt number.
Additionally, some of receipt numbers will come late after 27th.
Best wish with you.
If not picket in lottery your employer will get your case back, but that would take time. They will get it sometime in June.
My sis-in-law in TCS got an update in the portal that her application has been rejected as the cap has been reached…I cant believe this…It is a Non-AD/RP…I think they just never sent the application…Bloody Cheaters !!!
Ask for the Courier tracking id. It shoul be thr in portal, if not , ask for the same.
I belief package might have not reached the USCIS on time. Cross check it once again with the immigration dept.
No updated yet ! Anyone having any update on Non AD/RP ?
Wipro guys,
any update from OOC
Yes
What is that update dude….
Any body got selected!!… Any good news???
today I will get the receipt… I mean I have to 🙁
Hoping and praying that you do. What’s your category?
Non-AD/PP/CA 🙁
same here…non AD/PP/CA…waiting, waiting and more waiting :'(
Hi Guys,
Any one applied through CCS?Any update
Hi All,
Any one received Non AD/RP from CSC please share the info you have any idea
Im from CTS Kolkata, and still no news.
Any rp updates
Anyone from CTS got update on H1b receipts ?
I have seen new documents(Resume, Education, etc) are uploaded on INS zoom portal by case manager on 24th April.
this was done last year too, doesn’t mean anything
It means…r u getting receipt soon?
CTS will get receipts in the month of May, whole of the month. So guys chill out, enjoy this month. Boil your stomachs from May 4th.
I guess all of them gets updated with Resume , Educational and Experience documents oin CTS. But I dont think any1 got the receipts yet. Hope we should start getting from this week…
People were sayin that cts may receive the list from USCIS today, Eastern time and would start updating myvisa portal from tomorrow??
Any1 has info similar to this??
Hi,
Any one applied through Experis and got receipt?
Thanks
S.. but no updates yet..
Has anyone from Experis got any receipts?
no updates from experis. Did anyone sent any mail to them and got any response.
NON AD/RP/VT
Seen few friends receiving CSC receipts faster than VT irrespective of processing and Degree..
Can we expect the same for VT/NON AD/RP. ???
Here Wipro folks are posting that GIMS has got receipts BUT……
My GIMS friend Ravi said me today morning that no single receipts reveived by Wipro.
Dont know whom to believe.. Crazy GIMS people…. playing with our emotions….
Dude don’t post my name here
Any update from GIMS wipro ?
Here Wipro folks are posting that GIMS has got receipts BUT……
My GIMS friend Ravi said me today morning that no single receipts reveived by Wipro.
Dont know whom to believe.. Crazy GIMS people…. playing with our emotions….
Heena, yes.. we will wait .. no other go.
and , you dont have to be too specific to a person name here.
ok, thanks. this is my 4th time. so tensed and mentioned his name in a flow. Here people applying for the 1st time are so tensed more than the folks attempting for 2nd, 3rd and 4th time…. We folks are an example for patience. Relax 1st time dudes
🙂 wishing you all the best 🙂 i am in 1st attempt
@heena—how come 4th attempt? Lottery started from 2013, 2014, 2015.
There was no lottery on 2012. How you did not get selected? All 4 attempts from wipro?
@NS: You are rocking bro, Good Question
Hey Heena,
Most of the 1st timers are ADs and they deserve the H1 first. I don’t know why you are feeling so emotional about it. !
Hi All,
Any updates from TechM guys?
Tech M which location are from satyam emp or old techm emp
Old TechM employee from Hyd
Vijay paluri rocks man – I believe you are from performance testing ?He sent so many people he is good man to identify talents . best of luck .myself ex employee of TechM hyd only now in US Texas .
My employer told me that check is en cashed and it is most likely check is en cashed for my application. But he will confirm me once he has got the check copy. Why he has the doubt?
When I will get the receipt number assuming check is en cashed last week?
May be he applied for multiple candidates & no clue which chque is for whome! I am just guessing.
Has any one applied from SVAM Technologies ? any updates?
Any folks got update from HTC GLOBAL SERVICES?? Waiting badly!!
No my friend..eagerly waiting . Pls post once you get to know anything.
Wipro guys,
It seems GIMS got the recipts and it will take another 2-3 days to process.Got to know one of my friend.
Hope the best..
Brother, Go you got this info
Brother, How you got this info
One of my friend told me this info.
