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 ?
The god is great.
Any one from Hexacorp received update
Just got a call from consultant where he informed that cheque got encashed today.
First attempt, single application
NON AD/RP/CSC. Waiting for receipt no 🙂
Cheers..
Got the Receipt today
No:WAC15147xxxxx
Received date:April 13
Notice date: April 29
Guys, we are killing the purpose of the forum. This forum is to share the information with each other not to pray or use certain name(h1bslaughteragain) as superstition. Hope you all understand and be more sensible. I am also like one of you who is checking mail every hour and praying.
+1.. you stole my words.
Any updates from Tech Mahindra visa team?
Got receipt from my employer yesterday night. This was my first attempt. Single application.
same here!!Prayers:-)
Hope this name brings me some luck.
Please god , help me get my receipt number ….
NON-AD/RP/CSC, still waiting…….
Praise the lord the almighty
This is my second attempt. I hope this time i will be lucky. I would say still 10 more days before losing all the hopes.
God goes on vacation from April 1st, even he cannot handle the pressure of so many prayers. He shall be back in June – hold your prayers for Plan B.
In my case it needs to be plan C, already on Plan B since last year
I am also using this name for my Husband’s Petition!! Lets hope the best and best deserving candidates win the Lottery!!
I want that to see my Husband’s LaughterAgain thru H1B Approval 🙂 🙂
Hope this name bring me fortune. God please I need H1b.
I am also using ‘H1BSlaughteragain’ let me check my luck.
2nd year with hopes for H1B. Hope luck is with me.
My 3 employers submitted 3 application under RP. Nothing was clicked so far..Any chances?
Ravi
I am so happy that you did not make it. 3 Applications ha…LOL
I am getting below error while checking case status online in USCIS website, any idea on this error…
Validation Error(s)
You must correct the following error(s) before proceeding:
At this time USCIS cannot provide you with information for your case. Please contact the NCSC 1 (800) 375-5283 for additional information.
anyone from infobeans pune got any updates regarding this
Woahhh, this morning I woke up and saw everyone was using my name. I would like to wish everyone the best of luck but those on last attempts please start working on Plan B just because I originally used this name last year and did not get it.
I will pray for all and hopefully you folks get the good news soon but keep planning alternatives. God bless
Please if somebody can clarify. Starting from when I can transer my visa to a different company? Is this possible that only after being selected in lortary i can change my employer?This is my first time and I am in India . its RP non ADV.
There is high possibilty of getting an RFE if you are in India, remember you need to go for Consulate stamping..
waiting for H1b … god please help me too and all h1bslaughter’s too .. 🙂
Non-AD/RP/VT. No update till now. Any chance?
I believe the “H1bslaughteragain” names works for me to receive my receipt number… God………………….. Plsssssssssssssss…….. Help…
am also using this name.. Hope good luck follow me… Finger crossed… Waiting
God please give me H1b visa
anyone from infobeans pune got the updates?
Waiting for lottery result and no update so far.
Anyone please help me till what time I can wait for some good news.
Mine Non-AD/RP/California.
God plz plz help me….
Mine Non-AD/RP/CALF
Please God help me to get my h1b visa this year.I am Non AD / RP/VT
Waiting.
Everybody using name h1bslaughteredagain… Shows us that how desperate we are..
Waiting for the result Non AD/RP
god please help my wife gets in h1 b lottery and is approved…
Hi,
Am NonAD/RP/CA. Am very much nervous about the lottery result. Oh God please shower your blessings.
Any stats you people have on what percentage of H1B receipts will finally get approved. And also, what percentage of H1B petitions may get into RFE. I know USCIS doesnot release the data but just incase you know out of your experience. Thanks.
Each of us this year, if you are AD you have , 36,40% to be selected.
If you are Non-AD you have 30,51% to be selected.
If you are not from Singapore or Chile and you are Non-AD you have 28,22% of getting selected.
Usually from the case selection a 5% is disapproved cases.
Hard numbers.
I wish to win the ones that they truly need the H1B VISA!!!
Even me honestly i dont care to be selected and someone who REALLY needs it to get it!
Good luck to everyone.
Hope this name works me to….. Waiting for the result Non AD/RP…..this is my 2nd year. God pls do something
Hoping for some good news next week. A lot depends on the result..
Waiting for H1B AD/RP applied from Infy. Praying God to get it this year for me.
Waiting for H1B AD/RP applied from Infy. God Help me to get it.
Anybody on CPT got an Approval or RFE??
ha ha ha.
Went through same agony last year , Now out of country … Applied again haven’t heard anything yet … 🙁 I hope this name will do some miracle for me …
Lets see if luck favors me by using this name. Got a good appraisal and rating for my performance. Hope so I get through this lottery too. 🙂
I can understand your frustration. Well only ppl who work hard get good appraisals. Why are you abusing. Get well soon.
Please God. Wish me for H1b at least this time.
Waiting waiting and waiting… 2nd time… RP…. hope there is some magic in this name and it works for me…. And yes i do have faith in god….
I will inform USCIS / DHS that, most of the Indian IT Companies in India are abusing visa, they are sending dirty street dogs on B1/B2 and paying cash in India or arranging them travel cards….these junks mostly work here for 28 days to 2 months. I have a proof on TCS. I will report it.
Kahan se hai tu yaar?
I wish all the people who did US Masters / Undergraduate only get through lottery first ….rest all slavery Indian IT manner less dogs
Don’t worry my friend. I am sure you won’t get
Me to using this name, praying god ki, lottery lag jaay.
Using this name … Hope luck turns in my favour !! Waiting waiting , haven’t heard any news yet 🙁
Non-AD/RP