If you were one of the unlucky ones not picked in whopping 233,000 H1B 2016 Lottery Applications , you might be already wondering when is the next H1B season going to start. Also, some of you may be studying in US and some working abroad and planning to work in US next year. This page will be constantly updated with the latest details and commonly asked questions around the next upcoming H1B Visa fiscal year of 2017 season news and updates.
[alert type=”warning” close=”false” heading=”H1B Visa Cap reached for FY 2017, Lottery Done “] On April 7th, H1B Cap for FY 2017 was reached. Lottery was done on April 9th. Read News Summary – Over 236,000 Petitions for FY2017 [/alert]
- H1B 2017 season start date ?
- H1B Cap for FY 2017- Regular ? Masters ?
- H1B 2017 Predictions? Lottery?
- H1B Lottery Myths ?
- How to plan for H1B FY 2017 ?
- How to find H1B Sponsors for FY 2017 ?
- What is H1B Fee ? Details
- Any impact of Comprehensive Immigration Reform(CIR) on H1B
- What is H1B LCA
- H1B 2017 Premium Processing
- H1B 2017 Case Tracker
- Latest News Update of H1B 2017
- When is the next H1B Season ?
- Sample H1B Reject Notices for FY 2017
When will the H1B visa 2017 season start ? Date ?
Short answer April 1st 2016. Typically, USCIS will start to accept petitions for the next fiscal year starting from April 1st of the previous fiscal year. USCIS fiscal year is from October 1st to September 30th. So, for H1B quota of fiscal year 2017, which starts from October 1st, 2017, USCIS would typically accept applications from April 1st, 2016. The H1B Visa 2016 season started on April 1st of 2015. Also, in the H1B Rejected Notices of 2016, USCIS mentioned that, the non-selected candidates can file H1B petitions for FY 2017 on or after April 1st, 2016.
USCIS announced on March 16th, 2016 that they will accept FY 2017 petitions from April 1st, 2016. Read Summary of USCIS press release FY 2017 .
Also, we have written an article summarizing on What to expect in H1B FY 2017 Season
What is H1B 2017 Cap ? What are the H1B 2017 Quota numbers ? Regular vs Masters ?
If you new to H1B, I suggest you read All about H1B Visa Cap- Regular vs Masters. In simple terms H1B cap is a congressional mandated maximum number of petitions that USCIS can accept in a year. As of now, below are the H1B cap number for fiscal year 2017. The below numbers are confirmed in press release by USCIS on Mar 16, 2016.
- Regular H1B Quota : 65,000
- H1B Master’s Degree Quota ( only US Master 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.
There have been many discussions around change in H1B cap numbers by Obama administration since 2013. The planned proposal was to increase the regular quota cap to 110,000 and Masters quota to 25,000. No changes for FY 2017, the above numbers of 65,000 and 20,000 are officially confirmed by USCIS in their press release.
What is H1B Visa 2017 Prediction? Will there be Lottery again for FY 2017
Update : USCIS Updated on April 12th, 2016 that they have received over 236,000 petitions for FY 2017 quota and the lottery was completed on April 9th.
Looking at the past trend of H1B season in the past three years, we could very likely have lottery for FY 2017. Last year for FY 2016 quota, there were 233,000 applications. We have done a detail analysis with the H4 Visa EAD rule in place considering the economy, students graduating, OPT news, etc. You should read article H1B Visa 2017 Lottery Prediction News, results, Date .
If H1B lottery, will there be any preference in lottery for Large companies ? Premium Processing
Well, no preference for anyone, all are treated equally, including premium processing. There are many such misconceptions about lottery process, we have compiled a list of such myths and criteria, you should read Myths of H1B Lottery, Criteria
When to plan for H1B visa 2017 Application ? How soon ? What should be the strategy ?
It is never too late to start planning for your H1B 2017 season. If you plan to work in US on H1B visa in the next coming fiscal year, below are some suggestions based on your situation.
