Home » US Immigration - Visas » H1B Visa » H1B Visa 2016 – FAQs – Lottery, Quota, Immigration Reform, News

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

| by | 28,610 Comments

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.

   

Other Articles

28,610 Comments

  1. Last year no luck. This year still waiting on non adv/rp/vc. I see many ppl from Vermont claiming they received receipt. But I don’t. Don’t know what to say as all want to hear the same.

    Reply

  7. My story: This year is my last chance, so I let my lawyer use premium processing on my own cost. Nothing by yesterday. Considering the number 23w, I accepted the truth that I have to leave US. HOWEVER, a big twist come yesterday 4:00pm. My lawyer called me and told me I was selected. Today I got the receipt No# . It turned out my lawyer did not file my petition using premium processing, even though I check with him THREE TIMES before April 1st.

    The result is: After the longest fortnight, I cancelled my flight ticket, almost quit job, and saved premium process fee. I don’t know should I blame to my lawyer. Now I just wanna sleep.

    Reply

  8. Hi,
    I recd a Receipt Notice (AD/RP/??) which states the following:

    “On April 13, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC151415****, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. …”

    Does this mean I was picked up ? I checked with my HR and he says its just a confirmation that the govT has recd my application and nothing has been decided yet. A bit confused. Pls advise.

    Reply

    • Hello,
      It is party time for you 🙂 Your application has been selected in the lottery. That means your application was picked up for processing and now it is just a matter of processing and sending you the decision, that is what your HR meant. your HR says you should wait until the decision of approval comes through (typically every HR says the same thing), but you have every reason to celebrate.
      Congratulations 🙂
      Stay calm and watch IPL 😀

      Reply

  11. called school and they said there is no update on my sevis!
    Does this means my application didn’t get picked up in lottery or i should wait lil more?????

    opt will expire after October 1st
    applied thru Non-AD/RP

    can someone let me know if i should wait or lose hope, move on?

    many thanks

    Reply

  13. Hello All,
    I applied through NonAdv_Reg and I am seeing from past couple of days in NonAdv_Reg category also people are getting receipts.But I am still waiting can anybody have an idea till what date maximum I can keep my hope to get my receipt.

    Thanks,

    Reply

  17. hi Guys
    still I am waiting for my H1B lottery result, not sure whether my application got picked up or not, even not any notice or rejection application received yet, please advice how long does it gonna take to come to know about the lottery result, I applied thru Vermont center

    Reply

  20. Non-AD/RP/VT. 2 years of wait on this horrible thing called a h4 is now officially over. Just got communication from my employer that my application is picked.
    But here’s a small story for you who’ve got some time to kill. And some of you are going to hate me for this. When I came into this country on a H4, I didn’t know a lot of rules and processes in getting a H1. I thought it would be easy. It was not easy, especially because I was a working man once, and now on H4, my hands are tied. It’s a horrible combination. I genuinely applied to companies and they liked my skills but no one was willing to wait for 6-7 months or go through the excruciating process of sponsoring a H1 for me. I spent dec jan feb and march knocking on doors looking for a job. Their statement was pretty much the same. We like you, but only if you had a visa! So i gave up and had no other option but to look for a “bodyshop”, like you guys call it. After discussions with a few, I finally got a guy to sponsor my visa. I was thrilled. The filing day came, and went. A few weeks later results were coming in, but nothing about me. It was finally Sep 30. I called him again. He said he just received my rejection letter. I knew something was fishy. I went to meet him a few days later and after pushing him, I finally heard what I never wanted to hear, “we didn’t file your application”. I thanked him for wasting a valuable year of my career and for being responsible for my unemployment, and walked out his office with a heavy heart.
    Things weren’t easy after that, thoughts of going back to India or giving it another try, were constantly a part of our conversations. I literally sat rotting for a year and a half. It was tough. Not doing anything is hard. I sure did things, but nothing that could earn me any money, Only to keep my mind free from stupid thoughts. And when filing time came again, I got hold of a few employers, got to know them well, and convinced 2 of them to sponsor my visa. I heard from one of them today and that is all that matters to me.
    If the other one gets selected, I’m sorry for wasting someone’s chance, but if any of you can empathize with me, you’d know what I’m talking about. I could have filed for just this 1 and got it or maybe not. I know it’s purely luck coz my friend filed 3 last year and got none. 3 again this year and haven’t heard from anyone so far. Is it moral? No. Is it legal? Yes! Does it matter? To me, hell YES!
    I know things are not going to change anytime soon, but I personally agree with some of you that people currently in the US should be given a priority over people filing from outside. And the reason is simple: there is a lot to lose over your status. No SSN and there’s no difference between a H4 and the guy who jumped a wall from the south, into this country. People filing from India have jobs to fall back to incase they don’t get a visa. For many people here, its not the case.
    But no one can do anything about this issue, so lets just congratulate people who made it this year and wish people luck for the coming year(s)!

