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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 –

    I got a receipt copy from My Employer. “Form I-797C ,Notive of Action” ? In the copy receipt number is mentioned but no where written that I am picked in the lottery. Does anybody have any comment on this ?I have sent an email to my employer and waiting for their reply.

    Reply

  4. I got to know yest from a mgr that GM team has started sending consolidated list of people selected till now to respective accounts/verticals/horizontals.
    May be they dont expect anymore reciepts.

    Reply

    • No Update till now, probably this week less number of receipts received compared to previous week.It’s almost over i think

      Reply

  9. Any hope for CTS?? I heard from immigrant team that if you didn’t receive till next week. Then it is over and are the mails uploaded only by 7.30 pm ?

    Reply

  10. My Employer informed that checked got cased out on April 29th, but still haven’t received the receipt till now.

    Normally How long it takes to get the receipt.

    Reply

  14. In MYVisa App, within Digital Docs option i see lot of documents uploaded by April Month end. Is it symptom of selected/reject?. or is it a common one for all H1B employees?.
    any of the CTS H1B experienced guys have any idea on this?

    Reply

    • I am also seeing the manager letter related template. Any idea about this if we need to fill anything on this.

      UPDATED FY2016 Cognizant Manager Letter-internal or short-term assignments less than 2 months_28th_April_2015 Manager Letter .docx
      Uploaded By:-Apr 28 2015 1:03 PM
      First Accessed By:
      Recently Accessed By:
      4 Delete uploaded documents Click here to View/Open Document Updated FY2016 Manager Letter – Assigned to TriZetto – FACETS office RFE_28th_April_2015 Manager Letter .docx
      Uploaded By: -Apr 28 2015 1:04 PM
      First Accessed By:
      Recently Accessed By:
      5 Delete uploaded documents Click here to View/Open Document Updated FY2016 Manager Letter – Assigned to TriZetto office Facets and QNX_28th_April_2015 Manager Letter .docx
      Uploaded By:-Apr 28 2015 1:21 PM
      First Accessed By:
      Recently Accessed By:
      6 Delete uploaded documents Click here to View/Open Document Updated FY2016 Manager Letter – Assigned to TriZetto office RFE – QNXT Technology_28th_April_2015 Manager Letter .docx
      Uploaded By: -Apr 28 2015 1:23 PM
      First Accessed By:
      Recently Accessed By:
      7 Delete uploaded documents Click here to View/Open Document Updated FY2016 Manager Letter internal and assignments less than 2 months for conversions_28th_April_2015 Manager Letter .docx
      Uploaded By:-Apr 28 2015 1:24 PM
      First Accessed By:
      Recently Accessed By:
      8 Delete uploaded documents Click here to View/Open Document Updated FY2016 Manager Letter Template for Conversions – Client Facing Roles_29th_April_2015 Manager Letter .docx
      Uploaded By: -Apr 29 2015 11:57 AM
      First Accessed By:
      Recently Accessed By:
      9 Delete uploaded documents Click here to View/Open Document UPDATED FY2016 Manager Letter Temple – Multiple Clients_28th_April_2015

      Reply

  15. @CTS_Employee

    When did you receive it buddy? can u pls let us know the receipt received date details and the first 5 digits of the receipt number?

    Reply

  16. Any one from The Principal Consulting (TPC) got the receipt?

    Any hopes for NON AD/RP/VT. I heard for VT its over.. Is that true?

    Please do reply.

    Reply

      • In MYVisa App, within Digital Docs option i see lot of documents uploaded by April Month end. Is it symptom of selected/reject?. or is it a common one for all employees?.

        Reply

        • I don’t think that can be considered. Cause what I see is, my team mate who got the receipt got the mailer first with the receipt number. After that he logged in and saw MY VISA and H1B nomination app and found nothing updated. So CTS as and when they receive the receipt number, they send the mail and later at leisure they update the system.

          Reply

          • I see a word of RFE in those documents name too. The letter has been uploaded on 29-Apr and it is dated on 12-May. and those are all of type Manager letters.

        • No.. not the post processing app. there is an app named My Visa. in that there is an option of Digital docs which is been uploaded recently.

          Reply

          • Those documents – are they present under
            Source: Case Manager

            or

            Source: “Your Name”
            ?

            If it is under Case Manager, I guess those are generic template documents.
            If it is under your name, might be a chance that it is has a relation to your H1B filing status.

            Just my assumption.

