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 RMS / PMSD ??? Did anyone receive formal communication on when RMS will start sending the receipts ? Please let me know…tensed !!!
Thank God….Finally…I got a call from my employer yesterday saying “my petition got approved”…Break for long waiting period and its my third attempt.
I am yet to get the receipt number.
I think there are still chances for couple of weeks..be positive guys…
I got news from my Employer that my check is been cleared today at 2:00PM. I was holding onto the last shared of luck after the USCIS notification that they have finished processing all the Applications for 2016 cap. Thank you, God Bless!
Hi do you have the receipt number? Do they cash the check first or do they release the receipt.
My employer did not get the receipt yet, he just told me that check is cleared!
urs Reg or premium
No use of filing multiple. U will be counted only once. If u are selected all petitions filed by u are selected. I too thought that filing multiple will improve chances but it doesn’t. You’ll have big time justifying this in an RFE. So better file 1 application each time. 85000 names are picked in lottery and that could be more that 85000 petitions. Uscis knows even if they approve 150k petitions ideally only 85k will be used. So pls understand this logic and don’t waste your money to consultancies thinking that chances are more. Uscis is smart enough to know this. They also make money if u put 10 applications. It’s like buying a dozen apples eating 1 and throwing rest in thrash.
What ever you are saying is wrong . My friend applied through two companies and only got picked up.
Hi,
If only one got picked will there be problem or that will not create problem.
Hi all
Did any one in IBM got receipts this week ,last weekend some receipts came in..after that not heard anything
yes last week few recwipts came..havent heard of any1 getting receipts this week..
Anybody please tell ,is there any chance for encashing cheques now….any hopes….for
Non-Ad/Rp….can we wait
Yes, wait for 3-4 business days. It will take few more days to en cash your cheque.
Hi replu_h1b ,
What makes you believe that , any reliable source ?
Thanks in advance for the advance .
Thank you……non ad/Rp ….waiting ….God please help
Wait for my receipt Non AD/RP/CSC. All tensed.
Pray and Pray Only …. Hope god will help us …. Two more weeks to go
Praying and Hope for the last minute miracles…..
Got my receipt after long wait, Receipt was generated on April 13th was informed by my Attorney today. AD/RP/CA.
Note: There was no update to sevis until yesterday
This is first time for me applying H1.
I have applied via 2 different employers.
1. Non AD / PP / CA — This did not went through (no update till now)
2. Non AD / RP / … (Waiting for an update on this)
Anyone similar to me ?
Yes..I am also in same boat.
I have been following this forum for more than an year. finally today i received my receipt no#(non AD/RP/Vermont) 🙂 🙂 I wish each one of you a very good luck!
What is the meaning NON AD and AD
My employer said to wait for the receipt till mid-may, not for the cheque withdrawn…bcoz one can get the receipt before the withdrawl.
So, don’t lose hope guys…
Hi ,
I was also worried about the “no check en-cash+data entry notice” .
How are you sure about it , any reliable source ?
Info would really help , thanks in advance .
Is there anyone can help me with this:
my petition was picked through AD/PP/VSC and received the email on Apr.20th. Then the status was “Received” until yesterday I checked and it shows as following:
Name Was Updated
On April 30, 2015, we updated your name for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC1513553XXX….
Then it remains in this status until now.
Anyone knows what does this mean? Is it still under review? or going to be approved or denied?
Don’t worry, it just means someone in USCIS made some edit in your application.
Source – same thing happened to me. But now my visa is approved.
I am applying for the second time. Regular process. Last year i didn’t went through the lottery..Waiting for the good news a lot…
ditttooo!!!! same 🙁 to tensed ..
same with me
Hi All, I want to share the good news that I got my receipt today. Mine is NON-AD-RP-CSC. Receipt date shows 04/29 and my employer received the receipt today.
What about cheque withdrawn? He informed abt that earlier or u got the receipt before that?
Sahithi, I have no idea about cheque. since I didn’t paid anything to my employer I didn’t ask my employer.
Hi Guys.
I am currently on H4. I have applied for H1b through a consultancy which is based in CA. i am also located in CA.
My consultancy said no update on my case still as of today. i m really worrying.
I am non-AD/Regular Processing/ WAC.
Anybody has update from any Indian consultancies?
same case.. still waiting 🙁 in fact still hoping :*((((((
Be happy that your dear hubby still maintains his status. For sure you would have bumped up your experience in your resume with the indirect objective of spoiling a deserving candidate’s chances.
Hello fake – go and f**k !!! Who are you decide who is deserving and who is not !!! Everyone is here for job and money !!! So shut your butt and get lost!!
Non-AD,
I hope one day you get outsmarted by some one who shows more fake experience than you do and you lose out on a job opportunity.
Even better, you lose your job because of a bigger con artist.
