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H1B Visa 2019 Lottery Date Season Start and Predictions

H1B Visa 2019 – Lottery Predictions ? Fee, Quota, News & FAQs

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We will look at the some of the common FAQs that are tied to H1B work visa for fiscal year 2019.  This article will be updated with latest info as we get more info.

  • H1B 2019 Season Start Date ?
  • H1B Visa 2019 Quota ?
  • Will there be lottery for H1B 2019 ?
  • H1B 2019 Lottery date ?
  • How to find H1B 2019 Sponsors ?
  • H1B visa 2019 fees ?
  • H1B 2019 Latest News

Update  : H1B 2019, 2020 Seasons are over, H1B 2021 Season is the upcoming season. Read all details at H1B Visa 2021 – Start Date, Fee, Lottery, Registration – FAQs 

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What is the H1B Visa 2019 season start date ?
Update : USCIS will start accepting H1B Petitions starting from April 2nd, 2018 as per their official update on their website. In general, USCIS starts accepting applications for the next fiscal year exactly 6 months before the start of the next fiscal year. USCIS fiscal year for 2019 starts from 1st October 2018, which means they should accept applications for FY 2019 from April 1st, 2018. As April 1st is a Sunday, USCIS should accept applications for H1B 2019 season from April 2nd, 2019.

What is H1B visa 2019 Quota for Regular and Masters filings ?
As of the date of writing of article, the H1B quota is as below. This is also called the H1B Visa Cap. You can read more at What is H1B Cap ? Regular vs Masters quota ?

  • H1B Regular Quota : 65,000 visas
  • H1B Master’s Quota : 20,000 visas. ( only US Masters eligible)

Also, of the overall 85,000 visa cap, every year 6,800 visas are set aside for the citizens of Singapore and Chile as part of the Free Trade Agreement with them. There were few bills part of Comprehensive Immigration Reform that are not active in Senate that were proposed from Obama administration days to change the cap count to 110,000 and Masters to 25,000, including potential to make H1B cap extend up to 180,000. But nothing has moved and all are dormant. Nothing new has been proposed by the new Trump Administration regarding changing cap count. To get a glimpse of historical cap count changes, you may check H1B visa cap count history from 1990 to 2017

Will there be Lottery for H1B 2019 season ? Lottery Predictions ? Filing Numbers ?
Update : USCIS had lottery for FY 2019 quota and received 190,098 petitions.
Looking at the historical trend of H1B filings, cap reach dates, it is quite possible that we would have lottery for FY 2019 quota.  We have written a detail article looking at historical data, Trump administration new policies like ‘Buy American, Hire American’, students on OPT, H4 EAD removal rule, etc. factors. To know the prediction numbers and details, read the article:  H1B Visa 2019 Lottery Predictions – Analysis, Graphs .

When is H1B Visa 2019 Lottery Date ? 
Update : USCIS Conducted Lottery for FY 2019 on April 11, 2018.
There are two things, one is when the H1B petitions are accepted for the lottery and second is when the actual lottery is done. H1B visa petitions for next fiscal year would be accepted by USCIS from April 2nd, 2018 for 5 working days until April 6th, 2018 to be part of the lottery. Now, the actual lottery date depends on various factors depending the volume of petitions and USCIS load. It can be anywhere in second week of April. For FY 2018, the actual H1B Lottery was done on April 11th, 2017 . We can expect anywhere around the same date like April 11th or April 13th.

How to find H1B visa 2019 Sponsors ? 
It can be very hard to find a good employer and convince them to sponsor H1B to work in US with major unknown like H1B Visa lottery. Anyways, you would be in one of the three scenarios, if you are seeking a H1B Sponsor. 

  • F1 Student in US : You can find an internship or co-op at an employer who can sponsor H1B visa and ask them to sponsor your H1B. You can continue to work on OPT once you graduate as well. You find the list of H1B Sponsoring companies using the tool
  • International Professionals  : If you are outside of US, it can be tricky with all the latest rules by Trump administration. Your best bet is to find an multi-national company ( MNC) and work through them to sponsor H1B visa. You may have hurdles inside the company with all the internal process, many waiting, etc. But, it is up to you to negotiate and ask them to take a chance. Many try the IT body shop route, where they ask them to file H1B. Rules have changed in the last few years and it is very risky move and can jeopardize your US hopes. Read comments on this H1B Companies Reviews article  to get an idea and  beware of such consulting companies to avoid fraud.
  • Important Note : We, as RedBu2US, DO NOT Provide any H1B sponsorship or guide anyone using professional services or fee. If anyone approaches you by saying our name, it is pure FRAUD…beware !

