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 CTS GIT team dead ? Why isn’t there any update from CTS Kol guys.
Guys reply.
same here
I dnt know for sure but i heard guys in some projects (Retail)kolkata have recieved receipts.
Thank God they are alive. Got my receipt. Wait for 2 long yrs ends. EAC****
Any Update ? …………….. pls…
Did anyone has update when ISU RMG will start sharing?
Will my RMG will share to me or 1 RMG from BFS will share for all those are in BFS?
Has any body from Niche Solution got notification?
NICHE Software Solution Inc?????
Am i the only unlucky one in cts for straight second year???
I am there in the same boat
Anyone get any receipts from California today 5th? Non AD/RP.
no .. Me also waiting for the same ,….
There seems to be very few receipts received for this so far?
I am also waiting on California center. No update from employer yet.
My employer said that my cheque got encashed.
Am AD/RP/VT when can i expect my receipt number.
Please help………
RP receipt arrives through regular USPS post, so you have to wait for a few days until you get it.
If it is en-cashed.. you will get the receipt from attorney. Today i got the receipt from employer (filed in VT). Don’t lose any hope..
hi guys,
just one more update from my employer regarding that data entry ..
they are saying that it has completed data entry for masters degree holders (ie AD ) not for NON – AD people ., But I am not sure whether this is true or not ..
anyway dont lose hopes please be patient …
No. Your employer was wrong. USCIS has completed data entry for all 85000 applications..which includes masters and bachelors. However this does not mean all the receipts were sent out yesterday. As the receipts come by post you can be hopeful for atleast next 2 weeks.
Hi All,
It’s been years i am visiting this site. My l1 is rejected in 2013. My h1 did not through the lottery in 2014. I lost hope when i woke up with news today that USCIS completed the data entry. i was wrecked for not getting this after waited for so long. AND FInally, Just now got the news that mine is selected in lottery. My employer also told me that mails keep coming till week end. Keep hope till weekend.
Thanks.
Hi, Can you tell me if yours was premium processing or regular?
Lost one more year. AD/PP/Vermont
This is my second attempt and did not get thru lottery. Did not get the application back yet. But I think its very safe to think that I did not get thru lottery and will continue my second Masters.
Congratulations to you all who got H1bs.
Really can understand your frustration my friend. Stay strong. I kno it’s easier said than done
The problem with the whole H1B system is not the 65000 Cap for H1B or 20000 Cap for AD. The problem is that USCIS is allowing a system where bogus applications are in huge numbers.
1. If someone is just 2 years experience then why bring such an individual to USA. They should hire Bachelors from USA and give them jobs.
2. In AD the school should allow the applicant to file one application for H1B not multiple.
3. USCIS should check if an applicant has got one or more petition approved. If more than one is approved then they should remove the other petitions and give new people the opportunity.
4. If the application is not selected then they should take the entire money and not pay back anything. Unselected applications will loose the entire money.
5. Every Organization should be allowed to file maximum of say 3000 visas at the most and not a single more. They should answer to USCIS for the visas they have got in previous years and what happened to those resources. They need to be accountable when the visas are issued to them.
These simple measures will clean up the system for both Americans and people all over the world. I am sure this will reduce bogus and duplicate applications.
Common USCIS please make changes in the process. No need to increase quota. It is enough.
Dude! Your points are very valid. Please post them on uscisconnect.ideascale.com/. USCIS does not have time to look into redbu2us.com and all such sites. They have work to do. So posting on uscisconnect their official site, will atleast help you get your point to them.
Anyone from soft source inc? What is your status?
Its my second time, non ad/rp/vt, I got picked my employer told but still I couldn’t see my receipt numbers, they saying contact person is on leave..,
Hi guys,
Just now i checked my status and my H1b is Approved till one hour back it was case was received
Mine is AD/RP/CSC
Thanks to Redbus and best of luck who are still waiting for results and to the people who are waiting for the approval.
