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 ?
is it over?
Yes. But we have anotehr 2 to 3 days to get to know the results.
USCIS has completed data entry for this year H-1B so it means over guys 🙂 please check website to read full
So is it all done?
Can anyone tell me if its game over for NON AD/RP . This is my second tym…god please bless me at least now..:-(
So does this mean that the Non-AD/RP no chances?
Being optimistic…you can still think that they just finished entering in their systems and that they dispatched the approval receipts already but it hasnt reached us yet…
OR just wait for the rejected packet to be returned…. :'(
you will have to wait another until end of May. They just finished entering in their system is intending to let us know that they sent the receipts and it will take some time to reach .
Game over guys..!!! Its time to execute Plan B
Does anyone have an update from BAL Global??
from Houston office? they are picking up phone calls.
In Boston but applied through VA office.
Sent a message through their secure messaging yesterday.
No update as of yet.
Praying to God to get H1B selected. Hope this name will work.
AD/RP, HOPE THIS NAME WORKS FOR ME?
“USCIS announced May 4, 2015, that it has completed data entry of all fiscal year 2016 H-1B cap-subject petitions. USCIS will now begin returning all H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected” “.. Does that mean.. no more hopes??
Dont know buddy . Once data is entered if immediately cheque is encashed , then there is no hope if your checque is not encashed until now.. I am also on the same boat for my wife .. H4 EAD is the fall back option for me .
Packets would be returned soon
second time and fail again :(((((((
Trying my luck by using this name.
Anyone from Lnt Infotech heard back?
Some are sending request emails and for them tracker is updated.
!! Non sense !! Next year don’t file for H1B and use the above name, you’ll get through !!
Trying my luck with this too 🙂 let’s see how it works..!
With the latest USCIS update the anxiety has peaked to the pinnacle! Its gonna be a terrible week or so. Trying my luck with the name 🙂
AD/RP/CSC . Got selection notice this morning from my attorney. I had given up hope and stopped visiting this forum but came back only to post this and tell you guys not to lose hope.
Some other info: One petition, first attempt.
So that’s it then?? Is this true?
reg/non adv any hope left?
Below notification USCIS issued just now
“USCIS announced May 4, 2015, that it has completed data entry of all fiscal year 2016 H-1B cap-subject petitions selected in our computer-generated random process. USCIS will now begin returning all H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected. Due to the high volume of filings, the time frame for returning these petitions is uncertain. USCIS asks petitioners to not inquire about the status of submitted cap-subject petitions until they receive a receipt notice or an unselected petition is returned. USCIS will issue an announcement once all the petitions have been returned.”
Trying my luck with this name. Non-AD/RP is there any chance.
Game over then !!! 🙁
Unfortunately yes!! sorry
This name really works for me, just got a call from employer and happy news from the other end,
Will update the number once I got that.
And all the best for others too.
I see people updating on AD/RP/CA. God, Please send me good news. This is my second time, waiting on AD/RP/CA.
Just called my employer and they confirmed that my case not picked up today. Non AD. Regular.
Trying my luck with this name
Hi.. I am Non Ad RP.. My employer is in New Jersey. So what would be the filing location. Vermont or California
Andaman and Nicobar
Great news for all u multiple petition guys, if u file n number of petitions and 1 of then gets picked, then your SSN or any identification number will automatically pick the remaining n-1 applications. USCIS is following this rule to eliminate duplicates. Those who filed multiples and get picked at least 1 are all busted, leading to all of your applications picked in lottery. They will pose N number of RFE on your petition. There is no way to escape your GREED consequences!!!
Fake. What is the source. I filed two PP. One even approved. ?
He is just trying to get noticed since he’s probably fu**** up. This is BS, ignore that. Even I filed two and one got approved…:D
What is true?Are multiple applications even only one got selected lottery are facing problem.I want to know based upon curiosity
http://redbus2us.com/qa/31910/multiple-petition-slected-loterry-from-different-employeers
Source?
New guys who have never been to US have no SSNs. How does this work on them? Get some life!
My Employer informed me today, my cheque got encashed.
How long does it take to get the receipt number.
NON AD/RP/CALI
Juz wait for 2 days
Wait is still on like previous year.Lot of ppl writing abt CTS that many got receipts.Is this really true?Somebody said its raining receipts today evening at cts….are these fake news or is it really true?From their update it looks like everybody in cts got receipts except me and within 65000 visa cts alone got 50k visas.Can somebody who have recieved his/her receipt confirm?
