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H1B Cap Total Number News USCIS for FY 2017 from Lottery

News: Over 236,000 Petitions Received for H1B 2017. Lottery Done !

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Wow, it has been a crazy day with some surprise news from attorneys saying that they received H1B Receipt Notices for their premium processing cases. It clearly indicated that lottery was done and we were just waiting for the official press note from USCIS.  Anyways, as you know, the H1B cap for FY 2017 reached on April 7th and finally, we have an official press note from USCIS. Below is the quick summary of the details.

Summary of the USCIS Official Press Alert on H1B FY 2017 Lottery, Cap Completion

  • Total H1B Petitions in Lottery: USCIS received a staggering number of over 236,000 petitions for H1B FY 2017 Quota during the standard 5 day filing period between April 1st and April 7th, 2016.
  • Masters Quota : USCIS received more than the cap of 20,000 set aside for US Masters degree quota. We do not have any split on how many were filed under masters quota and regular quota, all we have been updated by USCIS is that the overall number is over 236,000 petitions for FY 2017 quota.
  • Lottery Process for H1B 2017 : USCIS indicated on April 9th, that they conducted computer generated random selection, popularly called as H1B lottery for the total over 236,0000 petitions received to pick the required petitions for regular cap of 65,000 and masters cap of 20,000 petitions.
    • Masters Quota Lottery : First a lottery was conducted for the US Masters degree H1B petitions to select the 20,000 petitions. The petitions that were not selected in this first round were added back to the regular quota pool of applications and lottery was conducted on the entire pool of applications to pick the required 65,000 petitions required for regular quota. This is no different from previous years and you may read H1B Lottery Process
    • Petitions Not Selected in Lottery: USCIS indicated that they will reject and return all the petitions that were not selected in the FY 2017 lottery with the filing fee, unless they identify that the petition is duplicate filing by same employer for same or related job roles to trick the system of lottery selection for better odds.
  • H1B 2017 Premium Processing Details : USCIS indicated earlier that premium processing will begin no later than May 16th, 2016. It means that, if your petition is filed under premium the clock of 15 calendar days starts from May 16th.  As we have already seen many attorneys getting receipts, they may process the petitions earlier as well, but the 15 days SLA for premium processing starts from May 16th, that’s the idea.
    • For FY 16, they said that it would be no later than May 11th ( later moved to April 27th after lottery) and for FY 15 it was April 27th. You can see that the initial forecast of the dates are further pushed for this year by 5 days…it tells us that they are anticipating more petitions. You should read H1B Visa 2017 Lottery Predictions Analysis
    • Cap Exempt H1B Petitions: The current press alert is only for FY 2017 H1B cap quota stating that it is completed. As always, all the H1B cap exempt petitions will be accepted all year long, which falls under the below categories :
      • Changes in H1B employment terms, contract
      • Previously H1B cap counted Applications
      • H1B extensions
      • H1B Transfers
      • Concurrent working second H1B petitions

Our H1B Predictions for FY 2017 – Actual Results : We have indicated in our H1B 2017 predictions article couple of things, first one is that we expect lottery and second one is that we expect about  230,000  to 250,000 petitions.   We are proud to say that both of our predictions are correct.   Firstly, USCIS had lottery for FY 2017 quota and secondly, they received about 236,000 petitions. Hope our predictions, let some of you plan ahead !

What can you expect in next few weeks or months?

All I can tell you my friends is that it is going to be a very long wait for many of the H1B Applicants, who filed petition for FY 2017 quota.  With our experience, we can tell you one thing, stay calm and continue to focus on what you are doing…you may feel the pain and anxiety, when others report that they received case number and some post indicating that they got approval… As we have an active discussion always on H1B Visa 2017 Page, I suggest you all not to hurt anyone with your comments or post rumours misleading people. Please do NOT get into fight or write hate speech ! Let’s keep the forum friendly and help one another as everyone goes through this tough waiting period.  I suggest you add your H1B case to our H1B Case Tracker and keep it up to date, so that everyone get some high level info and take necessary action as needed.

What are your thoughts on this FY 2017 Quota and Lottery ?

