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 ?
CTS Folks, Anyone received receipt from GIT? This is frustrating. Want to stop thinking about don’t know how. May be we have chance till coming Tuesday/Wednesday. After that who knows, last year cts people got till month end. Can’t blame anyone except ourselves for opting for H1b and USCIS for following this dumb system. They can handle this better should have handled it better. After all pizza delivery sites have better tracking mechanism. How much we pay for visa when compared to pizza? Oh god,Should have implemented better tracking system. Let the wating game continue… Going to be another futile day at office
CTS approval rate are highest among Indian companies. Don’t loose hope.I got mine mail quite late.
The original poster was concerned about the receipt. Once receipt is there, genuine cases will definitely get approved.
But due to fake ones, and wives with H4 applying with fake resumes – lot of genuine ones are not getting the receipt at all.
I am not from CTS but even i am waiting for the results.
Hope luck favors the deserved.
“After all pizza delivery sites have better tracking mechanism. How much we pay for visa when compared to pizza? Oh god,Should have implemented better tracking system.”
ha ha 🙂 … interesting comparison
Good luck 🙂
Same Here:(
Hey ,
Could you please check MY VISA ->Details/Dates–>View Case Details page – LCA info .. What is the Last Updated by date showing ? For me its showing May 07th and still I havent received any receipt mail .Could you guys please confirm and update here ..My head is bursting 🙁
Hey, LCA information is found in Digital docs….confirm.Mine is updated on Apr 27. What does it mean…anybody have info ?
Any update from wipro gims ?
Till now no
CTS Folks, Anyone received receipt from GIT? This is frustrating. Want to stop thinking about don’t know how. May be we have chance till coming Tuesday/Wednesday. After that who knows, last people got till month end. Can’t blame anyone except ourselves and USCIS for following this dumb system. They can handle this better should have handled it better. After all pizza delivery sites have better tracking mechanism. How much we pay for visa? Should have implemented better tracking system
Anyone from cognizant received mail yesterday??? Waiting for NonAd/RP/VT
anyone received updates from mannam associates?
no still waiting same boat
Anyone who received recently, would like to share with which letter you last name starts with? Jut to understand if the receipts are sent by alphabetical order.
Using this name for H1b Lottery! I wish my receipt comes.
Waiting..
Hello All,
After waiting for such a long time in 3 years, Today I received receipt.
I ought to say thanks to Almighty, My Parents and to this forum as well.
Mine is Vermont stars with EAC.. Today at 12:05 i received an email with number from my Employer.
May God Bless you all.
Hello all,
I am Non AD/RP applicant. I have received communication from my employer that my file has been picked in the lottery.
Which center is yours? Vermont or California?
Hey, Congos, Is it PP or RP?
Hey congrats. Just want to check about the processing order. Are they chasning checks based on alphabetical order of last name? Your first letter of last name please?
Got the receipt number EAC15XXXXXX …My last name starts with N. All the best to others.
RP/non-AD , hope this name get me through … Waiting waiting !! Almost lost hopes 🙁 🙁
Trying my luck!!!!
I got my Receipt on April 13th, AD/PP/CA, but my SEVIS is still not updated and status still showing as received. Called ICE they say let DSO Call us, DSO says call yourself. Whats the protocol here?
Call your employer and see if they received your approval notice. In my case the status was always showing Case received but my attorney got approval notice within 15 business days of “received date” on your receipt notice. Also send the receipt notice to your DSO and they will update your SEVIS status to pending.
btw: I received the USCIS notice on 4/17/2015 (which is when they sent it to the California center for processing according to myUSCIS)
Congrats and thanks for updating this info.
Your BAL status changed to ‘Received’ on May 7th?
Any updated for E&Y
AD/RP????????
Any Updates for AD/RP/VT. Did anyone get his/her visa approved? please update if you have any information.
Hi, My Lawyer said USCIS had amended their time frame for adjudicating cases selected with premium processing to begin processing no later than May 11, 2015, instead of April 27, 2015. Is this correct? I haven’t seen any updates on USCIS website on this..
I wish that is true as I still waiting for on update on PP. But I think its correct info.. There is no update in UCSIC.
Anyone on the same boat? Is there still hope for PP?
+1 still waiting
+1.. Still Waiting.. 🙁
+1. Please God Help Us 🙂
+1
Anyone’s check got encashed today?
Is there any hope left?
My beat guess, they are clearing checks as per the alphabetical order of the last name, Not sure just an Intelligent guess!
Yes that is true! They are past letter ‘P’ as of now!!
Mine is ‘V’, Hope they go around the circle again!
Got WAC151495XXXX by mail to my employer, Check cleared on Tuesday! Than you. God bless every one!
I know many of you guys are out there like me waiting to hear something back from USCIS .. This lottery sucks …… Dear God please send me some good news ,I have put in so much effort to come here .. AD/PP ..
Rant over !!
have Faith my friend there is some better for us..
