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.
Does data entry complete mean all the reciepts are sent out ? No more hopes for RP ?
How many from avani have recieved reciepts ?
Still waiting for update. Has anyone got any mail or update in immigration portal. Persistent systems.
uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-completes-data-entry-fiscal-year-2017-h-1b-cap-subject-petitions
It says Data entry is complete .. Does this mean who havent yet recieved any notifications werent selected in the lottery ?
uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-completes-data-entry-fiscal-year-2017-h-1b-cap-subject-petitions
This wait is dreadful….HR logistics should tell the results now..for what are they waiting now….
I have applied for H1b premium regular cap…do I have chance of getting selected…
I am just waiting like you…. Let’s give it some more time till mid of may… I still have hopes.
I am on the same boat….lets wait till 12th May.
Nirmalbaba luck luck luck
@DataScientist
Any such observation on WAC receipts?
No Updates from GICS!!! So all petitions from Infosys are considered as rejected???
Did u raise any AHD?
Hehe, in that case we all will quit at once, en masse 😀
Don’t worry bro, we will get positive updates in the coming days, good luck.
These guys are really testing our patience now-a-days..
I am sure they already received H1 receipt numbers, but purposefully hiding it.
Waiting…. Waiting…
Guys, Last year, when they announced the H1B results?. Do any one of u remember that?
Last year, as far as I can remember the last few people get their updates in the first week of June. After that nothing. Good luck, keep calm and keep waiting.
In Infy also, if you dont get the results by May 3rd week, chances are very slim.
Last year , i remember, my colleagues got selection info in may 2nd week and 3rd week.
Joke of FY2017.
Simple Analysis, Its threat for Indian IT Companies.
If Infy/TCS/Wipro/Tech M/.. etc. disclose Lottery details so early, then their employes may start looking jobs and Resign.
Correct me if I am wrong!!!!!
Any hope for RP now ????
uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-completes-data-entry-fiscal-year-2017-h-1b-cap-subject-petitions
Babaji, just chill
Have to receive petition for NON AD/RP from Vermont (EAC) by Friday (May 6). EAC161455**** receipt of 24th April was received on 28th April, EAC161465** recipt of 25 April was received on 29 April, Few guys got EAC161475** as well yeasterday on May 2. Data entry is done until EAC16151****. Only 148, 149,150,151 has to be delivered. 99% of the petitions would be delivered on Friday. remaining 1% by next week. Hoping for the best !!
@DataScientist
Any such observation on WAC receipts?
I assume that the petitions that are selected in the cap have statuses that start with – “On April 11th we received your request for….”. I don’t see any such status after WAC-16-148-5-XXXX.
All the status from 149 have dates after April 11th.
WAC1614450*** has notice date as APR 25th
I assume that the petitions that are selected in the cap have statuses that start with – “On April 11th we received your request for….”. I don’t see any such status after WAC-16-148-5-XXXX.
All the status from 149 have dates after April 11th.
Anyone raised AHD? what is the response from AHD? Are they responding with a big paragraph mentioning it could take 5 months to know the status?
No use raising AHD, they will come up with the same reply. Let’s wait for one more week. Good luck
Hey any one from Nam tech consultancy. I didn’t get any update about them ….worried
Thirdtimelucky congrats
I have been reading posts here for few days now and as everybody I am also tensed but finally got result and thank god its 2nd time try for me and finally my H1 got picked in lottery and applied as NoN AD/RP
All the best for people who are yet to recieve the update
Is ur centre CA or VT? did u get ur receipt or cash enchashed today ???
Center is VT and I got receipt
NirmalBaba 3rd time please help.
TGIF
Any Update from WIPRO?
uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-completes-data-entry-fiscal-year-2017-h-1b-cap-subject-petitions
My lord I am nervous please get me file number please
Any news for Infosys ?
No News yet from Mys DC. Going Crazy
Hi Guys, Any one from HCL here, who received any updates from ISG ??
Saurabh,
based on history, is that RP receipt numbers are already done?? what may be the last date for it…
Joe Baby,
There may still be receipts in transit. All of them should be received by mid next week.