[content_band style=”color: #333;” bg_color=”#ffddea” border=”all” inner_container=”true”] [custom_headline style=”margin-top: 0;” level=”h4″ looks_like=”h3″]Whats after H1B Lottery ? [/custom_headline]

Various Steps, Case Status and Flow on what happens after H1B Lottery – Read Whats Next After H1B Lottery and Flow Chart

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Official USCIS Tweet on this with press release

   

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1,642 Comments

  1. Non AD/RP/TX – whats our hope? till which date we have to wait??

    Someone says till mid may, someone says till june??

    Which is true??? Please anyone reply.

    Reply

    • Not sure if Texas even accepts H1B petitions. Maybe Saurabh can clarify. I know only Vermont and California Centers do.

      Reply

    • Very Less chances now for PP.. Even now RP candidates are in the dark side which are not selected in the lottery.. I think this time process is fast.. Mid of May everything will be cleared

      Reply

  4. Today I’ve received my wife’s H4 receipt notice. I’ve checked on USCIS website and it says “case was received”. I haven’t received anything related to my H1B application.

    Nevertheless, I am 99% sure that the lawyers filed my H1B together with her H4 application. What does this mean?

    Thanks.

    Reply

  9. Non-AD/RP/VT

    I have a question to all Regular processing guys. Non-AD/RP/VT

    How does USCIS send receipts to employer. I mean in bulk all together or randomly.
    I have enquired with my employer about my H1b Lottery status, they are telling that they got only few Regular CAP Petition’s receipts. So i was confused.. I can loose hopes 🙁

    Experts please reply

    Reply

    • My employer got Regular processing updates around 15 and he is expecting more from today. He applied to california center and he is giving the receipt nos. So don’t loose hope and better to keep hopes till mid May – JUNE. It’s easy to tell to others but tough to follow. I am also tensed alot

      Reply

    • Regular CAP guys please keep posting the updates that may help others…

      Once you get receipt numbers don’t leave the blog..

      Anyone today received Receipts Non-AD/RP/VT????

      Reply

    • Hi Debbie,

      What is your attorney saying? Are they still getting Non AD/PP Receipts? Till when they expect to receive these receipts?

      Mine is also Non AD/PP.

      ThirdTimer

      Reply

      • @Thirdtimer,
        I didn’t talk to my attorney since last week, Wed April 20.
        Last thing my attorney told me was that they were receiving AD/PP emails from USCIS. I asked to see if my check was cashed out, but she came back saying to wait.
        My manager was chasing corporate HR since Friday last week and no news back from HR or my attorney.
        I would guess its something shady, but my attorney is FREGOMEN and I read people saying they are very good at immigration.

        Reply

      • @Thirdtimer,
        I didn’t talk to my attorney since last week, Wed April 20.
        Last thing my attorney told me was that they were receiving AD/PP emails from USCIS. I asked to see if my check was cashed out, but she came back saying to wait.
        My manager was chasing corporate HR since Friday last week and no news back from HR or my attorney.
        I would guess its something shady, but my attorney is FREGOMEN and I read people saying they are very good at immigration.

        Reply

  12. Non-AD/RP/VT – Selected

    Was surprised to get a notice of the RP as i thought only PP was being notified. Something has changed in the center.Got the image of receipt from my employer so was surprised as i thought only way for RP to know is check cashing.

    Some other unrelated details from the receipt.
    Received date : 11-apr-2016
    Notice date : 21-apr-2016

    As i was ignorant in past so putting this down here for someone who can find it use full.
    (AD – advanced degree)
    (RP – regular processing other option is PP premium processing )
    (VT – vermont / other option is CA. i am not sure about others.)

    Reply

  14. Hi All,
    I have received my receipt H1b lottery selection, this is my first attempt guys and feeling very happy. Mine is NON-AD/RP/VERMONT 🙂
    All the best for others!!

    Reply

  16. My employer is refusing to tell about the check cashed or not. I don’t know the reason. Can anyone please tell me why they are doing like that. Thanks a lot in advance.

