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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

  1. Yes, received confirmation from manager. So, do you have any link to WhatsApp group ? We should discuss progress as management is very shady and do one thing for someone and cheat others.

    Reply

    • Finally a Non-AD. I guess it’s safe to assume now that it will start pouring non-AD notifications tomorrow.

      Good luck to us all Non-ADs

      Reply

  4. Finally I have been picked in lottery as my consultancy updated me as my cheque was en-cashed today evening , Non-AD H4 from EAC center. Waiting for my receipt.

    Reply

  6. Are these updates to the SEVP portal only for the CAP-GAP cases or rest of the regular master’s CAP cases as well ? My Post completion OPT expires 05/18 and I have applied for my STEM OPT to start immediately after that. Wondering if it’ll update for my case if my application gets picked.

    Reply

    • It is for 2 types of people:
      1. Post Completion OPT expiring before OCT. 2018 (Whose STEM OPT has not been approved yet)
      2. STEM OPT expiring before OCT. 2018

      You need to be on OPT or STEM OPT to have a SEVP account. Also, if your 12 months OPT or STEM OPT is expiring AFTER OCT. 2018, you will NOT see any update on SEVP!

      Hope this helps

      Reply

      • Thanks. It’s completely unrelated but what happens to your STEM OPT status in this case ? Do they reject it ? approve it ? approve it with start date after 30 Sep if you don’t get the H1b?

        Reply

  7. 10 minute silence for everyone who thought SEVP end date update means picked in lottery. USCIS guidelines automatically updates date for all cap gap eligible applicants. Then if later, not selected, date will revoke to ead end date.

    Reply

    • First, that’s impossible. USCIS has to open each application package to even see which SEVIS# to update.

      Second, filing H1B only gets you automatic CAP-GAP to Jun 1st, not Sep 30th. Sep 30th means selected.

      Third, why don’t you come in?? I’m still holding the door for you!

      Reply

        • Data entry is done on selected cases first. Unselected cases are kept and untouched until data entry is complete on selected cases.

          Why don’t you come in and take a look yourself?

          Reply

    • In my opinion its completely wrong. How come they gonna update cap-gap status now and remove later if not selected. it doesn’t make any sense.

      People who got selected in lottery their SEVIS is getting updating to extend their EAD authorization date till to Sep 30 for who are eligible for CAP-GAP period.

      Reply

    • dude you’re spreading lies. My SEVP portal got updated on the 20th, and I got confirmation from my lawyer on the 26th

      Reply

  9. All ADs left with last attempt have started receiving case updates. There must be a specific order in which USCIS resolving cases. Don’t know!

    Reply

  10. Hello All – Got receipt from my Attorney today afternoon. No updates on SEVP portal yet. AD second attempt. Vermont center.. All the best. Stay positive..

    Reply

  11. Wish me luck guys! Finally my DSO approved my request of the reprint of the I-20 and I can pick it up tomorrow. I did get the SEVP update on 04/13/2018, but so far all the people reporting the receipts have their SEVP portal update date on 04/16/2018. Don’t know if there is some relation or am I overthinking a bunch. Because if USCIS is sending out the receipts as per FIFO, then the people with earlier SEVP update should get the receipt. ( I understand distance is also a factor). Time will tell I guess and also if there is no update regarding a receipt number in the I-20 should I be worried? Thank you and please do comment your views!

    Reply

  12. My SEVP portal was updated yesterday (4/23). End date 9/30. My DSO also sent me an email today regarding the extension. However, my lawyers say they haven’t received a receipt number for my case. I guess that’s gonna take a while? I saw a few people on here get their receipt numbers a week after the portal update, so keeping my fingers crossed!

    AD, btw.

    Reply

  13. guys any update on AD ? Spoke with dso for any updates – He said no change only active status.
    no updates from employer as well. Is this normal?

