Let’s look at the basics of h1b visa for the fiscal year
2016-2017. Here are the basics that you need to understand before entering into
the season. You might be wandering why we are calling it as 2017 even though we
are still in the year 2016. USCIS fiscal year is different from the calendar
year. Duration between Oct 1st 2016 and Sept 30th 2017 is
called as fiscal year. When you are applying for H1b in the April of this year
2016, essentially you are applying for h1b quota that starts on Oct 1st
2016 and ends on Sept 30th 2017. Hence even if you are applying in
the year 2016, you are applying for the fiscal year 2017. Visa cap is of 2
types, number of eligible candidates to enter USA in general quota is 65K and
advanced degree cap is 20K. 5.8K Out of 65K visas are allocated for citizens of
Chile and Singapore. Unused visas from the previous year will be added on to
this year. Season will start during the time period Apr 1st to Apr 7th
2016. I am anticipating that there will be lottery for H1B visas this year as
well. Applications are to be received during the first 5 business days of April
2016. If at all your immigration attorney can send your applications in this
period, you will be in the lottery pool. There are 2 types of processing namely
regular and premium processing. It may take 3 months or more in order to get
your h1b visa application approved. Whereas premium processing will take only
15 days. Result of your H1B visa will be 15 days from the staring day of
premium processing. follow this blog for more information on H1B visas.