            I too see few docs under Source: Case Manager,
            i downloaded and saw it to be just templates…

  21. Hi Anybody received below mail from HR :

    Dear All,

    Congratulations! We are glad to inform that your H1 B application has been selected in the lottery.

    We are currently working on updating the VRF’s with the receipt numbers hence request you to please wait patiently for the same. This process should be concluded by end of May.

    Reply

  22. Dear All,

    My employed says he didn’t hear any thing about mine and asking to wait till june month end. what should I understand with this, Shall I keep +ve hope or its time to give up. Please advice .

    Reply

  23. still have no update from GIS/wpc spoc, no one updated anything………its very frustrating to wait for something which has been already declared one month back…….if any news pls share.

    Reply

    • My manager contracted some E5/E6 level people in ISG and WPC and they have asked to wait atleast for a month or two . Yes, it is frustrating and don’t see any rational thinking on holding these results. I will keep this forum posted with any latesupdates , please do that the same at your end. or shall we create some watsapp group for hcl folks ?? pls suggest.

      Reply

        • Bhayya, I too belongs to HCL, our managers are like kids, don’t listen to their words, they follow the instructions they get from their higher management.

          Hopefully expecting a result by this ween end.

          Reply

  26. RP…..still waiting for a receipt number…….looking @ all the posts and keeping my fingers crossed till the month end………
    just an update though…..in my company most of the colleagues i know got their receipt numbers in the last two weeks in three batches.(mostly monday’s and tuesday’s)….usually our attorneys notify us post 9pm IST. So everyday i keep checking my emails after 9pm….so far no hope…fingers crossed though. I am not losing hope..and wish everyone all the best for the left overs……

    Reply

  27. Anyone applied from the company Infinite Computing Systems,Mumbai ?
    I called them and they says not got any receipt for anyone

    Reply

  28. Hi All,

    Our employer informed one of my colleague that they received his receipt number yesterday and this is the status in USCIS for the number,

    On April 11, 2016, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WACXXXXXXXX, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your receipt notice by May 11, 2016, please call Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

    He is AD/RP and centre is CA.

    I have not got mine and guess its over NON AD/PP

    Just thought this may help others.

    Note: It’s not any consultancy and don’t request for any personal details like employer, location etc

    Regards

    Reply

  30. Fiscal Year 2017 H-1B Cap Premium Processing to Begin May 12

    ‘https://www.uscis.gov/news/fiscal-year-2017-h-1b-cap-premium-processing-begin-may-12

    This Mean They will start to Sent out for Non-AD/PP?

    Please let me know

    Reply

    • Are results for all the slots released then? Mine is in status “awaiting lottery result”. Could I wait hopefully?

      Reply

      • Did he ‘SAID’????? Gosh, people here can’t even write a simple sentence in English without any mistake. How are they going to manage in the US?
        Guys – it is ‘Did he say’, “Did he receive”, “Did he tell”, “Did you get” and not “Did he said”, “Did he received”, “Did he told” or “Did you got”!

        Reply

  32. Screw the lottery~ 2 years couldn’t get it!

    Gave up and just had my wife started filing EB-2 now, which we really should have done earlier! Now I have to wait another a year and half or so to get EAD. Anyway I have to quit my job because OPT ran out and i don’t know what to do for the next year and half.

    I sincerely hope everyone has a good Plan B now and find the peace of their mind after these tough days!

    Reply

    • I am in the same situation as yours… Mine was AD/PP. I gave up already. I had my last chance of filing H1 this year and my OPT ends this month. My husband’s employer got finally convinced for his EB2…Hopefully they won’t delay the process. But I don’t know what to do until we get EAD which is at least a year and half of waiting time.

      Reply

      • Hello @Eddy and @Screwthelottery: me in same boat. AD/PP/CA. Last chance of H1B. No news from lawyer after filing the petition. All they said is they have not gotten anything back on my application from USCIS. I too had plans to file for EB2, now regret that I should have at least started working on that.

        Reply

      • If your PERM doesn’t get audit and request PP on I-140, it will be a lot shorter than 1.5 year. But either way I really don’t know what to do now…

        Reply

  33. Hi, I’m Siri! How can I help you?

    Me: Please get me select in Lottery.

    Siri: that sounds like desperate..!! Please don’t be.

    Me: I want to go to US.

    Siri: WOW! please go and don’t disturb me with such questions.

    Me: Fck you Siri.