If you are looking for more details, check out Guide on How to Find H1B Visa Sponsors 2019

What is H1B 2019 Filing Fee ? 
H1B visa petition filing involves USCIS fee towards certain things and attorney fees, which varies by company size, and attorney involved for the case.  As of FY 2018 season, it can range anywhere from $1,600 USD to $7,400 USD + Attorney Fee.  In year 2016, for FY 2018, the H1B base filing fees, increased from  $325 to $460. Below table is a high level summary from FY 2018 quota as of writing, it maybe subject to change as we approach towards the filing date.  If any changes, we will update this accordingly.    Also, you can Read Summary of H1B Filing Fee – Who pays for What ? .

H1B Fee – Paid Towards Amount in USD
 Base filing fee $460
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

H1B 2019 Case Tracker  :
Did you work with attorney and sent all documents to apply for FY 2019 ?  It is quite hard for applicants to know the general status of everyone to understand their situation. 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 !

What’s the latest news on H1B Visa 2019 ?
Below are some of the major news updates on H1B 2019 season. You can check H1B Visa 2019 Cap Count Tracker – Latest News Updates for full details

You can bookmark this page and check this page for updates on H1B FY 2019 season.
Do you have any questions on next H1B 2019 season ?

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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8,787 Comments

  4. Regular Quota. I have got selected. Thanks to consultancies helped to apply multiple petitions. Praying god not to get selected in other 3 petitions. One is enough.

    Reply

    • “checks”?

      Its not a good news if “checks” have been cashed. Multiple petitions should be scrutinized and rejected. Otherwise checks getting cashed is indication of positive lottery result.

      This is a comment. Please appreciate.

      Reply

        • good point. didnt consider separate fees.. fraud prevention is always separate and applicable for all petitions. my bad..

          however inaccurate, it still was a comment, and should be appreciated as first timer said 😉

          Reply

  7. If you have applied for H1-B, your DSO should be able to give you an I-20 with work auth until June 1st. Only applying is enough for this extension, you don’t have to prove that you got picked. Different schools have different requirements for proof of application though.

    Source: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevis-help-hub/student-records/fm-status/f-1-cap-gap-extension

    Reply

  9. I am looking for some answers on my H1B Can Exempt.

    Timeline

    2012 September : H1B was approved.
    2013 Augsust : Visa Stamping done – Got Validity till OCT 2015
    2013 November : Travel to USA
    2014 November : Came back to India ( 1 Year was completed )

    Till when I will be eligible for Cap Exempt?

    Thanks,
    Pits

    Reply

  11. Curious: People whose date has changed on SEVP portal, what is the first letter of your last name?

    Asking because people who I know have got date changed had last names starting with a, c, d last week. And today saw a G.

    Maybe I could be wrong?

    Reply

  14. It is a surprise that we have not heard of anyone getting their receipts yet… hopefully, this week brings good news to everyone…

    Reply

  15. Guys, my STEM OPT which expired on 7/5/18 got extended to 9/30/18 last Friday. Does this mean that the petition is picked up in lottery? If yes, how many days does it take for the check to be cashed from the date of portal update? Thanks in advance.

    Reply

    • Are you able to check your case status now? After typing my receipt number it showed that “My Case Status does not recognize the receipt number entered….” so worry

      Reply

  20. My Visa extension got denied on Mar 31. And am back to india on Apr 8. My organization raised H1B without cap again in April 22. Is it good to raise the process through Premium type?

    Reply

    • Premium processing is only suspended for Cap-subject FY2019 H1B petitions i.e. H1Bs that were selected through the random lottery this year. Premium processing is available for all other H1B petitions including extensions which are not subjected to cap or Cap subject petitions which were filed before FY2019.

      Reply

  21. Ram/Admins,

    Please suggest on my question : Do we need an amendment in L1 visa for location change? I have an approved L1 petition and my location and client is about to change. As i know L1 visas are employer intra company transfers and we can work for the same company anywhere in the US. Also, my job duties will also remain same.

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply

    • As far as I know, you need to file an amendment with USCIS for any changes in location even for L1. You should check with your employer and your employer’s attorney to confirm the same.

