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H1B Visa 2017 News Updates, Fees , Lottery Predictions, LCA - Processing Times, FAQs.

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

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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

  2. I accept everyone who have applied single petition have come from very difficult hurdles in life so has me .
    I came to USA on H4 (Male)leaving my job in India who was working for MNC for my wife who has H1B .
    with God grace got sponsor here and they only applied for h1B .
    NoN AD /RP/VER
    nOw waiting for Lottery

    Reply

    • Dont worry , even i am in the same boat, even i came on H4 and applied last year but it did not happen, so waiting for this year result with same single petition, but losing hope of getting it through this year also.

      Reply

  5. God please send my receipt number soon !!!
    This wait is killing me !
    Guys.. M sorry for everyone who is going through this pain.. I know how hurting n depressing this process is… Unfortunately this is not designed by our own country to go n fight against… All we can do is sit tight n pray..

    M praying … Non AD RP CA.. M confident I will get is soon… I hope the same for u all.. All the best !

    God bless us !!!

    Reply

  6. Thursday 28th is the last day, if your checks were not cashed by 29th your game over…
    USCIS planned maintenance on may 1st so ideally data entry is complete by 29th.
    You might receive receipts next week if they are processed by 29th.

    Lost again…

    All the best for next year

    Reply

    • small correction

      Thursday 28th is the last day, if your checks were not cashed by 28th your game over…
      USCIS planned maintenance on may 1st so ideally data entry is complete by 28th.
      You might receive receipts next week if they are processed by 28th.

      Lost again…

      All the best for next year

      Reply

    • My Friend What is the relation between Maintenance and Data entry… Maintenance is some updates in software or server. Its not because of data entry system got tired and giving sleeping tablet to system.. Till 11th time is there, dont worry….

      Reply

      • Do you think USCIS is such an unplanned organization which will do update of software or server in the middle of some thing ?

        I am a system administrator and I know when organizations plans for any upgrade or maintenance definitely not in the middle of something.

        No offense you can keep your hopes alive.
        After all hope is the essence of life

        Reply

        • Commonsense!! Babu

          That is your perception, which is completely wrong.

          Maintenance could be of any type, hardware, software, etc.. always happens after a database backup.
          But there is no maintenance happens over stored data (information) :P.

          I am a DBA , i know more about maintenance than a System Admin.
          So stop spreading rumors and unnecessarily discourage others.

          Guys do not loose your hope… until your Employer/Attorney say its over.

          Reply

  7. Waiting anxiously for my Brothers result. I truly wish he gets through this and get picked…please pray for him…My prayers to everyone else here…

    Reply

  8. Question to CTS guys who got your reciepts:-

    Are you the only ones from your account who got mail, or multiple people got mail, coz last yr on 29th apr 98% of the cts h1b candidates got mail

    Just trying to get idea of the scenario this year.

    Please reply

    Reply

  11. Hi,
    My company has filed an H1-B petition under the non-master’s quota, regular processing. The check is not encashed yet. How long do I wait to conclude the petition was not picked up? Till when do they keep getting debit notes?

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply

  13. Hi Surabh and H1B folks,

    I got a update from my employer that my Check has been en-cashed on 28th and Still waiting for receipt… Can I consider my application picked in lottery ?

    Reply

  22. Received the beautiful email from my attorney this morning saying she got it last night that I got the lottery along with the receipt number. I am AD/PP/CA. One genuine application, Electrical Engineer core sector (Screw these fraudulent consultancies)
    Good luck everyone!

    Reply

    • Hi hulk,
      Am also non AD PP CA.
      Can you give me some details about ur receipt date, notice date, service center etc? Did you get email or letter of confirmation or both

      Reply

  27. Hi,
    Can you please give more details about receipt date, notification date in your case.

    Also did you receive email or post or both? How many days apart?
    Also which was ur center ?

    Reply

  29. Picked in lottery. non-AD/ PP. I hope only genuine applicants with single application get picked. Wishing all the best for people going through this lottery thing, 2nd, 3rd or last time – especially those with education in US. Don’t lose hope yet. There is still time till May 15th. If you don’t get a receipt by May 22, you have not won the lottery. May be destiny has something else for you.

    Options for those who don’t clear the lottery:
    1. Consider applying for Canadian Work Permit. If you have the right skills, education, work experience, it should not be very difficult..
    2. Go back to your home country. If you wish to work in US, ask your employer to sponsor L-1 (Intra company work visa for you). This is the best option if you work for a reputed company with global operations.
    3. New Zealand is another good option for people wishing to have a good quality of life ( equivalent to US). There may not be many opportunities for career advancement.
    4. If you are in US, enroll in a university. This is a very risk option for people who already completed their bachelors/ masters degree in US. You’re not eligible for OPT for your second masters.
    5. If you work in engineering/ automotive field, Germany is a great option. If your company has operations in Germany, ask them to move you to Germany as a short term option.

