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 ?
Hi CTS Friends, Please let me know if anybody got the receipt from GIT today evening?? Looks like we will be getting it for next 3 days (Monday will be the last) and hope tonight most of the guys (RP/CA) will receive their receipt 🙂 🙂 🙂
To Add more…lart night at around 11.30 PM EST, 3 of my Project guys received their receipt (RP/CA) and most of the receipts received (6) in the past 2 days ..Lets don’t giveup the hope..pray god !!! 🙂
“finally … got my H1b”
God, I want to say this out loud and share news with my family soon.
Please shower your blessings. I have been waiting for so longgg.
Please put an end to this painful time which I have been going through since past couple of years or even more. Hoping for some logical conclusion.
How the H1B application hit 233000 this year. Well this is the assumption.
AD – say 42000 applications out of which 22000 entered multiple applications then total AD applications close to 85000
Non AD – Some companies apply close to 10000 to 15000 visas on their own. If you take 10 such companies the total applications will be close to 50000 to 60000. Now some individuals apply through multiple companies and that count will be close to 65000. Then there are H4 candidates who are still not sure of EAD and so that count is close to 25000 to 30000.
So here is the final count (assumed);
AD – Single Petition – 20000 applications
AD – Multiple Petition – 65000 applications
Non AD – Single Petition – 55000 applications
Non AD – Multiple Petition – 65000 applications
Non AD – H4 to H1B cases – 28000 applications
This is just an assumptions based on the data available through various sources. Accuracy is not confirmed.
Keep Calm and enjoy Summer 🙂
85 k AD applications is highly debatable. AD non indian non IT guys do not file multiple applications. So IT comp Sci ppl who get hired by big companies don’t do multiples due to many reasons. Good companies don’t do multiples also there is stem extension also ppl are just a bit scared as there is much at stake.
Anybody still waiting for AD/PP/VT ? My employer said wait this week we are positive.. he said there is still a chance..
Best Of Luck to All.. Don’t Lose hope..
I am also still waiting.. 2nd time 🙂
just got phone call from my employer, my file picked in lottery and cheque enchased non-ad/RP, out of 20 files from our company today morning 9 got picked i came to know just now, dont loose hopes non-ad/RP guys.
Are you saying that they processed the checks today (may 7th)?
Vermont or CSC?
Which employer ?? Solomons ???
Which employer ?? Solomons ??????
Anyone got cheque cleared last week or this week and still waiting for receipt.
Guys anyone got idea how long we need to wait for result Non AD/REG
Hello everyone! My employer applied for me through AD/PP and have not heard anything yet. Should I just got for Plan B or there are still hopes?
Unfortunately, you should work out on a plan b. Ideally you should have received the notification by April 27 or at the worst by now. Because PP window started on April 27 and adjudication will be done by May 11th. But, wait for your rejection package. Or check out with your employer/lawyer if they received and didn’t let you know yet. it happens sometimes. Anyway, i wish you all the best. If possible a miracle selection or in your Plan B 🙂
I would wait till May 11 and trigger planB last year one person On this Forum received approval directly without receipt. Just FYI. I know lightning may not strike twice at the same place. But Hope and Trust in God.
Any update guys… Non-AD/VT?? Please reply with ur location
No updates yet
if there are any guys who have got the receipts from cts, let us know the time stamp of email from GIT and the service center through which your petition was filed.
Quite confused as of now on what would be the status
There is no special timings… It will come all the time from morning 10 till mid night… But most of the receipts are from 6 pm to 10.30pm
Anyone got, any update on H1b lottery status from TCS?
Anyone got an update from BAL Global? Friends plz reply
Yes. They are informing when they get the receipt. So wait!!!
Infosys any updates in Aims ? Is there any hope now?
No update 🙁 sick of waiting…
Any one from persistent systems got any updates?
OH any updates.. this wait kills me
Any one got update from PwC?
Not me, but my colleague is through. I lost hope.
Hope it’s not over yet.. God, have some mercy on me..
It is over. Don’t cheat yourself.
My employer informed me that my check was cashed. He informed me yesterday and I am not exactly sure when it was cashed. However last week he hold me they are checking everyday if checks are cashed. So I guess my check should have cashed yesterday or the day b4. He will update me once he received the receipt.
RP/Non AD/VT
Typo : He will update me once he receives the receipt.
Any update from tcs
Had a call with CTS – GIT person ,as said by them, till now GIT had received 2500 receipts(CTS submiited 10000 petitions this year) and already triggered the mail to the respective persons. Still they are waiting for more receipts to be received from USCIS , GIT asked the H1B petitioners to be wait till this month end. So lets pray & hope for the best. Congrats to all who has received the receipt already and All the best who are still waiting(I am also) to receive.
Your story is good man!!!
Whenever we call GIS team, they have default dialogue to tell “Keep waiting till this month end”, “If you are selected you will get mail”… thats all.
Ps: GIS never say exact statistics as you told. dont publish fake news bro!!!
This is what they told . lets hope for the best Bro!
LOL. Yesterday someone said GIT updated out of 8000 applicant they have received for 1200 .They are expecting 2500 receipts .
Hi, Who gave you this data about CTS filling 10K petitions?
Cognizant guys.. any update???
Reply with ur location and Sevice center(VT/CA)
Got the mail today… CA
Great any new abt VT?
When?
Yester or today any new abt VT??
When did u get? at what time??
at what time?
at what time.. today or yesterday.