Fake is not the person to decided who is deserving and who is not.But when you can work legally on H4 then whats the point on going for H1. Let other people have the same privilege of working in US. Plus he/she said he/she is working for consultancy. Which proves naturally he/she is not deserving because if he/she was then he/she didn’t had to go through consultancy
Hope the name works, it doesnt hurt to try by this stage in the process
Lets count how many CTS US guys are waiting and who all are got the receipts?
I’m waiting! Currently on L1B maxing out in January 2016, looks like L1A for now, and another lottery next year on the cards!
Hit with RFE. Applied AD/PP/Vermont with CPT on day 1 with second masters from Goldley Beacom College. Didn’t get selected in lottery last year, so had to go for second masters to continue working. I am freaking out, anyone else in the same situation? Please help with suggestions.
Please do let me know if you get update on why the RFT ?? I am also planning to go for my second masters in the US.
RFE*
Have you contacted GBC to give you a letter stating that CPT is mandatory? You can ask GBC for that. GBC gave letter like that to a student who had this same rfe as you but that was a while back so I don’t now about now but you can try. He was able to get approved after he sent the rfe. Let us know if you went through with it. All the best. Trust God and He will see you through.
What did your RFE say? What did they request of you?
The RFE is questioning –
1) Why I pursued a second masters
2) How the CPT work is related to the program
3) Proof from school that CPT is a mandatory requirement for the program
The first 2 questions can and will be handled by your attorney. If your school can provide a letter then I think you are fine and will sail smoothly..
Don’t worry.. I m sure some coursework is related to your work
Yes, the first two questions should be easy. The third one is the one driving me crazy. Most programs will not have a mandatory CPT requirement (unless it’s a nursing program etc.). That is the only reason why a school can allow CPT from day 1 – I am in deep trouble now 🙁
Lets see if this is working.
It does work.
Hope the name works for us too.
PP/AD/VT:
Received on Apr 20th, approved on Apr 30th, got notice from HR today before getting off work.
A friend also PP/AD/VT received her notice after me got her RFE a few days ago (lawyer filed the wrong category).
Just for reference.
Congrats!!! I got the receipt 3 weeks ago. Still waiting for approval PP/Non-AD/CA
anyone from primmest?
waiting for H1B approval.
receipt is the same since last 3 weeks
Premium process ADvance VERMONT centre.
How long is the wait ?
My friend got the receipt today but his check is not cashed. so There is a hope. NonAD/RP/CSC
Oye Osama, did I tell you not to put H1B application to US? 😀 My people will kill me if I let you to US.!:P
My Hr says looks like your petition picked up in lottery .They say will update me once they receive the receipt.
Non AD/RG/Vermont
Guys don’t loose hope, its not over yet.
how can immigration girl blog or any blog be so accurate with the % numbers ??
She provided an update for the their clients. It might not be exact numbers but helps to understand the trend
And would to inform you this aswell.
PP/AD got approved the same week i got the receipt so i have droped the rest.
U mind telling me how u dropped rest of the applications? U r a big time liar. I challenge u openly to share all the 10 receipt numbers here. Don’t play with emotions of ppl who r still waiting and deserve H1B visa more than u. One thing is for sure. Karma is going to hit u big time. Remember u still have to face visa interview and those consulate officers r on lookout for idiots like u to gangbang.
Trying out my luck
Hi all i wanna tell you all sorry maybe because of me 9 people didn’t get picked in the lottery..
I filed 10 h1 this year all from different employers.. And luckily all got picked..
I filed 5/AD/PP and 2 nonAD/PP and rest non AD/RP.
Sorry you guy need to be smart insted of blaming your luck.
I wish you all be smart no luck for next year.
I really do not care if my application is not picked but people who spoil others dreams should be sent RFE’s and be screwed
:(… i m too tensed 🙁
No use of filing multiple. U will be counted only once. U are selected and therefore all petitions filed by u are selected. I too thought that filing multiple will improve chances but it doesn’t. You’ll have big time justifying this in an RFE. So better file 1 application each time. 85000 names are picked in lottery and that could be more that 85000 petitions. Uscis knows even if they approve 150k petitions ideally only 85k will be used.
Wow you are all fools i am in States already..use your brains..think before you make you fingers work.
Finally got my receipt from my employer today. Non AD/R/CA center.
congrats and if possible pray for me 🙁
Hi…is it possible that check had not been encashed yet but will get receipt number before that?
called SEVIS to check any update , they tell to contact uscis.
My dear fellas,
Like many of you, I am in the same boat of waiting for my H1B receipt.
DO NOT lose hope, as this lottery selection won’t define your destiny.
I want you all to be strong and promise yourself that this rejection will not keep you away from achieving your goal.
Believe in yourself, success will surely come to you.
how can you do that H1bslaughteragain you bloody creep.
H1B Receipt Number decoded for people who are getting it and those who are waiting with prayers.
The first three characters indicate the filing center of the H1B petition. It would be one of the below: EAC – Vermont Service Center (old name: Eastern Adjudication Center). or WAC – California Service Center (old name: Western Adjudication Center).
