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 ?
Guys any update from cts today?Did anybody get any receipts today??Time is running out but I am hoping against hope still.Last year i remember there were not much receipts sent after initual 2-3 days although GIT team said to wait till end of month.Can somebody share his exp from cts and wat are the odds of geting selected from here.
Did anyone receive receipt notification for any category ?
Count down. .. .. .
Any one from IBM!!!!!!
Did anyone from IBM got receipt number for regular H1B Cap?
Uscis doesn’t care single or multiple.
Uscis benifits from multiple.
If any one selected well it’s good and fair.
If 2 or more selected onli one actual individual will come to usa. And pay fees for all petition selected. So more money for uscis and less number of people coming in to occupy usa jobs so more opportunities for usa citizens.
Multiple filing is a win win for uscis.
Every now and then they will issue RFE to discourage it. But apart from that I see no other steps being taken
Waiting is killing, God Please help me…….
i filled only application this year but was not picked up, these ,multiple petition guys screwed up my life, next year i will file minimum 7 petitions and i will screw some others life.
Yes same thing with me as well & I will follow you…
Right! It is just like if you are not the selfish one, you are out, man. Since USCIS does not give it a shit, why should we even care? Everyone can file multiple applications, interesting. Let’s see what can they do next.
I really cannot understand why should a single person get multiple H1B visa petitions selected in the lottery. USCIS is being paid so much money for H1B visa. Can’t they create a system where they will allow just one single petition selected for a person. With all this Visa filing money can’t they develop a system for that. Many genuine candidates do not get selected because of this and they should ban some of these consultancies who are running a business with visa filing. Any dumb person comes along and files visa for their spouse. Then the employers have to hire low grade workers and forced to pay less money because they are simply not worth it. I think USCIS should make these changes – 1. Allow one petition per person to be selected in lottery. 2. Deduct half of the visa filing fees for every petition filed with them if not selected in the lottery and then send the unselected package.
Once these two measures are in place you will see a drop in the number of bogus visa applications and 65000 will be enough for everyone. More genuine individuals will get the opportunity. Because of the unnecessary procedures many companies are taking even less experienced people and filing their visas. That is the reason why application count is increasing every year. I am not against anyone getting the visa but there should be some thought into the way it is being given. Genuine candidates should not be affected.
I am in the race for Non AD/RP H1B visa, single petition, hopeful. I have not contacted my employer. It would be nice to get selected but if not then will start plan B. But after reading the pain that people have to go through because of this process and some of the genuine candidates who are not getting selected for years I felt like mentioning my points.
any one from AIT company from california got the receipts ? for NON AD/RP
Cognizant Chennai… Any update????? Anyone received mail today????
guys i have one doubt, as per yesterdays update they said they finished entering into their database right so this means there is noi hope for new cheques enchasing right,they already enchased the cheques and entered in to their database. experts clear me plz.
I completed my Ph.D. in U.S. and my company applied H1-B. I wonder is there any difference having master vs. Ph.D. in the lottery system. Sorry if my question is stupid to you.
Yes on behalf of USCIS i would answer that lol
Bachelors from USA = Masters in USA = PHD in USA
All are equal! Since we dont have phd we have no analytical skills to quantify the difference between any of them. So all get equal preference.
What does phd stands for btw lol
It was geniue question, there is nothing to make fun it.
Get your facts right! Masters and PH.D from US fall into the Advanced Degree category. Bachelor’s is not an AD. Albeit there is no difference in lottery considerations between Master’s and PHD
Nope There is no difference between US masters and US PhD for the lottery
Thanks sir.
Hello,
Nope it does not interms of H1-B lottery. Here is the question, are you working for profit or non-profit organization? Most of the universities and some of the hospitals are considered as non-profit. This can change your H1-B approach.
Phd and Masters are Advanced Degrees and is on the same footing. So you will get a shot at the 20000 applications for AD and then another shot at the 65000 quota for H1B Cap. The probability of selection as mentioned in a few blogs is 70% for AD which is much better than 30 to 35% chance for Regular Bachelors. The simple fact is you get an advantage because of your Advanced degree from USA. There are many with Advanced Degrees from India and other places who have to struggle it out because they are under the 65000 quota. So you got a better probability at getting a visa.
Regular processing, got the receipt yesterday…
when the receipt issue date?
Guys ,
Don’t forget to post here once you got receipt..I will post today if I get it..
Wiproites… any update??
Did anyone spoke with GIMS today?
Yes, GIMS team got the results but they are waiting for approval from management to share the H1B results. May be next week.
Anybody has any update for IBM India?
No update yet. Would there be any chance to hear some thing good news?
Not Yet……:(
time is running out. We have 3 more days left in this week. Probability of selection is less after this week. I hope to hear good news in remaining 3 days of week. This is first time for me and may not apply from next year onwards.
Yes Buddy!!!!
Hope is running out. Praying!
If I dont get it today I think its over for this year.
Everyone I know who applied has got it.
Reg/Non Ad – Single petition
Any update from CTS ???
Anyone got an update from BAL Global?
Anybody received mail for lottery from CTS (chennai Location)
this h1b is not getting out of my head.Not able to anything.
I think i have to move on as i think the game is over,but still waiting..
Its the fact and the fact is i am not selected and still waiting for receipt just kills.
Check Eac1513752345
So what
Check the Eac1513752235
Dear Friends,
I got reciept number like WAC1514XXXXXX.
What does it means?.
Is my application get selected in lottery?
Thanks in advance for your valuable response
Nope. That means your applictaion was not selected in the lottery – that’s why you’re getting a receipt number and a case status.
Sorry Bro !! better luck next time ..
Better luck next time!!!!