    Reply

    • Pretty much similar to my situation.Having double degrees and 10 years of genuine work experience i’m tied to four walls all day.Many employers wanted to recruit, but none wanted to go through the visa hassle.Just waiting to hear the good news this time

      Reply

    • First of all, my hearty congratulations for you!!! Felt really good atleast one H4 got selected in the lottery. This gives me some hope .
      I hope God will give me a chance to share the same good news with you all in some time.
      All the Very best. Thanks for the info!!!

      Reply

  22. Hello Guys,

    I’ve got L1-Individual petition couple of days back and now got picked up in H1B lottery.
    Pls suggest which one I should prefer?
    If I go for L1 stamping now and get it approved what about my H1? will it be still valid? Can I keep H1 petition till its validity and later can I get change of status to H1 from L1?

    My employer is forcing me to go for L1 as we have a project starting next month.
    Please suggest.

    Reply

    • There are pros and cons of both I would say. If you’re married, you should go with L1 since your wife could also get work authorization if she wants it (I am not sure you are a man or woman). There is one form you need to submit to USCIS so that you can still keep your H1 valid. There is a reason your employer is suggesting you to go on L1 since you cannot change the job. However if you want to change the job, go on H1 by waiting until 1st October. I hope this helps, good luck…:)

      Reply

    • Go for H1b. L1 bounds you to company and you have to dance on your manager’s tunes. I have been on L1 in past. On H1B, you can change the employers if needed. You don’t have to go back to native country if resigned from job as you have to in case of L1. L1 is employer benefitted visa. H1B is for your own benefit.

      Reply

  23. Received Good news from GMS today that I am selected in Lottery!!!

    Will receive receipt number in 2 days.

    Reply

  24. Anyone from Bangalore, wanna hang-out tonight? Few drinks and maybe even I can share my story with you. We can go to Purple Haze on Residency Road. Drinks on me. I just found out that my wife is cheating on me in the USA because of H-1B. I’m 29 and can do karaoke really well.

    Reply

  25. Non AD, RP, VT

    Just opt out all the other email senders, unsubscribed all sites such as Airlines, Online Study sites, don’t send any email to friends and trying to keep the email account reserved..

    Somehow somebody sends me a mail to send shivers down my spine..What a long month it has been..days are even longer..Having two degrees including a master, two professional qualifications and 10 years genuine experience I’m hanging on to a lottery results.

    God help me please!

    Reply

  29. NON AD /RP – Got a call from employer that they have received receipt for my application. Hope and pray that those who are in real need get the receipt. Good luck.

    Reply

  30. Got my I-129 receipt today. Applied through Vermont service center – regular processing. This was my last time … people don’t lose hope.. you will get it.. 🙂

    Reply

  37. Guys who got selected in lottery, anyone of you got RFQ or Approval? RP/Non Ad/VT.

    The guys who are waiting for lottery results, all the best for you guys!!. I lost last time. Won this year. Keep the trust!!

    Reply

  38. I am in India, my wife is in Boston, MA. We both applied for H-1B through our companies. Her petition was picked, and I am still waiting for my result. I am very happy for her as she does not have to leave the US for me. But, I cannot go to the US if my H-1B is not approved. One of her male colleagues at her office is also from India and his H-1B petition was also picked. Now the problem is that she is threatening me that she will give me a divorce and marry that guy if my H-1B is not picked! She even sent me his photos. He is not as good-looking as me, but he drives a BMW and I drive a Bajaj Splendor. How is this fair? He is not even as tall as me. Now I am confused. I feel like killing him and her. Please suggest me any tips. I am getting depressed. How can she do this to me?

    Reply

    • Come on man,Let her go. Don’t worry!Next year instead of 5 ,you can file 10 applications,For Sure you gonna get one =)

      Reply

      • Yes, I am planning to do that. She doesn’t deserve me. I was only hanging on to our marriage because she is my childhood friend and we have been with each other for, like, 20 years. She now has wrinkles on her face, but her heart has become like a brick. We made this long-distance marriage work for 3 years. Now, I’m done.