Sorry if i wrote too much…i am tired of waiting.
i knew two of my friends who got receipts out of 8 filed and remaining 5 are waiting and i think for the remaining 5,hope is less. i think throughout the projects the trend is 30 percentage selection. 🙁
Phewww..Finally ..
I got my receipt notice today ..Its Non AD/RP/CALI .
Good luck to all ..
any idea how long would it take for RP ppl to get thr H1-B approved?
When did you heared the news.. was it picked last week or today?
Cheque was encashed on 30th ..I got the receipt today from my lawyer
‘when did you heared’!!! You seem to possess an excellent command in English!! Way to go!
LMAOOOO…:D
When did you heared…haha pathetic
Thanks to God! Got the receipt today!
Non-AD|Regular|Vermont
This was my second attempt not picked up last year.
Hi All,
Waiting for H1B result (Non-AD/RP).
Hoping for the best to be HAPPEN 🙂
Any receipts for non-AD/RP/CAlifornia today?
I got it today
My Employer told me today my Cheque got cashed…. how long does it take to get the receipt number….
anybody filed from involgix Non AD/VT/regular
any hopes
bodyshop consultancies that filed fake applications are banned
Any one still waiting for receipt getting picked on 23rd april ?
Hello Tech Mahindra users, any update on H1B visa? My visa was applied this year. not heard anything from my khadus manager or visa cell. Anyone has any update?
After shifting to CTS with no hike .. working for an outdated tech like mainframes .. struggled so hard to obtain 1st rating had to prove that I am the right candidate to be nominated for H1B and this is wer I stand now waiting waiting waiting .. and still waiting for my receipt number .. I am getting pissed off looking all those jerks in my project who got their H1B.. not able to concentrate on my work nor plan B .. one end my girlfriend .. other end my huge EMI’s dont know what to do #Unlucky
Hey guys who should get response from Vermont, is there still any hope for getting receipts from Vermont center? All I saw are from CA today.
Guys, anyone got email today?
One of from my friend got from CA center..WACXXX, M waiting
cognizant when can we expect next update.Lost all hopes for VT/Non-AD.
Big relief now. Today my employer received my H1b receipt. My is AD/RP/CA.
Received Date: April 13
Note Date: April 30
Receipt Number: WAC151485xxxx.
Start this week with great news. Hope everyone will get your receipt soon!
Wipro started sharing results on 6th May (Tuesday) in 2014, and next update was on 9th May, 13th May.
Hopefully we will have some update tomorrow or coming Friday.
Hello. Still I did not hear anything on my cheque getting cashed? Non ad rp vc
Hopefully we will hear soon.NON-AD/RP/VT
Is there any chance for people who don’t get selected in PP would get selected in RP??
NO,..
No. PP and RP has the same weight. Its just who gets to hear back first. Has nothing to do with the lottery itself. Just the processing time if picked.
Any one applied from samiti technology. Any updates.
Hope this name bring luck and get me an H1b.
Hello
My h1 b was filed this year. I contacted my university and came to know that my sevis status is “change of status pending”. I also got a receipt number from my university from the sevis system. However, my attorney has not received any receipt from USCIS.
When I checked my uscis case status by using the receipt number I got from my university, it says
“On April 21, 2015, we updated your name for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC*******. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.”
Does this mean I am picked in the lottery. If yes, is it ok to get the above message in uscis website.
@ one , I too have heard some people other than india also applied multiple H1-B. Did you know that ? Is it not shame ?
I did not heard that. But whomever does like that, he should be ashamed. I hope their applications will be rejected.
Received the receipt number today. AD/RP/CSC. RP receipts will keep on coming. Good luck to everyone else. Any questions, let me know.
Hi guys, any updates for infy , any change if any change of status in aims pls let us know eagerly waiting for my receipt number
No update..i think no one status has been updated yet..
What the f*** is “infy”? The least you can do is have some respect for the company that is filing your H-1B.
Hello TCSer,any update from any branch?Please post….
tcser vts is opening … Please check if anybody has any update.
Not Updated as of now.Checked now.
Same here.. no updates there
I got it…yessss…..thanks guys
Hi,
Congrats, can you please tell me what your current status is, in VTS…Also, did you receive any emails from TCS .
Regards