    Reply

    • Even I am in same boat.
      Saurabh, can you please advise, what are the realistic chances of PP non AD CA getting any notifications now?
      Thanks

      Reply

      • OldH1,

        HulkGotH1B user just mentioned that his/her attorney received email last night for AD/PP/CA. So PP receipts are still trickling down. In other words I would say its possible but not quite probable.

        Reply

        • Thanks Saurabh,
          I guess I will have to wait till May 15th or even later (till the employer decides) for the plan B to be activated by the employer

          Reply

  32. Hello guys for those NON-AD/RP got picked what could be the possible time frame for the whole process till Visa Stamping.

    TIA

    Reply

  33. I want to know, that on what ground ppl get RFE….
    I get it like it is some problem with the evidence submitted to USCIS…
    What I see my employer has only submitted degree certificates, mark sheets and passport scan copy….so is there anything else which gets you into RFE…

    Reply

  36. Just got news yesterday afternoon that my h1b got picked up. Non-ad/RP/CA. A couple of things:

    – From all my readings, wait until mid-May (around 5/14) for RPs then chances are slim. There WILL still be new mails come in from now till mid-May. So keep your fingers crossed.

    – Have your plan B already, that’s what I did.

    – I’m not from the Indian community and I don’t understand why the hell some people would file multiple applications (more than 2) just for the sake increase the odds? Apparently there’s only one spot you can take. So give other people chances and don’t screw them over.

    – This lottery system is kind of, stupid.

    Reply

    • I don’t have any plan B.
      Share ur plan B.
      What other options do we have other than h1b?
      I appreciate if u can suggest something.

      Reply

    • I think the same. Stupid lottery system and cheating applicants with multiple petitions
      Here what we can do least
      petitions.whitehouse.gov//petition/unpicked-h1b-petitions-should-be-subjected-2nd-round-lottery

      Reply

    • @DK
      Congrats. I totally agree with u. I have heard many cases till now where ppl went for multiple petition and more than one picked up for them. Just bcoz of these guys many other genuine guys lost chance of getting selected. I am non-ad/rp/vt one petition only, last chance. I wish that some miracle happen and I also share that good news

      Reply

  39. Loosing hope gradually with time.employer is saying to wait for next 2 weeks. Ny idea till when I can expect non ad/rp/vt ?

    Reply

          • Don’t get mis guided by stupid comments in the forum. Few people put any thing….Ny data here. Still hope is there n few of my frnds got confirmation yestrday. M also waiting. Game is not yet over. Stay connected with ur faith. Ur destiny will connect u with ur dream:)
            Best of luck.
            Nd yes for good luck u can also change ur name to h1bslauhteragain 🙂

  40. Hello friends,

    Is there any chance for non-ad/rp/ca… Is there chances of cheques encashing in May… Is there still chances of good news next week …

    Reply

  41. Desperately waiting to hear the magic word, you are picked up in lottery. I am Non AD/RP/CSC, Any idea, will it go till mid May.

    Reply

  42. Any one from deloitte USI heard about the status? I haven’t got it yet so I guess the game is over as Deloitte does PP only AFAIK.

    Reply

  45. Hi all
    I think game over for Non- AD/RP as there is no information from company..Waiting waiting really this process is not at all good..Got the news that he is selected who is applied through consultancy but there is no response from company..They are not responding even we asked ..Just one thing I want to check wherther they applied for my h1 application or not..is there any chance to know that by giving company name/name/email..Please am asking this second time there is not response from you guys ..I can understand all are eagerly waiting for the result..Saurabh am expecting reply from you atleast..

    Thanks in advance..

    Reply

  46. Admins,

    Is it possible to restrict the name H1BSLAUGHTERAGAIN from everywhere in this forum , coz some idiot accidently got selected last year and all the pigs are following the same…

    Seeing that name again really frustrates me and all those who didnt get selected…

    I know its not possible but why is it luck always happens to all superstious idiots

    Reply

    • Well, it will just moderate the comment and hold it for admin approval, but will not prevent it. It is too much of work to moderate hundreds of comments. Just take it easy my friend…it is what it is…cannot prevent everyone from their beliefs…

      Reply

    • FYI, it was not an idiot who got selected last year. That user name has been there for a couple of years now, and is kind of a superstition here in this blog to use that. Guess you are only here last year and this year. The username is more experienced here in this blog than you are. You just need to take it easy and keep this blog, comments and discussions about updates that are actually relevant to this year’s processing and not about the dishes we like or dislike.

      Reply

  50. Hello My fellow Infosians,

    Any update on H1b? Many of the people from other MNCs already received the update from their GI team…… When is our turn??? Eagerly waiting

    Reply

    • All the selected cases notification comes with in 2-3 weeks of May under different batches.

      Also, it was given in alphabetic reverse order (z-a) from infy as per last year trend.

      As per last year, it should be already started in this cycle. But no updates., so far.. Managers stating mid may.

      Non selected cases will be known, if we are calling the GI from may end onwrds.

      And Mine is 3rd tym..

      Reply

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