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

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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. AD/RP/CA
    Q: If lottery is complete, will USCIS encash the checks at the same time, say around April13th for all PP and RP? My employer says he has not seen any checks being encashed from their account. Can anyone post if they got their checks and receipts generated recently for RP please. I want to know the timelines between these.

    Reply

    • I’m waiting for mine as well, but my colleague got his receipt. The check was encashed a day before the date mentioned on the receipt. So I’m guessing they encash the check soon as they match the receipt number with your packet/petition.

      Reply

    • Generally later than receipt day
      and kind of before getting receipt mail

      Although a barometer to know selected , but matter of couple of days

      Reply

  3. I had a dream tha mine got rejected. How many more days should we wait for non AD/RP/CA ????
    Congratulations to all who got thru.

    Reply

    • My lawyer told me to wait till the second week of May, as they received receipts until the first week of May for FY2015. For this year since the processing time is slow, it might slip for another week.

      Good luck to all

      Reply

  6. Last year waited till July to finally get the confirmation that my packet has been returned. Applied again this year, finally got the email from attorney that my application got picked up in lottery Non-AD/RP/VT.

    Reply

    • Dude… I am in the same boat…My attorney mentioned that unless they get the packet back they wont confirm that you did or didnt get through… hence it is ok to hope for a miracle… but its always better to have a plan B ready so that you are ready for anything

      Reply

  9. i will stop checking this redbus site until may 15th, everyday i was more tensed on seeing the comments, if my file picks up i will come back again.good bye

    Reply

    • I will define genuine as someone applying from a US direct employer, either after studies here, or some other means. How many applications like those are there every year? You think those, plus small scale consultancies add up to 233000 applications? No, Mr Obama, you miss the biggest category there, which never get questioned. The big Indian outsourcing firms that send in thousands and thousands of applications, with no real project specific requirements, and never try to recruit a US person. Those companies are the biggest contributor to lottery.

      Reply

      • You’re talking stuff without knowing the facts. The big consultancies are having enough projects to deploy the resources for whom they are applying H1B. Travel Ready offshore resources are hard to find these days – which forces us (Onsite Operations) to look for resources out. We always get these 3rd rated consultants from these bodyshop consultancies. I am tired after interviewing 25+ people from these fake consultancies (all of them from the same state in India). I have 10 offshore resources who are much better than these fake guys. 2 of them were eligible for H1 last year as they were 4+ years experienced, but unfortunately they did not get through the lottery.
        Due to pressing request from the client, we went ahead with one of those consultants thinking we can at least mold him. But that was one of the worst ever decision made. He wasn’t even willing to work and whatever profiles we get from these 3rd party consultancies were all like this.

        Full time resources from the big consulting companies will at least have some accountability/responsibilities which we can never expect from these ’10+ years highly experienced consultants’ sent by these fake consultancies.

        Reply

        • The work Infy or TCS does is what a class 12 guy can do in US. the average pay in California is 90K+. Which of Indian companies pay more than 65-70K?. H1B workers should be paid higher wage than local workers. Which is a violation and Indian companies LCA can be cancelled. We need more brave men like Jay B Palmer (Infosys whistleblower: H-1B workers have minimal skills)

          http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/Infosys-whistleblower-H-1B-workers-have-minimal-skills/articleshow/46609164.cms

          Reply

        • Ok, I get to see another perspective. Thanks. The thing is that fraud is everywhere. There are shady AD folks who never had education in their mind when coming here; there are totally fake consultancy guys, plenty of them as you have seen; and even acknowledging say, Indian MNCs do overdo the “filing” in anticipation. I am very good at what I do, even if I say it myself. I really do have 10 plus years of experience. I am on L1 here, and there is no way my employer will do an H1 as long as that is an option. It is not a fake L1 either, I really work on a product that I enhance and my company markets to clients. I want to stay in USA, get a better salary than the pittance on L1B, and get a GC. For that I need to find another job. I have never really failed an interview in my life. However, everyone backs off when they hear i will need a VISA. In that case, I have to go with a consultancy. No choice. No direct employer wants to wait 6 months, and take a chance on lottery.