        Reply

        • I have been in Boston for 9 years.This is one of the most diverse city where you can meet girls/women from many countries.Most of the internationals are very good looking and probably your wife cant compete any of them.I have never been with an Indian woman and I don’t think I will ever be if there is russian,swedish,turkish or latin american women around.So I think you wife is having fun with that guy and they just celebrate their victory about H1B. So.So don’t worry she will come back to you after she spends couple nights with him.My suggestion is go get some testosterone so you can be at least a man instead of crying like a little girl.

          Reply

          • @bostonh1b: dude, this is not helping man. I was genuinely happy for her and her asshole-friend when their H-1B was picked. Tonight I’m in Bangalore and I will go out and drink the f*** out of myself. Tomorrow, if my petition is picked, I will piss on her face.

    • I have worked really hard for this. We were childhood friends and I proposed her for marriage when we both graduated college. She wanted to get a higher degree from Cal Tech and I went to IIT Kanpur for PhD. Now I am working in a start-up company of my own and got accepted in Harvard Regenerative Apparatus (out of Boston), so I was excited. They applied for H-1B for me. Now I’m not sure if I’ll get it. She is working in a software company in Boston and earns 98k. I hate when she looks down upon me.

      Reply

        • No, my friend. I have decided to let her go. She can be happy with her BMW-guy. It’s going to be awkward when me meet in the court. But, I can handle it.

          Reply

          • Dude despo Harvard Regenerative Apparatus H1b should fall under cap exempt i guess as its a research facility.

          • My friend, they are a research facility and have a lot of univ-industry collaboration. But they are a profit-based organization.

    • Tell me where she lives.I’m from Boston.I drive a Porsche and tall, good looking and have big one :)..

      You idiot wanna marry a wh**re like that one? Are you insane?

      Reply

      • She lives in Holliston, a suburb of Boston. She’s my wife, for God’s sake! How can she do this! She’s the meanest person I’ve ever known. Anyone in Bangalore interested to hang-out tonight ?

        Reply

    • Dude forget her.. if not now, try to get your H1B next year and come here, you can have so many hot chicks man !! All d best dude..

      Reply

      • sorry buddy i meant hero honda splendor. just had lots to drink. so mistake. forgive me. by the way… bangalore night life is awesome! just finished dancing with this sexy lady from hyderabad. i think we might hook-up.

        Reply

  40. All this f**king consultancies are the reason of this lottery. Seriously should start reporting to uscis with emails the names of some of these shady ones as you know all masters students get all from them when we are abt to graduate and bombard our mailboxes by training and placement emails. Losers.

    Reply

    • Are you sure that is the only reason? These small scale consultancies apply only 20-30 visas at most on average. Even if 2000 consultancies are there, that means 60000 apps. The sheer volume of applications are due to only three or four companies, which don’t fall into the “consultancies” bracket. Infosys, TCS, Wipro and CTS. Do they apply for all real project requirements? The startegy is apply for as many people as possible, and then rotate them on assignments if they get the VISA. 20000 visa applications per company is not fair by any means.

      Reply

    • whoaaa….Masters ppl are the ones who try to get a job back home but you top 10 ppl in class get all the MNC jobs. So we r left with bad interviews and depression. So, we take loans and stay away from loved ones to do Masters degree and earn some respect back home then file for H1. We dont expect you toppers to come here again and take our h1 jobs. Thankful to USCIS who considers Masters ppl rather than indian MNC’s who have the stereotype of hiring brilliants. U guys had ur piece of cake when u got placement jobs, now its our turn, soooooo backoff!!!!!!!!!

      Reply

      • I was not saying masters don’t deserve H1. I just said the big Indian IT service firms are the main reason for lottery. But your argument is ridiculous. So, according to you, H1 is the monopoly for folks who could not make it to even a big company in India? H1 is meant for skilled and talented people whether they have an advanced degree or not. It is not meant for those who are not good enough to find a job in India, and then somehow get into a shady university here.

        Reply

    • I have AD in USA. I have many friends working for TCS in India. Most of them have their H1b’s approved last year. Till now TCS couldn’t show any project to them and still they are in India. One one friend came to US and TCS offered him the minimum wage of the state. He couldn’t make any savings with his salary. Why these companies are playing with others life without having any ethics. They work only for benefits. These companies should be banned for entering US. What do you say?

