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 !
- Add your case at H1B Visa Tracker
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
- Jan 25, 2019 ( Official News ) : USCIS did a press release that Premium Processing Resumed for H1B 2019 Cap Petitions
- July 30th, 2018 ( Official News ) : USCIS announced that they have returned all the H1B 2019 petitions that were not selected in lottery. They gave guidance that, if you have filed for FY 2019 and has not received a receipt notice or rejected package by August 13th, 2018, they can contact USCIS. More info at USCIS News Alert
- May 15, 2018 ( Official News ) : USCIS Completed Data Entry for H1B 2019 Lottery Selected Petitions
- April 12, 2018 ( Official News ) : USCIS announces H1B Lottery Completed, 190K petitions filed.
- April 6, 2018 ( Official News ) : Press alert saying that USCIS Reached Cap for FY 2019 Quota
- March 23, 2018 ( Official News ) USICS announces new policy memo with guidance on Related entities for H1B Duplicate petitions
- March 20, 2018 ( Official News) : USCIS accepts H1B 2019 petitions from April 2nd, Premium Process Suspended till Sept 10, 2018.
- Feb 22, 2018 ( Official News ): USCIS released a new memo with additional requirements for H1B petitions filed for third party worksite locations. These new rules are very extensive asking for work orders, contracts, client letter itinerary, etc. and will have huge impact on H1B 2019 quota filings. Read completed details with impact info at New Policy Memo Third Party worksite H1B Petitions – Requirements, Impact.
- January 25,2018 : (Unofficial News) : AILA updated to their members that there will NOT be any procedural changes for FY 2019 season. You can read more details at AILA News USCIS – No Procedural Changes for FY 2019
- December 2017 : There are many speculations floating around based on the proposals and bills in senate and house by Trump administration. We just have to wait and see what happens. We will track all the news and update here for everyone’s update.
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 ?
a
I got SEVP update. But haven’t got any receipt yet. My DSO is not helping out with me. They are saying no details. Can my HR or attorney check my SEVIS status for a receipt number?
dont worry about receipt at this point u have plenty of time –your H1 was picked in the lottery just give another week for the receipt. If you want u can ask ur dso to print a new i-20 for u and that way you can get the receipt number
Every time I heard the new email notification sound my heart goes crazy and every time I see it’s not an email from my law firm I get a new gray hair… lol
Congrats to all of the non-ADs getting receipts, it’s really good to finally see they’re coming. And also for the ADs still getting them, definitely that amount is now smaller, but seems there’s still some hope for you guys.
Keep up the good spirit, the hopes and always laugh at whatever happens! 🙂
yea me too same i keep on checking emails every minute. its all done i guess
What do you mean all done? You AD? If so, there’s still some ADs getting receipts, keep tha faith.
If you’re non-AD the game just started, sit, ask for a drink and hope for the best cards, haha.
I’m non-AD, 2nd timer. And I think this year will be the last. I can’t take this another year xD. If the odds doesn’t want me in the US, I’ll go somewhere else.
am non AD. my frnds are saying you should get receipt by now if not no luck.
No my dear, check the comments here and Immigration Girl blog. Non-AD checks cashed started being spotted like 2 days ago, and receipts are starting to be received NOW. All this time has been ADs time, because they are processed before. Immigration Girl explains why: “The receipts are sent separately. USCIS tries to send out AD petition receipts first as these applicants are more likely to need the receipt notice ASAP for cap-gap purposes.”
I think next week will be the big decisive week. If by mid-May you don’t know anything then chances are slim (not gone, but pretty slim).
This is all my guessing, of course. I might be wrong, but I hope I am not, haha.
Lol you stole my words!
Same here bro… Hope we all get the good news very soon…
I’m in the same boat..I keep checking my emails all the time. I just wish i knew the results so that i can decide what to do..
Probably move to Canada if i don’t get it..
I’m 2nd Time Non-ad, last attemp..
yea me too thinking of other countries work visa options. pleass share if you find any
Same here! And I am checking this blog & immigration girl blog every hour… not even sure why 😉 Good luck to you, let’s (try) remain positive 🙂
I can totally relate to this. I even turned on the email notification tone on my phone.
my h1 got picked , I didn’t send any letter of competition from grad school or diploma copy with my application. I sent my academic transcript and it doesn’t show my grad date but shows all my course work. I work full time for a company in my field of study. what are the chances of getting rfe for diploma. Any views or opinions on this. pls help
AD – 1st timer – Got receipt notice.
Can u provide more details?
Please provide details on your SEVP and OPT end date.
Guys, NON-AD also started receiving receipts, one of my friend received his receipt, Yesterday only Attorney has informed him with his EAC number
By the way its from IBM, and attorney is Seyfarth
No.. that was the reason she dumped you, remember? she went to someone who could give her the baby.