How long we want to wait for approval once it got picked
You are regular or Premium processing?
May i know how long it took for Approved status?
Waiting is killing 🙁 .God Please help me
Not sure why TCS takes so much time to release the updates
Ok guys, I am posting again after couple of weeks. I am AD/RP, not saying this to burst anyone’s bubble, but i really think chances are extremely slim at this point unless a miracle happens. I have gone through this pain last year as well.
I am right now doing my second master’s which i hate btw and i only have one word to say about this H1 process. “Horse Shit”.
I have a genuine full-time job (not consulting) and i have gone through this pain twice. One thing i don’t understand is why does USCIS enter an individual’s name multiple times in the lottery if there are multiple applications. The whole reason for the lottery is the increase in demand and i think purpose of lottery is to give everyone fair chance. Certainly, USCIS is not doing a good job at it. Whoever designed this process must be drunk at the time or must be a Dumb ass
I am not saying people should not file through different employers, USCIS should let people file as many applications as they want, but they should consider/enter the individuals name only once in the system for lottery. This would give a fair skin in the game for everyone. Anyway posting here does not yield anything but i’m just throwing out ideas.
#DumbUSCIS #ScrewedUpH1System
Finally, as i always say “Stay calm and watch IPL 😀 “
Next year will be 500,000 application,No one is gonna file single application.Good Job for ruining people’s life in U.S.
People like me who have been here for years now have to deal with lawyers and sh’t to come up with plan b.
You are excited to leave your country but think of people who have payments,debts,loans,rents and etc. in U.S.
This is not anybodies fault,we were just too good and worked too hard to stay legal,I guess it’s not worth it.
Anyone from People tech Group got receipts?
for premium , immigration team has those details .
for regular not sure.
I have been getting Generic replies that they are expecting the result. can you please tell what you are getting?
Yes for premium, immigration team has the receipt details….
for regular —- no update
Did you get through?
Did you find out through inszoom or did someone reach out to you?
I came to know from a guy, who petition was picked in the lottery
Oh ok. I am still getting the generic answer that they are waiting for the Results. I had filed premium(atleast I had told them to). What answer are you getting from them?
Yes for premium, immigration team has the receipt details….
for regular —- no update
So my checks got deposit last Tuesday. Yesterday, my lawyer received my receipt notification via ups. It takes around a week and I am in Los Angeles.
Non IT/ European/ on J1
Regular Cap/ Regular Processing/ Cali
I have a question….. How many people, who are staying in India or any other part of the world other than US, would be coming to US to start their work (picked and approved H1) on Oct 1st ? I am sure most of them do not start their work from october ? Employers would just have their H1s ready with them. In that case, why do you want to apply H1 for this year if you’re not sending your employees to US ? This makes other genuine people in US (bachelors, ADs, experienced people (L1s)) lose their opportunity to work. Ridiculous !
I m too much upset. It is my second attempt.
I think only 40% of h1Bs are won by Masters Guys in Lottery, We should get atleast 50% of them. You people from India have jobs back home, so stay content. I want all AD guys to get h1, if there is any remaining then people from India can come. And i am proud of what I said!!!!!!! B-)
Why the fuss about being competitive when you simply cannot be competitive in the global level. That’s why you get scared of someone better coming and doing more than what you can deliver.
You really are a joker aren’t you?!
Great!!!!
CTS
NonAd/RP/Vermont
I was following this blog and want to give an update
I received receipt notice today( 5 May) at 7.50PM IST. I have lost the hope but got the mail just i was about to leave from office. 🙂 I am very happy today.
Best of Luck everyone!!!
U r from which location??
Hyderabad
Receipt date???
This is 2nd time am applying h1b and i received mail from attroney @7.30 today that mine was picked . Thanks b to god. Mine is nonad/rp/vt. Dont lose hope till the end of this week guys.
U belongs to which company ?
Not sure how long we need to wait, everyone is so silent !!!
