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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 was picked in 2016 lottery in 2015 May – June. My employer said, if the final approval comes thru I will be travelling Jan 2016. But its moved to RFE status. I am still waiting for my final approval. Employer says my work location is changed hence had to file an amendment and its with the lawyer. I am worried now if my case gets through and can travel. What is the probability of getting the final approval for my case. My case number is not been shared with me by my employer, so I can check my status online. Please advise what I should do. should I wait or look for any other option.

    THanks
    Ren

    Reply
    • Renjith,

      If the petition is still pending, how can they apply amendment? It can be applied only after the petition has been approved.

      Reply
  2. In June 2015 I received email from employer that “USCIS has issued a receipt notice for the H1-petition” with my receipt number and in Aug i received email from employer saying “This is w.r.t your application which was filed with USCIS in April, 2015 for H1 fresh processing. We just had a call with USCIS and officer has confirmed that this case had been selected by error in Random Selection.”……how can their be error in randon selection??? has this happend with others ???

    Reply
  3. My loterry is picked.. My Company told us today that a query is raised on the comany itself.. does it happen or are they fooling us

    Reply
    • Jesse, It could be an RFE. If you were selected, you should ask them to share the case number so that you can check the status online of the same. You should ask them to give a scan copy of the actual receipt to be clear that they are not manipulating.

      Reply
  4. I followed up with my WPC Spoc and this is what I got as reply :

    According to the latest report that has been shared with us by ISG your status is mentioned as: “Pending with USCIS for receipt/Document status”.

    What should I infer from this ? Do I still have any chances

    Reply
  5. Up to now, not get any response from my company about H1 B lottery result. Stile there is any change to get approve or my company just fake me for refund my amount. Please update if any one know about this.

    Reply
  6. 65k is quota for H1 Regular process , But not all 65k petitions will get proceed further . There might be some chance of failure during further steps as well ; Do they pickup few more H1 docs in lottery for further selection to meeting 65k criteria? Can we have hopes of getting receipt number still ? pls update .

    Reply
  7. Submitted H1 CAP through Employer, Still any chance of getting positive results ? Did any one get the receipt number in July ? Pls update

    Reply
  8. I do not know if my H1 2016 is selected in lottery or not.I did not get if my H1 is selected or approved till now.My employer says there is no receipt or rejection so there is 5% chances.And wait till this month end.

    Reply
    • I am a recruiter.
      I have about 20 applicants in the lottery.
      So far I have 2 winners and 2 losers.
      And the notices for the 2 losers only came within the last two weeks.
      That is how slow the process is this year.

      Reply
  9. My Employer says, the lottery result for my application is not come yet. It is almost end of June. What does it mean, are they lying or Can I hope a positive response? Does USCIS take much time send response to those who are not selected?

    Reply
  10. Hello,

    1. I applied through a consultant in US. How do I know if he really processes my application ?
    2. I have FexEx mail tracking number. Will it be of any help?
    3. Are selected applicants notified in different lots? I am asking this as there are large number of people who do not know their status yet.
    4. By when will it be clear if my application is picked or not?

    Reply
  11. WHAT IS MEANT BY BELOW STATUS.?pLEASE CONFIRM:

    On June 15, 2015, your Form I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, Receipt Number XXXXXXXXXXXXX, was transferred to another USCIS office. That office now has jurisdiction over your case. We sent you a notice that explains why we moved your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your notice by July 15, 2015, please go to uscis.gov/e-request to request a copy of the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

    During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant’s/petitioner’s criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators. If you have filed an I-485, I-589, I-751, N-400, I-90, I-821, I-131 or I-765, you can expect to receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints and/or photographs taken. The timing of your appointment is determined by the number of applicants ahead of you that also need a biometric appointment. We try to schedule biometric appointments as quickly as possible and in most cases you will receive your appointment notice within 30 days of submitting your application. We will send your appointment notice approximately 14 days ahead of your scheduled appointment. It is important that you keep this appointment. If absolutely necessary, you can request that your appointment be rescheduled however, please be aware that rescheduling may delay the processing of your application. Please follow the instructions on your appointment notice if you need to reschedule. Occasionally, you may receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints taken when you have filed a form other than those listed above. In these situations, you may receive your appointment notice more than 30 days after submitting your application or petition.

