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Official News : USCIS H1B 2016: 233,000 Petitions received, Lottery Completed

As many of you know that H1B Visa 2016 cap was reached on April 7th, 2015 and we all have been waiting for the H1B Lottery information and how many petitions were received. USCIS released a press note earlier today indicating the details of lottery and total number of petitions received.

Summary of the Official Press Release on H1B 2016 Cap and Lottery Completion:

  • USCIS received a whopping 233,000 petitions for H1B Visa FY 2016 quota during the filing period, which is from April 1st to April 7th, 2015. Based on our previous research data from USCIS, this is the highest number of petitions ever filed at USCIS for H1B quota. The previous highest was filed in 2001, when the H1B quota was 195,000 and the overall H1-B petitions filed were about 201,543. Check out History of H1B’s filed with USCIS by Year from 2000. Also, read H1B max quota caps by year since 1990
  • USCIS received more than 20,000 H1B petitions for US Masters’ degree quota. They did not indicate on the breakdown of petitions received for Masters and Regular quota, they just indicated that overall petitions received for the fiscal year 2016 were about 233,000.
  • H1B 2016 Lottery Process, Info :
    • On April 13th, 2015 USCIS conducted Computer Generated Random Selection process aka H1B Lottery to select the required number of H1B petitions for FY 2016 quota of 65,000 for general quota and 20,000 for US Advanced degree quota.
    • First, a lottery was conducted for the US Master’s degree quota applications to select 20,000 petitions and then the petitions that were not selected in this this first round were added to general quota pool and lottery was conducted on this pool to select the overall 65,000 petitions for general quota. This is pretty standard over the years. Read H1B Lottery Selection Process, How does it work.
    • USCIS mentioned that they will reject and return all the petitions that were not selected in the lottery, along with the filing fee, unless the petition filed was duplicate. USCIS mentioned guidance on duplicate petitions that a same employer cannot file multiple or duplicate petitions for the same candidate for the same role or related roles to increase their lottery chances.
  • H1B 2016 Premium Processing Info :
    • As mentioned earlier, the premium processing for H1B 2016 petitions will start no later than May 11th, 2015. It means that the 15 days clock of premium processing starts from May 11th, 2015. You may start to receive receipt numbers for your case earlier than May 11th, but USCIS is setting the date as May 11th for official SLA purposes.
    • Last year this date for premium processing was no later than April 28th, but this year it is moved to May 11th, to cater to the large number of petitions.
  • H1B Cap exempt petitions to be accepted all year long.
    • Only FY 2016 quota is complete. As always, all the H1B cap exempt petitions will be accepted all year long, which falls under the below category
      • Previously H1B cap counted Applications
      • H1B extensions
      • Changes in H1B employment contracts
      • H1B Transfers
      • Concurrent working second H1B petitions

H1B Lottery Selection Results – Our Predictions

As per our H1B 2016 Predictions and Analysis, we expected a lottery and about 170k to 200k petitions…Due to the high demand and upswing in the US economy and technical workers demand in market, there were much more petitions received than anticipated by us.  We deviated about 15% from our actual predictions…

It is going to be a very long wait for many of the H1B applicants waiting for their case info… I know, with my previous years’ experience that it will be very long and painful…just stay calm and discuss sensibly in the blog comments, do NOT get into anything that hurts others or hate speech against race, country, religion, etc. Let’s keep the forum friendly for everyone and help each other in 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 2016 quota ?

Official USCIS Tweet on this with press release

   

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730 Comments

  1. Hi,
    I have received my receipt number on first week of this month from one of my employer in US. Happy to hear that from my employer.
    I don’t see my name and passport number or any other details upon entering receipt number at check case status section in USCIS website.
    Here what my question is, is there any website/url or way to see my details upon entering my receipt number? Regards, M

    Reply
    • Hey, there is no way you can see your details online. The only is ask your employer for a copy of I-797C. This will show the receipt number, your name, filing date and receipt print date.

      Reply
  2. Hi ,

    Any one from accenture bangalore got the H1B approval email from RMS team? I got an email saying that result will be announced in June month.

    Reply
    • yes. I got the same email.. Few of my friends got the acceptance mail yesterday… We have to wait and see..Nobody got rejection email…So its not sure whether Accenture really didn’t receive the result or simply they are dragging till June to avoid attrition and all…

      Reply
      • Even in Accenture HDC some of them got acceptance mails. Most of them in my DU, including me got awaiting confirmation mail only.

        Reply
      • i got mail as your case is still pending with the USCIS. Since the lottery status is announced only in batches, we may have to wait until end June 2015
        for an appropriate update from the USCIS.can we treat it as rejected or still we have chance?
        Any idea on this

        Reply
  3. Any update in HCL Noida on H1B……………….How much more we need to wait for status…………….Or Already they shared status with selected Guys ?

    Reply
  4. What about Wipro? I know few people got the confirmation of lottery pick on May 12 from GIMS. Did any one get after that May 12?