My employer said there is no update yet … Do we really have chances …??? Seems very less comments even on this site now 🙁
finally got my receipt number . i almost lost hope.. had sleep less nights .. its my 1st attempt only one application..
I am not sleeping properly.My eyes are flickering. My stomach is burning. Lot of problem in my body because of this h1b.God please help me.Raghavendra Raghavendra Raghava Sri Raghavendra Raghavendra Raghava.Jai Kali ma,Jai Hanuman,Muruga,Lord Jesus,Allah,Lord Perumal,Lord Vinayaka.Please help me.
You forgot about praying to Lord Buddha, Wahe guru and many more. Pray to all of them and eat well, sleep well. And then they might listen to you.
Don’t make it an obsession. I mean, hope for it, pray for it, but not like this 🙂
I have queried AIMS support and they have mentioned that as of now around 400 people got the receipts and still lot of receipts are there with GI onsite team. So be patient and definitely we will get it soon.
By the way if any one knows can tell us in how many batches the status got updated last year…
Regards,
Infosian…
Are we expecting anything tomorrow? Many ppl got update today…
Any recepits for CTS today..
Anyone from Bangalore Got receipts today ?? Please mention the time as well .
I think they are planning to give everything to Advance Degree or CTS by the looks of things. So you need to spend $35000 and get a H1B. I would prefer we set up a business with $35000 + some more investment instead of chasing this stupid Amerikan dream. They only want their economy to grow with our money. They don’t give a fair shot to others.
Maybe they will like you more if you spelled America correctly.
Sorry buddy I got education in British English. I cannot spell the word Amerikka correctly. I am hoping that after getting the H1B I can put efforts to learn Amrikan English. Between I can say United States of America correctly 🙂
Are you insane???
No I am H1BJoker 🙂
Oh and while you’re at it, why don’t you prepare yourself for 30 credits of intense coursework, countless sleepless nights of studying, projects, cut-throat competition from all around the world. You better be good at what you do because you’ll get your ass kicked. If you drop a course, forget about internship/Full-time job. Yeah, right.. Sit your ass down there and do your job. Master’s is not for people like you
Any Updated Today..!!
yendira bhai e lolli, na file pick ayindo ledo telidu, pick avakapote tondaraga pampandra na file back ki, pick avaledani free ga releif avta .
Already sent bayyaa…2 more days u will get you file back…
haan haan sahi baat hai anna, jo bhi hai.
Anyone from Sapient waiting as well?
Yes I am from Sapient and still waiting for an update
Anyone from Infy got the receipt number? Havnt heard anyone in Infosys Mysore getting the receipt number yet!
Just received email from my school and received some good news that my application got picked .
FYI,
my receipt # WAC151495****
by the way , I am AD/RP
U said AD. So u r on 2nd masters or phd
2nd masters
When was opt expiring
I am on CPT dude
Hye, congrats. which university did you do your CPT? Do they give it from day 1 ? thanks
I dont want to reveal it but there are few schools which will provide CPT from day #1.
Your H1B Receipt showing future date 5/6/2015
What a stupid question. Where did he say that
I didn’t mentioned the date any where
Got the receipt around 8:15pm
Again it’s raining receipt for CTS today also. CTS has filed few nomination this year and it’s all green till now.Wait guys all CTS associates are in selection list 🙂 Felling great to be part of big shots .!!!
Please let us know if your check encashed this morning. (MAY 5TH)
Yesterday USCIS announced they are done with data entry but I heard from some people that they said their check was processed this morning.
Yuppieee,
Got my H1B!!!!!!
I having been following this site for past 2-3 months..
Folks , please do not loose hope..you will get it..
Congrats 🙂 When did you receive the update? Which DC are you from!
This is my second time and am eagerly waiting for update.
status was updated on 1st may.
Pune
What is the DC you belong to and when did you get the receipt? If possible can you please provide the receipt details? Thanks in advance..
How to loose hope??
lose ..ab thik hai obama..concentrate on results!!