    Reply

  14. Finally, got an update in my SEVP portal. AD, Last and first attemp> opt end date> 06/09/2018.

    USCIS update on 04/24/2018 13:57.

    All the very best for all the genuine applicants out there!

    Reply

    • Finally, got an update in my SEVP portal. AD, Last and first attemp> opt end date> 06/09/2018.

      USCIS updated my end date to 09/30 on 04/24/2018 13:57.

      All the very best for all the genuine applicants out there!

      Reply

  16. Hey guys I have a question. Our lawyer just provided a receipt number WACxxxx. That means it got picked in lottery right?

    Reply

  17. I thought I’d share my experience because I was losing hope, and yet…

    First- and only-time applicant (non-STEM), AD, VT. My OPT was set to expire on 5/30. My SEVP portal was updated to reflect an extension to 9/30 as of this afternoon (4/24) at 2:06 PM EST. My check has not been cashed yet, and my employer has not received a receipt for me yet. (NB: I did not receive an email from USCIS; I manually checked my SEVP portal).

    Don’t lose hope, and good luck!

    Reply

  21. Got receipt from my attorney today. AD, CA center, on STEM OPT. Its my fourth attempt. Literally shed the tears of joy when I heard this news. I started playing this luck game since 2014, but never qualified in the lottery stage at least. Initially applied twice from India in the regular cap but no luck, later started applying in the master’s cap after getting Adv degree, no luck in first attempt and finally made through it.
    All the best for the guys here who are anxiously waiting for their results.

    Reply

    • Congratulations!!! Finally you got selected. I know this pain, i am on same boat final attempt,still waiting on my result

      Reply

  23. Guys, I received the receipt now.

    AD
    First Attempt
    Vermont

    Please let me know how to check whether any RFE reported.

    Reply

    • Congrats!!! you will see case number on your receipt copy. You can got to uscis official site to check h1b case status. you will see your case updates there. GudLuck for your h1b approval!!!

      Reply

      • Thanks.. I could see ‘My Case was received’ status in USCIS portal. Hope it will take some time to get updated. Good luck to all

        Reply

  24. Hi ,

    Can I travel with amendment receipt to US now. This is the first time I am travelling to US ?

    Help me out .

    Thanks in advance

    Reply

    • No one can really answer this except the USCIS people but i don’t believe its true. 85000 Check and the lottery happened on 12th so within 12 days i don’t think the bank can process 85K check given that USCIS deposit these checks in one bank and hopefully one account.

      Reply

  26. No updates on non-AD’s, right? I am 2nd timer, non-AD. I am soooo stressed again… I hate this whole process 🙁
    Please, non-AD mates, post whenever someone has news!! Better to know something, good or bad, than nothing.

    Reply

    • This week, receipts will start flowing for Non AD. I am a non ad too. As per immigration girl they have only received receipt for 1% of the non AD cases filed. My understanding is some non ad cases got processed in the ad rush. So those receipts are pretty much for those cases. They saw their first receipt last year on april 21st for non AD so this week we will start getting notified if we are lucky enough to make it through the lottery. Hope this helps.

      Reply

      • Thank you! This helps, definitely. I asked my lawyer (well the lawyer of the law firm my company has) if they were monitoring the checks, but she told me they have so many H1B applications they can’t be monitoring the checks, so I have to wait for the receipt/rejection. Luckily I’ll know something this week or next. If not I think I will start thinking in which other country I wanna live, haha xD.

        Reply

  27. 3rd time, on STEM OPT. SEVP updated on 04/23 at 14:36
    Received check deposit confirmation (with case number from WAC/CSC printed on it) from employer on 04/24 at 09:00. Called DSO and was told they can’t give any updates.

    Reply

  28. I got my receipt from fragomen today.
    AD last attempt. Sevp update on 16th.

    Opt previous expiry was 12 July and now it is sept 30.

    Thanks to all.the people in this group you have been a stress reliever in this anxious times.

    I work on the west coast I don’t know which center my application went to.