    Siri: Not here! in US

    Me: hahaha

    Reply

  34. Hello Admin,
    I am currently on L1B and my PERM is approved and company is going to file I-140. However, I am still waiting for non AD/ RP from CA center. Will my PERM be reprocessed if my H1B gets approved given the condition that I stick with the same employer? Any inputs are highly appreciable.

    Reply

    • I was in the same boat last year and am typing this from Pune, India now!! Your GC processing will continue, but you will need to pack your bags and return until luck favors you! L1A can be tried but as you know it is another BS process with too many denials. I know people who don’t even have any managerial role are getting L1A approved, and mine was denied despite myself being a Senior Manager with 40+ direct reports across North America. Good luck with your R2I!

      Reply

  38. Spoke to GM, they asked to wait till we get an update from USCIS.. I am loosing hope here.. really we will get a good news for CTS guys…

    Reply

  39. My employer had informed me that my check had been en-cashed by USCIS on April 27th and they shared my receipt today. So guys please be patient and hope for the best!

    Thanks

    Reply

    • Thanks for the information.

      My check was cashed on 4th May, and now waiting for the recept. Hope will receive the receipt soon.

      Reply

    • Hello Neha, did they shared with you today about the check cashing and receipt number? Im asking since I wonder why wouldn’t they share with you earlier if it was done on April 27th? My lawyer too is not sharing any details hence wondering if mine is same case.

      Reply

    • Nothing new from acceligent . I just confirmed today no updates yet. They asked me to wait for a couple of days more.

      Reply

  42. Has anyone thought or know how the lottery is done? have anyone seen while the lottery is on? a random computer generator, lol how it is done? I guess i have to go to USCIS for Job and i should myself do this things!

    Reply

  45. Good to hear from this site that people are receiving the receipts still from CA, this adds some hope for people like us who did not receive confirmation.

    Reply

    • Hi Luckyfriend: How do you know that people from CA are still receiving receipts yet? Do you know anyone who got it today? Are they PP or RP? Thanks.

      Reply

  46. applied for my spouse H1B visa in regular non premium category

    recevied notice that it is picked in lottery

    Reply

  48. CTS guys don’t loose the hopes…

    Just not Got message from my friends who is in CTS PUNE. he got the receipt today at 7:30 PM . it was NonAD/RP/CA petition.
    Strange thing is that..Though the data Entry was over on 2nd may 2016 by USCIS, the receipt of my friend was generated on 3rd May 2016.

    I am very Happy for him..this was his second time…

    Don’t loose hopes….
    I am also waiting for my turn..I am in INFY Pune
    Thanks

    Reply

      • Don’t know how it happened but the receipt generation date is 3rd May only.
        We never know about the exact work/process of USCIS.

        So we can wait till May end…

        In INFOSYS..as of today no one has received any confirmation..hopefully next week there will be more update from INFOSYS 🙂

        Reply

    • Infy Pune,

      Was there any update in your DC ?

      As per some comments, it was stated like notification happened. But when i raised AHD, they are still saying from May15th onwards…

      Reply

      • Hi “infy other”

        As per my knowledge …INFOSYS has not even send a single notification…So might be the earlier comment by someone on confirmation receipt seems to be fake….
        The real game will start in next week…

        Thanks

        Reply

    • No Didn’t got any update so far from Mphasis … Only on 5th May I see the status updated by Attorney Acknowledgement Received from Immigration Authority … Not sure what it mean.
      But no real update ……

      Reply

  50. Its over for CTS guys. Whatever update had to come it was last week. No new receipts for this week. Last year also most receipts came in the first week itself. People who were waiting started getting rejection letter in first week of June. I have already left hope and looking for other onsite opportunities.

    Reply

    • Yes exactly. It has been a long time waiting now. I have left hope too. No new updates so far for this week. Good luck for other options or may be next year.

      Reply

      • Move on CTS Guys.. Its completely done..Dont waste your time here.. Spend sometime with your family/kids and come back next year…If you ask Non-US, again its more difficult than H1B lottery.. Thats the reality here..

        Reply

          • Exactly..It hurts like anything..You wont get proper sleep atleast a week.
            Better dont plan anything.. Utilize the opportunity if anything comes..

        • Now itself few companies are started discussing to hold their future projects, in case if trump wins.. Big recession is on the way.. Healthcare industry is sinking now..

          Reply

    • India to file 16 cases against US for WTO treaty violation

      ‘http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-to-file-16-cases-against-US-for-WTO-treaty-violation/articleshow/52223020.cms

      Reply

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