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H1B Visa 2017 – News, Quota, Cap, Predictions, Lottery, FAQs

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]

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 

H1B Visa 2017 Premium Processing Time :

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.

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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23,619 Comments

  1. IBMers, any updates??
    Until when can we realistically be hopeful?
    Asking if any one of u has a source in immi. team

    Reply
  2. Hi Guys i got the lucky mail yesterday that i got selected in the lottery. I am Non AD/RP/VT. Wish everyone of you all the very best.

    Reply
  3. Hi Guys!!

    My Petition got selected in…

    i received my mail from CTS GM team yesterday night 9:15 PM with below

    The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) issued confirmation (receipt) notice for the H-1B New CAP-2016 petition filed on your behalf.

    Thanks Guys for regular updates!!!

    All the best for others…

    Reply
    • I got Receipt Notice from Fragomen…Only one genuine petition…First Attempt …Non AD/RP/VM….:-)….All the best for all of you…Hope all genuine get selected.

      Just one question: Can H4 dependents work in US now???????????????//

      Reply
          • Best of luck,

            The dependents on H-4 can only work if they have an EAD. This EAD is issued only if:
            1. You (H-1 holder) have spent 6 years inside US on H-1 and are now on 7th year of H-1
            2. Have an approved I-140. This is issued as part of your green card processing.

            If you are just moving to US, then your wife may not be able to work for 1-2 years, which is typically the time it would take to get I-140 approved.

      • After 24 hours of one communicator mail ,receipt notice are updated in digital docs section in my visa . other than that no fields are updated .

        Reply
  4. Till which date we can expect NonAD/RP results?

    Hoping for good news ,all the best of luck for who are waiting for results.

    Reply
    • I got Receipt Notice from Fragomen…Only one genuine petition…First Attempt …Non AD/RP/VM….:-)….All the best for all of you…Hope all genuine get selected.

      Just one question: Can H4 dependents work in US now?????????

      Reply
  5. Im a first time applicant with a legit company. Got picked non ad rp vt. Question i have is, i see some current h1b holders here who re applied for extensions. If you have h1b why not apply for green card after a year or two? Or is it difficult to do that? Thanks in advance. Hope you all the best.

    Reply
    • Jluck,

      Couple of reasons:
      1. Not all employers are willing to file Green Card for you
      2. Green card processing is delayed for several years (may be decades for EB-3 India) and hence H-1 extension is the only option to continue to stay and work in US.

      Reply
      • Hi saurabh… I was picked up in lottery…just wanted to know if my wife who would be on h4 visa can work???if yes what are the requirements???

        Reply
  6. I randomly checking PP cases and noticed, USCIS sending out emails for Premium processing approvals/RFE’s.

    EAC1613652731: RFE On April 26, 2016
    Case History
    04/13/2016
    We received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and emailed you a receipt notice. It is being processed at our Vermont Service Center location.
    04/13/2016
    We received your request for premium-processing of your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and mailed you a receipt notice.

    EAC1613652745: Approved On April 25, 2016
    Case History
    04/25/2016
    We approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.
    04/13/2016
    We received your request for premium-processing of your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and mailed you a receipt notice.
    04/13/2016
    We received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and emailed you a receipt notice. It is being processed at our Vermont Service Center location.

    EAC1613652750: Approved On April 22, 2016
    Case History
    04/22/2016
    We approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.
    04/13/2016
    We received your request for premium-processing of your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and mailed you a receipt notice.
    04/13/2016
    We received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and emailed you a receipt notice. It is being processed at our Vermont Service Center location.

    Reply
  7. when we get anything at one shot we won’t realise the value this h1 lottery will make all potential immigrants to think about returning back to their home country and make them stay in USA. the reason is when usdinr came to 38 in 2007 many moved back to India and hereafter they won’t and will stay there and contribute to Usa housing industry .anyhow this my third attempt. First in 2008 screwed becuase of multiple petitions and later may 2008 cap usicis proposed new rule to restrict multiple filings 2015 cap and 2016:cap$$$

    Reply
    • I got Receipt Notice from Fragomen…Only one genuine petition…First Attempt …Non AD/RP/VM….:-)….All the best for all of you…Hope all genuine get selected.

      Just one question: Can H4 dependents work in US now????????????

      Reply
  8. Hi Saurabh,

    Today I called my employer and he said he received an e-mail from uscis on 15th April 2016 stating, “Your Petition has been filed” and my employer is saying there no case number.

    What does this mean??