    Reply

    • As an accountant, I know the bookkeeper sometimes applies the wrong check to a payment. It is more likely given that there are many h1b checks with the same amount. That may be why the finance department is reluctant to release the check result before the solid message from attorney is delivered.

      Reply

  17. My employer said they received receipts at the month July August last year.. Will it happen for this year also.. Please let me know if anyone knows about this..

    Reply

    • Not like that. My employer said if I won’t get until May 16 , I may not get selected . So u can wait till may 16. Or he may inform you once he get all results (selected n rejected).

      Reply

        • They won’t say until they know all the results. You should be patience until u come to know . I understand yr situation but no other choice. I am also in same boat for 3 rd time . Let’s c.

          Reply

    • H1B,

      Sometimes employers gives a cashier check. Cashier check means almost like a money order, when they take cashier check from bank, bank has already debited the amount. In this case, they can’t come to know based on the check payment.

      Another thing is, last year i applied in regular processing and i came to know in July mid that my petition has not been selected.

      So anyone should not loose a hope until they hear anything, no matter they are on PP or RP. Everyone has a chance of getting selected until they hear something.

      Good luck everyone.

      Reply

  18. anybody wants to checkout the visual data from the H1B tracker? Please click on this link.
    https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiNmUzMGE1ZGQtNTdjZC00NDVkLWE2NDEtMGNmMThhNjNjYmZiIiwidCI6IjcyMGE1MTY2LTg3YTktNGU5My05NDY2LTEwYTVmMGZlYmEzZiIsImMiOjZ9

    Reply

  24. Many people in forums are asking on number of AD and non-AD selection. This is my math guessing compared to last year numbers.

    This year total number of applications are same as last year. So non-AD should have same 30% chances of selection.

    The number of AD applications shall be definitely more than last year. So AD selection chances in 20K pool comes down. Looking at AD receipts so far, the total selection rate seems to be 55% where as it was around 60%-65% last year.

    Reply

    • Congrats Badri 🙂

      I am on the same boat as yours. Your petition has been selected but USCIS is going to process your application and going to verify your all the document submitted by you and your employer. If everything looks good, USCIS will “approve” your case, otherwise they would ask for missing or required documents if anything is required to submit.

      But you are almost there. Cheers !!

      Yash

      Reply

  33. I dont know how friends are giving multiple answers .

    The process as per knowledge.

    step 1) First will get the Advance Degree(AD) Premium Process (PP)
    step 2) Advance Degree(AD) Regular process (RP)
    step 3) Non Advance Degree(NON-AD) Premium Process (PP)
    step 4) Non Advance Degree(NON-AD) Regular process (RP)

    if AD candidates did not get picked in step 1 and step 2 then they will come to step 3 or step 4 if I am not wrong.

    But some of our friends are saying that they received mails who are in step 4. and some other are saying they received mails who are in step 1 on the same day. How this can happen one they complete the step 1 and step 2 they will come to step 3 and step 4.

    Can some one correct if my info is wrong.

    Reply

    • @KrishV
      This is what I am trying to find out since last week and nobody seems to give an answer.
      Different blogs say everyone to stay calm and wait till May 11 to get a receipt (AD/NonAD/PP/RP), but how is it possible that all 4 steps go together as per KrishV explanation?

      Reply

      • @Debbie as recent update from USCIS that they will start processing PP Petitions from May 12th.
        It is not guaranteed that you will receive the good news but you still have chance that you can receive the good news.
        So don’t loose hope people are still receiving receipt no’s from USCIS.

        Fingers Crossed.

        Reply

    • “But some of our friends are saying that they received mails who are in step 4. and some other are saying they received mails who are in step 1 on the same day.”

      Applicants only know in which category they applied but doesn’t know in which category it was picked. As per my understanding, applicants who are saying that they applied for AD/PP and got picked now, could have got picked as NON-AD/PP(as they have two chances, once in AD and once in Non-AD) and are getting notified now. The NON-AD might have started rolling out which in-turn has AD and Non-AD.

      Anyways, we cannot predict what USCIS is doing.