Was great following this website for the last weeks. Got my confirmation this evening that my case is approved. Premium processed Non-AD at California Center. Now to wait for my interview at the embassy. Wish everyone all the best!
Congrats. When will you celebrate this 🙂
Thanks! After I see my visa on the passport 🙂 By the way, I’m from Europe.
any news/updates?
Nope:(
CTS US guys.. Any update today on receipts??
USICS: 5400 visas have been rejected as wrong filing amount was sent to USCIS.
Very few selected in lottery this time. Lot of rejections.
5400 Rejected in CTS or overall rejected due to wrong fee?
I checked my I-129 and filing fee looks correct to me..
Don’t believe the trolls over here.
Any news for AD/RP/CA?
I am still waiting.
Me too
I think its over for AD/RP/CA if we don’t get anything until tomorrow
No no not over yet.
We are still not out until next friday
So many Ad/RP/CA guys waiting for receipts. I don’t understand what’s going on.
I know around 12, AD/RP, still didnt received any updates.
No SEVIS Updates, not check cashed,… nothing..
dont know whats going on AD/RP?
+1 – in same boat
My company filed 3 AD/RP, Nobody has any updates??????
almost 90% as of my college bench stat., Advanced Degree- regular processing , are waiting for receipt/updates…
Well..either the percentage of selected AD petitions is very low this time. (Compared to last year) or there is a delay in sending the receipts. In any case I don’t expect anything after this week. I don’t want to pay for Master’s again as I haven’t even recovered what I spent for the first one. Even If I do for CPT it will be the same story next year. H1, lottery, MNC’s from India exploiting the system. I can’t play this crazy gamble anymore.
+1 , haven’t heard anything yet …
I am still waiting.. Non-AD/RP/CA. My employer said 3-4 checks are cashed for them but it wont pin point to a case.
Is that true? If the check is cashed it wont point back to particular application/person?
Or may mine was not selected in lottery?
Wats wrong with CA centre..Iam tired of waiting now
Yes still waiting AD/RP/CA
AD/RP/CA – still waiting.
waiting from long time
Hi All,
I got an email from my HR with reference number : EAC1514052XXX
When I checked the status online it says:
Case Was Received
On April 13, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC1514052XXX, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice.
Does this mean I got picked in the lottery or does it mean they just received my fed ex packet ?
Please advice….thanks
You are selected in lottery
Thanks
I don’t understand why USCIS did not have quota for IT , Mechanical, and other fields etc. It is unfair to people who are in different fields, however I am unlucky for 2nd time although lost opportunity to become direct in my company due to my H1B not picked, moreover getting direct in Mechanical field is not an easy factor. However I lost hope now. I don’t know why god is so fair to everybody, it shows he listen to those who ever he likes… I wish all folks who’s H1B picked and should be approved, especially the one’s who suffered in after CPT guys because we deserve better than anyone else.
Sorry to hear your situation. I know how hard it is to get a full-time job. Unlike India, here you have to apply and interview for a job. Interview that actually test a person skills. I hear your pain brah. Majority of Indian IT workers think they are getting hired because of talent. Morons don’t understand the day corporate finds cheaper place job will go there. Indian IT workers will face the same fate that American workers are facing – getting replaced by cheaper labor.
Kind request to all superstitious fools to stop using “h1bslaughteragain” as name instead something useful like filing category. You guys are filing for advanced skills visa and doing such stupid illiterate stunts here. Please stop.
Well my Friend, superstition is one of the “Special Skill” that these H1B applicants used in their petition. Don’t insult morons by calling these people morons!
Lottery(based on luck) itself a superstition dont you think? When USA is ready for it, why not us. Here hardwork will never pay you, only luck.
Dont listen to that,Last friday she was saying we are only half way through,on monday they announced data entry is over.
She is just guessing stuff based on her law firm.
you can guess that much if you just follow this blog and estimate how many people are selected.
Dude she is helping a lot with her stats and answering queries. She has mentioned clearly that she is making an educated guess. Let us not be cruel to people who are helping us. My employer is not announcing the results till now. Has asked to wait till May end/June first week. I am sure there must be some reason behind it. Unless you get the petition back there is no need to think that it is over for you. I will keep patience and follow her blog since she is helping everyone irrespective of them being her clients 🙂
Raju bhai
leave English , answer is your employer tells
Anyone from lntinfotech news
Does uscis have wait list concept?
Not a waitlist…but kinda a relottery for rejected applicants…
rejected after receiving receipts…to be specific…not to be confused with being picked in the lottery…i am talking during the approval process…
Ni main kamli kamli…
Ni main kamli kamli…
Ni main kamli kamli mere lottery di…
Any updates from Logic Planet.
47 checks cashed
From how many total. Did all get approval.
How many total should not concern you. Regular processing hasn’t started yet.
True, Thanks for the info. I am Non-AD/RP girl associated with Logic Planet, should I still keep hope to get selected?. Thanks.
game over today is last day to get receipt .I got mine.
ur application will be rejected…Amen !
Amen to that!