No updates from HCL..
WPC SpoC asking to wait until end of May
None yet…
Just got word from attorney, my case got picked up in lottery…non ad/Regular/Ca…this was my third attemp…single pettition everytime…
Hi Saurabh, 5 days back when I checked with My employer he was telling total 21 cheques are cashed (employer location NJ) and when I spoke with him yesterday night he is telling the same count 21 only. Is this possible? From last 5 days no updates on count, it means the game is over? Mine Non AD/RP, Thanks
Sai,
Yes, this is possible that no new check was cashed in past 5 days. As data entry was just completed, give it another few days. Maybe receipt is in transit and it is not 100% guaranteed that check will be cashed prior to receipt. However, realistically speaking, odds are not in your favor.
Thanks for the updates, can I know the center for NJ?
Sai,
That would be Vermont.
When will I know if my application got approved? Non AD/PP here. Received date april 11
Regular processing game over??? USCIS said that they will send all the non selected list from now….but didnt mentioned that they completed receipt notifications …..hide and seek
USCIS never said they have sent out all the receipts. The news just mentions that they will start sending the rejected ones.
Please answer. I’m confused,
Official start date of PP is May 12. So you should know by May 29 about your approval/denial, unless RFE is issued.
Thank you Saurabh!
I thought USCIS will process my application within 15 days after the received date stated in the notice.
Oh well, I guess I still need to wait for a month. Keep on praying and believing in Jesus!
At first I thought you(Saurabh) are confused. hahahahahahah….
Hi,
Mine is RP still no mail nor info from my employer….how much more time does it take???
Why service based companies doesn’t reveal the result of the Lottery as and when they receive an update from USCIS?
Even I don’t understand motive behind it . Why they keep suspense with them f?
Bcoz they are allergic to attrition.
yes, really they dont understand how it will be frustrating for the one who is still waiting for a +ve result.
If we ask they are just telling it will be revelaed only by JULY. Really @$@#$ 🙁
Have heard that Mobility team would start sending out updates starting from tomorrow. 🙂
From where did you hear this ?
Game Over guys. 🙁
No new cheques will be cashed from today onwards. So if your cheque is no cashed, its over for you and me as well.
This has been one frustrating month. Atleast I will be able to concentrate on something better now. Just couldnt take the sleepless nights and daydreams 😀
All the best for everyone who got selected and who are not. We will all get where are meant to be.
Are you sure?
Any update from Infosys?
Any one from connvertex technologies received their receipt no? I am waiting for same.
Anyone got update from TCS.
Any updates from Logic Planet…
Nope not yet. I guess it will take another couple of weeks
Nope. mailed chennai team. Got updated that ISU RMG ppl will be getting the updates.
I am also waiting for Update from Logicplanet……..
No Update as such till now…
I think game over 🙁
I got a golden mail of Congratulation from my Employer today morning 5 AM
I have got picked up in lottery. Non AD/RP . If you need my first character
of firstname and lastname are ‘P’ and ‘S’
Thanks Redbus for providing min by min update.
Employer told me that receipts are going to come in large number in coming
days, many of you guys will hear same news soon.
I pray for all of you, and definitely you will hear that golden word.
Game Over,
redbus2us.com/uscis-news-data-entry-complete-h1b-fy-2017-petitions/
Maximum within next 3 days all receipt will receive concern Attorney…
I received an email from my employer stating a Receipt Number. Does this mean mine was picked in lottery ?
Hey what is the first letter of First and Last name
Who is your employer?
Many Congratulations Bro. U r from which organization?
Congratulations. Who is your employer?
Seems the results are sent based on first name alphabet order?
How can u say this? 1st letter of my name starts with letter “S”, does it mean, I will be notified late?
Congrats man , I am still waiting
May I know ur employer ???
Waiting for update. Has anyone got any mail or update in immigration portal. Persistent systems
Anyone applied through Logic Planet? I have not received any updates from them so far.
No Waiting for update from them
Has anyone in Infosys got update on their status?