- F1 Student in USA : If you are studying on F1 visa and about to graduate in next one year, you should seriously look at finding an internship or co-op at companies that can sponsor your H1B visa. You can search for H1B Sponsors in a particular area using our H1B Sponsors Search Tool and try to get an internship to work there on CPT or OPT after you graduate. This is a strategic move and will require sometime, so plan well.
- Professional from outside USA : If you are a working professional outside US, planning to work in US on H1B, your best bet is to find Multinational companies that have major US presence and secure a job there, so that you can position internally for applying to H1B visa, when the season starts. This is a very strategic decision, you need to carefully assess your options, speak to the company if such options exist and then only choose it.
- Other H4, L1 Visas : If you are on these visas, your best bet is to find companies just like I mentioned for F1 students that sponsor H1B visas and start interviewing and keeping the conversation going so that you can ask them to file H1B when the season starts.
We have put together a Step by Step Plan on How to apply for H1B 2017 Quota
How do I find a H1B Visa Sponsor – The most asked million dollar question ?
If you are student in the US, it is very straight forward, you find the list of H1B Sponsoring companies using the tool in an area as I mentioned above and get an internship in one of them so that they can sponsor your H1B visa. Unlike, if you are coming from outside US, it can be tricky. If you work for an Multinational company ( MNC), then they will have some internal process to pick the candidates and then process H1B visa for them…The other option that has been used and abused is the consulting companies route…Many a times, the H1B aspirants approach a body shop IT consulting company to file H1B for them and they apply for the same. It gets nasty with the body shop consulting companies. The comments on this H1B Companies Reviews article are quite eye opening. I advise, you beware of the consulting companies and avoid fraud. Also, WE as RedBus2US do NOT provide any guidance or assistance or sponsor anything. If someone claims that, it is pure fraud and they are trying to trick you, we are not responsible for that. Please be careful. Anyways, for various other options , You may read article How to find H1B 2017 Sponsors
What is the H1B visa 2017 filing fee ? Is it same or any changes ?
It changed slightly this year with the Omnibus Bill passed in December 2015, that will increase the H1B filing fee by $4000 for FY 2017, until 2025 for certain companies that have over 50 employees and have more than 50% of their employees as H1B or L1 visa holders in USA. Check USCIS Guidelines on H1B Fee increase. Depending on the size of the company, the H1B filing fee can vary anywhere from $1,600 USD to $7,400 USD + Attorney Fee. There are various fees components that make up this number range, for more details Read Summary of H1B Filing Fee 2017 – Who pays for What ? . Below is a high level summary. Also, one key change is that, there was $2000 USD additional filing fee as per Public Law 111-230, this law expired on Sep 30, 2015 and that is not included anymore.
| H1B Fee Component | Fee in USD |
| Base filing fee | $325 |
| AICWA Fee | $750 or $1,500 |
| Fraud prevent & detection fee | $500 |
| Fee based on Public Law 114-113 ( if applicable) | $4000 |
| Premium processing fee (Optional) | $1,225 |
| Immigration Attorney Fee | Varies from $500 to $3000 |
What about Comprehensive Immigration Reform(CIR) and Obama Executive Actions for H1B 2017 Quota Increase ?
There has been many articles and discussions since 2013 around immigration reform by President Obama and changes around and some like below have been discussed in the last couple of years, nothing moved significantly.
- 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 ( Part of this came up as the fee increase in Omnibus Bill )
- Additional H1B rules to avoid H1B Visa fraud by employers
- Mandatory LCA posting for 30 days before it is certified.
The current status on all of the above are basically “No updates”, there are no set deadlines for any of them and none of these are happening for FY 2017. You may read Summary of CIR Changes to H1B . Officially as per press release on March 16, 2016, the H1B cap is confirmed to be 65,000 for regular and 20,000 for masters…hence, no changes.
What is LCA for H1B Visa ? Processing times ?