Finally received the receipt(EAC) this morning from my law firm.
AD
Final attempt
OPT expires: Feb 2019
Good luck to all the genuine candidates. I hope people with multiple petitions who are abusing the lottery system get screwed.
Hello,
Congratulations 🙂
can you please tell what is your notice date on receipt?
Thanks
Thank you 🙂
When I checked the status on the site it said: “On April 12, 2018, we received your Form I-129”. Not sure if this answers your question
On I797 notice, you will find another date that is denoted as notice date? If you can share that information? Thanks.
I wasn’t given that form by the immigration firm yet.
Anyone with a receipt notice and OPT ending before October has not had their SEVP updated yet? Mine still shows July as my end date. Thanks
In years past, I had heard that they sent out the masters receipts first, then the bachelors receipts. They have not said anything to the contrary this year
I got 3 H1 petition picked in lottery this year.
All checks cashed and two of them are AD and oneis NON AD.
Good luck to all losers.
Good days in USA
Why you every time say us losers.
Good luck.. soon they are gonna reject all your petitions. If you did not read uscis news that they are going to revoke multiple petitions..
Good luck.. soon they are gonna reject all your petitions. If you did not read uscis news that they are going to revoke multiple petitions, please read that.
Hi,
I applied for STEM OPT Extension in December -2017 for 24 months.
I also applied for H1B this year in advance quota in April- 2018,
After that got RFE on my STEM OPT Extension about E-Verify Number and i m going to reply soon . so all my OPT status are Inactive now as per i last logged in SEVP portal.
But now i I can not log in to SEVP portal as per Message ” only OPT Approval can log in “.
is anyone in the same situation? does th RFE will affect my H!B application IF I WOULD BE SELECTED IN LOTTERY(as i do not have any news about lottery yet.)
Thank You.
STEM OPT RFE will not affect your H1-B application in any way.
How long after you submitted the STEM extension application did you get an RFE?
Anyone from Non-AD receiving receipts today
no.. nothing today
Omg. Can’t believe. My SEVP got updated. Employment End date has changed to 9/30 from 6/8 yesterday. I almost gave up all hopes. Its still happening. Do not give up guys.
I dont want to be a bad guy. But I m little nervous. I haven’t got any receipt notice. No update from my employer. My DSO never reveals any details. Does this SEVP update really mean I got selected in the lottery? My update happened on 5/3 when many people have already received recipts. Last 3 years, no one in my company got any receipt after May 4th. Am I defnitely selected in the lottery?
Hello,
My SEVP was updated on 20th.
I got receipt number from I-20 on 18th Apr.
But my employer hasn’t heard anything from attorney yet about I-797. I think you are good! Wait till 12 May for receipt.
congratulations!
Good luck! 🙂
Thank you so much. It means a lot
Anybody who has applied through Murthy Law Firm heard back yet?
Abey saaley kaiku apply karte re tumloogan law firms se.. full time job dhundhke apply karo bolna na
tumhare jaise loogon ki wajah se ADs ku H1 nahi milra
Marjao saale
For your information, not all employers have in-house immigration teams. In such cases, employers have to hire external law firms to handle their immigration issues. And please mind your language!
every h1b is supposed to be filed by one law firm or another. your employer might’ve hired someone like fragomen or someone in house, his employer may have hired murthy. what is the big deal.
bakar mein kaye ku marte ina.
Most firms employ lawyers to file petitions and not in-house counsel. There is a reason immigration and business continuity attorneys are high in demand here. Check your facts before shaming people.
I am in the final year of STEM OPT (Expiring May 31st). Last night when I was checking my SEVP Portal, Under history tab, it says my profile was deleted by SEVIS. Under Employment tab, I don’t see anything – The page is blank. Is this a good sign? Is there anyone who can see the same?
Not sure if takes away the access automatically 1 month close to the end date, it doesn’t sound normal tho. Call your DSO and check with them. My opt expires 06/09 i guess i will know soon too.
they wouldnt delete your profile until your F1 is valid. Your sevis remains active. should have been a system glitch. talk to your DSO
Got receipt notice from lawyer:
1) Notice date —- 04/26
2) check cashed date —- 05/01
3) SEVP update date —- Not yet
4) OPT end date —- 07/2018
5) AD petition
6) California Center
Good luck everyone!!
Congratulations !! …….im waiting for my THE DAY
Last night I got an email from my employer’s lawyer with the receipt notice for my case. No checks enchashed yet (that I know of) and no SEVP update. I had totally lost hope… Phew!!!
AD non-stem (PhD). 1st and last chance.
