Here’s Official Happy Schools H1B Visa 2015 Predictions.

Who is ready for H1B Visa lottery this year? If you aren’t then get ready. It’s coming.

Every year I try to take a different approach towards predicting H1B Visa applications numbers.

For this H1B visa cap 2015 season, I reached out to Immigration Attorney’s who are “actually” representing employers to file H-1B visa applications.

I asked them 2 simple questions :

Do you think there will be H-1B Visa Lottery this year? How many applications do you expect in first 5 business days this fiscal year : General Cap : Advanced Degree Cap :

So far I have received replies from several Immigration attorney’s and here’s official H1B Visa 2015 Predictions for this year.

H1B Visa 2015 Predictions from Attorney’s

1. Greg Siskind : www.visalaw.com

I think we’ll likely see an increase over last year of 5 to 10%. The economy is stronger, but only marginally, and unemployment is down somewhat, but not that much.

Last year I believe there were about 25% more applications received than slots available. I’m guessing that the margin will be somewhat higher – perhaps 33% more applications than H-1B slots available.

In Numbers : Last Year approximately 124,000 This year 5 to 10% increase : 6,200 to 12,400 + 124,000



2. Murali Bashyam : www.bashyamspiro.com

100,000 for the General Cap

25,000 for the Advanced Degree Cap

3. Jacob Sapochnick : www.visalawyerblog.com



Yes for sure, we are busier than last year and so do many other lawyers.

General Cap : 130,000 at least total

4. Ashwin Sharma : www.ashwinsharma.com

Yes, I am quite certain there will be another lottery this year. I was among the first to predict that there would be a lottery last year, which was the first lottery since 2008.

It also may be that my interview with Reuters last March, which was carried by 120+ newspapers/websites across the world (including the Times of India/NBC/Associated Press – I’ve put some in my signature – the TOI link appears expired fyi) may have actually acted to help increase the volume of the filings.

Further; last year Fedex, UPS and the top evaluation agencies buckled under the intense workload created by the avalanche of H-1B applications. I don’t think collateral parties will be affected the same way: they are more prepared this year.

I would like to guestimate on only the total number of H-1B cap applications this year: last year I believe there were about 125K applications for about 85K slots (minus Singapore/Chile). This year I would estimate 140K applications. I would also submit that this is the year that Congress finally gets the signal that the H-1B quota should be increased.

5. Shah Peerally : www.peerallylaw.com

Yes, the chances of the lottery is almost 99%2.

General Cap : around 200k

Advanced Degree Cap : around 40 k

6. Tahmina Watson : www.immigrationlawyersinseattle.com

As the economy gets better, demand for H1bs get higher. The forthcoming H1b season is likely to cause a stir for all applicants and employers. Similar to last year, fiscal year 2015 will likely be a lottery again. So, if you are planning to file an H1B petition this year, then best to ensure your petition is prepared to be filed on March 31 to reach USCIS on April 1st.

My guess is that the number of total H1B applications, including master’s cap, will likely exceed 250,000. I believe the economy has significantly improved that the demand will increase.

Last year, the USCIS kept the window open for 5 days to accept H1b petitions. I am convinced that more 85,000 petitions were received on the very first day. I expect the same to happen this year. The question is whether USCIS will keep the window of acceptance open for 5 days, or whether it will be less this year. It is likely USCIS will make a public announcement in due course. Either way, anyone filing an application this year should ensure the petition reaches USCIS on April 1st to avoid disappointment of the window closing too soon.

7. Dimo Michailov : www.cilawgroup.com

Yes, I am confident that there will be a lottery this year – and my expectation is that there would be most likely over 200,000 H-1B applications filed under this year’s cap.

Other than guessing, which I’d rather not do, I do not think I can give you an idea of the breakdown between regular and US master’s degree cap.

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Now there is one thing that is common among all H1b Visa 2015 predictions :

Predictions : H1B Visa lottery for FY 2015 – 100%

Lowest Estimate for Total Number of H1B Visa applications : 130,000

[div class=”content-box-yellow”] Immigration Attorney’s Predict 130k to 250k #H1B Visa applications #USCIS. Lottery Chances 100%. Tweet This Message. [end-div]

Here’s a comment posted by a reader

I have been selected by 3 different companies for H1B. Is that legal? I know that same employer can not file for same employee but in my case 3 different employers are filing. If it is legal will my name be considered 3 times for lottery or only once?

There goes another person’s H1B visa Cap. If the person applying via multiple employers just to get lucky are going to drive up the number of applications.

If USCIS happen to select all the application via Random Lottery selection, then one other person is going to affected.

So, we have the official H1B Visa predictions. Now, let’s wait for actual numbers to from USCIS sometime during first or second week of April.

Questions?

Do you have questions about H1B Visa lottery or anything related to this year H1b Visa cap year? Post them in the comments section below.