          Reply

        • I’m on an L1 too with 10 years of genuine experience. Maxing out soon, so my fate now is on the H1 lottery after spending close to 5 years already on my current trip, plus 2 years earlier in 2007 (with an year break back in India). How do you continue your stay in the US on L1B for long time? Haven’t you maxed out yet?

          Reply

        • I am just approaching initial 3 years of L1 VISA. Extension already in process. I have more than a decade of experience, about a third of it in USA, as, years back I was here earlier on L1 from another firm too, and the rest outside. Didn’t mean to say I had 10 years of US experience. I didn’t want to wait until the max out, and applied for H1 this year. Ideally should have done it last year itself. The good news is that I did get through the lottery.

          Reply

  12. Any updates from GIMS/OOC?

    I heard onsite OOC/GIMS received many receipts but they are still waiting for all other receipts.

    They will update to all at same times.

    As of my network, they are targeting to start to send email by rounds.

    Round1- May 15
    Round2- May 29
    Round3- June 26

    and if they received after that any receipts they will notify in 1-2 days after received.

    Reply

  13. When will the check gets en cashed ? Is it before generating receipt or after generating Receipt?

    Reply

  14. Here is some news useful for you… I am selected in lottery For NonAd RP.. My employer applied close to 90+ applications this year and so far received 20 receipts. And they are expecting another 20.. I think 50% of the receipts are sent so far till today..
    All the best guys

    Reply

  17. Hi,

    Any updates from Texas Service Center? I notice that everyone that is commenting on this blog is from the Vermont or the California Service Center. I have not heard back, PP and Advance degree so wondering if it is over or if Texas is a little slower than the rest…. If you have any good information about this please let me know. Thank you so much and good luck!

    Reply

  18. I am from infosys and didn’t receive any updates in AIMS till this evening. Did anybody from infy got their status updates in AIMS?

    Reply

  19. New Travelers:
    Most of us are leading a good life there. So when you come to US, don’t be so cheap as if you are a homeless person. Bring good clothes, eat good food and buy perfumes. Enjoy your life. Good Luck.

    Reply

    • Curious George
      and how about Bath everyday and inner cleansing ?

      You may feel that Indian look Dirty –may be I donot know
      ( I am fair skinned Indian, a Delhi guy )

      but By Any standard –in Quotes “Indians are clean , they bath everyday and have clean Kitchen and clean food — and to add Healthy food –much healthy way cooked ” –Mainly Vegetarian Food ( Without killing animals for their hunger)

      P.s. I do eat non -Veg , mainly white meat such as Chicken, Fish

      Reply

    • George

      Anyways, Good advice,Apperciated!!
      even I will advice the same to all fellow Indians: Enjoy Life here in US
      All are welcome!!!

      Reply

    • Im in the same boat too. AD/RP/CA, still waiting.
      Q: If lottery is complete, will USCIS encash the checks at the same time, say around April13th for all PP and RP? My employer says he has not seen any checks being encashed from their account. Can anyone post if they got their checks and receipts generated recently for RP please. I want to know the timelines between these.

      Reply

  21. I know all u guys r panicking abt the life n death situation of h1B……………. but this is not real situation.
    God wants all of u to know there r worse things happening during the same time as lottery, take a moment to pray for NEPAL EARTHQUAKE victims and families. Please think out of the box, this message is only to make you feel better, stop getting depressed! 🙂

    Reply

  24. ***UPDATE 4/30/15 – Looks like we have a brief break in the receipt notice action. We have not received any new receipts yesterday or today. I still expect more regular processing receipts to come over the next 2 weeks.***

    … By ImmigrationGirl

    Reply

  28. Most of my non-IT major friends got their receipts.I hope this is not a coincidence and they distribute it equally to different majors and titles.
    The regular process is slow now since they are working on approvals on the side for premiums.I guess RP will speed up in may first week and second so Stay calm.
    If you receive receipt or see encased check please let us know the date so we will estimate the process speed.
    There are still thousands of RP receipts waiting.The people you see on blogs and websites commenting are the 15-20 percent of the selection.selection. Don’t lose hope if you are RP.

