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 ?
Any one still waiting on AD/RP/CSC? I haven’t heard much from this category. What’s happening?
Any hope left for NAD/PP???
Chances seem very thin to be honest.
I would waste no more time and start working on my back-up if I were in your situation.
It could be disappointing but unfortunately very slim chances..
Finally.. Got my Receipt today from GMT team, around 2 p.m. Few of my friends in other projects also have got their receipts.
Happyyyy 🙂
Don’t lie boss! CTS didn’t started sending receipts to anyone.
Can u tell ur receipt number?
I too heard this news.. Some people got receipts from one of the manager.. but GM will tell about to get results.. 🙂
It could be Rumour for sure.
I got receipt yesterday from GM team.
Mine was AD/RP/VT. Also they have attached the scanned copy of your receipts too
Still no mail from cognizant…
wats the status of cts h1b today soneone said it will be made availble in 2nd week of may
There is no team called GMT in CTS.. Its GIT that updates the result…
Wonder if any multiple application filing people got selected..
They weeded out all multiple filings. 3 of my friends havent heard back.
Happy USCIS is doing this
I know people who applied 4 and got all 4..
there are few people who i know like that
To be precise ‘Multiple’ applications with different employers is completely legal.
You are talking about ‘Duplicate’ applications maybe.
I have genuinely got two offers.My one applications got picked.
I know a couple of people who had multiple application got selected, whether they would get RFE is a different question.
Good Luck!
Got my receipt number today. NonAD/RP/VT.
Hello All:
I have applied H1B through RP and Non advance degree but have’t heard any update.Please suggest if still there is hope for my case or I need to start looking for plan B.
Thanks a bunch.
As already said by this time you should be ready with your plan B
for Non AD/RP – You still have 3 weeks to get the complete results out.
It has just started
?
Got call from my employer that they received my receipt. Non AD/RP/VT
Thanks for this blog.
Hi I am a AD guy working on OPT ( graduated from a for-profit univ) and I got a reciept today that my h1b is picked in lottery. How do I know if my employer has applied in Masters quota or regular quota?
Dude…. seriously ?
Dude, this guy must be nuts
Either ways you got it! RIP
Check with your school DSO, if your sevis updated then it is AD
Can’t believe it!! Just got an update WAC151425****
Congrats … wish I say the same this time ..
AD? RP? CA or VT?
Its Non-AD/RP.
you got picked, or approved?
Picked for now. 😉
any hope left for AD/PP?
Hi,
My husband applied for h1b NON AD/RP but he didn’t receive any mail from his employer/attorney .not able to sleep properly. This is the first attempt.
There are folks keeping their fingers crossed for theit third attempt ..so sleep tight … you will know u r results soon .. give some luck of u r s to u r husband ..
Ask your husband to take motivation from the guys who have advanced degree and have applied atleast twice (last and this year)under premium processing and still havent heard anything, tell him to take it easy, Good Luck…:)
Any update from no’s
Yennama ippadi panreengalema ..
Chennai super kings ku periya visil adinga .. phew phew phew phew 😉
Wait is killing me. Especially seeing all the comments here. Cant concentrate on work at all !! 🙁
Me too man. Especially when all my friends got their receipt today except me. I will ask HR to apply H2B as soon as I get the rejection letter.
Hi,
I got a receipt number for Non-AD/RP Vt center. Can anyone tell me when does the H1 get approved
Thanks in advance!
dear god, I joined this company without any hike atleast get me selected in this H1B .. hell a lot of commitments to be closed 😉
Hi,
I got a receipt number for Non-AD/RP. Can anyone tell me what happens next.
Thanks in advance!
All the best to everyone..
You from IT firm? Congo…
No.
Are the chances for AD/RP less now? Should I start working on back up plan??
Read being practical’s comment
The Time for Death is never Certain, but Death is certain anytime.
That’s why people buy insurance.
So guys there is no time to start thinking for plan B you should have always thought of planB.
Hope that you get but be prepared to do what it takes if you don’t get.
