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H1B Visa 2016 – FAQs – Lottery, Quota, Immigration Reform, News

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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 

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 

H1B Cap Reached – Official USCIS Tweet and Link to Press release :


Any other questions ?

Photo of author
Satheesh Kumar Ilu, commonly known as Kumar, is the founder of RedBus2US.com. He is an Immigration and Study Abroad expert. He holds an MS from the University of Houston–Clear Lake and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He studied, lived, and worked in the U.S. and Singapore for nearly two decades, and has traveled to over 25 countries.

   

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28,610 Comments

  1. Hail the almighty !!

    Im confident that my application will get through the Lottery this year.
    Om Namo Narayana!!!

    Reply

  2. Hail the almighty !!

    Im confident that my application will get through the Lottery this year.
    Om Namo Venkateshaya !!!

    Reply

  10. has anyone from cognizant receipts today ? heard from GIT yesterday that they will roll-out the second batch before today. But not sure if anyhave got today.

    Reply

    • Don’t have any update till now.But as per the GIT team they are yet to release 2nd and 3rd batch results.Heard many in Cognizant Bangalore received receipts yesterday night.

      Reply

      • HI ,

        IS this response from GIT ? What time you go this response from GIT on pending release of second and Third batches ..?
        Can we then wait wth hopes ? Please reply back 🙁 waiting kills me 🙁

        Reply

        • Whn i enquire in GIT, each one giving a diff reply. One says to wait till May end, other to june end.. One says that they have got the second set and have released to few and yet to release for few more.. the other guy from same dept say that they have sent the 2nd set to associates.. Not sure what is true on the real side.. Keeping fingers crossed..

          Reply

  14. Hi Guys,

    I have got my H1B receipt number WAC1514****** . Mine is Non-AD/RP/CSC . I want to change my Employer as I have got a very good opportunity. Can I change my employer now? Is there any option that I can change the employer and also get my H1B done? BTW I am working in India.

    Reply

    • Congrats. You are legally allowed to change the employer. But make sure your current H-1b is not revoked by your employer once you decide to leave. You will lose your cap number if that happens. So wait until you get stamped to switch.

      Reply

  15. Any Update from Infy guys?
    Anyone from Chennai Got the receipt no.?
    This is my second attempt and being very desperate. Hoping for the best!!!

    Reply

  20. Im desparate this time. Trying my luck with this name.

    Narayana ! Srinivasa !! Please bless me. Get me out of this suffering and grant me H1B this time, please…

    Reply

  21. God, please dont disappoint us those whose are waiting. actually for the fourth time, am trying… but the thing is, the factor ‘luck’, is very very hard to digest.

    Guys, Dont loose hope. We will see for two more weeks.

    Reply

    • Looks like moderator is not human being but God and people are here to praying else they won’t be heard.

      Reply

  34. I have receipt number yesterday…. EAC*******, for 2015 H1b
    Does that mean ‘My application is selected in the Lottery’ ??? please …

    Reply

  42. Since the mails from Cognizant GIT has slowed down, i suppose, here on we will start getting rejection letters.Especially for Vermont Center…
    Any update today for VT guys?

    Reply

  44. Finally I got it!!! 🙂 .. Feeling blessed!!

    Really this name worked well!!! I have got mail from my delivery manager saying I’m through the lottery!!!! Mine is Regular/Non-AD. This is my second try for H1B.

    I know the pain in waiting for the lottery result. Many other guys are suggesting to keep calm your mind in this blog. But it is very hectic and very painful. Unfortunately, there is nothing much we can do here until we hear something either bad news or good news from our employer.

    I wish you all the best for your future endeavors and I wish you good luck in getting thru the lottery!! I pray for you all!!

    Last but not least: Thank you so much guys/bloggers, who have shared your views/news on H1B. This is very very helpful though out this journey.

    Reply

  47. guys, last year one of my frnd had received his receipt one month later to others, who applied with him….such miracles happen…It may not happen to me …but can happen to anyone still waiting…

    Reply

  50. Hi TCSers,

    What surprise we are waiting for..Not Sure !!! Always experiencing uncertainty rather certainty .No update from TCS ISU RMG. But awaiting for notification storm as usual!!!!

    Reply

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