    Reply

    • Plus One thing many people don’t understand:
      People in professional major(NON-IT),Engineers,Architects,Financial,Bio-Tech… You cant get more than one sponsor because Your employer will not sponsor you if you are in contact with an another firm also its gonna ruin your reputation in the industry.So its not because we dont get more than one employer to sponsor,Its because its not right also risky for your career and employment.So dont act like you are the sh’t if you have three consultancies sponsor you.They do not because you are the best,they get commission on you.They dont even know who you are.
      We,Engineers get call everyday from recruiters for amazing opportunities.That doesn’t increase our chance in sponsorship because you can f’ck around if you want to have stable career.
      So if you are not in US and have no Idea about employment in the states,DonT talk sh’t when people complain about muLti applications.Because it’s really not fair for someone to be in the same poll with a person outside of US.

      Reply

  29. My Friend (AD/RP/CA ) got yesterday his brother (NON-AD/RP/CA) got yesterday – Lucky family . I am still waiting ….

    Reply

  30. Guys I received my receipt recently. Regular process.

    What can be the next step? Any more irritating step like lottery?

    Reply

  31. This “Immigrationgirl.com” is just want to do business with their website.

    Its fake

    Don’t trust this.. i asked a question based on their comments. they deleted my question.

    They want to become popular using this redbus2us.

    Don’t trust these S*** websites..

    Reply

    • same here. And for the matter of fact immigrationgirl and redbus2usa are interrelated. She has articles on this blog. And if you ask tough factual questions on her statistics they will delete or not answer.

      Reply

      • RedBus2US is not related to ImmigrationGirl Blog. We have just asked her to contribute on some topics as guest authors. There are other attorney that write for the blog too.

        Reply

    • It is not that they are fake. But they’re no officials either. She’s just an attorney at a law firm. And everything is basically her perception of a pattern. She cannot guarantee or deny anything for sure. She says there are no new receipts in the last two days, and that is her best observation. Both these blogs, it is just to show what’s happening. Nothing to do with whether everything presented here is real or fake.

      Reply

  32. Hi all

    Applied under non adance degree,regular processing – can I sustain my hopes on receiving the receipt.

    or is it all.

    Regards
    h1b applicant

    Reply

    • yes, keep the hopes alive

      You will get it too , all the best !

      I am expecting one nonAd/RP /VT myself
      Wish me best of luck too!!

      Reply

  35. Haven’t heard a word from my attorney till today (4/30/15)
    Is it game over for AD/RP/VT ?
    Anyone else waiting for lottery notification with AD/RP/VT profile ?

    Reply

  36. There are probably 100-300 unique users commenting on this post. Lets make it 500 or even 1000. If 1000 people are posting that they got it or not, it does not mean you can generalize that it’s over for everyone. Only deadline USCIS has is for PP. RP guys should chill and wait next 2 weeks at-least before panicking.

    This is my personal opinion.

    Reply

  37. well My wife got her receipt number today. Called the consultancy about mine and they said still they are getting the numbers and would keep posted.. fingures crossed.

    it was RP NON AD..

    Reply

  44. @ivy – it is one of the first 5 letters in the alphabet
    @need advice – no, lawyer hasn’t notified me that a physical receipt was received yet. That’s why it is good to check with the DSO at your school.

    Reply

  47. AD/RP/VT

    Update:
    4/23 – Check cashed (informed by lawyer)
    4/24 – SEVIS updated (informed by DSO)
    4/29 – New I20 received with case number (mailed by DSO)
    4/30 – No change in case status yet (“On April 13, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number …)

    Stats about me: Master’s degree; small office (~15 ppl) + lawyer in NYC, only one H-1B petition. Good luck to all deserving petitioners!

    Reply

  48. My receipt was selected; AD/PP/VT. I checked my case status on the USCIS website, and it says ‘case was approved and my decision was emailed’ on Apr 29. However, my employer has not received the approval notice yet. Any idea how long it takes for the employer to receive it?

    Reply

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