Being practical
Absolutely! The more appropriate question should be “Should I start executing Plan B?” and not “Should I think about Plan B?”. As BeingPractical said, Plan B should have already been thought about. As far as executing it goes, I think there is still a 2 week high-hope wait period if they’re into it.
Hi, Is there any update from HCL TECH ? NON-AD/RP applicants
This wait is killing me,can’t focus on my work!
NON-AD/RP/VT.
Is it done for us? Can we start executing our 2nd plan or wait?
Second time, really feel very bad.
Do you guys think the game is over for AD/RP? Pls lt me knw
Any updates from some one applied through Collabera?
Anybody from Tech M got update for H1b .
I got my cheque cashed on thursday , but when i checked with my DSO she said she cannot see any pending status on my sevis.
I applied for my stem and got it approved and will be expiring in 2016 .
Anything to worry?
When last year TCS associates started receiving notification? Do you have to heck with FDFU or we will get it in tcs mail?
No idea. Please anybody from TCS inform me.
In 2008 when there was lottery too, had to check with FDFU…better to mail/call them and ask…if they have updates they ll let you know….
last year, as per discussion with other,they got mail notification on mid of may.
So this week , nothing is going to happen in tcs. Is it true that tcs publish result based on account or in some lot ?
Like some account will receive result fast and for some account they will delay . Or they publish some in may and some in july.
Somehow Info is correct. Sharing the notification among TCSer of various projects may be differ But all TCS receives the final Status for all applicants.
@Last Year,TCSer got notification on mail @Mid of May
Hey Bhagwaaan bas ek baar aaja aaja aaja aaja aaaaaaajaaaaa
Any update from Non AD/RP from vigilant technologies.
USCIS has thrown away all applications from such petty shop consultancies.
Hi All,
Just got my receipt number late yesterday. Good luck to all that are still waiting.
Is it over for non PP AD CSC? Looks like CSC is done for all ADs? Still waiting but losing hope….
Any Microsoft regular non ad got their receipts?
Dear All,
Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Finally i have recieved email from my HR saying, My application got pickedup in lottery, so Happy to share all of you.
Thanks for all your blessings, this forum is very much usefull, i am following this blog since 2 years.
This is my third attempt.
Non-AD/
May be regular
May be From WAC
Best of luck to all genuine application people, even i have applied only one application, i work for indian IT company.
Thanks, all
Om Namo Ganeshaya namaha
Please tell me which IT company?
Congo. We are yet to get update from HR.
Maybe Infy, TCS or Cognizant. Who else can spam the H1 lottery.
I hope Mine gets selected as well. Its really killing n painful.
Congrats buddy!!!
u deserve it.
your family must be so happy.
and of course you too 😉
Have a grt day. tc
Anybody got updates from THE LAW FIRM OF DEHAI TAO, P.C. Michigan??
Thanks
Zac
I got my cheque cashed on thursday , but when i checked with my DSO she said she cannot see any pending status on my sevis.
I applied for my stem and got it approved and will be expiring in 2016 .
Anything to worry?
You are good until 16 in terms of status and irrespective of H1
Hi,
Does someone know the order of processing for selected premium cases? Or is there any specific order?
If there is someone who received a decision notification, can he/she share the first 5 digits of the receipt number?
Got approval update today..
AD/PP
WAC151345****
I got it approved just in the morning, WAC15135*****…
All those guys who got selected in the lottery shall stay away from the blog for a while. There are thousands waiting to see their petitions getting picked in the lottery, but a few are making noise asking when their selected petitions will get approved. Once you are selected, if you really deserve – yours will get approved. So don’t make comments like when my selected application will be approved etc.
My H1B petition got picked (Non-AD/RP) and got receipt number today. As per H1b I will be eligible to travel only by October provided it gets approved. But I am in a strange scenario when my client has urgent required from June 1st and my employer is ready to to L1b but asking me to take a call. My question is,..can I have L1B & H1B both ? Or, can I have L1B till September and then H1B from September onwards ? Or, if I got for L1B and the moment my L1B gets approved, will my H1B gets cancelled ?