Sample format: EAC- XX—XXX—XXXXX
The second two characters indicate the filing year. It does not indicate the Fiscal year number. It is the actual year the petition was filed. For H1B Visa 2016 Fiscal year, it would be 15 as you are filing in year 2014. Sample Format : EAC – 15 – XXX—XXXXX
The next three characters indicate the computer working day of the USCIS fiscal year. It starts from October 1st of the fiscal year. So, for this fiscal year starting from October 1st of 2013, it would be 001 for Oct 1st, it increments for each working day and does NOT include Weekends and Holiday. This day corresponds to the day your H1B Case was receipted by USCIS, it does NOT indicate when they received your petition or filed.
If your case was receipted on April 10th, it would be 130.
Sample format : EAC – 14 – 130 – XXXXX
The next five characters indicate the case number that was assigned to your case on a particular day. For H1B Visa cases, it would typically start with a 5. USCIS typically assigns case numbers for all types of cases processed on a particular day. Sample format : EAC – 14 – 30 – 51344
Source – http://redbus2us.com/understand-h1b-visa-2015-receipt-number-meaning-track-status-uscis/
sorry this name did not work for any one i was just playing with you all.
It works for all
My dear fellas,
Like many of you, I am in the same boat of waiting for my H1B receipt.
DO NOT lose hope, as this lottery selection won’t define your destiny.
I want you all to be strong and promise yourself that this rejection will not keep you away from achieving you goal.
Believe in yourself, success will surely come to you.
Well said
Capgemini guys, any idea where we can check the status change?
If at all we have a location as such. Any idea?
HELLO EXPERTS,
i have question, when SEVIS will update?
any chance if my SEVIS still didnt change?
AD/RP, Praying badly…
Have a question!!!
My employer has hired a law firm and they have INSZoom enabled to my account will they update the receipt if they get it?
Thanks for your response!!!
Best Regards!!!
Contact your employer directly . No need to wait for application updates.
Got a mail from HR
=======================
Sorry to inform you that, we haven’t heard anything yet regarding your H1B. We would like to wait till mid of June. We already informed to all the employees, whomever H1Bs picked up in lottery. If we hear anything regarding your case, we will let you know.
Thanks for your co-operation.
Thanks
HR Team
Sorry to hear that. Look at other options and keep faith. Maybe it might still happen. World doesn’t depend on an H1B visa alone.
I got the same reply last year from my attorney and I quit my job on September 30th. Waiting for h1 this year again. Non AD/RP
ANYONE FORM ADVANCE PREMIUM PROCESS GETTING APPROVALS ?
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE MORE?
Many people are getting approvals
My company told that my application got picked up in the lottery on 30th April. I am still waiting for the receipt number. Can any one tell me how many days will take to get the receipt number. My application is Non AD/RP. Thanks in advance.
Wait for 3-4 business days. It should come within 2 days.
Congrats. It seems to be on the way.
Hi Guys,
Please update any hope for RP/Non-Ad/CA. can i start working for L1A process now.No updates from employer yet.
I would say wait for some more time. When you could wait for 35 odd days then wait a little longer.
I got my receipt today. Non-AD/RP CA centre.
I’m still waiting>_< some people said probably deadline for non-ad rp in California center is before this weekend?
Anyone got update from Neumeric Technologies Corp.Please let me know.
First of all USCIS should ban these body shop consultancies! You guys are ruining deserving candidates’ chances with your fake experience and resume.
Hi,
Even I applied through NTC. They said me today they have not recieved my name in the picked list. He also said me like its all over.
What about you?
Even I applied through NTC, haven’t got any news.This is my third time….but my colleague who applied via NTC got picked n his wife also got selected.
Ya I too didn’t get any update. He said mostly its over for me too.I read in website that they will not apply mostly they will cheat.So don’t know.How much did u gave
Gosh ! There are so many guys being so desperate for the H1 ! Sending multiple applications and going for second masters ! Is this how down we’ve dragged ourselves that we beg and cheat to stay in another country ? If you are good enough you will shine anywhere you go. Please don’t base your entire lives on just one decision from USCIS.
No wonder so many of us are looked down upon.
But I do hope that all the genuine people get selected.
Well said. The world doesn’t end with or without an H1B visa. Many people I know are demonstrating their talent at good positions around the world. USA is not the only land of opportunities.
Hi Guys,
Please update any hope for RP/Non-Ad/CA. IS employer knows whether the cheque encased by this time and receipts on the way ..!
Guys, Any of your Regular (AD or Non-AD) receipts moved to approved status?
I am waiting on my nonad-premium receipt approval from april 21 …no prgress yet.
oho!! Thats real pain. at least you are sure you will get update on or before 11th May
Any idea, On or before 11th May is the last date for PP or RP too..
11th is last date for PP alone.
Any hope for RP/CA ?
My sevis got changed this morning..please keep hope for 3 more business days.
my sevis still not changed, its any chance?
AD/RP..