      Reply

      • you are right Anil…

        these MNC’s hv equal right to file but uscis should limit there no . of application. As they are not sending all the approved candidates , it is just waste of seats and playing with emotions of AD person like me who waiting to be get selected…

        ans these MNC’s hv power, money, lawyers which they misusing…

        Reply

        • Yes, there should be a limit of something like 500, or even 1000 new H1bs applications max per company every year, and I guarantee you if we can get that applied on Infy and clones, the lottery will not be there.

          Reply

  41. hi,

    i processed my non AD RP visa from a texas based consultancy.Anyone from texas please??
    Till when can we wait for non AD RP.

    Reply

  45. Jai anjineya,

    Pressure is high.every one hour checking inbox.very difficult time.god only knows about the result.definitely will get.hope for best.

    Reply

  46. YAHOOOOOO!!! Got a mail frm GMS around 6:00 PM IST that my petition has been selected.
    All the very best to others. 🙂

    Reply

  48. People this is not a drama site.Here we all want to see the updates and if there are reciepts in process.
    If you are not in F**ckin U.S. at this moment and dont get it,stop whining.Think about people who spend shit loads of money,time and effort in this country and invest years,Do everything right to go top schools and get a position in top companies.Have some respect.
    And stop asking “I got my reciept number,am I selected?”type of stupid questions as well.There are people read this blog to figure out if the reciepts are still coming or if there are options H1B etc.
    while people here trying to figure things out,stop Trolling.

    Reply

    • Agreed. Everyone knows wat has to be written here and you aren’t the only one who is studying an AD or whatever. Everyone has a story. People just ask for updates here only to check if someone is accompanying their situation. Don’t educate people here bcoz they are all grown up and looking out for a H1B and they aren’t here to listen to your bullshit lectures. Try these lectures in your Classrooms. Stop replying to this thread and stop it right here. Don’t extend this discussion. it’s causing a disturbance to the other people

      Reply

      • Well, IMHO, people who ask ‘I got receipt number, am I selected?’ really do not deserve to be in the US in the first place. If they don’t know the process and procedures – I don’t understand what they can really do in the US. A lot of these petty shop companies and big companies filing H1 for thousands who don’t even know how the system works.
        IMHO, USCIS should really change the way H1B works. People who study Masters/Bachelors in the US should be exempted from the lottery. They can reduce the general H1B quota to say 40,000 and exempt people who study in the US and also those who are maxing out on their L1B.

        The plight of people that came to the US with L1B in 2010-2012 is worse. They have spent 4-5 years in the US and are maxing out in the past 2 years, but having to go through this F*** lottery.

        Reply

        • Red,there are people who have no idea about lottery,No English,No Idea whats going on and get selected in lottery.This is basically human trafficking.Consultancies get their pay and bring these kids to U.S. and don’t really care about What happens after.These kids follow Dan Bilzerian and get desperate about America.

          Reply

          • Khisiyani Billi . . . Khamba Noche . . . .

            You sound like jealous of the Non AD folks who are eating (so called) your share of Pie . . . sitting 10000 miles away .

            Its sheer luck buddy . . . who cares if one of the alleged Highly Qualified graduate from an American University (a definite case of future migration) or some lesser mortal from any Indian University gets selected in the lottery.
            Most of you came here to study or to work ?
            Most of you came here only to Work but nobody will hire you like that , so you studied here .

            There are some people , who worked their asses off in the Offshore and now got a chance to come here .

            Not taking your hardwork away but its all the same , you know . . . Is hamaam main to sabhi . . . .

            Dont vent your frustration out on others . . . Relax

          • First of all There are things that you need to know before you comment:
            1-I am not indian
            2-I came here for Bachelors Degree
            3-I did 1 year cpt+1 year opt+17 opt ext so Iam almost done with my 17 months which I complete 3 years of work in american companies and paid tax here every year.
            I am not frustrated with any one.I already experienced a lot in my life which most of you have no idea.So no one cares if you guys come to U.S from miles away.you are gonna suffer not me.I believe there are many hard working people all around the world and they all will get rewarded at the end. But Consultancies are abusing indians and the system.This is my whole point

    • +infinity.
      Totally agree with you. There are few questions like “3 of my 5 applications got picked. Which company should i select?”. I do not want to abuse anyone coming to this forum as every one is anxious about their H1, but please stop asking silly (irrelevant) questions.
      Like i always say
      “Stay calm and watch IPL :D”

      Reply

Leave a Comment