LCA is a form that has to be filed with US Dept of Labor and get it certified before filing H1B petition with USCIS. It has to be sent along with H1B Package to USCIS. It has all the relevant information about the job position like wage, location, title, etc. It takes about 7 working days for processing of the LCA by US Dept of Labor (DOL). You can read complete details at Why is LCA Needed for H1B – Processing Time, Salary
USCIS Updated in their original press release on March 16, 2016 that the premium processing will begin no later than May 16, 2016. But, on April 22nd, they updated that the premium processing for FY 2017 will begin on May 12th, 2016. What it means is that the official 15 calendar day SLA for premium processing petitions will be starting from 12th. USCIS may process the petitions early as well, but officially their clock starts on that day.
H1B 2017 Case Tracker :
Did you apply for FY 2017 ? We have put together a tracker along with good graphs for analysis. It is completely anonymous as we do not capture your case number or any personal information. It is community contributed data, the more you add, the better for everyone, including You !
[prompt type=”left” title=”Track your H1B Case” message=” Anonymously Track your H1B Case – Share and Get updated from Community.” button_text=”H1B 2017 Case Tracker” href=”https://redbus2us.com/trackers/h1b-visa-tracker/”]
Most Recent News of FY 2017 H1B
Below is the most recent news regarding H1B 2017 season. You can check the updates page as indicated below for the full history and details.
- July 8th, 2016 ( Official ) : USCIS released a press note today indicating that they have completed returning all the petitions that were not selected in the H1B lottery for FY 2017. Read More details here
- May 2nd, 2016 ( Official Update ) : USCIS updated that data entry is complete for selected petitions in lottery. if you were selected, you should receive receipt notices in 2 to three weeks. If not, the chances are very slim to get selected. You should look at your plan B. Read H1B Data Entry Complete Article for full details
- April 22nd, 2016 : (Official Update) USCIS Updated that they will start premium processing from May 12th, instead of May 16th.
- April 12th, 2016 – 6:30 PM EST : Official Update : USCIS released a press note that H1B lottery was completed on April 9th and they received over 236,000 petitions for FY 2017 quota. Read Press Release Summary
- April 12th, 2016 – 11:50 AM CST ( Unofficial Update ) : It is reported on blog by attorney ( immigrationgirl ) that they have received about 40 email receipts of Premium Processing. What it means is that USCIS has already conducted lottery. We will keep you posted with updates. If I am not wrong, they are just drafting the press release now.
[prompt type=”left” title=”H1B 2017 – Latest News Updates” message=” Most recent and complete history of all latest breaking news updates from Official sources like USCIS and Unofficial sources for FY 2017 Season.” button_text=”Latest H1B 2017 News” href=”https://redbus2us.com/h1b-visa-2017-cap-count-updates-tracker-news/”]
When is the next H1B Season ?
The next H1B season starts on April 1st, 2017. Wondering about your next chance for H1B and various details about the next H1B season, check out H1B Visa 2018 FAQs
Sample H1B Reject Notices for FY 2017 ?
USCIS has started to mail out the reject notices for FY 2017 petitions that were not picked in lottery. It says that the start date for next year H1B season is April 1, 2017. You can check out the Sample Reject Notice for FY 2017, Details
We have many more FAQs around H1B Visa 2017. We will continue to keep updating the page with latest news and updates regarding FY 2017. Bookmark this page and keep checking for updates.
Non-AD/RP/CA, first time, single application – eagerly waiting, but I wish I could just know!
What is the progress for non-AD/RP/VT.
Eagerly waiting for receipt. very few are released any one there who got receipt??
Any one from MIT (maganti)
Hi ..
If the job location is Colorado, then which center that employer need to send the application either CSC or VSC ..
Would any one please tell….
California
CSC.
3rd time Non-AD/RP/CA eagerly awaiting for my receipt.
h1bslaughteragain ID will favour my luck.
Any update in immigration portal for non-ad/RP in persistent systems limited
Any one from Acceligent INC?
Yes i m also from acceligent..still waiting no news
No update?
Yesterday we got some people selected.. Mine is waiting
Yes Buddy. Waiting. Do you have any updates?
Did you get through the lottery?
Finally my husband git picked,2nd attempt,NON-AD/PP CSC centre. Still waiting for mine. Genuine single applications both the times.
When did USCIS send your husband’s lawyer the reciept?? Email?
Congrats . Which center ? Email or snail mail receipt? Did he get to know about it only today?