      Reply

  23. My opt is expiring in June. – No STEM. I still have not received SEVP updates. I applied at Vermont center. Is the game over for me?

    Reply

  24. I noticed my end date got updated to 09/30. Does this confirm mean that H1b is picked ? My ead expires in 4 days. There’s no proof that my thing is picked. Also I have my return flight booked on 2nd May. Can anyone suggest how I can get proof ? And how I can get flight ticket refund ? Thank you.

    Reply

    • Probably print your SEVP employment page and use as evidence for i9 ? I am guessing you are talking about i9 proof

      Reply

      • Thanks for the quick reply. But no one knows if the update means selected or not. How can we use that as evidence ? Can someone confirm ?

        Reply

    • Irrespective of whether your application got picked up in the lottery or not, you can always request prelim cap gap till June 1. I did the same, my original OPT was set to expire on April 30.

      Reply

  28. All,
    I am on CPT and the school doesn’t provide SEVP portal for CPts. Can someone tell me if it shows something on I-20 if the petition is being picked? Your help will be appreciated.

    Thanks

    Reply

  30. The joker commenting about SEVP update seems to have had his status cancelled due to multiple petitions. I think USCIS has done some screening to get these fraudsters out this time. Hope someone else gets this joker’s H1b lottery slot. Your days are numbered all multiples. You are being cancelled.

    Reply

    • Please show dignity on public forum. Don’t use disparing words on here. No sir. I am a full time person with US employer sir. It’s insurance company from Dallas.
      This is my last attempt after two years ext stem. The second application, I approached consultancy to file, for better chance. My employer has no idea who this consultancy is. They are totally unrelated.
      Treat this as one of the updates and move on instead of being bitter. It’s all fate.

      Reply

        • Dude, why they will file for same job ? The consultancy have their own project and their own client.
          My insurance employer has nothing to do with them. We don’t even employ contract workers to do our jobs. Everything done by full time only.

          Reply

          • not sure…if his question was right. did both of them file for the same job role and description.?

          • Dude..I dint do the brainless bufoon work work u did by filling 2 petition ….I was asking just to fund out more!!anyways u deserve what u get

  31. My SEVP cap gap and 09/30 update date reverted to old expiration 08/03.

    Some guy calling me liar for saying this. SEVP update is not pick up confirmation. It default happens for all cap gap case. Even after STEM extension confirmation, cap gap is cancelled. This is such bad news for all who think they pick because SEVP updating.

    First, read and confirm in USCIS website..
    I don’t know how many people will receive this after Monday. Only I see this till now.

    Canceled Status – SEVIS reverts F-1 status or any authorized OPT end date to the original end date and removes comments about the cap gap extension from the Student Information page and from the Form I-20

    Reply

    • Can you be clear in your English here?. No one is understanding what you are trying to say here. Are you saying your cap gap got cancelled?

      Reply

      • he is referring to H1b petition status, which according to be make no sense. Your hHb petition is cancelled only if you employer revokes your petition!!

        Reply

        • i thought he said his cap gap extension (9/30) got reverted to original date. This could happen only if USCIS has found something is wrong with his application/employer/f1 status. who knows

          Reply

          • I having multiple petition from two different employers. Could this be a reason ? Employer not related

    • go through this link in detailed, specifically the tabular column with different status decsiptions.

      https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/sevis-help-hub/student-records/fm-status/f-1-cap-gap-extension

      In your case looks like the H1B petition is cancelled

      Reply

    • Yes. I feel you got picked in lottery twice (2 employers in your case) and while date entry they have realized this and cancelled the petition.BTW this is all speculation but could be the case.

      BTW are the employers consultancy companies?, since if its a non consultancy company you will def know which company you will be joining and would have told one of them not to apply for H1B.

      Reply

      • No sir. I am a full time person with US employer.
        This is my last attempt. The second application, I approached consultancy to file, for better chance. They probably my employer has no idea who this consultancy is. They are totally unrelated.

        Reply

        • Dude, they are totally unrelated. I will even say full time is genuine. The consultancy I have no clue. I spoke and told of my situation. He filled for me

          Reply

          • Did the consultancy take money from you to file your petition? If so, please report it to USCIS at ReportH1BAbuse@uscis.dhs.gov

          • It looks like USCIS has found about your duplicate filing and even though you think you are doing something legal, your attorneys may have to prove that part to USCIS. Mostly your H1B has got cancelled, If your employer is not aware of this second filing, I don’t think they will be happy about it either. Its all Karma.

