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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. Hi,

    Got the receipt number today !!

    Fragomen applied my H1B.
    Received Date: April 11, 2016
    Notice Date: April 27, 2016
    Got confirmation from employer: May 5th, 2016

    Reply

    • Hey which quota was it in PP or RP? and which center CA or VT

      I am also through Fragomen but they said no hopes now.

      Reply

  6. My status on GICIS portal is AcknowledgefromUSCIS”

    But in mail, its mentioned, If selected your stage will move from “AcknowledgebyUSCIS” to “PetitionStatus”.

    How can that be possible??????

    There is a difference in status here “from” and “by”

    Anybody noticed this ? or has got any understanding on this? Please comment

    Reply

    • That means your Application is received by USCIS and will update after ur Petition is Approved…it will be changed to Petition Status

      Reply

    • Think they are starting to sort the mails from USCIS and update GICS. Not sure.

      But do let us know if anyone from Infy got notification. Thanks

      Reply

    • Chillout Buddy… Have a drink & relax… What is going to happen will happen…it’s not in your hands…Stay Positive and go ahead with Life…..

      Reply

      • Yes ..correct…just chill. I was stressing my mind till yesterday. I gave up and completely relaxed…. Have a drink and check after weekend dude…. Enjoy your weekend

        Reply

          • Yes…few guys received receipt from Vermont center last week…I believe no one received from CA center….Hope they will update today’s night.

        • One person in my account, got to know that his FY 16 (last year lottery) result in Dec 2015. He dint get any receipt notice, nor rejection notice.

          IBM started initiating his FY 2017 H1 documentation in Oct 2015. He got to know in Dec 15, that his petition has an RFE directly. No receipt notice, No RFE notice (May be his Case manager did not intimate him or genuine delay from USCIS)

          He got his FY 16 H1 RFE resolved this Jan 16, and now approved. In Jan 16 , he asked ibm immigration to stop processing his FY 17.

          This is sheer luck and star !! so anything is possible

          Reply

  12. I suppose the USCIS works in USA daytime.. This night for them. Then, how come people are receiving mails now? 2 PM 3 PM IST etc? Can somebody clarify?

    Reply

  15. Receeived receipt today around 1:30 PM. My application went to CA center. So can anyone let me know that this is it and now i can assume my visa to be approved..?

    Reply

  18. Two of my friends from Wipro got the mail from gims around 2.30 PM today. They both belongs to sarjapur campus..let’s keep the hope guys.

    Reply

    • one more scenario
      > one person picked more than once that was applied from different company, it obvious person will choose once company, so what about left out seat in 85,000 quota, who gets it?

      Hope Saurabh/Kumar get my query, Please reply

      Reply

    • It might have selected some candidates in extra….which is called waiting list to fill the gap 🙂

      Reply

    • Sanjay,

      There was USCIS memo from several years ago (before lottery time) which said they accepted extra petitions to make-up for the ones that get denied, withdrawn.

      I expect them to continue same process now even though they have never explicitly mentioned it. It is possible that pick extra petitions based upon historical data trends, or add the number of unused positions to next year’s lottery. You see the cap is never 65K – it is 65K less H-1B1 for Chile and Singapore.

      Reply

  25. Anonymous @Wipro.

    Wipro Guys. Just now received email from GIMS my application got selected. Chennai location. Insurance domain.

    Thanks for the support.

    I will pray for the other genuine applicants. ####Insha Allah

    Reply

  27. Hey Guys,

    I got a mail from my attorney today telling me that they haven’t received any information on my petition yet but they have received a mail from USCICS stating that they have completed data entry as on 02-MAY. So according to them my petition is not selected in all likelihood. Do i have any hopes?

    Reply

    • some of my friends and team mates and I from CSC received it till May 3rd from BalGlobal. Not any updates that I know of after that. All the best to you, they usually release in batch like once in 3 or 4 days.

      Reply

  30. Question regarding RFE. I had not provided for any documents of full time CPT and research assistance job (part time) in my college in my petition of H1 b. Though I had availed the required permission (nothing was illegal) but have not attached the same. Today when I checked the soft copies of documents provided for H1 b I realize the same. I am AD/PP and still not have heard anything from my attorney. Is it likely that my case would have become RFE? In case of RFE does the same comes late after all PP are completed? ADMIN – PLEASE PROVIDE INFORMATION. THANKS.

