Home » US Immigration - Visas » H1B Visa » H1B Visa 2020 – News, Lottery, Deadlines, Fee – FAQs

H1B Visa 2020 – News, Lottery, Deadlines, Fee – FAQs

This page has all details, FAQs, latest news updates that are related to the H1B Visa 2020 season that started in April 2019. Previous H1B season details are at H1B Visa FY 2019 Quota.

H1B 2020 Season is over, Check out details of current H1B 2022 season at H1B Visa 2022 – Registration, Lottery, Fee – FAQs

If this is your first time filing H1B, please read H1B Visa Basics – FAQs like Requirements, Quota, LCA, etc.

When does H1B visa 2020 Season start ?  What is the start date ? 

Update : USCIS announced on March 19th that they will accept H1B 2020 petitions starting from April 1st.

Based on past history, it would be Monday, April 1st, 2019.  The rationale is that, USCIS starts accepting applications for the next fiscal year exactly 6 months before the start of the next fiscal year. USCIS fiscal year for 2020 year starts from 1st October 2019, which means they would accept applications for FY 2020 from April 1st, 2019.  This will change for the next H1B FY 2021 Season as USCIS has published New H1B Registration Rule, where employers will register much ahead of the April 1st date and go through process to be able to file petitions on April 1st.

What is H1B visa 2020 Quota for Regular and Masters filings ?

H1B quota is listed below. There are no changes to the cap count, USCIS confirmed that in their press release in March 2018.  Below are the numbers.  For first timers,  this quota 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

H1B Lottery Predictions for FY 2020 ?

Update : USCIS announced on April 5th that they received enough petitions for Regular cap quota and there would be lottery.

We had H1B lottery for the last 6 consecutive years starting H1B FY 2014. Looking at historical trend of H1B filings, cap reach dates, it is very likely possible that we would have lottery for FY 2020 quota.  We have written a detail article on this topic, read H1B Visa 2020 Lottery Predictions, Dates, Results, Analysis.

H1B Visa 2020 Lottery Date ?  Results ?

If we look at the H1B lottery, we have three things, one is when the H1B petitions are accepted for the lottery, second is when the actual lottery is done and third is when the H1B lottery results for everyone are out.

  • Applications Accepted for H1B Lottery : H1B visa petitions for next fiscal year would be accepted by USCIS from Monday April 1st, 2018 for 5 working days until April 5th, 2018 to be part of the H1B Visa lottery.
  • H1B Visa Lottery conducted date : 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 2019, H1B lottery was conducted on April 11th. Similarly, for FY 2018, the actual H1B Lottery was done on April 11th, 2017 . We can expect anywhere around the same dates like April 11th or April 13th.
  • H1B 2020 Lottery Results for Everyone : This is probably the most asked question as many applicants wait in state of uncertainty. USCIS, only informs about actual results for everyone after they completed sending our receipts for accepted petitions.  So, technically, you may need to wait for a long time to get the actual results, depending on if you were selected in lottery or not. For FY 2019, USCIS sent our all rejected applications on July 30th, with a timeline given until August 13th. So, you can hear your lottery results anywhere from April second week to August 13th..that’s a long waiting window !
    • Update : USCIS released a press note confirming that that returned all H1B petitions that were not picked in lottery and you should get a mail by Aug 29, 2019. So, your final date for lottery result date for FY 2020 is Aug 29, 2019.

How to find H1B visa 2020 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.  Depending on your situation, 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 or  H1B Grader – Sponsors Database 
  • 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 2020

What is H1B 2020 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 2019 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.  Also, premium processing fee increased from $1,225 to $1,410, effective October 1st, 2018. Below table is a high level summary from FY 2019 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)$1,410 ( from Oct 1, 2018)
Immigration Attorney FeeVaries from $500 to $3000

What is New H1B Registration Rule ?

USCIS and DHS went through 9 Steps of Federal rule making process to change the H1B lottery process and published the final rule on Jan 31st, 2019.  In the  new registration rule, employers register their potential H1B hires during the H1B registration window in the USCIS registration system.  USCIS will conduct lottery on the registrations and inform the selected registrants to file H1B petition on April 1st. In the new process, the order of H1B lottery is changed to select Regular cap quota petitions first and then Masters quota petitions. For more info, read Summary of New H1B Registration Rule

Will the New H1B Registration Rule be applicable for FY 2020 Season ?

Not fully.  USCIS is suspending H1B Registration Rule for H1B FY 2020 cap season to design, implement and complete user testing of system and make sure the system is ready. USCIS will formally announce this suspension for FY 2020 on their website.  So, for the upcoming H1B Visa FY 2020 season , the current process of accepting H1B Petitions for 5 business days and then conducting lottery from the received petitions will be followed. But, one change to the current process will be done, which is the order of the H1B lottery will be changed, where first regular quota petitions are selected in lottery to fulfil 65,000 petitions cap from entire pool of applications and then master quota petitions are selected in lottery order to fulfil the masters quota cap of 20,000. Read complete info at H1B Lottery Changes for FY 2020 Season

H1B 2020 Processing Timelines – Regular vs Premium ?