Gr8 news!!!
Eagerly awaiting for my receipt notification.
Hope you all get yours too, soon.
My GIMS friend Ravi said me today morning that no single receipts reveived by Wipro.
Dont know whom to believe.. Crazy GIMS people…. playing with our emotions….
Lets wait for the result.. Once again.. Started a new waiting week..
it is difficult to wait for 5 full days..
Any update from Infosys.
Not yet. AIMS will be updated on real time basis once Infy started getting the batch. May be by next Monday you can see the updates coming… Thanks !!
Hi,
Any updates from HTC regarding the PP ?
Thanks
I meant HTC Global services. Anyone got their visa?
This is a fraud company. Do not fall prey to this company. Beware!
Why you are saying so. They done for many people last year.
They will say that it is an onsite opportunity and will file your H1. They will ask you to join at offshore stating that you will be traveling immediately but they will keep in offshore bench for years. Some people are there for more than 2 years at offshore. The worst part is they will ask you to join at offshore for the same salary. So be careful. For which technology did they hire you?
Yes he is absolutely right. They were also caught by the US Department of Labor. Check the links about HTC’s fraud below:
consumercomplaints.in/complaints/htc-global-services-c179360.html
allinterview.com/showanswers/96523/madhava-reddy-president-htc-global-services-been-caught-department-labor-failure.html
indeed.com/forum/cmp/Htc-Global-Services,-Inc./s-company-culture-at-Htc-Global-Services-Inc/t114646
Waiting for update still.
@HTC fraud guys: Bro is that true?!! As far as I asked few people, they said that they will send sooner. They hired me for SOA Testing – onsite.
Yes that is very much true. The recruiters will say like that, but ask them to give it in writing that u will be traveling on this particular date before you join them. They will not do that. They have very few clients and since they dont have resources in their pool they hire external resources stating that they will file their H1 and they wud keep them at offshore for the same salary. Since there is a bond you cannot try for other companies also. It is one useless company and they will treat you like slaves
For Datawarehousing.
Infact i heard they will send sooner.
Don’t scare me
This is the fact. I dint mean to scare you. Ask the recruiter to give it in writing that u wud be traveling on this particular date before you join them at offshore to be on the safer side.
These companies are the exact reason why there should only be quota for people applying outside of the US. Applying H-1B and not utilizing them for years, while there are people stuck at home or moving back to their home country with huge loans. Unbelievable!
Guys,
Any updates from Capgemini ? Did any one received receipt no for RP from Capgemini ?
No have not got any update.
Yes they informed today
Have they sent email?
I’m applying Non-AD/PP/VSC for Google. I couldn’t apply for AD, since I get my Ph.D. in May. Anyone with PP who has got a receipt in the last few days? My lawyer tells me to wait for another week or two before completely losing hope.
i just got mine today morning
how come your application center is vermont?
Are not you going for Google mtv?
I’m applying for a job in the NYC engineering office, since my wife got a job in NYC.
All recipt number is generated for FY 16
I may be wrong, its all based on my assemption, no hard source
Case status looks for EAC and WAC center has recipt number for 10 days / avg recipt number per day is 5500 – 1000 GC case number = 4500
EAC = 11 * (5500 -1000) = 49500 (app)
WAC = 11 * (5500 – 1000) = 49500 (app)
Total number : 100K (app) and 15K to wait list.
Whatever case Vermont/California service center process, it will have a receipt number. It does not necessarily be H1B Visa case. So many of the receipts in your calculations would not be H1Bs.
I dont know who is spreading these nonsense rumors that receipts for PP both AD and Non AD is over …. 4 of my friends got emails yesterday informing them of their receipts…
Be positive people… There is still hope!!!
Yeah i also just got mine yesterday
Congrats …. Happy for you… !! Please pray for me
of course 🙂 Stay very positive and pray!
You will get it.
Query:
I work with a US management consulting firm in India.
I landed a job with a US ONLY boutique consulting firm and they sponsored my H1. Do I have to quit my current job before the interview?
I don’t want to take the risk of quitting before getting the visa.
Any advice as to how to go about this?
Buddy don’t quit before your visa…they will withdraw your petition and you won’t have an H1
Hi friends, just FYI last week frinday my couple of friends got receipt. Non Ad – Regular process
I guess it is not started. Non AD and Regular processing will dispach last and it is not yet started.