    Reply

    • Hanuman,

      If RFE is to be generated, it would be done within 15 day SLA. The processing would then stop until your employer responds to it, and then new 15 day PP SLA would commence.

      Reply

  31. My employer told me my check got encashed. And receipt number he will send next week.

    Why there is delay in getting receipt number?

    Reply

  34. WTF is wrong with TCS??? I hear no one getting any updates…..as if TCS is completely non existent in this forum!!

    Reply

  36. I got the same email from GI team.. Since USCIS completed the data entry, They have finalised the lottery results. But yet to send the package for Individuals to Infosys US location. GI team has started to receive packages and upon review with internal attorney, They will update the status in GICS. It may take some more time to get the individual records updated in the system. So keep your fingers crossed and check your status flying from “AcknowledgebyUSCIS” to “PetitionStatus” , If done you are lucky.. Next step is, Infosys will decide when your application can go for stamping.. It may depend on your project,, It may be immediate or up to 2 years for stamping along with your family. All the best Guys!!!

    Reply

  39. Please God.. Please.. Om Namah Shivaya …! Please !
    This is very important for my family …!
    Do I still have hopes ?

    Reply

    • Yes Brother.U will get h1b.belive god and be patient.we can put hopes till may end..mine also same situation?hope w e will get both

      Reply

  42. Guys,just received my receipt notification from One Communicator.Receipt Notice date is 26th April.Good Luck to all who are awaiting, hope you get to hear the good news soon !!!

    Reply

    • Did you get any official information?

      I raised AHD, but they are replying like, “we didn’t received any receipt yet”.

      Reply

      • They sent a mail that , USCIS has started sending receipt and as soon as GI team gets it they will update the portal.
        I am thinking we will get update soon.
        I am hoping for best and Best of Luck to you as well dear.

        Reply

  48. I guessed…… I have not got selected in lottery. Today I got below email from GICS..
    “As you must be aware, USCIS announced on May 2, 2016, that data entry of all fiscal year 2017 H-1B cap-subject petitions is complete. They have started sending receipt notices for petitions that have been selected in the lottery and they also have started returning cases that are not selected. This process will continue over the next few months.

    As communicated earlier, USCIS mails each notice by snail mail on a case to case basis. Once Infosys receives an update on your petition (whether selected / not selected), the status will be updated in GICS.”

    I believe GICS will not send such emails to the ones who all are selected.
    All Infoscians ..please check if you all have received the same email too?

    Thanks

    Reply

    • This email means that infosys did not start informing yet. Everyone is still in the game, dont loose hope. Keep checking GICS.

      Everyone for whom Infosys has filled petition have recieved this email so dont worry!

      Fingers crossed!!! We both get selected 🙂

      Reply

    • Everyone has received that mail from GI , this does not mean we are not selected in lottery, just wait till end of may ..will have some update on GICS ..

      Reply

    • I have received the same email almost an hour back…… They mentioned that it may take maximum of 4 month to publish the result…. I don’t understand the logic, why CTS ,IBM and many other companies are publishing the result and we are still waiting….

      Reply

    • Even I have received the same mail.

      But

      One thing I noticed here is that our status on AcknowledgefromUSCIS”

      But in the mail, its mentioned, If selected your stage will move from “AcknowledgebyUSCIS” to “PetitionStatus”.

      How can that be possible??????

      There is a difference in status here “from” and “by”

      Anybody noticed this ? or has any understanding on this? Please comment

      “• How do you know if your petition has made it through the lottery?

      Simple, you can track the status of your petition on GICS. If selected your stage will move from “AcknowledgebyUSCIS” to “PetitionStatus”.

      • Cases that are selected in the lottery – An Acknowledgement notice will be sent from USCIS to Infosys and your GICS record would be updated as soon as the notice is received. USCIS will be processing cases selected in the lottery and the average processing time would be between 4 to 5 months. USCIS will either approve or Request For Evidence (RFE) upon their review. Any update on your petition will be communicated through GICS

      • Cases that are not selected in the lottery – USCIS returns the petition to Infosys; the status will be updated in GICS and the record closed
      “

      Reply

  49. My hopes are slowly dying….if results are coming out in alpha asc, then need to wait as I m on V….any one received receipt from ChN…I m from Dep Chn….

    Reply

    • No buddy, not alphabetical order, even I am on the V…

      It is random so we just have to wait…. Nothing extra to be said.

      Reply

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