You would know about the H1B Lottery result for your H1B Petition filed with USCIS, if you either receive a Receipt Notice from USCIS or a Rejected Package indicating you were not picked in Lottery. The timeline for receiving receipts is different for regular vs premium processing. We have put together all the details in a detail article addressing all of these questions. Read H1B 2020 Lottery Results – Premium vs Regular Processing Timeline 

H1B 2020 Case Tracker  :

Did you submit or plan to submit H1B petition for FY 2020 ?  In general, the wait for H1B receipts, lottery results, and processing is quite frustrating without any status until you receive something from USCIS.  You would be curious to know others status…so, to have a general view on the statuses movement for entire community, we have put together a tracker along with good graphs for analysis. It is completely anonymous as we do not capture your case number or any personal information. It is community contributed data, the more you add, the better for everyone, including  You !

[prompt type=”left” title=”Track your H1B Case” message=” Anonymously Track your H1B Case – Share and Get updated from Community.” button_text=”H1B 2020 Case Tracker” href=”https://redbus2us.com/trackers/h1b-visa-tracker/”]

What’s the latest news for H1B Visa 2020 Season ?

Below is the list of latest news by date related to FY 2020 season.

  • Aug 15, 2019(Official ) : USCIS released a press note today indicating that they have returned all the petitions that were not selected in H1B 2020 Lottery. They say that, if you do not hear back from USCIS by Aug 29, 2019, you can reach out to them. See below screenshot. You can read the USCIS Press release
  • June 7, 2019(Official ) : USCIS released a press note today indicating that they will begin premium processing for all H1B 2020 cap subject petitions starting from June 10th, 2019.  Technically, now you can upgrade your H1B petition, if you have filed it as COS or Consular processing. All in all, anyone can upgrade their case to Premium processing.  Check the USCIS Official Press Release
  • May 17th, 2019(Official ) : USCIS announced that they have completed data entry and will start sending out the reject notices now…Also, they may transfer some cases as well to balance the load. If you see a status change, nothing to worry.  Check the USCIS Official Press Release
  • April 11th, 2019(Official ) : USCIS announced today evening that they have reached masters cap and also announced completion of H1B lottery for FY 2020. They received a total of 201,011 petitions. Read H1B 2020 Lottery Completed News Summary 
  • April 5th, 2019Official ) : USCIS released a press note that H1B 2020 regular cap was filled. Read H1B visa 2020 Regular Cap Filled News. Check out  Short Video on H1B 2020 Regular Cap Quota reached.
  • April 1st, 2019Official ) : USCIS Launched H1B Employer Data Hub as part of transparency effort to understand H1B employer’s Information on Approvals and Denials. You can check out How to use H1B Employer Data Hub,
  • March 19th, 2019 ( Official ) : USCIS did a press release indicating the start of H1B season from April 1st, and gave out details on Premium Processing that it will be open only for applications filed with COS. Check out all details at H1B 2020 Starts April 1st, Premium Processing Info
  • January 2019 ( Official ) : USCIS Publishes Final Rule on H1B Registration on Jan 31, 2019 and gave guidance for FY 2020 season.
  • December 2018 ( Official ) : USCIS Publishes a proposed rule in Federal Register to introduce the concept of electronic pre-registrations before filing the actual full H1B petition. Currently, it is in process seeking public comments until Jan 2, 2019. Check out details at H1B Pre-Registration New Proposed Rule – Lottery, Process, Analysis.
  • For  FY 2020 season there is an increase in Premium processing fee. We do not even know, if USCIS will have premium processing fee for FY 2020 as they have suspended until Feb 2019 for petitions filed in April 2018 under FY 2019 quota. But, something to be aware of.

You can bookmark this page and check this page for updates on H1B FY 2020 season. Also, you can read H1B 2020 Cap Count Updates Page for up to date tracking of this year’s news and other info.
Do you have any questions on next H1B 2020 season ? Join us on WhatsApp H1B 2020 Group, Telegram, Facebook , Slack H1B 2020 and Community Forum to discuss, ask, share.

   

Other Articles

2,273 Comments

  1. Hi Kumar,

    My case is non-AD/VT – L1b To H1b (Change of status) and I have filled 2 petition this year since I got two offer from different and unrelated employer/client , Please let me know my chance of getting selected in the lottery also can I expect the result from next week to Mid- May ?

    Thanks in Advance !

    Reply
    • Well, the odds are pure mathematics, it is all based on your luck in lottery. You can hear back anytime in the upcoming weeks, based on past history, you can hear by early or mid June.