California Service Center. Notice date 4/26
@ Mean Spirit
Are you seeing this? Whole new level – “enchashed” 😀 😀
@Phew! It is really difficult for banks to “enchashed” the check. Most of them don’t know how to do that.
I have a feeling that this might be a new word adopted by the oxford dictionary due to excessive usage; similar to Bc or bangalored.
You would be surprised by how many people enchase their checks on this forum. 😀
Any AD’s still getting receipts?
Anybody from HCL received updates on lottery selection…
Not Yet.. still waiting. “pending with Immigration”what is your emplid..we can stay in touch..
When do cases start getting approved?
Slow down. It could take any time from 2 to 12 months, or maybe not at all.
Just asking bud.
Got confirmation from my firm that notifications for non-ads started coming in.
I hope we all non-ads get a positive news really soon…
Congrats ??enjoy
That’s a welcoming news. It’s been a long wait.
You mean receipts? Some are saying checks cashed, but not receipts yet. Anyways I think next week receipts will start flowing, for sure. Non-AD time is starting. I hope we all are lucky. Fingers crossed!!!
Below is the actual part of the email from my firm:
“We are receiving receipt notices from both caps….”
And yes, I too is expecting for non-ads notices to come-in starting tomorrow…. Good luck to us all!
Oooh, this is exciting! This Friday we could be the lucky ones then, and def next week many many receipts for non-ADs will start arriving.
Well, May The 4th be with ya’ll, my dears. Let’s keep hoping for the best!!
Any NON-AD got their SEVP updated? I see people getting their receipts or finding out about their checks but nobody mentioned SEVP update.
Yes I got SEVP update today. Non-AD, did undergrad in US
Nona-ad can i hope for next week.. or game over ??
I can expect until data entry completes? on 7th may??
Maybe USCIS did the data entry for all ADs first this year and then started to work on non-ADs. Today’s immigration girl update sets her AD receipt rate close to the total received last year. Coincidentally, we are just now hearing of non-ADs checks encashed. I guess we will start to see non-ADs receipt on Monday.
Hi Is game over for Ad applicants ? No update in sevp portal or regarding check cashed? Losing hopes Undergoing trauma and depression.
Join the club, sister.
Has anyone who has applied through Murthy Law Firm got receipts yet?
NO still waiting !!! with who u applied ?
I heard that USCIS has finished data entry
No.
That’s not true.
Sorry My bad! confusion. Its not complete.
I work on tn visa but my company decided to apply for h1b . I have business degree ,not masters . anyone from Fragomen here ? d
any news from them aboutyour case ?
AD/VT with Fragomen, no update. I’m hopeless but you should not!
🙂 gd bless to all.. non-AD check too got cashed may 3rd. 1st Time..
Congrats!! Was your SEVP portal updated?
Infy/TCS/CTS/Wipro ???? plz clarify???
Congrats!
Wow! A non-ad. Congrats!
It seems this day is the start for non-ads.
Good luck to us all non-ads!
From IG:
5/3/18 UPDATE: Receipts came in from both Vermont and California today for only AD.
We have received I-797 receipt notices in 52% of our cases filed as AD/VT (Advanced Degree-masters / Vermont Service Center)
We have received I-797 receipt notices in 50% of our cases filed as AD/CA (Advanced Degree-masters / California Service Center)
There are few ppl who
got non ad receipt today in my country community. I guess
Emily has much more AD than non
Ad.
why?
NON-AD
Check has not cashed out yet, but i heard few NoN-Ad’s checks has been cashed out this week.
Good Luck all
How long does it usually take from cashing the check to getting the receipt? My lawyers don’t update based on checks. Any experience? (I am non-AD)
AD
SEVP updated to 09/30 – 5/3
check cashed – 5/1
OPT STEM end date – 08/16
California
Don’t lose hope guys
Hi all – just to confirm, the SEVP update will change the ending date for OPT, for both-AD and non-AD, right? This is under the employment tab in the SEVP portal.
Mine is still showing expiring on June 2018 (non-AD). Thank you very much, and best of luck to everyone, this is an extremely stressful process and I hope we all end up in a good place irrespective of the h1b outcome.
SEVP updates should be completed by May 13th.
OPT End date updated to 9/30 on SEVP Portal.
Non-AD
Original OPT end date : July,2018
Talked to lawyer, check hasn’t been cashed yet and no receipt.
In case, you didn’t read it correctly, I got a SEVP update so I should get the receipt soon.
abe– i said try..receipt aur SEVP ki baat maine kab kari.. may be you didnt read it correctly.
Received my receipt today
AD/2nd Attempt/STEM OPT
No SEVP update
Did you hear anything about your case before?
Or you directly got the receipt?