Doing 2nd attempt and this is Last attempt too for H1B. Will never touch it again. feeling frustration 🙁 🙁
Mine also brother
3rd Time
Non-AD/RP/CA Eagerly waiting for receipt.
h1bslaughteragain hopes this ID brings good look for me.
non ad/RP
My employer is based in Maryland , client location is in Virginia, where do you think my processing center would be ? VT ?
🙂
VT
What is the progress for non-AD/RP/VT.
Eagerly waiting for receipt.
Time the Killer.
Waiting….Waiting, clicking refresh button for new comments/mail, checking whatsapp… just to hear/see those golden words. Started checking this blog from 510th comment now it reached 5437 count.
Only 1 application. Non-AD/RP/VT… Still waiting.
All the best guys.
sorry it reaches to 5441 😛
2nd time .. Fingers crossed !!! Any updates from CTS?
This is my third time. Hope this name brings me luck too 🙁 .
I hope this ID works for me too and for all others too 🙂 I am a second time applicant.
Do we get receipt number only if it is selected in the lottery?
This is my second time filing for H1 Non-AD/RP waiting for the results…I have done through a consultancy and I am not sure even if they submitted my application. Is there any way we can know other than the FedEx number..they said that they hv submitted all the applications in bulk…
Same in my case also….
Is anyone from Capgemini received receipt?
I did not.
Dude r u Arun kumar Manivannan from siruseri ??
Anyway whats the last updated timestamp ??
S D Apr 26 2016 3:07 PM
Previously it was displaying some person name from immigration and mobility team.
Rajalakshmi P Apr 26 2016 3:34 PM
This information neither significant nor a lead for anything. I have followed this dept updt since last year.
how to check this last updated date in department. I am not able to find it in my visa
Yes.. Who is it?
Any update from CTS , Making us to wait too long . 🙁 🙁
Yeah. same here. was eagerly expecting yesterday! no luck. in a same situation today too!
Its directly impacting Productivity all over 🙁 🙁 🙁
🙂 That’s correct buddy
You’re right!
Yes exactly , Today my onsite definitely will do left and right on task completion progress 🙁 . Always in this forum 🙁
@AnotherCTS
LOL same here…
I feel like GIT has received updates coz i see lot of activity on myvisa portal from today noon.
I have checked with GIT team Executive and he informed they are receiving the receipts on daily basis and updating the individuals who got selected. It will go by end of May to know the final results.
All the best every one,waiting for Non-AD/RP results.
Please bless us ! Non AD – RP – CA !
Waiting for receipt !
Intrestingly I have visited Shirdi and Chiluri Balaji temple this summer. Let’s see what is the grace of god on me.
May God wish you success ! Hoping we get through this !
Please…
Buddy last year I have visited balaji temply.That was my first attempt H1b. not picked in lottery this is the second time applied from same employer. Let c.
Non Advance Degree – Regular Processing – 1st Attempt !
Eagerly Waiting and Praying ! 🙂
Trying luck once again this year….
@ cognizant /cts,
How does the department in my visa look now ??
**** shit
S D Apr 26 2016 3:07 PM
Previously it was displaying some person name from immigration and mobility team.
For me it is showing Apr 18 6.30PM
Hi All,
My employer is in florida miami i dont know under which center my application will go…any idea pls
This is first attempt NON AD / RP and when can i expect the results pls reply
I received my receipt number last Friday. It was Non-premium application.
Just now I received my receipt number and copy of I-797 from my employer. I had filed just one application and it was my 3rd year of trying to get lucky. Was completely in tears and couldn’t believe it happening. I wish best of luck to everyone here who is genuine and please have patience. Never lose hope.
Congratulations Seems.
Good you inspired us, keeping hope.
Thanks GoodGuy! 🙂 All the best!!
Hi Seems,
I am happy for you because I am sailing in same boat.
But I have few questions for you friend.
Was this through your employer or consultancy?
Wouldn’t you file second one if you have chance(means a position open for you there) but still failing H1 lottery continuously and you have enough money ?