No updates buddy..
may this name brings luck for me still waiting NON – AD/RP /CSC
Wipro guys…
any update
Guys, I am very unlucky, i used this name for quite a while to try my luck and today my employer said that my petition has been returned. waiting for next year 🙁
See you
RP / PP i hope its PP
no its NON-ad/RP
hi
trying my husbands luck with this name , god plz show some mercy
plz plz God help me. this is my 3 rd time.no news yet. now chances are very slim
Any one from Trisync technologies??
try my luck with the name. hope miracle happen
This is my first year in H1b. Keeping fingers crossed.Keep the faith!!!!
Tcs guys. Pls update if u get any updates. Fdfu asked me to check with isu rmg. Pls update here
correct. got an update in vts that its approved.
When you got update in VTS?Any other person got other than you.Which location you got.
Banglore. got it updated today
What Status it got update now in VTS?
VTS Status approved 🙂
Its May.. wake up
Approved..That is the only word you got…I dont see any status as Approved.
In VTS my status is WP/Petition filed and submitted. But I got this status some 10 days back. Any update about lottery status?
Time up !!!! Congrats to all who got !!!! Others – if you have plan B, then proceed …. Else better luck next time
Guys,
I got my reciept number a week ago.
I checked my case in this morning through USCIS case status.
and it said;
“On May 6, 2015, we approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC1513851211, and emailed you an approval notice. Please follow any instructions on the approval notice. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.”
Am I finally approved?? Non-AD/PP/VT
Every hope for those who still wait for lottery and final result!
Let me try my luck too with this name. Very thin hope left.
Trying out my luck.
I hope this name brings me luck as well. still waiting RP/CSC.
This name brought lucky charm for my husband. It really worked… he was notified today that he got selected in lottery process..
Please don’t loose hope. Still chances r left
Hi guys my petition was picked up in lottery in the first attempt itself/
all the best guys
Wipro updates?
Jesus please help em to pick my petition
Please modiji.. Talk to Obama and senction visas of all of us.
Why? No one here in US wants US to be another India.Talk with Devyani Khobragade or Infosys. They are the Indian visa cheats.
sanction*
Any one from IBM Pune received ?
No, I am too waiting.. very few in Ibm have received receipt notice so far.. In my project 8 people have applied including me.. No one received yet.. 🙁
Hi as I said before that I got picked in lottery (Non AD/PP/California) now I saw today status says “Request for Additional Evidence Notice Was Mailed” is that something to worry about? coming so far and not getting it will kill me 🙁 i understand they want something more to process the request and it does not says anywhere that I am rejected but what are the chances? Any one please share your thoughts.
Hope..
In which category you are ? PP/ Regular?
when did u get ur receipt?
Unless you are a fake guy, you do not have to worry about RFE!
uscis need traditional evidence verification on your existing record to complete. only employer knows which required document they needs. nothing to worry.its usual process now a days.
anyone from Deloitte US..did you hear from seyfarth?…
Cognizant guys,
Any update ???
Waiting for NonAD\RP\VT.. Please do reply if any body received receipts yester and today
yeah. One of my teammate got it just now. waiting for mine
Really?? Which location ? Please provide details
At what time was the mail trigerred from GIT ?
When he got?? at what time?
Thats great!!! Trying hard to keep my hope alive.. Tell me wat time he received.. Also he belongs to vermont right ???
CA .. Got it around 5.15 PM
Which location… Chennai?
Hey .. I got update on 29th Itself from GIT Hyd location..
one my of my frnd received yesterday.VT-non-ad
any one got update from ab star group?Waiting for good news…..
God please help me.
First of all people like you who take the route of fake experience and fake consultancies like this need to be banned!
How you know this is a fake consultancies ? With out knowing the person don’t comment it.
Professional Services like Onsite Staffing, Executive Staffing.
Hi Guys, Need your input from CTI guys. How to check why center my case has been filled? i called GIT team and they said we would not know that until we get receipt number. is that true? Also i see in comment that people are saying my case in XX center, not sure how you guys got to know.
Please help me to know. Which center my case has been filled? exact path to check it? i checked on my visa portal, i can see nothing except status as filled and waiting for receipt.
Hi Guys, Need your input from CTI guys. How to check which * center my case has been filed? i called GIT team and they said we wont know that until we get the receipt number. is that true? Also i see in comment that people are saying that their case filed in XX center, not sure how you guys got to know.
Please help me to know. Which center the case has been filled? exact path to check it? i checked on my visa portal CTS, i can see nothing except status as filled and waiting for receipt.
Please advise
You can get the details from MyVisa portal. Click on Shipping/Mailing log in MyVisa and then check the status in Fedex tracking and see where it is delivered. Mine is delivered at WILLISTON, VT so it must be Vermont center. I didn’t receive any update yet. So losing hope every minute
Thanks Buddy for clarying me. I got the delievery report. It says it delieved to IRVINE, CA. It means which center? Sorry if i am asking basic question. Is it possible to know center name based on this devlivery report – IRVINE, CA?
You can stay back in INDIA
If your petition was forwarded to Irvine, CA center that means, they sent it to Canada. You will probably get a work-visa from Canada. Congrats!
Bhai, CA here is for California. You guys do need to do a lot of homework . Wait, maybe by next year you’d be ready to be deported
Any update from Infosys,
Its been a long wait..please let us know.
#Godhelpus
No update 🙁
hi guys,
game is over,congrats who is got lottery..
Best of luck for who is waiting..
HI friends,
Finally I heard from my employer that my petition got picked up in lottery. This is my first time to apply for H1b and got lucky.
Waiting for case number now.
Best of luck to all
Which center?who is your employeer or company ?
Waiting very badly for my H1B petition status , CA centre
Guys any update for Texas centre? I applied from Atlanta…heard all the applications from there get processed in Texas
H1 b new never goes to texas. its either cali or vt