    Reply
  12. Hello,

    1. I applied through a consultant in US. How do I know if he really processes my application ?
    2. I have FexEx mail tracking number. Will it be of any help?
    3. Are selected applicants notified in different lots? I am asking this as there are large number of people who do not know their status yet.
    4. By when will it be clear if my application is picked or not?

    Reply
  13. No dear. No update from my employers. Same situation like you… I got an email from ISG team …. Your case still pending… Waiting from USCIS …. Don’t know yaar .. What the fuc** going on. …

    Reply
    • HCL sent this mail on July12
      As per the latest report from ISG, only 196 H1B nominations got selected in the lottery and the rest 545 H1B nominations are not selected in the lottery process.

      You are among these 545 who are not selected in the lottery.

      Reply
      • Ok. You mean from hcl total 196+545=741 number of employees applied for H1B in this cycle ?
        But if I m not wrong as per ISG team total 1600 employees applied from HCL in this cycle.

        Any way your answer may be correct… If we selected in lottery then we should have been got the receipt number as of now. Bad luck … ? hope for the best ?

        Reply
        • I got mail on 10 Th jun like, still status is pending with USCIS, it will take up to this month end to receive the result.. But my friend got mail like not selected… He is from hclisd I think… In his project no one got selected…

          Reply
  14. You are the same situation like me. My HR and Lawyer said they haven’t received anything from USCIS. even my case was paid with Premium process fees.

    Reply
  15. Hi,
    My employer has forwarded me the ECA number of my H1B and there after they seem to be late in my email responses. I doubt such thing might delay my H1B visa.
    What is the next outstanding action I need to complete now.
    Please share some guidelines with respect to time lines in this case .

    Thanks in advance !

    rgd Kuswara1

    Please suggest me.

    rgd
    kuswara1

    Reply
  16. Hi,

    I am still seeing my LCA status as “Certified”. Does this mean that I may get my result in next slot release???

    I am not getting any proper response from my RMS team…

    Is it possible to apply premium processing by an individual and can apply now???

    Reply
    • Well, typically, you should have got the receipt notice by now…Having said that, until you get a reject notice, nothing can be written off…Please check with your attorney and see, if they have received anything.

      Reply
  17. Strange yaar. R u mad ? Why should I will update if I don’t know ? I will get something from you ? Jut check with your WPC SPOC and let me know !!!

    Thanks

    Reply
    • HCL-BLR is correct. I got similar reply from my WPC SPOC. Awaiting Consolidated sheet from Vendor. Will be updated by 2nd week of June.

      Reply
  18. Look on the below details I got from ISG team…

    Hi xxxx,

    There are still chances but the probability of getting selected is very low. We will update you once we receive the consolidated report.

    Thanks

    Reply
  19. Hello,
    havent received any news regarding the visa…no rejection letter…no return package…dont know if check is cashed-in as my employer isnt giving me enough info(probably annoyed coz i send email requesting status every 2days)…he just told me to wait….in one of such h1b forums, a visa experts replied “lottery selected” on a simlilar comment…can someone please explain…wat are the chances???

    thanks

    Reply
    • chances are less now .., number of people receiving the receipt update are getting low now as the days pass, but still we can hope for the best .

      Reply
      • Thanks for the reply…do u have any idea why in that other forum they replied as “lottery selected” ??

        i understand the chances are slim…just this is my 1st time and just have more questions than answers

        Reply
        • by “lottery selected ” they mean that they got the receipt , let me give some details on the lottery selection process … Since USCIS receives more applications (above the cap) for H1B Visa every year , the apply lottery and select the applications for further processing … the selected applications are given a receipt number .,

          everyone here in the forum are talking /awaiting for the receipt number ., if they get it then it means they are going to get the H1BVisa

          Reply
          • yes…thanks i understand the lottery process…what i didnt understand was nothing happened on an application like no update..no return or check cashed-in…but one other expert said (as mentioned before) “lottery selected” to that comment is what i didnt understand….

            i am also in similar situation so didnt know what to make of it…like should be hopefull or move on

            cheers

    • Hi same is the case with me. Not getting the right info from employer may be due to regular follow up. Who is your consultant or employer?