      Reply

    • Process is
      Lottery Step 1: Lottery for AD
      Lottery Step 2: Lottery for Non-AD [ Including those left out from step 1]

      Now notifications:
      Processing Step 1: Premium processing notifications through emails for both AD and Non-AD. Takes 2-3 weeks from lottery. These premium cases also receive snail mail later.
      Processing Step 2: Regular processing notifications through snail mail. Takes 3-6 weeks from lottery.
      Processing Step 3: Verification, RFE and rejections. Resulting in a few additional notifications.
      Processing step 4: Processing for “all” Premium applications SLA starts. they send out updates on all premium applications meaning they will start notifying even rejects from premium pool.
      Processing step 5: Rejection letters for regular processing pool.
      Processing step 6: Final approval of selected petitions.

      Step 4, 5 and 6 run in parallel.
      …
      Thats about it… Stop misleading.. stop going in all random directions

      Reply

    • Congratulations
      I am a 2nd timer. Eagerly waiting to get some good news. I see many of the first timers also got selected. This is game of luck which I hate.

      Reply

  35. what is probability of regular h1b petition. approx 240k plus if we deduct 20000 for AD it comes around 220k and if we reduce 5k for chile singaport it will be 60 k for regular and for this prob is around 27 percent and if we assume 65k for regular it comes 30 percent but immigration girl says it will be 35 percent for regular. is that mean PP has more chance of winning lottery?

    “We have received receipt notices in 37% of our cases filed as Non-AD/PP/VT (Non-Advanced Degree-masters / premium processing / Vermont Service Center) – I was expecting around 35%, there could be a few more by May 16th

    We have received receipt notices in 30% of our cases filed as Non-AD/PP/CA (Non-Advanced Degree-masters / premium processing / California Service Center) – I am expecting around 35% by May 16th”

    Reply

  38. USCIS playing a very cruel game by keeping applicants waiting in anxiety and desperation. Why a list of selected candidates not disclosed on USCIS website. At least candidate not selected will start sleeping peacefully at night. This is a matter to be referred to Human Rights association.

    Reply

  42. Guys,
    USCIS website says “On May 12, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin premium processing for cap-subject H-1B petitions requesting premium processing”
    Link : uscis.gov/news/fiscal-year-2017-h-1b-cap-premium-processing-begin-may-12

    But I read comments here that guys started getting notifications of selection in the lottery for RP/PP applications.
    Is so, then what is the significance of information by USCIS above .

    Thank you
    Pradeep

    Reply

    • Pradeep,

      Official start date for PP is May 12, but USCIS will start the work even before that. Because there are thousands of PP applications selected, USCIS need this time to ensure all PP applications are adjudicated within 15 calendar days of May 12.

      Happens every year when lottery happens.

      Reply

  45. For all those who are trying to find legitimate H1B filing companies.

    These companies are not Flagged by USCIS , meaning they are legitimate and they do not have withdrawals pervious years. They take interviews and they give offers. Hope this will help you guys apply for multiple H1B’s . If you still insist on blabbering on System and fraud consultancies then i cannot help it.

    Reply

  46. To all These dumbass who think that they are improving the chances by applying multiple applications.

    How stupid do you have to be to follow blindly. This is the trend if some one did something and become successful then whole population does the same thing.

    let me give you example.

    If there are 60,000 applicants and 60,000 vacancies then you have 100% of getting selected.

    If 60,000 applicants apply 4 times then 240,000 application for 60,000 opening. that is not 400% chance of approval.

    that is why we are seeing 236000 applications.

    so frustrating. not realizing you digging your own grave.

    Reply

    • Please correct your math right.

      How can you assume all 60K will have 4 offers each? Its difficult to get 4 offers unless you are exceptionally talented. 236K number is not because duplicatite filings. Most of the applications are from big service companies which apply far more than actully required. They will keep thier employees ready in their country so that they can export immidiately when required.

      Reply

      • @thinklogic,

        I apologize, I was typing out of frustration. your right not all might apply 4 but most people say they applied 4-5 times, so I exaggerated to prove a point across.