    Reply
  5. Hi Infosys Guys,
    I think so , as of now, people from infy of H1B candidates has got the status updates only once, that too around May 6th.. Is there any people who got the receipt number after that.. Waiting Eagerly for it…

    pls correct me if iam wrong..

    Reply
    • I have heard people getting status update randomly during the last two weeks. But a lot of people are still waiting. So ai think we still have chances.

      Reply
    • Few of my friends got the status on may12th… Am also in the same boat waiting to get the status…GI team had asked to wait till this month end…

      Reply
  6. No update in the online portal till now. Is still there a chance? Please help me with a reply.
    Anyone from Infy got status update on or after May 15?

    Reply
  7. I am in post completion OPT.
    I have applied in AD / RP.
    I did not get any receipt notice till now nor checks been cashed.
    Can you please reply what are my chances of getting H1B.
    Anybody facing the same, please reply.
    Thanks,

    Reply
  8. Does USCIS have released all the 65k selected list to the employers ? My employer is telling that they are still expecting the selected list from uscis.Asking us to wait till june. Please suggest

    Reply
  9. Hi,
    Is there any chance that I get my lottery results . My employer said that I may be put in waiting list so asked me to wait… I don’t get it… Anyone please respond .

    Reply
  10. I have a small business finding and screening H1-B applicants for jobs in the U.S. Then I get the employer and the job together and hopefully they win the lottery. This year I had 20 applicants. So far only 1 has informed me that he had won the lottery. This is not good. I am worried about the integrity of the system.

    Reply
  11. Guys, I heard from my employer that my names is picked up in lottery but my receipt has not yet been received . I am wondering if this at all happens that lottery is picked up and receipt still awaited.
    Receipt generation and lottery pick up must be simultaneous process?

    Reply
      • Thanks for replying.
        I heard there is something waiting List – which also comes under lottery picked up . and the confirmation for waiting list candidates may or may not happen based on some other rejections etc.. Is this correct ?

        Reply
        • mandeeps
          There is no concept of waiting list in H1B.So if your case is picked up in the lottery then u are thru in the process.You should be able to get the receipt number.
          Congratulations and All the very best for your assignment.

          We are still waiting…Lets see how luck favours this time though my case was not picked last year too,still waiting for the updtes this year

          Reply
          • Goodluck, Thanks for the wishes.
            My employer (A consultant basically) has informed me that my name is picked up and he is waiting for attorney to revery with receipt details. I am in kind of dilemma about the fact, If my name is picked up then there has to be receipt number generated and if not then there is no point of consultant to tell me that my name is picked up – he is getting no benefit of sharing a happy information (If that is not true) . I am not sure where do I stand, although consultant is asking me to keep patience.
            Your patience would definitely bring some good fortune – lottery may or may not be symptom of fortune but surely the act of waiting patiently will make you gain something good, All the best to you too!

  12. Hi Guys,

    Can we still wait for the receipts number for NONAD/RP or is it over for this year quota.Iam still eagrly waiting for it.

    Reply
  13. Got receipt number and status got changed to Acknowledgement received.What does that mean ??

    when i check on the portal with receipt number the status is like below

    On April 13, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC**********, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your receipt notice by May 13, 2015, please call Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

    Please anyone can confirm what it means ?

    Reply
    • Please read urself these details. Peole have replied several times same questions. Hope you are qualified to understand 🙂

      Reply
      • Awesome reply – I guess ppl do this for show off… even if they know they will still put this stupid question to show others that they received the reciept :@:@

        Reply
        • IKR!
          I dont understand why they feel a need to ask these details. I bet this is after asking a 100 people on phone/ IM and hearing ” Youre good . You got picked” ,
          But still they want to show off

          Reply
          • I don’t mind congratulating someone for getting selected. But I hate to answer such stupid folks.. Maybe there should be an IQ test or IQ score as part of requirement documents.

    • Hello u got receipt number and u do not understand what’s that?? People like u get picked up with no use and many qualified people are getting cooked up to listen the news. Please god show some mercy. Give some knowledge to such people ..

      Reply
  14. Hi, my employer said that my application is picked up by knowing that the cheque got encashed .but its been 10 days I didn’t get the receipt.Does cheque encashment means that I am selected in the lottery.if yes then how long will it take to get the receipt number.plz guide.

    Reply
  15. My status shows as aknowledgement received but no number yet in the comapany portal does tht confirms tht I am through lottery..plz kindly someone confirm

    Reply
  16. Did any one from infosys mcity chennai got receipt?
    I heard from one person that his status is updated on 4th may..

    Reply
  17. MY wife will be 8 months pregnant by the time we ready to fly on H1 visa. Will she be allowed to enter into the USA because of her pregnancy’s stage ?

    Reply
    • If she has a valid visa I can’t see why not, but that is just my guess. What I think can be a problem are the airlines. Probably depends on how close she is to due date.