      Reply
  20. Hi Guys,
    I have filed H1B through a consultant. Consultant there won’t any number for tracking purpose. Could any one let me know, will there be any number to track the H1B status? I am not sure if my consultant really filed H1B for me. Is ther any way to find it. Please suggest. Thanks, Kumar.

    Reply
    • there won’t be any number until your application is picked up in the lottery however you may ask your consultant on the shipping details , that they should be able to give… if your application is not got selected in lottery then you should be receiving a communication from your consultant.

      Reply
  21. All who have got awaiting status in Accenture, when can we expect second batch of result for the Accepted Status.

    I heard Accenture will release result in 4 lots. 3 lots are still pending and result will be announced in a gap of 7 to 10 days… and finally the pending ones will turn into rejection at June End. Is this True ?

    Or Is the game over for Accenture and would awaiting status turn into rejection later ?

    Reply
  22. Finally received a mail today from HCL ISG saying
    “Dear XXX,
    We are “yet to receive the status of your H1B Nomination “from USCIS and we will keep you informed.”

    Shall this be taken as “not selected – Rejection is awaited”
    Anybody got any updates in HCL today?

    Reply
    • No update from HCL ISG for my H1b status uptil now….Are you from Noida on Chennai….I am still waiting for my status but still ISG is not providing any update…

      Reply
    • Me to got same mail. Rumor is if we got this mail it means reject notice is not yet received if you did not got the the notice , you got selection receipt.

      Reply
  23. Hi,

    I applied for premium H1 B transfer. Packet reached USCIS on 05/15 but haven’t received any receipt yet.

    Usually how much time it takes to receive receipt ??

    Thanks

    Reply
    • I was also able to see the receipt number till yesterday in I-Aura, but there was no update in the workflow neither any email from ISG.
      today the next step “ISG to Update USCIS Receipt Number” got updated in the work flow and reveived an email from ISG saying

      Dear XXXXXXXXXXXX,

      USCIS has issued receipt number on H-1B CAP filed on your behalf. We are dedicated to keeping the employee informed on the progress of their case but for the sake of efficiency prefer to do it in IAura. ISG will update receipt number in IAura for H1B Conversion and H1-B CAP employees (Currently outside U.S) can get in touch with WPC SPOC for weekly status on application.

      Regards,
      ISG

      But today I am not able to see the receipt number, which was seen up till yesterday.

      Thanks,

      Reply
    • Latest update I received is

      As lottery result is out , receipts for many cases from USCIS are awaited.
      And the h1b petition status is ‘Pending with USCIS for Receipt / Document Status’.
      Does this mean that I got selected in the lottery?

      Reply
      • Me also got the same update – ‘Pending with USCIS for Receipt / Document Status’ from ISG spoc.Any update u got after that.Is this mean my petition is rejected in the lottery?

        Reply
  24. Hey did anyone from Infosys Mcity received receipts yesterday or today? Any idea till when we need to keep waiting ?

    Reply
  25. Hey,
    I have got the response for “awaiting for result from next batch” . Can anyone help me to understand what is this batch because what i know the lottary happens once .

    Reply
    • Hi,

      Did you receive the mail on 18th or in this week?

      I got mail on 18th as below, is it same for you also?

      This is to inform you that we are still awaiting the lottery status of your H1B application from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Though we started receiving the acknowledgement receipts for few applications (lottery acceptance confirmation), 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. People Mobility Service Delivery (PMSD) is closely monitoring the update from USCIS and will keep you posted on the status of the lottery during the months of June or as soon as we have an update from the USCIS. Please note that there will be no further status updates from PMSD unless we have an update from the USCIS.

      Reply

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