      Reply
  2. Hello Kumar
    When does non AD non PP processing starts? I could see most of the updates so far is on AD processing

    Reply
  3. Are we still seeing lottery pickups happening for non premium- AD petitions ?
    till now I have only seen PP results everywhere. Not sure about NP-AD results.
    Please provide your comments on this.

    Reply
      • I got an email from my lawyer yesterday where she sent a copy of the certified LCA. But isn’t that months old news? That makes me wonder if they have received info about my H1B but just haven’t informed me yet…

        Reply
        • LCA should have been done long time ago. Check with them again, if they filed in April first week or not… Is your employer University or non-profit research ? if so, then you are cap exempt and can file anytime.

          Reply
          • No, it’s a big company. And I see the LCA was filed and certified in Feb on the portal…but the in house lawyer waited till now to inform me of that (even though of course I already knew of it from checking the portal which is managed by outside counsel). And I do also see an update for “Petition filed with CIS” for April 1st so I believe they did file it on time.

            Just not sure if they’re timely on updating the portal/emailing me about the info regarding things.

  4. How many AD/RP folks received their receipt numbers? Waiting for the lottery result is an added misery to the lottery itself. Its a torture checking email and sevp portal every hour to see if there is any update. Hopefully I survived the USCIS snap. Why can’t USCIS make the lottery process easier and for folks by sending receipts all at once for people selected or rejected. After all its a computer generated lottery. They can make or lives easier specially for last timers like me.

    Reply
    • Mine was AD regular processing ,Haven’t received receipts, but employer said the checks have been cashed today. Apparently the SEVIS was updated on 22nd april for me. So I guess they are still updating and sending out receipts.

      Reply
    • I agree. My case is like yours, AD/RP last chance. I am checking the SEVP portal every few hours and eagerly waiting for communication from the lawyers.

      For some AD/RP candidates (who are eligible for cap-gap) OPT end date was updated on SEVP portal. There is no update on my SEVP portal. Lawyers won’t tell me if the cheque was encashed until official notice from USCIS.

      What I am wondering is,

      Is the SEVP portal updated for every candidate picked in the lottery who are eligible for cap-gap?

      I need an answer soon. My STEM OPT will end soon so I need to start planning.

      Reply
  5. My Nephew for mail from Attorney – AD – Non PP – got picked in H-1B lottery ,
    I have applied for Non AD & Non PP …. waiting for my luck to struck.

    Reply
  6. 3rd time and final time AD/Non-PP here and I saw my sevis portal got update with the 09/30 as my OPT end date, So I believe its the sign my application picked in the lottery.

    I noticed that SEVIS portal was under maintanance on 24th (Yesterday) probably they are updating the results? and there is one more maintainance on 27th.

    Reply
  7. My application got selected in the lottery. AD/PP/CA. My case status is: “On April 12, 2019,Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was Emailed” and on case history it says “15-Day Premium Processing Clock Was Started for My Case”.
    Now case history updated to “On April 17, 2019,15-Day Premium Processing Clock Was Restarted for My Case”. but status remains same as “On April 12, 2019,Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was Emailed”
    What is that means ?

    Reply
    • These are intermittent system statuses and may keep changing. Technically the official 15 day clock starts on May 20th, but in the system you may see some of these, dont worry about it.

      Reply
  8. What’s the best way to find out if you got picked in the lottery other than asking the lawyer if the check was encashed?

    Reply
  9. Picked up in lottery AD/PP/CAP-GAP, SEVIS updated to 9/30 on April 24th. Waiting for decision now.
    Fingers crossed! good luck to everyone.

    Reply
  10. Lawyer just informed me that my petition was picked in the lottery. AD/PP, 5th (STEM undergraduate & graduate) and last attempt. I know right? Consider this being extremely unlucky & lucky at the same time.

    For those who are wondering, no SEVP portal update yet and I’m on cap gap.

    Best of luck to all the genuine applicants who are still waiting!!!

    Reply
  11. People have started seeing change on their SEVP portal. There is no update on my portal. Does that mean I am done for this season?
    AD/non-PP.

    Reply
  12. Will the SEVP portal be updated for a candidate who does not require any Cap Gap extension? Example- OPT runs from 4th Feb’19 to 3rd Feb’20, will the employment end date be dragged down to 30th Sept’19 in such cases?

    Reply
  13. Hi,

    My case was picked in the lottery(AD/PP). I know USCIS announced that PP clock starts on or after May 20.
    But I see that the clock has started on April 12th in my case history. I’m confused.

    Reply
    • It is common to get decision or RFE before than the official PP start date. That is normal…their official 15 day only starts on May 20.