      Reply
    • Airlines won’t allow her to fly if she is in 36th week of pregnancy.. Otherwise it is ok.. You need to consult doctors though..

      Reply
    • Make sure you have good insurance 🙂 Pregnancy cost rather medical cost is very high in USA without insurance. e.g. My insurance was sent bill of $36000 only for c-sec delivery by hospital. Without insurance it goes from your pocket..

      Reply
      • There is no way they can stop her for reason of pregnancy. It is domestic help from parents(Which takes job of Nanny or maids here) .. Which is issue when parents travel due to daughter or daughter-in-law’s pregnancy. The only issue could be with airline.. My friend shifted here from Europe during her pregnancy. I have seen my Indian friends and american ladies travelling in/out country all the time till 7 th 8th month..

        Reply
  18. On April 13, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC15XXXXXXX, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your receipt notice by May 13, 2015, please call Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address…..
    My question is :
    What to do after this…is there anything still to be looked for getting the h1b

    Reply
    • Oh yes.. As per one advice.. You need to go and pray all gods in India to get you approval 🙂 Hope that immigration case officer is not getting divorced or not fighting with family and doesn’t screw your case 😀 😀

      Reply
  19. Hi,

    I have the receipt number with me. Does that mean I was picked in the lottery?

    If I have been picked, what are the chances for approval/rejection? Does it depend on any parameter?

    All documents provided were true.

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Which receipt you have? Is it a dry cleaning receipt.. That one too has number on it.. Make sure to keep it with you else you could loose your valuable clothes 😀 .. Did you sent IQ certificate with documents? If not your case is gonna get rejected 😀 😀

      Reply
      • Sorry. Ok I know I was picked. I just want to know the reasons for rejection apart from presenting fake documents, if any.

        If all the documents are good, are there chances of rejection? And any clue for reasons for getting rejected (from past experience)

        Reply
  20. I applied h1b premium processing for advanced degree. I got the receipt on 23 rd april, but not a final decision yet. is it over for me?

    Reply
    • You should know something by end of this week. As PP cases are given decision or RFE within 15 working days from 28-April.. So by 18 th May max you should know..

      Reply
  21. I have got a Case Number. EAC-15-******.
    How to confirm that it’s mine ?
    If I have a case number from my employer,does that mean that I have been picked in lottery ?

    Reply
    • 10 out of 40+ people who applied out of my account in BLR location, got their receipts. The most recent receipt received date was last weekend.

      Our manager as per his discussion with immigration internal team, says, last year FY2015, the last known receipt received was on Aug 5th. Also for FY 2015 last yr, if say X number got picked up in lottery then, 50% of the X – receipts came in month of May, another 30% of X in june, and 10-20% of X in August.

      So chances are pretty good until end of May. Post May, its very very bleak. may be very few lucky ones get their receipts post June onwards

      Reply
  22. I got receipt no EAC151******* from my employer today.I check in USCIS web site and it shows still waiting people can hope until 13th May to get receipt no .
    Actually i don’t believe on my employers they are big lairs.Is there any way i can conform receipt no they have given is mine?

    Reply
  23. (Vermont; Regular Processing) I have not received any notice and the check has not been cashed… Is there any chance still? Or not?

    Reply
  24. Still now I did not get any info regarding my cheque encash from my employer, so any hope for me ????

    Kindly let me know….

    Reply
    • Below is the update for me. Does any one know what this mean?
      On April 28, 2015, we updated your name for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EACXXXXXXXXXX

      Reply
      • Got below status update in I aura today…no mail or an update…click on the case status…
        On April 13, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC15146xxx, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your receipt notice by May 13, 2015, please call Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address

        Reply
  25. Kindly let me know upto when we can expect receipts for regular processing.

    Game is over ??? or still few overs left??

    Reply
  26. Got the Mail from wipro Immigration….. i am picked….. 🙂 🙂 … now waiting for Travel….

    Reply
  27. My status shows as aknowledgement received but no number yet in the comapany portal does tht confirms tht I am through lottery..plz kindly someone confirm

    Reply
    • Acknowledgement could also mean for shipping label. So ask for receipt number starting EAC/WAC to make sure. As your organization might have different status codes and desc.

      Reply
    • Not yet. Im waiting too.
      Anyone from Infy MCity got the good news. This is my second year and am already loosing hope.

      Reply
          • Guys, Any update from IAura or ISG ?
            If selected what is the message and if rejected then what is the message you all got ?

            As of now I did not got any message from IAura or ISG team.

            Thanks

          • iAura for few guys are updated with the USCIS receipt numbers

            My status in iAura is:

            On April 28, 2015, we updated your name for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC15XXXXXXXX. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

          • The receipt numbers are updated in iAura for few guys. Below is the update for me but unsure what this really mean!

            On April 28, 2015, we updated your name for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EACXXXXXXXX.

        • For Which Location you got an update … Are you from HCL Noida or Chennai…..When your iAura updated and Have you got any mail regarding that

          Reply

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