The GI team is still asking us to wait until mid May.
No not yet..still waiting
Did you raise AHD? what did they reply in AHD?
I raised the AHD request last week. On friday(29thApril) they said , they have not received any response from USCIS and asked to wait.
If anyone knows the detail. pls update. Trying to know as how many received and the percentage we can expect this week.
i think its game over bro…many ppl got it last week itself…i dont think we should keep false hopes…i am a firsttimer , trying to absorb that shit happens
Are you going to count all the comments who say picked up? ?
Hey guys has anyone mentioned that USCIS has completed data entry? I think we need twenty more posts reminding us of this!!!
USCIS announced on May 2, 2016, that it has completed data entry of all fiscal year 2017 H-1B cap-subject petitions selected in our computer-generated random process. USCIS will now begin returning all H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected.
Is there any more hope for RP , NOn AD
Hi Saurabh,
My employer says that some cheques are cashed but there are no names in the cheques so he doesn’t know who is selected until the receipts arrive. Is this possible? How do employers/ attorneys normally track the cheques?
Thanks!
Generally they put the name in the Memo of cheques. So that when it gets encashed they can see it in the bank statement. The other is to track with cheque number. Good luck.
3rdtime-unlucky,
I agree w/ what SJ said. That’s what a smart employer would do.
Hi, this might be a stupid questions, USCIS notify attorneys by sending receipt notice through mail only?
H1B plz,
For RP, they will send receipts through regular USPS mail.
What does ‘Received H-1B receipt notice from USCIS’ mean in fragomen portal ??
You got it I guess – what is fragomen portal? I did with fragomen but i didnt know there was something like that
They have a portal to track the progress of the case
Can you give me which website that is? I can’t find on google. Thanks a lot
I think they give it only the partner firms ! probably !
Hey what is the first letter of First and Last name
Could anyone let us kno the chances of receiving receipt numbers in CTS in the coming days. As far as I kno, only few of my friends or colleagues got til now. Not sure GM team has released all the selected candidates.. Pls help !!!
Please reply if anyone has got to know the details.
Pls update if anyone has got details on my above question.
Today is 3rd May, and I didn’t received any information. That means game over for me 🙂
same here
USICS Statement:- Additionally, USCIS is transferring some Form I-129 H-1B cap subject petitions from the Vermont Service Center to the California Service Center to balance the distribution of cap cases.
So this means the applications from Vermont were selected high in lottery compared to California. Did anyone know where Infosys will be sending..
I got information my attorney that my cheque got encashed , does it mean I got selected in lottery?
How long it takes to get the receipt number?
Hi,
Mine is from Vermont Service Center
Is anyone applied through Jsmn inc .? Anyone picked ? Non-Ad/RP
Bro i am also in same boat waiting waiting…..
Still waiting for good news, Non AD/RP/VT
Techies should not assume anything without proof….
stop assuming until you get your packet back 🙂
http://redbus2us.com/h1b-lottery-receipts-waiting-premium-vs-regular-processing/
Any one from wipro received?
Frustrated….the receipt generation was happening till EAC16149*****; From the comments it is evident that people got notifications up to EAC16147. Means another 2 days of data are yet to notified…..Any idea on cheque en-cashment? Is it worth to keep hope if our cheque is not en cashed?
When will be the H1b application approved for Regular processing if there is no RFE?
What is the earliest date, one can attend H1b interview for stamping?
RKP,
Regular processing should result in adjudication within 2-6 months. Some may extend for up to a year, especially if stuck in security check.
Earliest date to go for visa stamping is July 1 (assuming petition is approved by then).
Thank you sourab
Hi Saurabh ,
2-6 months starting from April 1st or from lottery completion date?
Thanks
RKP,
I don’t think they would touch RP processing until PP processing has been done, as the latter carry SLA. So it may start getting picked up after May 27 and may see progress thereafter.
Today I got email from my attorney. My application got selected in lottery. NonAD/RP. WAC-16-146-*****. Notice date April 26
Hey what is the first letter of First and Last name