Please advice
You cannot have both. Both are work visas. If you get L1B, you will have to file for H1B next year and again go through the lottery. I am not sure how long L1B processing will take but I can tell you for sure that if you file L1B and if it gets approved, H1B will lapse. Also, I have heard L1B approval is more cumbersome. You might just want to wait out till october 1.
I got my cheque cashed on thursday , but when i checked with my DSO she said she cannot see any pending status on my sevis.
I applied for my stem and got it approved and will be expiring in 2016 .
Anything to worry?
You can go to USA on L1, and then come back and get H1 stamped in October, and go back in H1. It is just that at any point of time, you can only have one active work VISA. You can apply for change of status from L1 to H1 in October, without going out of USA too. However, there are a few things to consider here. 1) L1B VISA approval is not trivial at all. Don’t go for it and get a denial on your record, unless you really do significant development on a product / protocol of your company that has potential to be used for multiple clients. 2) Your employer will prefer L1. They don’t have to pay you as much in it, and you can’t switch employer. So, if they get you an L1, and you reach USA, they can easily revoke your H1, saying it is not needed now. You can work for 3 years + 2 years on L1B, which is ample for most projects. So, you may be using a hard-won, and much more valuable H1. Keeping those in mind, if you can wait until October, that is best
Meant to say “you may be losing a hard-won, and much more valuable H1”, not using
Thanks a lot for your valuable suggestion mate. You make lot of sense.
Check with your employer if a business visa (B1) would suffice. With that you can be in US for 3-6 months and then come back and get your H1 stamped and go back. Not quite sure if this could be an option, but you can always ask.
Don’t do that. A B1 is NOT meant for work, and the US immigration is not stupid. A “gap” filling B1 travel will surely raise questions and may even affect your H1 stamping. It will surely have an impact on your future visa interviews. The company record, AND your individual application / travel history play a part in your interview decisions.
Any TCSer got notification whether got selected or not via internal visa cell.. Please keep posting for H1B Fresh/2016/Normal Processing. Looking forward to have updates from you !
Hi,
Received my notice yesterday. I am AD/RP California. Good luck for those waiting. First application and got picked.
Im AD/pp. no hope? Should I wait couple more days? Sigh..
Hi guys anyone got an approval letter from Texas or Dallas center? Non Ad/RP.. Thanks 🙂
Waiting…
Receipt numbers till today —- Almost 72K generated till date. 13k more to go. EAC – approx 41k. WAC – approx 31k.
NUmber of receipts per day calculation: Last 4 digits – 1000 equals number of receipts generated on that day.
Receipt Numbers Total
EAC1514656412 5412
WAC1514554575 3575
EAC1514455465 4465
EAC1514355830 4830
WAC1514353803 2803
EAC1514255885 4885
WAC1514254100 3100
EAC1514155248 4248
WAC1514154228 3228
EAC1514053210 2210
WAC1514054149 3149
WAC1513953999 2999
EAC1513854320 3320
WAC1513851260 260
EAC1513754500 3500
WAC1513754220 3220
EAC1513654340 3340
WAC1513653945 2945
EAC1513554015 3015
WAC1513554040 3040
EAC1513452635 1635
WAC1513453845 2845
WAC1513351760 760
Total 72784
There are all H1?
These should also include
1. Cap Exempt
2. EAD’s (lot of ppl apld recently H4 EAD includes)
3. Other application if any
Correct me if I am wrong
Dont jump to any random conclusion mate, many of those receipts are for H1 extension, non-profit H1 and many other things, so 72K cannot at all be true…
Agree, it will be somewhat less than 72k, but wont be lot less. Majority of receipts getting generated are for H1B cap in this period. This number is just to give a general idea.
That I do Agree, Did you get yours?
Nahh, hopefully should hear something in the next week. Waiting time is a slow killer 🙂
Add 6800 to 72K as H1B1 is separated from 85K.
