Home » US Immigration - Visas » H1B Visa » H1B Visa 2019 – Lottery Predictions ? Fee, Quota, News & FAQs

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

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 

[prompt type=”left” title=”Beginner – First Time H1B ?” message=” If you are going through the H1B process first time, it is good to learn some basics like cap, quota, LCA, etc. Click adjacent button” button_text=”All H1B Basics – FAQs” href=”https://redbus2us.com/h1b-visa-basics-requirements-filing-dates-cap-fee-faqs/”]

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 TowardsAmount 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 FeeVaries 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 ?

   

Other Articles

8,787 Comments

  1. IG update

    *****UPDATE 5/15/18 – USCIS ANNOUNCED THAT DATA ENTRY IS COMPLETE*****

    This means we should see the last of the receipt notices for selected petitions arriving in the mail over the next 1 to 2 weeks.

    Reply
  2. Received my notice today in the mail. Haven’t had a chance to look at it but let’s hope I don’t get an RFE! Non-AD – first timer in CA – Fragomen

    Reply
    • Did they actually send out the mail with a copy of the receipt?

      I also filed through Fragomen, but just got the receipt number and no emails or mails.

      Reply
  3. I just got my SEVP updated! I had no hope. For people who are still waiting, there is still hope!!

    No receipt yet.
    Non-AD
    CA

    Reply
  4. Hi All,

    Are there any chances still to get receipt notice for AD people. Can we give up this time and try next attempt. Thanks!

    Reply
  5. Did anyone get an RFE? My company does not share RFE details so i want to know the various reasons one could get an RFE. I have done my masters in US and i am working for CTS at a client location. Any pointers will help me in my conversation with CTS folks.

    Reply
    • I got RFE yesterday,dont know to much detail about what document they need.I will check with my attorney today.

      Reply
        • As per attorney they haven’t received the RFE yet but my case is showing RFE from May 10th.
          As per Attorney,if he need any detail from “ME” then only he will contact me.

          Reply
  6. Does USCIS send receipt notices company wise? I mean the employees selected in a company will be notified on the same day?

    Reply
    • Company wise, gender wise.. Ad wise and Country wise and Pointwise would be good… no that’s not they have time.. they will tell you when it’s completes data entry, after that wait for 3 weeks Max then that’s game over.

      Reply
  7. Picked!
    My Attorney has sent me the receipt. There is no update on SEVP portal even now. (OPT expires after Sept 30)

    Reply
  8. Am just giving some hope to Non-Ad guys who were desperately waiting for it, anyways my petetion is completely legal n I have been there couple of times on business visa

    Reply
  9. 2 from chennai team got in my account. its weirdthat their receipt number start with WAC. Client and ibm office is in east coast. last years receipt number start with EAC. any comment?

    Reply
    • If you read through USCIS news https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-completes-data-entry-fiscal-year-2019-h-1b-cap-subject-petitions

      The have mentioned “Additionally, USCIS may transfer some Form I-129 H-1B cap subject petitions between the Vermont Service Center and the California Service Center to balance the distribution of cap cases”

      So could be internally @ uscis they could have swapped to California SC rather than Vermont.

      Reply
  10. Sevp portal updated on last Wednesday from 06/04/2018 to 09/30.
    AD-CA
    DSO generated a Updated i-20 i am able to see Receipt Number
    Still Receipt didn’t arrived in Mail.
    Any Suggestions

    Reply
  11. i am agree 1000% percent neha. peopal should not waste somebody’s lottery. for illegal action they are should go to jailed

    Reply
  12. Received the receipt notice today from my Hr.
    Non-Ad CA
    Received date 04/12/2018
    Notice date 05/09/2018

    Good luck guys, hang on Non-Ad CA guys still have time till the month end according to my attorney

    Reply
  13. Picked !!
    Visa status updated to “AcknowledgeFromUSCIS Received” in GICS
    Infosys Pune DC Ph2
    updated on 15 May

    Reply
    • Not to discourage you. But please cross check once what kind of acknowledgement it is ? I heard we also get the acknowledgement for rejected cases as well. not sure. anyways hoping for the positive note and congratulations!!! 🙂

      Reply
    • Congrats! Finally first one from Infy. Anyone else you know made it?
      Does one receive an email as well for the status change or is it only in GICS?

      None of the folks whom I interact with have made it through.

      Reply
    • Same status updated from Infosys Chennai Mcity
      Received Date 12-Apr-18
      WAC1815XXXXXX.
      Only updated in GloMo, no mails.

      Reply
      • Surprisingly I had called GICS in the afternoon and they mentioned that there are no updates for anyone and no acknowledgements for anyone.

        Reply
  14. Finally got the good news today!!

    Been applying for H1B since 2015.

    I lost all hope this time and was looking into alternatives when my employer called to give me the good news

    Good luck to all those who are still waiting.

    Non AD – California

    Reply
  15. Got new i20 with new reciept number
    sevp updated on 05/06
    still no reciept recieved in mail
    Stem Opt expires on 06/04
    AD-CA

    Reply
    • Are you saying your sevp portal is not updated but when you requested for a new i20, you see a receipt number on your i20? I thought no sevp update=no changes reflect on i20

      Reply
    • Disregard my comment m. Didn’t read your comment properly and got excited thinking that could be a possibility 😐

      Reply
      • sevp updated on 05/06 from end date 06/04 to 09/30
        DSO generated updated i20 then i am able to see receipt number
        waiting for receipt in mail.