Receipt was the only option to verify whether I got picked in lottery.
My STEM OPT expires on June 2019 – so SEVP update will not happen.
DSO didn’t find any update in SEVIS record – not sure why
Lost hope completely and finally received my receipt today !!
Hope everyone who are still waiting get their chances soon !!
Good Luck !
My OPT end date just got updated to 09/30 on SEVP (initially it was 06/11).
Don’t lose hope.
Please provide details? Ad or non-AD? When did the change exactly happen?
AD on OPT. The change happened yesterday at 12.
My SEVP just got updated to 9/30 today too. Does that mean for sure I won the lottery?
can you tell looking at ur receipt, which center is processing ur case ?
I don’t have a receipt yet, just the SEVP update. I hope I will receive it next week.
Will AD’s who got picked in the non-AD lottery be notified with non-AD’s or should they have found out already?
Thanks
Good question… anybody has an idea on this?
Any one received RECEIPT from INFY
Nope
Yes
Has any non-AD received an update on SEVP portal?
are new AD receipts still coming or is it over?
Few back up options-
1. Marry an american
2. if your dad is rich, invest >500k in US and get GC
3. Ask for international assignment for 1 year and come back on L1
4. Relocate permanently to another country
5. Go for higher studies
6. Day 1 CPT – Not a very good option anymore but worth a shot if nothing else works
7. Take a vacation and chill out (give back to community for your resume)
8. Start a venture and get entrepreneur visa
9. Forget about US
.
.
.
.
10. Jump off the cliff – (Sorry nothing else works for you)
What about applying for GC under EB1 or EB2-NIW?
if you are willing to be on the wrong side of the law/authority – you would have way too many options 😛
Any one from IBM received update?
As I mentioned in my previous comment, few of my colleagues were notified of being picked up in the lottery in the past few weeks
This is IBM US btw
Oh my god, non-ADs are starting to get checks cashed!! Anyone received receipt? Please, please, keep us updated, and congrats to ya’ll! 🙂
The lawyers at the law firm my company has said they are not monitoring checks, so I have to wait till receipt/rejection… I’m gunna jump out of the window one of these days… #stresssss
do you live or work on ground floor? window option might be ok in that case.
I wish people spent 10 extra sec to see if their sentences make sense.
Amen!
If thats what we should do waiting for H1b, I would have been already dead by now 😛
What does AD or non AD mean?
AD last attempt
No news yet
OPT expiring in 2019, so SEVP cannot help
DSO will not help
Lawyer gave the check so they will not give response till they get receipt notice. And may take longer to inform due to back log.
Just throwing out there to make people not selected so far feel better, especially AD.
Non-AD is yet to start so you guys at least have hope. For AD, it’s almost over.
Not the end of world, there are worse things in life.
still waiting. Same state. OPT STEM expires June 2019. No SEVP updates yet. 2nd chance. East coast.
is it confirmed? !!.
2nd time AD.. waiting for the results
I am literally checking my email every hour to see if there is anything from my employer.. As days pass i am getting more frustrated and tensed..sometimes feel like crying and ask god why me ? Why not my name in the lottery ?
Please pray for me.. I dont know if there is still any chance left but to be frank i have lost hope now.. Lottery is luck and luck has never favored me 🙁
I know i will still have one more attempt next year but my student visa has expired and i need to india ASAP… Me and my family do not want me to risk my future and come because it is tough to get F1 visa on STEM OPT.
All the best to all whose H1 has been picked and i pray all deserving Non-ADs H1s get picked and approved.
Take care
Same here. My student visa expired and i am not sure if i want to take the risk of renewing the student visa on OPT.
My prayers with !!
All d best .
Be strong n positive !!
I’m in the same exact situation. Please pray for me also.
getting F1 visa renewed on STEM opt should be ok as long as you’ve more than 1 year or so left on your opt.. Otherwise i agree its very risky. Also if you are in a reputed college, getting renewal is a lot easier.
My OPT ends in July, 2018 and I applied for STEM OPT extension. My SEVP portal has two items in the employment tab “OPT July,2017-July,2018” and “Future STEM Extension July,2018 – July,2020. Will I get SEVP update if my H1 application is picked ?
Non-AD
How come you are Non-AD? Had your employer applied in Non-AD Quota?
I am non AD coz I got my Bachelors degree in the US.
Ad 4th attempt here as well. Got receipt from lawyer this morning. there was no change in SEVIS per DSO.
Alright other countries – you gotta wait a little longer. Guess i am not moving anywhere yet.
Was your OPT finishing before October?
Can you please provide more details ? Opt end date ? which location is processing ur case ?
Not at Dude there is lot of problem with CTS filing, wait until approve.
Rofl