H1B Lottery 2016: What Were the Selection Chances?

The chances of getting selected in the H-1B visa lottery in 2016 depended on the number of applications submitted and the annual cap set by the U.S. government. Here's a breakdown:

H-1B Visa Cap for 2016

1. Regular Cap: 65,000 visas available.

2. Advanced Degree Cap: An additional 20,000 visas for individuals with a U.S. master's degree or higher.

Lottery Process

• Advanced Degree Applicants: First considered under the 20,000 advanced degree cap. If not selected, they were included in the regular cap lottery.

• Regular Cap Applicants: All applicants, including those not selected in the advanced degree lottery, competed for the 65,000 spots.

Applications in 2016

• Applications Received: USCIS received approximately 236,000 H-1B petitions.

• Selection Rate:

o Regular Cap: ~27.5% (65,000 / 236,000).

o Advanced Degree Applicants: Slightly higher due to the dual chance (20,000 + inclusion in the regular lottery).

Conclusion

The overall chance of selection in the 2016 H-1B visa lottery was about 30%, with slightly better odds for advanced degree holders due to the separate cap allocation.