When selected in lottery, does the attorney receive notification by email or by snail mail for regular guys.
Hard luck
snail mail
are they not going to clear the checks starting today? Meaning no more fresh receipts?
Don’t understand why companies don’t send the notification as they receive it. Instead wait and collect information before passing on the message. I hope some of these dumb companies will understand that people go through lot of pressure whether their petition got selected or not. So they should inform about the visa thing as soon as they get information. In fact IT companies should have a website for Visa information and keep updating it at EOD everyday. After all they are into Information Technology. Why this stupidity of employees having to ask the Overseas Deputation Cell for information. It should be readily available without asking anyone.
Got Receipt at 7:50 PM. Mine case is Non-AD/Regular/WAC
What is the starting letter of your name
WAC is Vermont or California?
California
Non-AD/RP/VT…no receipt…checks not cashed.
It’s over for me.
Any updates from CTS?
I dont think lottery is purly luck. Its will be based on some algorithm which need to be craked.
My company small product company and i am in this company from 5 years. i seen H1B filling from 3 years. In FY2014, they applied for 1 applicient and it got picked in lottery. and In FY2015 they applied for 4 applicients and 4 got picked and this year FY2016 they applied for 3 applicients and 2 got picked.
So, I still belive there is something more then luck.
Yes i got selected.. and happy .. wish you guys all the best who are waiting.
I wish that holds true but maybe It’s an invalid statement. My company filed only 1 application and so far I still haven’t gotten any receipt. Still waiting.
But I think it also depents on the number of US born citizen in your company and how many h1b employee working.. my company has 80 : 20 ratio.
Yeah, maybe. Mine has only 1 employee hired as H1B ratio of 130:1. So following your thread of thought I should be picked.
150:2. But the ratio only matters after the application is picked and when we go for stamping. That is when they look at the ratios of the company and decide if they want to decline your stamp. It does not play any part in the lottery what so ever. AD/RP/VT/single application/still waiting/Last chance/Made my peace.
same here. Single application. Only non-US citizen. Adv. not picked. Stupid system. Stupid people. Bye US! Cannot wait to see petition number next year…
Me too government employer. You can say one of the prime well known institute in the USA. Just one application still waiting. I hope you are right.
Sir I am the 3rd non us citizen in a 250+company. Other two are green card holders.
Yeah, but honestly I think this lottery is indeed totally random, sad.
What’s your case? non-ad/ad, rp/pp/, ca/vt?
ADRPCA
Yeah, you should def get it. I guess we just have to wait, maybe there’s still a lil bit of hope for this week and the next one. Best of luck.
Non-AD / RP
OMG, just got the receipt, I cannot believe it.
That might hold true, huh? I’m so happy.
BTW, WAC1514653xxx. Best of luck.
3 of my colleagues NonAd/RP got receipt on 1st may IBM india..it depends on ur US case manager how early he moves his bum and mails receipt..as per trend.IbM india guyz shud wait till 15th may..after that chances are slim.im waiting for mine too..hope for the best
Would USCIS realize that they have the shittest H1b system here in USA?
They r discouraging not to come to usa and honestly when i go to school here in usa from last 8 years been here with no visa status now and this stupid lottery!
I have seen there are no americans in computer science so how can they expect companies would hire people without that background. # DUMB USCIS h1b lottery.
tell those people your kids should be born on lottery
Now why dont people open a petition to sign a new rule to allow more seats…What happened to those people that were going crazy for the multiple petition signing and brought a new petition to sign everyday…wat happened now…
I was on my 60-day grace period while i apply H1B, and now my case approved. Can i go back to my home country during this time and return U.S after Oct.1st? Is there any risks?
Also, my school said there is an error about my SEVIS record. It shows “complete” rather than “active”. Does anyone has the same problem？
Please comment. Thank you!
Better you do not travel back to home country as Visa is still under processing. Also H1B is effective from Oct 01 2015. Just my opinion..