    Reply

  29. Quick Update –

    SEVP Update – 16th April
    Official Receipt received on 23rd April
    AD Applicant (CA)

    Let me know if you have any other questions.

    Good luck!

    Reply

  30. this my last attempt folks !
    International Office @myschool has updated that there is no change in my SEVIS portal, as of yesterday! – do i still have a chance?

    Reply

    • I believe we still have more time for lottery results. I would say we should wait until mid of May in worst cases May 30 also possible after that only 5% hope. its too early to loose hopes! I am on same boat Sit tight!!! Good Luck!!!

      Reply

      • Thx for the reply. Good luck to u too….was under the impression that college portal is the first place to get lottery updates – that’s the reason I was losing faith

        Reply

        • Yeah your right too, but not in all cases because i heard from few people saying their checks got encashed but no changes in their SEVP portals. Any how, its all manual data entry into SEVIS so we still have time.

          Reply

      • but this didn’t say
        “Employers may not file multiple or duplicative H-1B petitions for the same employee. To ensure fair and orderly distribution of available H-1B visas, we will deny or revoke multiple or duplicative petitions filed by an employer(including its related entities) for the same H-1B worker and will not refund the filing fees.”

        Reply

        • The way “Related Entities” is interpreted now has changed. And in most cases, at least one of the multiple petitions is through a fake consultancy or body shops. There’s nothing you can do now if you already submitted multiple petitions. Good luck!

          Reply

          • When you say CMMI level 5, I am guessing one of those indian outsourcing companies like infy, tcs etc. In that case, I would say it all depends on your roles and responsibilities on both the petitions. If they appear the same, there is a chance they are gonna get rejected. All you can do now is just wait.

    • I would say big No. Because getting job from multiple companies is legal. Two petitions cannot be filed for same location same project. Different locations different projects completely legal. Nothing to worry. GudLuck!!!

      Reply

  32. Has anyone from Texas heard anything? I’m not talking about what center you submitted it to. I’m thinking maybe they are updating alphabetically by state?

    Any more checks cashed stories? State?

    Reply

  36. I’m in the field of manufacturing engineering with an AD on my last chance. I work for a smaller company that only sponsors employees who are on their last chance. I took the job initially to not waste my unemployment days. The only reason I stayed with the company was because I loved the work I did and I was learning a lot. I had to overcome the temptation of applying through some random consultancies last year knowing full well all the risks of having just one attempt at H1B. Luckily, my application got picked and I was informed by my employer yesterday. Everyone who are here loving what they do and are genuine applicants, I wish you all good luck.

    Reply

      • @OneOfTheIBMer : No updates yet….Petition filed by SeyFarth Shaw LLP..they mentioned we will get updates only starting May 2nd week onwards!!!

        Reply

        • Deloitte is also applied visa from Sheyfarth shaw llp this year. I also got same reply, they said thet have already started receiving the receipt number for AD guys. And for non ad guys they will inform starting from ist week of may

          Reply

        • Deloitte is also applied visa from Sheyfarth shaw llp this year. I also got same reply, they said thet have already started receiving the receipt number for AD guys. And for non ad guys they will inform starting from ist week of may

          Reply

  38. Can some one help me ? Say for example i get selected in lottery and i have the receipt number. But i quit the current organisation without getting the visa stamped.

    In my wife office they are processing L1 for her. Can i go to US in L2 and some consultancy can transfer my H1 B and can i work from there ? I know with L2 also i can work but to avoid some procedures can this be done ? Though i get H1B it is very difficult from my current organisation to travel due to stringent policy now made and many from last year batch still havent travelled.. Requesting a help

    Reply

    • @ram,

      It is depends on the USCIS. Some times they approve the non-visa stamped (because your original visa was requested as consular processing) petition as COS later. Also, you need to make sure the petition is not withdrawn before you are requesting COS. However, the approval rate is very slim now a days.