So far probably they sent 30-40k reciepts out.
Majority of non ad and AD RP will be between 1st-15th may.
OPT-OPT EXT-H1-H4-H1B EXT-H1B TRANSFER etc they all will have reciept number which might be included in that 70 thousands of reciepts.
Russell to Dhoni, OUT, that’s the bouncer and he’s got him! He’s not been good on the short ball. Not when they’re fast and rising above his ribs. Dhoni got inside the line to hammer it away past long leg. But only ends up with a feather to the keeper. Big wicket, and Russell celebrates it as such
MS Dhoni c †Uthappa b Russell 3 (6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50.00
Lmao, I have russell in my fantasy league, gonna get good points today, Good Luck to all H1 Aspirants meanwhile…:)
Dude, I have Bravo as my power player !
Small query regarding how USCIC sends receipt numbers for petitions, do they send company wise? E.g. all petitions for company X at once, then Y, then z and so on? TIA.
I got H1 receipt no. which starts from WAC and at the same time my university informed me about SEVIS update on my record and that tracking no. starts from EAC…and when I go to USCIS case status, both says that application got selected on April 13, and is under processing stage. So what to do, why I have two different receipt numbers?
Because you have filed 2 applications and both have made the lottery, you screwed one life here you retard, Congrats…:)
Till what time usually most of the cheques (non AD / RP) gets encashed ? Any Idea anybody?
Anyone got news Non AD/ RP/VT?
this week for wipro strom now.
I heard wipro strom coming and will start late today.
Its fun begin……
When GIMS/OOC Start to send email/receipt info?
O God its finally start!
anyone filled ad/rp(opt) with Wipro?
any updates?
Wiproites, Any update from GIMS?
Guys, any one has got the approval for Non Ad/RP. Kindly share with your receipt number with the last digits xxx.
Guys…
My wife is already in US and working for the one of the big 4 cos. She hasn’t received any receipt notice yet for her AD/PP COS petition. Looks like her petition was not selected in the lottery. But she can still work on OPT for another 2 years I guess.
I have also applied for my H1B this year through my employer in India and awaiting for my selection mail. Its Non-AD/Regular.
Need your suggestion regarding plan B, in case I didn’t make it to the lottery.
My only concern is I don’t want my wife to return to India just coz I didn’t get H1B. She did her Masters from one of the Ivy league colleges facing all the challenges like many of the AD candidates.
She deserves to stay there, not just coz she is a AD candidate, she has worked really really hard. Life was never a cake walk for her.
I hope she gets what she deserves.
It’s not that I didn’t tried anything. Tried for L1 transfer, but it didn’t work out. Then I switched to a different company who has filed my H1B petition.
But probability of getting selection is 0.25-0.3 this year. I should be ready wit a plan B.
Very very tensed, actually stuck somewhere and I am not able to do anything, though I try really hard to concentrate on my job.
At one time my heart says, this is not the end.If I really want it, I will get it. But my mind …
This goes on throughout the day.
Dont know what else to say… No one to blame… Whatever the situation is, it was y decision, and I will have to face the consequences.
I cannot speak for others.
Btw, any ideas where to look for cap exempt jobs? Do you guys know any portal where I should look for?
Any other ideas most welcome…
take care and enjoy!
dont know about any portals but target university jobs website..like every university has a job portal. Look for jobs thr, most of the jobs in that are cap exempt as far as i know. I could be misguiding you but i guess since no one responded, i thought about adding my two cents. Anyways good luck brother, seems like you need all prayers and wishes. Stay strong, you`ll soon be with your better half…we will all pray.
You can try idealist.org for cap exempt jobs. You can also try to attend a masters program where you can do your CPT. Some schools allow their students to work 40hr/week under CPT and admission to those ones are not as hard as and Ivy school and the Tuition is significantly cheaper. The safest way is still L1 and hope your wife gets the H1B! Starting with May 26th, spouse of a H1B holder can also work under H4, the USCIS recently released this info on their website. Good luck!