    Reply
      • diwaker,

        For folks on F-1 who applies for H-1 along w/ COS, their SEVIS record has that update to show that SEVIS entry will be closed as change of status is pending. This is not applicable to others who are not on F-1 or are on F-1 but didn’t apply for COS.

        Reply
    • KV,

      If the petition was applied in PP, then the email should include receipt number as well. The employer should follow-up w/ USCIS about it. Are you sure that your employer is not taking you for a ride?

      Reply
      • Hi Saurabh/kumar,

        do you mean to say my application picked in Lottery per below email?

        Today I called my employer and he said he received an e-mail from uscis on 15th April 2016 stating, “Your Petition has been filed” and my employer is saying there no case number.

        Reply
        • KV,

          USCIS doesn’t send any emails for petitions that are not selected in lottery. So if your employer indeed received something directly from USCIS, then it would mean case has been selected in lottery. Again, it should have a receipt number.

          So I am not sure what your employer received. If he is as worried as you are, then he should be following up w/ USCIS to know more about the case. If not, he is making up things.

          Reply
  9. Got email today that my application is picked up. AD/RP/CA. One genuine application. Hope, all genuine single application get picked up. This forum has been a tremendous help.

    Reply
  10. I didn’t receive any notification from my employer. However, when I contacted my DSO, she sent me the receipt number which when I checked online says “Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was Emailed”. Does that mean my application was picked and was it filled under premium processing?

    Reply
    • Kann,

      Yes, it has been selected and from text it looks like PP. Let your employer know about this and they/attorney can follow-up w/ USCIS on receipt notice.

      Reply
  11. Today I have to pack my bags and leave US even with a valid H1b since my husband did not get through lottery this year too.

    Non AD /RP/VT Second attempt

    Frustrated with this lottery, power ball is much better at least you know when you can expect your result.

    BYE BYE USA, Singapore is calling me.

    Hope says you can always come back , there is always a next May 🙂

    Reply
  12. Today I called my employer and he said he received an e-mail from uscis on 15th April 2016 stating, “Your Petition has been filed” and my employer is saying there no case number.

    What does this mean??

    Reply
  13. I received notification for COS H4 today. My husband yet to receive any notice for Non AD/RP. I suppose he has been selected?

    Reply
  14. On April 29, 2016, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC1614852190, and emailed you a receipt notice. It is being processed at our California Service Center location. The notice describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

    Is the PP still on ? Confused

    Reply
  15. Got my receipt yesterday.
    RP/ADV/CSC. This is my first attempt , so happy.
    Bless all the people with only one genuine application.
    Hope petitioners from Infosys CTS and TCS will not be selected
    Hope multiple application petitioners will be denied and revoked.

    Reply
  16. Received case number
    NON-AD/RP/CA

    No words to explain my happiness….
    Uscis sent it on 25th and attorney received today.
    Good luck everyone

    Reply
  17. Just got the notice from IBM, it was ad/npp/vt. It shows the receipt data is 4/11. So IBM is slowwww. So hang in there IBMer!

    Reply
  18. Hope is slowly dying for NON-AD /REGULAR PROCESSING.

    Next week is the last week where 95% of the applications will be notified.

    Expect the announcement from USCIS soon on data entry completion.

    Reply
  19. Trying to get some positivism lets say you get a VISA done and all formalities cleared in October, what will be your ideal location and CTC/annum ?

    Reply
  20. My employer told me 10-11 applications picked in the lottery with this. He told me to wait till may end. What are the chances mine getting picked lottery. I am still waiting. My employer told me to wait till may end…….

    Reply
  21. So sad to see less receipts generated from VT and CA today.
    Most of them not of I-129 dated April 11.
    Is this to clear or backlog or are they soon announcing to end this!!!
    Not to deteriorate.. hopefully waiting for my spouse to be picked up

    Reply
  22. Finally received it today.
    non-AD/RP/VT.
    Lived in US since 2008, did my BS, got the job, applied from US twice. had to come back since opt expired. My company was kind enough to let me work from home as a contractor. now got it in third time.

    Reply
  23. today is going to close @ 5
    sat and sun no big notifications
    monday/tuesday it will come to a close
    and data entry will be done 🙁 🙁

    Reply
  24. Is there any hope for Non AD RP CA still ?
    First time n need it very badly.. Totally out of options.. Please God !

    Reply
  25. Waiting for a selection call desperately.No emails..no calls..no cheques cashed yet for me.God please help me.non ad rp ca.

    Reply

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