        Reply
      • I think it’s still a possibility. For folks who’s date is not this year will never know if they got picked until they get the receipt letter. Keep the spirits up. God is watching and knows we are genuine.

        Reply
  16. In 4/28 I had SEVP PORTAL updates
    1. Address was changed from lower case to upper case.
    2. Another random SEVIS
    Update.
    My opt doesn’t expire until next year. I am an AD candidate and still haven’t received any receipt to know if I was selected or not.
    Question is should I still keep hopes as “something” in my SEVP had changed 4/28?

    Reply
    • To be very honest for the people who don’t need CAP-GAP, the only thing that I know that has sure shot turned into getting picked up is the update to the “Relation to Field”. If that’s the field that has an update on your SEVIS portal then yes there is very high chance you got picked.

      Reply
  17. Another empty day for me today 🙁 …… Congrats to all Non-ADs who got picked…

    Hopefully tomorrow will be THE DAY for me and for the others as well!

    Please pray for us too…. Thanks!

    Reply
  18. Got the receipt today after a long wait . 4th time lucky . Can’t thank God enough for being kind this time!!
    Wish all the very best to all the genuine applicants !! God bless you all and may your wait also be over soon !!

    Non AD

    Reply
  19. Are checks still being cashed usually around this time? I’m getting updates on a daily basis regarding the check being cashed. That’s why I;m asking.

    Reply
  20. question for everyone here,

    If my application was not picked in AD Quota but was selected in the regular cap will it be considered as AD or Non-Ad? also if it’s picked under the regular cap, I will get receipt along with all other regular folks (non-ad) correct?

    Reply
    • Brother for you have a US masters it doesn’t matter whether its gets picked in first 20k or the remaining 65k you will always be under AD. For the second question no one can really say for sure except USCIS. but after 20k receipts my guess is they come in mixed.

      Reply
  21. Wow Great News!!!

    Just got a mail from attorney that they have received receipt for my petition.

    5th attempt – Non-AD from India, my organization is based out of California so it’s WAC center

    Attorney has not shared receipt number yet, will put further details of the receipt once o have it handy!!

    All genuine applicants should deserve this time. All the best!!!

    Reply
    • cheques has not been encashed till now no update from employee or attorney not even picking up calls and no reply for emails. if i asked them before 2 weeks they told me u have to wait till may end for the results. if we receive anything regarding ur case will update you . i didnt hear anything from them till now .
      Is there any hope that cheques will be encashing now .

      Reply
  22. I am also Big 5 WITCH. wipro infy tcs cts hcl
    I am not heard any information from my company, HCL.
    Any one from Big 5 heard about receipting infrmation ?
    Thanking you

    Reply
      • they diddn’t abuse. They are using h1 to create jobs inside india and giving quality improvement for indian peooples living in india. It is their business model. simply dont be jealous.

        Reply
        • These Wig 5 BITCH companies filed for more petitions than available slots in each of the last 4 years but they didn’t abuse the system. They filed visas for everyone who wanted without a concrete plan or project in place but they didn’t abuse the system. They send “highly skilled” people on minimum wage required for a job but they didn’t abuse the system.

          Salon soch to liya karo munh kholne se pahle.

          PS: I mistakenly swapped B with W in first line.

          Reply
  23. Happy to share that I received my receipt today.

    SeyFarth
    Big 4
    Bangalore
    Non AD
    Receipt Date – 2nd May 2018.

    Reply
  24. Any approvals form the Vermont Centre? Can you please share first few number of the receipt? Thanks guys and this forum rocks!

    Reply
    • Any approvals “from” the Vermont Centre? Can you please share first few “numbers” of the receipt? Thanks, guys and this forum rocks!

      @R@j.. Just corrected your post.

      Reply
      • @AntiAviShek
        Thanks for the correction. Now people understand what I really meant! Just messing with you bud! But hopefully someone will reply.

        Reply
      • there should not be comma after thanks in last line. Thanks should be with guys to make sense in that sentence.

        @AntiAviShek.. Just corrected your post.

        Reply
    • Immigration girl posted last week that they received the 1st RFE, by the end of the week, so definitely the adjudication process has started. I think it is still early to see many many approvals/RFE, though, since non-AD receipts are just starting to be received.

      I am waiting for approval too, California center. I guess the process will be similar to the receipts: 1st we will start seeing approvals and RFEs for AD applications, and later non-AD ones will flow. I guess…

      Reply
  25. How Many folks from CTS Chennai got their receipt last week?

    Still waiting to know if selected in lots or not 🙁

    Reply
    • not sure what is happening but no updates received yet. haven’t heard much from Chennai CTS. I’m also waiting to receive receipt#. post here if anybody received it.

      Reply
    • Non-Ad results have been delayed for some reason maybe .. I have not seen much Non- Ad updates anywhere .. Appreciate anybody updating on statuses with CTS …

      Reply
    • Wait for one week after data entry process is completed.. Number of petitions r too low in CTS compare to last year..

      Reply
      • Thanks for the info Vino..Can you share, what time did you receive mail/mobile message from GM..any dates info ..please..

        Reply
      • At what time have you received it? – from which acct? What was the date printed on receipt? Which centre? From Whom u got this confirmation and how?

        Reply

Leave a Comment