I just got to know that the check was encashed and cleared on 24th April. Waiting for the receipt number now.
Regular/Non AD
Can you please share the name of the employer?
Thanks.
Wipro guys…..any update from GIMS.
No update from GIMS team.
Presently no updates. Hopefully should get something by this week. We don’t need to get into panic. Internal process will take 2-3 days
hi any body from AIT consultancy portland has applied for h1b
Hello Wiproites,
Any news from GIMS/OOC?
We should start getting receipt notification from this week onwards.
Any one from IBM Non-AD/RP?
Wishing you all the best friends.
no update from case manager yet
any news got from GIT team -CTS?? Please let us know.. hope few people already posted the same question here
GIT expecting first slot between 15-20 May
Hi Friend, as per last year status CTS people received notice by last week of Apr on-wards. several of my friends received notice by 1st week of May last year. Lets wait and see for this year.
Waiting to hear any news plz update here
GSMS says by 1st week of may
Just to clarify. People who have applied in the Non-AD, Regular category and who are in the United States. You will hear from USCIS very soon. Be patient next week is for Non-AD, Regular people.
Any one got news from CTS. I am eagerly waiting for the results applied for third time.. Frends pls posted here for any updates from CTS.
AD/ REGULAR – Still waiting anyone? Have they sent out all selected receipts?
Any one got any news from CTS ?
Anyone Non AD/PP/CA got any updates?
I’m from Nepal. My country is going through all this earthquake tragedy and here I’m fighting for this lottery…so sad :'(
we share the grief along with you mate… Very sad indeed …..
Just wait on this week.. Dont want to fuel anything here, but would advise .. wait on this week
Even you get through lottery, you stay back in your country and serve your country for the fast recovery
Non-AD /PP/CA
Waiting for the same.. From India
My employer said that the result for NON-AD/RP will be sent only after May 11th.
Is this the standard date every year ?
I am not sure if they are saying the receipts will start coming after May 11th or we will get to know all the result by May 11th.
Hi, This is wrong, last year people for Non AD, RP got the intimation max by April last week. This week is crucial for Non AD/RP. Those are from Indian Companies they can wait for May 1st week bcoz of their internal process.
Not completely wrong…I was picked in the lottery last year and received the receipt on 30th April…However, this year the process is a bit delayed like you all know…hence I am told by a consultant that the results will be out either end of 1st week of May or towards mid of May…stay tuned…fingers crossed…this time its for my wife…
well in reality you can expect receipts almost till june 1st week for non ad regular. Some of my frnds in Ad/Rp got around may end last year.
So hold on! and good luck!
Yes correct. Last year i applied upto first week of june receipts some people received. I was not picked in lottery last year. Will see this year my luck. All the best to all.
Can anyone explain what is AD and NON-AD
Is AD – Advance degree, if so is this only for the one did their masters in US or in any country ?
PP – premium processing
RP – Regular Processing
Only in US
Thanks Mate !!
Guys,
Please don’t forget to update here once your application got picked.
That info is helpful to know the current status.I will also do….
hllo my indian brothers,
i work very hard. nd i have admission to vry good school mit nd
harvard. i send 20 applctons, nd 5 got picked, so i withdrew
4. why r ppl not smrt like me nd send more applctns?
pray for u all, your indian frnd,
Sintravish Venkatanarasimharajuvaripeta
Nice Man..Cheers 🙂 All the best for your future endeavors.
I made it!!
WAC15139502XX.
Notice date was 20th april. Got email from HR 4 hours back. Got a scanned copy of the notice.
There was no email in my case. For some reason my status has no email in the “case status”. It looks more like regular processing, but lawyers says it is premium and she said that premium check was cashed too.
Best of luck everyone, my prayers for all of you second/third timers.
Thank you God!
Hopefully I get to go back to california this year and meet all my frnds soon :-). I had to sell/give away all my stuff, as my Stem Extension OPT had expired in 2014 November.
In 2013 I couldn’t apply as we got a bit late in submitting the petition. So this was almost like my third time.
What does your status say? I got the receipt number and the case status on USCIS says the case was received.
Yeah same here it says case was received.
awesome. So, its approved only? I heard its either approved or RFE.
I think it means it has not yet started processing. I had similar status on my OPT ead once and then it switched to initial review.