Frankly I don’t have enough money else I would have tried..
So what’s genuine here Dude.
Everyone here is fighting for better chance and everything is fare at love and war?
Why are we trying show someone else as a reason for our Unlucky tears?
Once again I am really really happy for you and I wish GOD give me this joy ASAP ;)?
@Waiting.. Waiting … It was neither my current employer nor any consultancy. It was one US company who took 5 rounds of interview and said they will take care of my filings this year. By genuine I meant who are really genuine. Last year couple of my friends had filed H1B through 5 consultancies by paying money to all of them. One got 3 hits and other one got 2 hits. So together they wasted 3 lottery seats. I am sure many will argue on this because as per law it is okay. It’s my personal choice to go through one filing every year and try for lottery.
Congratz..
Congrats Bro …..
Hi Saurabh,
Can you include the timestamp as well for the comments. Some ppl says Non-AD/RP/CA got selected but as per immigration girl as of 2PM CST, none have been selected in that category. Just thought it will be useful to compare when the receipt has been received.
thank you for the wishes.
Got selected Non-Ad/RP. It was my first attempt single application. Wishing and hoping that everybody in this forum will be selected. God bless you all! Btw i used “h1bslaughteragain” as user name as it was always mentioned in this forum that this name is a lucky name. it might work for u too. Just try???.
Congrats bro ! 🙂
Non AD RP its second time waiting to hear from Cts. Hoping to hear positive result this time
Is it from Indian MNC or consultancy?
@repr
No its not from indian consultancy. im in a medical profession. I really wish evryone here will be selected
Hearty congratz bro..pray for us too..
When you got this update?
Non-AD/RP, 1st attempt single application. Waiting for the result.
Congratulations Dear
Luck is already decided, only the results has to come.
Just kidding. “H1bslaughteragain”
Congratz brother..waiting for Non-AD Regular. Hoping the best soon
Congratz Bro !!! 🙂
Mine also first time from Infy, Waiting for the positive result.
waiting..waiting..
When you got update?
Congrats, kept name as you mentioned. Wish your words come true for me. Genuine Non-AD/RP one petition only, last chance.
I am really worried, losing hope. Till when i can have hope ?
Me too Waiting for same from CTS
Congrats …. 🙂
Thanks to all! @repr I was informed today by my employer april26 8:00am uae time?
Congrats Medico…
Congratulations and Thank you 🙂
h1bslaughteragain
Congrats
Any news IBMer??
I am also waiting… there is no response from case manager
Not even a single infy who has been selected or got any update on give??
Read give as gics
Wt a stupid consultancy
Even they didn’t inform anything? When i asked cheque got cashed or not ?
No reply from them …. Pissed offff
No one i know from Infy who got an update from GISC
yeah.. No update from them. My doubt is…
1) Really they didn’t received any receipt number yet?
2) Got receipt, but not releasing the result?
GICS team not at all replying.
Any Infy guys got any update.. please post.
They only reply after AHD… many got reply
What reply did they get, the ack number or to check after may 15th??
Second last attempt this time, non-AD/RP
Really worried.
Hi All,
First attempt, 1 genuine application (Non AD/RP).
I got email from my employer from US saying below.
“Your application has been picked up in the random selection and will be taken for further processing”
My first and last name starting letters : B K
Hi guys,
I’m a single filling, Non-AD/RP/California. This is my third time applied for H1b visa. As you may can guess, first two times were not pleasant experiences. I’ve also been followed on this website for update information. I found this website is very informative and useful. A lot of you guys are very supportive and really trying to help and motivate people within this community. I appreciate it.
Today, My lawyer emailed me to let me know my case have been selected. Please don’t lose hope. Keep fighting!
-Much love
Great news! Congrats dude..
Friends,
I have a query to friends filed multiple petitions.
if you have filed multiple petitions, is there any case where more than one of your petitions got picked? As I was following this blog, I haven’t seen many of such cases
Yourbuddy
Any one from Capgemini…. any update
No not yet
We need to call up Mobility almost 10-15 times before they pick up the phone and convince them to provide the Receipt number, I have heard couple of them have received it from mumbai
CTS
Any update from Cognizant folks?