        I guess as AD applicant we have 2 pools and chances of getting selected and we should be thankful for that and regular applicant has to take whatever measure they can to make it a fair opportunity like you said if they are talented

        Reply

        • @3rdTimer

          I see some people applied multiple applications to get more chance in lottery. I do agree if more than 1 application get selected for such people , few applications are wasted. But I think USCIS picks more than 85K applications so that they can be compensated for duplicate and rejections.

          Regarding multications applications, there is no other choise for few talented people. In my opinion AD should not have any cap as they are highly deserved people after completing Masters in USA.

          Reply

      • Dude, 3rd time gave an example, why do you take it the other way? So am I applying the 3rd time and its frustrating buddy.

        The culprits are TCS and Infosys who applied 20K applications each during 2013 which summed to 40K applications, that is ridiculous, I came here on an F1 and its quite difficult to go through this hassle and hurdle!

        Reply

    • Next year i think AD will get around 60 K petitions ( last year 70 percent this year 50 percent and next year 30 ) note this is wild guess and with many multiple filings. By seeing weak economy and increase in visa fees the ratio for regular will be lesser than this year and also there wont be change to immigration for next year cap and it will take min 1 year to pass the bill after election. even this year i predict that AD guys would have filed more than one petition because so far they have got only 50 % percent receipts and regular guys wont get multiple offers and also multiple offers is being issued only for guys in F1.

      Reply

  47. Hi All,
    Congrats to all those RPs who received the receipts. This year USCIS processing looks more faster than before, may be they hired more resources expecting above 3lakh profiles. Its surprising to see PPs are getting news while RPs are also. I am NonAd/RP/CA, anyone who got in this category? Also I see here some posts say their employer is getting receipts in bulk at once, I dont know how this is possible. My employer told he filed more than 160 this year and didn’t single receipt till date and I doubt why atleast single applicant is lucky out of 160. Eagarly waiting for the result though this is second time I am still worried.

    Reply

    • wah , what an analysis dude. Bro , your mind is to be kept in a museum . There are 236,000 applications => there are more than 170k applicants and the rest are multiple applications. If you have 60,000 applications, they are supposed to submit 60,000 CLIENT LETTERS and 60,000 Purchase orders. If not you will get an RFE and audit and your company will be closed. People cannot apply multiple applications unless there is proper work order.

      It is not that easy to fake a work order because they need to show proof of work and client letters at every step. They need to pay taxes and they need to maintain number of people in the company.

      Applying multiple can also be done in many ways. My friends started applying for companies like Google , linkedin, walmart etc . They accepted the offer letters but asked a start date after october and demanded to apply for H1B’s. Both walmart and google applied for the same guy. This is a legitimate way . There is nothing wrong in it.

      Many companies wont take money upfront , they will make you sign in a promissory note which would say “Expenses Incurred ” . If the person does not join or leave the company with in a year , he has to pay back the money they spent on him. This is Totally LEGAL and there is nothing wrong.

      I do not understand why people are acting so weird. First off if you claim you are deserving then need you need to define “DESERVING PERSON”. If a person with high IQ is called deserving then 80% of people here are not eligible. If you define a person who is applying single application as Deserving person then you are at fault. According to USCIS, you can apply for multiple H1’s if you can find multiple Employees.

      Try to give Interviews to different companies and make sure you have multiple offers who can file H1 next time.

      If you cant pass interviews and get multiple offers then You are not deserving enough.

      Reply

      • Last year USCIS have issued security check to may bogus/shell companies created to escape from more than 50 employee rule. so don’t worry guys they are one who does this job and we don’t have any rights or not their boss to guide them how to work and many knows h1b cap was 115 k in 2000s and if India signs any large weapon deal or open market like singapore and chile or if they allow companies like walmart , H1 cap will be raised until or else they will be liberal to L1 approval and we dont need any h1 cap. But my immigration manager told that only L1 guys are giving lot to India than h1 and h1 are giving back to america.

        Reply

    • Congratulations @Shankar

      Guys remember you should not loose hope because you still have chance to have good news… because you deserve it…
      My wishes are with you…

      Reply

  50. Got email from my employer this morning.

    Receipt details:

    Received Date: April 11, 2016
    Notice Date: April 18, 2016

    EAC-16-140-5XXXX

    Reply

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