We just have to wait. Good luck! and congrats for making through the lottery.
Congratulations and thank-you for showing us all that sometimes we might have to go for plan B before making it back. You are a perfect example of not giving up. See you soon on the west coast the next time I am thr 🙂
Non AD,RP: Just curious to know when can we expect the results?
General speaking, in the following 2-3 weeks, RP applicants will hear from their lawyer, employer or School ISO if they got picked on Apr. 13rd. Employer will receive FORM I-797 from USCIS with the receipt number. If applicants not picked, they will see the package returned in the middle of May based on my last year experience.
Here is my experience for rejection (Seyfarth Shaw LLC)
2013: I got a rejection letter from my lawyer on the first week of June.
2014: I got another rejection from my lawyer on June 15.
2015: I think if I don’t hear anything by May 20, then game over for me as my OPT expires in December. Very sad since I got $35,000 unvested shares which will mature in March 2016. Leaving in December means I lose it all 🙁 after 2.5 years of hard work.
why dont you go for masters?
Any updates anyone has for Non-AD\RP\VT ?
Waiting Buddy
Last year i applied one application and hoped for the best, cursed all the multiple applicants. I didn’t get selected, had to move to a cap-exempt job, with low salary and remote city with career going no where except i am just living in USA. THis year applied two applications, hopefully i get. Since the system itself is not correct there is no use in blaming multiple applications! I see some dumbs signing petition for allowing only one application, it is not logically possible and wont work! Anyways good luck to all my fellow H1B aspirants, as ppl say in this forum H1B is not the end of the road.
Agreed, we have no choice but to be in the system.
I really wish there was better way. I had to work hard to get more than one job offer. Last year and the year before that I had single application and felt miserable when all the people applying through consultancies, paying for their visa’s were getting selected. But we have to accept the truth and do what it takes to survive.
Hello everyone, I am hoping someone can answer my questions below:
Let say my petition from company A was selected in the lottery but is still pending approval and I got a job offer from a University. Is it possible for me to transfer my visa (that counted towards the cap) from company A to the University before October 1st? Would it make any difference if my H1B is already approved?
If it is a university, you don’t even have to face the cap so there should be no issues even if they apply for a new h1b petition.
In other words getting or not getting selected through company A won’t make a difference in your case if you finally plan to join the university.
USCIS should sort applications based on salary and level of degrees. Then All the fakes and Indian companies will out of this process. One of My friend was offered 65000$ for a position in California by Infosys . While any average employer pays 90-200K in California. I really not saying Indians working in India should not be given Visa If they are from IIT’s or product companies give them Visa. What innovation happens in Infosys, Wiporo, CTS and Indian Service companies? . US companies should hire locals and stop outsourcing to these Indian companies. They are unable to get H1B Visas for their own R&D staff
Totally agree, Indian education system does not check for original work. Most of them would have bought projects just to get a degree. How can you call these people highly skilled?. While any person who does hos bachelors or Masters or PHD in USA. Every single assignment is scrutinized through turn it in. Any copy would be caught and student will be back to his home country.
We should all share this petition with those in US universities and hope something changes
petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/remove-and-ban-cheaters-who-sent-multi-petition-h1b-lottery-selection
I am from one of the old iits… Have an job offer from silicon Valley (130K $)… But I will have to wait at least for one more year since this lottery cursed me :/
One fix for this entire mess is. USCIS should specify minimum number of days a H1B workers has to spend in US in a year if he remains employed with a employer. If an employer breaks this rule impose a fine of $million. Then body shopping Indian companies will not file fake applications. While Google needs only 1300 Visas a year why does Infosys need 20000+ Visas?. Indian companies are bringing in cheap labor there by increasing unemployment in USA
Who said Infosys filed 20k+ ? They internally rejected about 50% of the visas they had initially planned to file. And if they file 20k, that means it has filed for 10% of its work force to ensure atleast 3.5% get a visa. Someone somewhere was saying USCIS was about to increase the cap but Infosys suggested not to do so… Seriously, where are you people getting these numbers and rumours from ?
So basically there is only one logical order of declaration of results by the USCIS i .e PP> RP.
There is no such order as ADV-PP>NonADV-PP> ADV-RP>NonADV-RP.
and no region wise declaration as well. For eg- east coast first and then west coast.