      Reply
  14. Hi All,

    I got picked on H1B, I am on STEP OPT ending May 13th.
    Applying now for Cap Gap, I just noticed on my SEVP portal that my Supervisor name was not updated. Couple of months back there was an organizational change and my Boss changed.I missed to update on the SEVP portal. But, I am still employed on the same company, same role and all job responsibilities remain the same. Will this be an issue during Cap Gap extension?

    Reply
  15. Please advise: My coworker and I filed for H-1B through the same attorney. Our initials are also the same. Our application was also received on the same date and signed by the same person. Both filed under Regular AD. The lawyer told us that his check was cashed but nothing for me yet. Does that mean it’s over for me? Or can my check still be cashed? Should it have been cashed together?

    Any information is useful at this point. Thanks

    Reply
  16. My SEVIS portal has been updated, but my attorney’s haven’t received any receipts regarding my petition, can I probably lower my BP assuming I’m mostly picked?

    AD/Regular,

    Also, thanks for all your posts, made my day for the last week!

    Reply
      • I have applied for H1B 2020 cap and waiting for result.
        Is it OK if i apply for EB2 /EB3 as well during coming month of May 2019?

        Reply
        • Both are technically quite independent, you can try that as well. Check with your attorney on the specifics on the timing and if anything needs to be considered.

          Reply
    • Hey, is it your 1st attempt? Mine is 1st attempt and my opt date end date shifted to 30 sept. I guess this is for cap gap students, but my portal got updated.

      Reply
    • hi, have you received your receipt yet? mine was changed to 9/30 on 4/25 and i have not received the receipt yet, when was yours updated?

      Reply
    • Same here. I heard people saying me to keep hopes & it’s not over, but I kinda lost hope now cz premium results are all out and Non-PP people started receiving their receipts. Your only hope is if your attorney is Fragomen, they are not sharing till they receive physical receipt.

      Reply
      • Attorney is Fragomen but their coordinator confirmed that they are sending receipts as they come in and they are not waiting for physical receipts. Looks to be a dead end.

        Reply
        • My last attempt as well. 3rd time. AD/PP/CA. I am slowly winding up things. Check hasnt been cashed yet, no update on SEVP portal.
          I’ll move to Canada soon.

          Reply
  17. Just Open My SEVP portal at 12.20 PM(PST) and i see in History section that my cap gap extended to sept 30. Genuine Applicant Working as Mechanical Engineer.Last 3rd Time. Non PP. AD.
    Thank you god. Wishing all last time applicant Best wishes. Stay There don’t loose hope.

    Reply
  18. Anyone using Consular Processing heard anything? Checked with my law firm yesterday, they mentioned Consular Processing might wait till May or June. Do we really need to wait till that late to know whether get picked in lottery of not?

    Good luck to everyone who’s still waiting! 🙂

    Reply
  19. Hi,

    AD/PP got an email from my lawyer yesterday at 4PM after I was losing hope. I believe that my lawyer firm didn’t want to inform me until they got the actual mail, then they scanned it and sent it to me. It says that the notice date was on Apr 16th, and the lawyer didn’t tell me until yesterday when they got the actual mail. So, there’s still hope for AD/PP if your lawyer wants to wait until they get the mail. So, if your lawyer got the email this past Friday, they may receive the mail by this Friday and then let you know.
    OPT ends in 2020, and SEVP isn’t updated.

    Reply
    • They have already started. Some of my co-workers found out that their checks were presented for payment. Which means they were picked in the lottery.

      Good Luck!

      Reply
  20. Hopes are high, expectations are low. I wish there was a way but the process is so slow.
    We find comfort in others while our destiny still bothers.
    We all have dreams but nothing is working out it seems.
    Let’s all gather and pray so that we shall not stray.
    For the H-1B shall come to us to stay.

    P.S. Do not ask for my autograph!

    Reply
  21. Hi everyone,Did any one with PP/AD receive receipts today ?? as Non-PP started receiving receipts can i assume my chances are low and what are the options you ppl suggest as i will be out of status soon. thanks

    Reply
  22. How have people applied for PP now? I thought USCIS enforced a rule that it would only accept pp post May20th for H1b cap petitions, isn’t that the case?

    Reply
    • Well, this depends and can take time. Already we see some regular processing Advanced degree petitions receipts, so we can expect regular processing petitions processed anytime…you would see more of them coming in from early May…

      Reply
  23. Hi,,,My H1B petition (I 129) pacakge has all the forms except I 907 and the cheque associated with I 907. Does this mean my petition wasn’t filed as Premium?

    My lawyer mentioned that they filed my petition as premium AD/CA/COS/PP however in the I 129 copy that was shared with me I don’t find the I 907 or the cheque towards premium processing. It would be very helpful if you can share your thoughts on this. Is 907 filed independent of the I 129 package?

    Reply
  24. Don’t lose hope. Worst case. We all can join redbus and help grow this community. I am sure Kumar will pay us above market standards

    Reply

Leave a Comment