Nope.
2nd attempt, 1 genuine application. Attorney got receipt in mail
Congrats Bro….
Current Data: (% of informed candidates out of all selected candidates)
AD/PP/VT – 86.67 %
AD/PP/CA – 88.33 %
NonAD/PP/VT – 94.87 %
NonAD/PP/CA – 93.75 %
AD/RP/VT – 58.33 %
AD/RP/CA – 46.67 %
NonAD/RP/VT – 28.57 %
NonAD/RP/CA – 5.71 %
PP Candidates can hope till May 11th
RP Candidates can hope till June 1st week
All the Best…
Do not loose hopes & also this is not end of life
From where did you get this data…What’s your source. From my understanding, USCIS does not reveal such numbers.
this data is just bullshit.
Yes, looks accurate
Stop bullshitting people. You Jack ass.
Can anyone explain what is these terms everyone talking about ??
AD/PP , Non-AD/PP , NON-AD /REGULAR
AD – Advanced Degree
PP – Premium Processing
RP – Regular Processing
Anyone from Cognizant who got selected ?
Any updates from Infoscions?
No update
No Updates 🙁
We have wait for another one week
Not update yet…GICS portal still showing “AcknowledgeFromUSCIS”.
Guys, If selected what will be the next status?? Any idea?
Me2 from Infosys still didn’t get any update 🙁
Did anyone from CTS receive email from GIT on receipt till now?
Are you able to see FedEx delivery details in My Visa portal under Shipment/ Log?
Where to see that ?
Click on your Visa Case link–>Under “Case Info” (Left Navigation Menu)–> Shipping/Mailing Log
Not received.. I have checked with several CTS employees…no1 got picked yet 🙁
My Dear EPAMER’s Any update from Management…
@CA : Today I saw Least Number of receipts/Case created in 13 days
– 583
@VM : Highest Number of Receipts/Cases Created in 13 days
-5876 a good number of PP and I539
I was sincerely reading all the comments for last 20 days and i almost lost my hope that this time my petition will not pick in lottery. Being a 3rd time, today morning i got mail from BAL i was picked in lottery. It was for NONAD-RP. Iam from CSC chennai and i also wish who genuinely filed and waiting for results. God is there kumarau!!!!
Wow.. Congrats
Wts your email of CSC , I will get in touch with you on skype..
I was also from BAL non ad/RP waiting to hear from them,guys any more BAL people got update.
My centre is VT
Is it possible to get our SEVIS ID by giving our last name and DOB ,since my employer is not sharing my sevis Id to me ..please help me on this
My coworker is picked today she’s AD/PP. I’m non-ad/pp. i was about to lose all the hope but i will wait til may 11th. Unless you work for USCIS, don’t say there isn’t any hope for Ad/pp or non-ad/pp. also for the people who double applied, go to hell
Congrats to your coworker. I am also in same category as you. Good luck for you. Never say never.
I heard PP closed but my friend got email today , but date is different in online status i don’t know what happening can i still hope or forget.
Who told you it’s closed? Nobody really can tell that unless it’s official that USCIS announced
There’s no such thing called “closed” until May 12th.
Thank you ! I agree and I am with you.
Non-AD/PP
CTS folks, any updates received overnight???
Cts not yet waiting !!!!!
YAY got selected Non-AD/Regular/VA – One application and I am the first in the company to get selected.
@Selected H1B
Congratulations……!!!!! Please tell us your first letter of your first name and last name….
HG
Just wondering.. How do the initials matter ? Why did you ask that? What information does it give you? Is there a specific order in which ppl are informed if selected in the lottery? And if yes, is it just hear-say or verified information?
Thanks
Does this first Letter of first and last name matters ?
So we are assuming that USCIS is sending notification in NON-AD / REGULAR in sorted manner by name?
I don’t think so. It’s totally random!
Do you think USCIS sends receipt in alphabetical order? LOL. …… V intelligent !!
No. they will right all the names in piece of papers, shuffle and then throw it on the floor. Finally they will pick some randomly.