Here is what you need to know about H1B Visa 2016-2017

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 1^st 2016 and Sept 30^th 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 1^st 2016 and ends on Sept 30^th 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 1^st to Apr 7^th 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.