Since you have got your receipt today, game is over
Any AD/PP guy who got receipt is waiting for decision from USCIS?
I am waiting..is ur application at the CA or VT centeR?
Mine is CA
Has any body from Niche Solution got notification?
God please help me to get H1b, is there any chance for non-ad/regular/ca ? I have 13 years experience
No
Why no?
Be realistic. man
Woman.
God hates you and he hated the other 150,000+ Applicants that didn’t make it despite how much they prayed.
I’m joking. He doesn’t exist and if he does I’m sure he really enjoy leaving you to rot in India
I am also trying my luck with this name. My employer said wait till for this weekend. Tommorow is the last day.
Fingers crossed..
If USCIS does not return my package with rejection notice and it is lost in transit then can I sue them for negligence? Or is it my problem ? Please advise.
lol. We have to sue them to introduce this stupid lottery
They usually have proof that they nailed it back to you. So you may need to sue the postal company for damages.
I got my check cashed on 30th April.. got my receipt number on May 5th but my SEVIS is not updated yet.. My OPT Expires on July 10th.. I am AD/RP/CA.. Is it advisable to upgrade my case to Premium at this point or is it risky to do it now?
People are special. They like turtles. Can my turtle use H1B?
Is still there chances for nonAD/RP/CA? One of friend got intimated by my employer yesterday with receipt number dated apr 23rd. Are there still chances for me… Praying GOD who only cando Miracles.
GOD please help me ingetting
One of my friends got their receipt yesterday.. Do you have a way to check if your check has been cashed? Or are you just waiting for receipt number directly?
Wait for receipts unless your package returned most probably wait time end of this month
Any update from BAL Global?
Not yet. Still waiting
Thanks for the reply. Mine is also ‘Awaiting receipt’.
I don’t know whether they have started informing the employees or waiting to update once they receive all the receipts.
Up to my knowledge BAL is pretty slow in responding as they support most of the fortune 500 companies they are good in that level. So I would suggest you to wait until may mid. I can understand your feelings Nervous and sleepless nights. Same here buddy!!! Lets hope for the best. I will pray for you. In my case confident area is in my organisation only for me they have filed. So hope i will hear good news ASAP. NONAD/RP/VT
Thanks for that positive reply. I really needed it.
ok then.. lets wait for 1 more week.
For me BAL portal says “Awaiting receipt notice”. How about yours
Mine says “Filed and pending approval”, but no receipt number. Status has remained the same, since April 7. I’m non-AD/PP, so I’m pretty sure there’s no hope left.
Maybe they haven’t started sending the receipts. BAL lawyer told me to wait till next week.
Same here. As I remember they informed about received notices few weeks ago. But from last week there is no updates from BAL.
Even my status is “Awaiting”
I’m actually curious if anyone has got a receipt# through BAL? I’ve yet to see someone in this thread who would have had a receipt# reported by BAL.
@Googler: Don’t loose your hope buddy! We still have a week time. Even after that we have time until we received some response from USCIS. Pray pray pray!!! all will go good. I will pray for you 🙂
The same for me. No update on the portal. Non-AD/PP.
No update from BAL, “Awaiting receipt”.
@SomeGuy (http://redbus2us.com/h1b-visa-2016/comment-page-97/#comment-788415) said he received receipt from BAL on May 7th, he’s PP.
Still no response from BAL: “Awaiting receipt”.
@SomeGuy from this forum got his receipt from BAL on May 7th, he’s PP.
No update from BAL: “Awaiting receipt”.
@SomeGuy from this forum got receipt number from BAL, he’s PP.
That means they have started informing the PP guys now or they got the receipt number this week?
Hello All,
Today my petition got approved.
non-AD/PP/VT, single application from US employer
Receipt Date 04/20/2015
EAC15137XXXXX
Good luck to All!
Cheers
Is there still any hope for Non-AD/PP/VT candidates ?
I’m also non-AD/PP/VT. I’m pretty sure the ship has sailed.
God please help !! 🙁
cheque were cashed out on friday but still no receipt. ……
What is the problem with these people. Check was cashed but no receipt. You got selected so enjoy and pray that you don’t get RFE. Why even bother now. You will get your receipt and show some patience.
I think if they get receipt they will say why no approval. Always they have a why to ask.
Thank you for encouraging words.
The OP very well deserve those words. There are thousands waiting to get a good news. And this guys is complaining about not getting the receipt# after the check was cashed. USCIS is not our home country’s government to process the check and cheat by not sending the receipt#.
There are so many people who does not even have basic common sense to understand these things and just jump here with comments. Don’t understand what they will do in the US if they get the H1B.
@H1bJoker
Super ji.You are good.
Faith
Finally…
I got it… 🙂
it’s wac1514******
mil gaya na , abhi jada show karne ki jaroorat nahi hai . F you :p :'(((
hahaha 🙂
I have a good feeling I am getting my petition picked today PP . Fingers crossed .. Pray for me brother !!!!!!!!
That is my song.