No, you weren’t selected in the lottery. try again next year. I hope you won’t get receipt number.
“Is my application get selected in lottery?”
Its because of kids like Pankaj, who cannot even make a proper English sentence, and who does not even know how H1B works, the total H1B system is screwed up big time.
USCIS should seriously do something to address the below:
* Exempt US AD from Cap
* Exempt L to H transfer cases from Cap, when L visa is maxing out in the next one year. Its just insane for experienced resources who have spent close to 5 years in the US with their L1B visa have to face this stupid H1B lottery drama with these new kiddos who don’t even know how H1B works.
Yes..your application has been picked in lottery.
Pankaj
Congrats! you are selected and this is your case number
Enjoy and have fun .
This multiple as*hol*s have screwed up people’s chances
If all would have filed one application it would have been much more easier. And unfortunately this time it’s not bachelor’s but the masters guys AD who have multiples. As you can see the chances of non AD are same last year and this year. But the chances of AD are really screwed up less than 60% which was easily 80+% last year. Not to say all is due to multiple but yes I know many friends who did multiple AD category and had more than 1 selected. It’s legal but highly unethical.
It’s Kalyug. That being said these people who don’t get this year will all be again tempted to do multiple filings next year. Only making the situation worse collectively.
Guys, anybody from CTS? started receiving for the day? Its 6:30. …. 🙂
No buddy
Nope:(
Nope!!
Hi All,
I am expecting my receipt, hope luck favors me, Lets hope for the best..
Thanks
Can we wait till next week?
Hopefully yes
Do not loose the hope.My Employer said even it may take 2 to 4 weeks to receive the receipts.
DV Greencard Result announce today. Good luck everyone!
Just wanna get this bloody hell h1b out of my head. Not able to concentrate on anything. I think its over and have to move on.
not even able to think of plan b.
I agree with the first 2 sentences. But be hopeful. Yours is California or Vermont?
vermont
Plz check you visa stauts on this site.
https://icert.doleta.gov/index.cfm?event=ehGeneral.dsplogin
Hope this name bring me luck. H1B!!!!!
Hopefully for me too soon!!!!
this is last reciept generated from california service center after that I am not able to find any receipt number
WAC1514654677
This was Selected on 5/1/2015
I got receipt today from HR….NonAD/RP/VT.
I will do hurry today or tomorrow mrng!!!ha ha ha ha
I am not sure about this one but last receipt generated from california is this one WAC1514654677
God.. Please..!! this wait is killing me. All my hopes are dying. I am going into depression. nothing is working for me, can’t concentrate on anything. I worked so hard throughout my career and was desperate for my petition to get picked.
Why me..?? why are we all playing this game of luck? All the hard work, knowledge and qualification went into vain. I know there are a lot of people like me and I might be overreacting to the situation but I do not have the determination to accept this situation.
Though there is still time left however the hopes are extremely low.
I can empathize the pain you are going through…But, dont let yourself down and go into depression. H1B lottery is something external and purely luck factor, it has nothing to do with your talent or hard work…Your hard work is not in vain, all your education and qualification will play in handy when time is right…I know it is not as easy as saying these words, all I can say is stay positive and if you get it nice, if not…maybe there are better things waiting for you in life…Cheer up buddy!
Thanks Kumar.. I am trying to keep my emotions at their best but life has just been too hard on me.
I assumed this would have been my chance out, but looks like I am out of luck.
Thanks for your kind words, and I appreciate you taking time out to reply. I will try and stay positive..!!
Cheers 🙂 !
still waiting ..stay positive….:)
me too Bro!!Stay Positive!!
this is my third attempt, Fingers crossed…
Mine is RP. I am still waiting to get the updates from my Employer. Hope i will get. we can wait upto May 15th surely.
No updates today from CTS. But i have heard many have already started recieving receipt emails .Not sure if thats the starting and the ending as well.Last year also GIT team told the same thing.Wait till May end and then June. But take it from me, if you dont get any email in the next few days then its game over for us,if not over already.
Anybody has any update from CTS Kolkata?
I’ve applied H1B through a consultancy with average salary and my petition got picked up in the lottery. But now I got a very good offer in an Indian company with 50% hike with very GOOD profile.
Now I don’t know what to do whether I should I go with H1B or accept the offer and stay in India. Really confusing..
If I want to stay, I don’t know what to say to the consultancy..
Buddy, go and grab US offer.
Go to US….I too missed the opportunity in 2008 , now I regret my decision staying back in India
Take H1B. With the same efforts your life will be good in US than in India. In near future, Indian IT will become China production companies. Take this and survive, otherwise quit/let go. Go to US, at least you will get respect for what you do.
thanks guys
GOD please help me…!!!
any updates from CTS hyderabad..today?? i am deserately waiting ..RP/VT
Accenture guys….any updates from RMS, PMSD??? I really want the visa desperately, hoping to hear some good news…
No update yet from RMSD, Please wait till MAY 15, you will be receiving the updated only after MAY12, so ideally you will know between may 13-15, its been my 3rd time.. lets hope for the best
God please pick my petition. I will die if not been picked
Enjoy and Die… Dont just die for H1b.. as its all based on luck..
loser
In BLR location, Any one got update from AIMS?
I got my petition picked in lottery, waiting for process to be completed
which center? CA/VT – did you get mail today ?? Your company name pls
Any one got in Bangalore DC?
I never had luck in my life,maybe atleast this one time.
I am non-ad/RP
Trying my luck with this name.. lets see!!
USCIS announcement is scaring everyone , a news which does not come last year, could be more people contacting USCIS , they wanted them to stop!!
My Employer says , should wait till end of may!!
I am waiting NON AD / RP…
Best of Luck to all!!