  32. Guys, my opt expires in august. I have not received any updates on the sevp portal. Is the game over? Since people have already got that update, and this is specially true for cap gap eligible with opt expiring before oct

    Reply

  33. Saddest day for SEVP update people.
    Looks like SEVP by default gives 09/30 update for all cap gap people and reverts it to original ead expiry date after confirmation not picked.
    My date reverted back to 08/03 after updating to 09/30 today. They are so saddist.

    Reply

    • Go through this official link for cap gap eligibility. Need to meet the all the three below conditions, i have copied it here

      “As an F-1 student, you may be eligible for an extension of your F-1 status through Sept. 30 if you meet the following requirements:

      Your potential employer files an H-1B petition in a timely manner with USCIS with an employment start date of Oct. 1.
      You are maintaining your F-1 status on the date your potential employer files your H-1B petition.
      USCIS receives the H-1B petition in a timely manner and issues a receipt for it.”

      https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/h-1b-status-and-the-cap-gap-extension

      In your case something has gone wrong, could even be a data entry error

      Reply

      • Before calling liar, read and confirm. From USCIS website..
        I don’t know how many people will receive this after Monday. Only I see this till now.

        Canceled Status – SEVIS reverts F-1 status or any authorized OPT end date to the original end date and removes comments about the cap gap extension from the Student Information page and from the Form I-20

        Reply

        • I found this from USCIS website.
          When the status is changed to Canceled, the OPT End Date reverts to its original date, and the comments no longer display in any location.

          However, wait till you get any letter from them. Stay positive. Wish you good luck!

          Reply

    • Can you share the email here (with parts of it removed of course)? I am curious why some people are getting emails while others aren’t.

      Reply

  36. Finally SEVP got updated today. Did not get any word from attorney or employer yet, but looks like the wait is over.
    All the best guys!!

    Reply

      • NN, looks like you can see SEVIS update if your OPT or STEM extension ends before 9/30. In other words, it is an update for CAP GAP extension. If your OPT or STEM ends on or after 9/30, it wont have any change.

        Reply

        • Thanks. Mine expires in early July but i dont see any changes in my SEVIS date. Did they update all of the selected applicants or not?

          Reply

          • They dont update all of the applications. Its only picked applications are eligible for cap gap extension and the end date will change.

  37. I have the same situation as yours and I still neither havent heard anything from my lawyer nor seen any updates in SEVP portal

    Reply

  38. Guys I called USCIS and told they are very unfair and keep us waiting without giving h1 news.

    The lady asked my SEVIS information and immediately updated my end date to 04/21/2018 from 06/21/2018. She said, now it is confirm.

    Thanks to USCIS lady, my wait is over. Booking flight next week. bye.

    Everyone else, plz call USCIS lady, Angelina.

    Reply

  40. My DSO provided me the receipt number and my SEVIS status went to pending, but my SEVIS portal was not updated yet.

    Reply

  44. Hi All,

    Fresh H1B is where considered, 1. Resident Alien or Non-Resident Alien for tax, i.e. when onces h1b approves and he or she flies in October month lets say….

    What number of tax exemption I can claim for my spouse and 5 yr old kid?
    What refund I will get in tax return for my 5 yrs old kid? I heard there is some tax credit and other stuff.

    Some one who is tax expert here can guide me please , simple question, lets say I have 80000$ salary per year in California and my spouse and 5yr kid on H4 what is my taxable income and any refund I can claim for my kid?

    Reply

    • @H1B_TAX: it seems you are on wrong forum, people here are struggling to get H1 visa first later tax and refund will come. no body is on H1 visa here or in a same situation like you here. i will suggest you to post this query on quora.com

      Reply

    • Your sentence structure is very poor, but i assume you meant that you will be in US in October. On h1b you are usually considered resident alien. For resident alien status in a particular year, you need to check for “substantial presence test” (google it for link from IRS). To meet this test, you must be physically present in the United States (U.S.) on at least: 31 days during the current year, and 183 days during the 3-year period that includes the current year and the 2 years immediately before that,

      you can use hrblock tax calculator for your specific case to calculate your deductions and refund but note that tax law is changing from next year.

      PS: 80K in california for a family of 3 is NOT good. You might want to stay in a good school district since you have a 5 yr old but that will simply be impossible at this salary.

      Reply

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