      Reply

    • @Ram
      This is almost similar to my case

      I had h1 approved last year and had to travel with my husband as dependent and then I got my h1 transferred to another employer with COS

      Currently I am working for the new employer

      Reply

  40. Got the receipt from the lawyer that my case was selected with the receipt number. This was my 3rd chance. AD. West Coast. Good luck everyone!

    Reply

  41. Got my receipt today. Masters quota 4th attempt. Last three years I didn’t get through the lottery and my employer transferred me to another country. Finally, after 4 years I got through the lottery. I was definitely not chasing it. I am happy where ever I am. For people who are eagerly waiting for it, don’t lose hopes and don’t think too much about it. There is always a way out.

    Reply

  43. OMG! My SEVP portal got updated today. My OPT end date is 6/11/18 but it changed to 9/30/18 today. I am AD 2nd attempt.

    Reply

  44. So relieved. Just got the receipt from my employer that my case was selected with the receipt number. This was my 3rd chance and the last one on OPT-AD . It is not true that your Sevp portal will be updated if the case is selected. My Sevp portal still has the old end date. Hang in there guys, there are still lot of receipts that they still have to send out.
    Good luck everyone!

    Reply

      • Jagshemash ! we in Kashkistan dont have lottery. But USCIS play cheating games like the people with horns. Don’t trust them. They said sevo update does not mean selected.

        Reply

    • I can’t log in to SEVP portal with the correct password. It’s saying it’s wrong. It was working earlier today. What to do? I tried resetting the password but that also doesn’t work.

      Reply

      • Oh.. you are the same girl, aren’t you ? I had my portal locked too. Only the DSO can help you here. They will send you a mail to reset your password.

        Reply

      • This happened with me too yesterday! I have emailed the DSO to help me out with this. Patiently waiting.. no news from attorney yet !!!

        Reply

  48. I heard from a couple of my friends that they received receipts(AD). Although I am happy about it, I am a bit anxious that I haven’t received any yet. Until when can I chill and hope that I still got a chance?

    Reply

  49. Applied more then one petition congrats waiting for you by USCIS.. who got selected this time, they will get special treat….

    Reply

    • Yes We know may be they have to anounce how many are there ..likely 25K .. like AD and nonAD.. should add like chile✌ everyone will get through?

      Reply

  50. What does this mean?
    Once the petitioner timely files a request to change status to H-1B on October 1, the automatic cap-gap extension will begin. If the student’s H-1B petition is selected and approved, the student’s extension of status will continue through September 30. The extension of status will automatically terminate if the student’s H-1B petition is denied, withdrawn, revoked, rejected, or is not selected, or if the change of status request is denied or withdrawn even if the H-1B petition is approved for consular processing. The student will have the standard 60-day grace period from the date the extension of status terminated or their program end date, whichever is later, to depart the United States.

    Students are strongly encouraged to stay in close communication with their petitioning employer during the cap-gap extension period for status updates on the H-1B petition processing.

    Source: https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations-and-fashion-models/extension-post-completion-optional-practical-training-opt-and-f-1-status-eligible-students-under-h-1b-cap-gap-regulations

    Reply

    • I think it means the SEVP portal updates may or may not be reliable. The USCIS certainly appears to explicitly indicate here that everyone that has filed an H1B petition and is eligible for a cap-gap extension will automatically be updated to 9/30 whether or not he/she has been selected in the lottery (based on the “or is not selected” language). However, it is not clear whether the updates are automatically entered into the SEVP portal for everyone or only for those that have been selected. At the very least, I wouldn’t be 100% confident that I was selected in the lottery even if my SEVP portal was updated until my check’s been encashed and/or I’ve received the receipt.

      Reply

      • I think it says indirectly?
        The extension of status will automatically terminate if the student’s H-1B petition is denied, withdrawn, revoked, rejected, or ********is not selected*****, or if the change of status request is denied or withdrawn even if the H-1B petition is approved for consular processing.

        Reply

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