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H1B Visa 2016 – FAQs – Lottery, Quota, Immigration Reform, News

Updated : November 25th, 2015

H1B Visa 2016 Filing Season Complete, Cap reached on April 7th, 2015.

Planning for next H1B season, Check out H1B Visa 2017 FAQs

As many of you know, H1B Visa 2015 quota was over in the first week and a whopping 172,500 H1B petitions were received in first week by USCIS.  H1B Lottery / random selection was held by USCIS to select 85,000 H1B petitions to fulfil the work permit cap. Many of the unlucky ones are already wondering about next year H1B Visa quota. Also, some of you are planning for H1B visa for next year, you also would be wondering regarding the same. This article addresses many of the common questions, it will be updated constantly, whenever any changes to info.  Bookmark this page !  To start with, firstly the news updates on this season, followed by many commonly asked questions.

Official & Unofficial USCIS News Updates Regarding H1B 2016 Season 

When will the H1B season for fiscal 2016 begin ?

USCIS will accept petitions for H1B Visa 2016 season starting from April 1st, 2015.  USCIS did a press release on March 12th outlining the details. Read summary of press release by USCIS on H1B 2016 .

Will there be lottery again for H1B Visa 2016 ? Predictions ?

We had lottery for FY 2015 and FY 2014. The total number of petitions filed for FY 14 were about 125,000 and for  FY 2015, there were about 172,500 petitions… As H1B Quota did not increase for FY 2016, and the demand does not seem to decrease, we would very likely have lottery for FY 2016.  Read H1B Visa 2016 Lottery Predictions, Dates, Results

What is the H1B Visa quota Cap Count ? Would there be any changes to H1B 2016 count ?

H1B Visa quota cap count is the total number of petitions that USCIS will accept for a fiscal year to provide temporary work permit for highly skilled workers.  For the 2016 fiscal year, the cap count is as below :

  • Regular H1B Quota : 65,000
  • H1B Masters Degree Quota ( only US Degrees) : 20,000
  • Out of the above, a total of 6,800 is usually set aside for Singapore and Chile citizens as part of the free trade agreement between them.

As per the press release in March 2015, the quota did not increase.  To give some background, as per the Obama executive action in Nov 2014, no changes were announced to the H1B Cap count. There was proposal in 2013 to increase H1B cap from 65,000 to 110,000 and Masters quota to increase from 20,000 to 25,000 did not go through as of March 2015. At least, for this FY 2016 season, the quota is fixed and it will be as above and no changes.

When should I start planning for H1B Visa 2016 ? What are the steps ?

It depends on your situation. Below are few scenarios and your plan.

  • If you are a student on F1 Visa in USA, you need to plan for your internship/ CPT or OPT employment  at a company that can sponsor your H1B Visa for FY 2016. In my view, you should start now to find something for the fall 2014 and continue that for next spring so that you can file for FY 2016
  • If you are in other country and planning for H1B, it is good to start your process around the end of this year 2014. It will give you enough time to find sponsors, search for job, etc.
  • If you are on H4, L1 or other visa in USA and planning for H1B for FY 2016, you also should consider looking around end of this year i.e. December 2014.

We have published step by step plan, you can read the article How to plan for H1B Visa 2016 ?Step by Step Guide 

Most asked Question – How do I Find H1B Sponsors for FY 2016 ?

This is a million dollar question !  One of the biggest challenges is to find a good sponsor that can offer you a job and wait for you to start work after 6 months of filing your petition.  You should review the detail article on How to find H1B Sponsors for FY 2015. Your first place of start is to find the H1B Sponsors in an area or by company. Use our H1B Visa Sponsors Database to search and filter. Read this article on details on how to search in our H1B Sponsor database. We keep the database updated as DOL publishes data. Do NOT share your email or phone number on our website as comments, there are many people do H1B Sponsorship fraud by requesting money using your contact info. RedBus2US.com never provides personal guidance on H1B sponsors or seeks money from anyone, we only display publicly available data on our H1B Sponsors Database page. We DO NOT sponsor H1Bs or guide anyone. Beware of H1B sponsorship Fraud ! 

What about Comprehensive Immigration Reform ( CIR) – H1B Visa Changes ? What are they ?

There have been some proposed changes to the H1B Visa program to cater to the demand in the  US economy as part of the Comprehensive Immigration reform. Below are some of the proposed changes.

  • H1B Cap to be increased from 65,000 to 110,000 per year.  Also have provisions to have it up to 180,000 in case of extreme demand.
  • Advanced degree from US cap quota to increase from 20,000 to 25,000
  • The Filing fee for H1B could go up to 10,000 USD
  • Additional H1B rules to avoid H1B Visa fraud by employers
  • Mandatory LCA posting for 30 days before it is certified.

These were proposed in 2013, but nothing has moved significantly and all the above are just proposed rules. We are not sure when they will be implemented. You can read  Summary of CIR – Immigration reform – H1B Visa and Green Card  to get an idea. The latest update is that Obama has taken executive action on Immigration in Nov  2014  and none of the below are included as part of that.  Stay tuned for updates.

H1B Visa 2016 Fees – Any changes ? How much does it cost ?

There are various components of the fee. The H1B Application filing fee could range anywhere from $1,600 USD to $4,400 depending on the size of the company. The attorney fee can range from $500 to $3000 depending on the attorney. If you apply for premium processing that is another $1,225. The fees has not changed in the past couple of years for FY 2014 and FY 2015. Unless USCIS revises fee based on immigration reform, it should be same. We will keep you all posted. For complete details of the fee by components and break up, read the article H1B Visa  Fees and Who Pays for What ?

H4 Visa EAD rule impact on H1B Visa 2016 Season ?

As you know, certain H4 visa holders are now eligible for EAD. The H4 Visa EAD Rule Passed earlier in 2015 and is effective from May 26, 2015.  USCIS will start accepting applications for EAD from those eligible H4 visa holders starting from May 26th. The question is that will that have an impact on number of H1B petitions for this fiscal year  ?  It very likely will have certain impact on the number of H1B applications that are filed for this year 2016 quota. Many of the H4 holders, who would now be eligible for EAD, may not apply for H1B visa, just because it gives them more flexibility to work and more choices to work as well. We would have to wait and see, how much of an impact that would have, but it is very straightforward and no brainer for eligible H4 visa holder to avoid the H1B processing.

H1B visa Premium Processing Changes to H1B Visa 2016 quota ? 

USCIS updated in their press release that the premium processing will be accepted for FY 2016 quota and they will only begin that “no later than May 11, 2015”. What it means for the petitioners is that the official 15 day premium processing clock starts from May 11th, 2015 and their petition could be adjudicated within 15 days from May 11th, which would be May 26th, 2015.  USCIS can process them earlier as well, but their new timeline is just indication for setting the right expectations to meet the stipulated time frame for premium processing.

Track H1B Visa 2016 Cap Count updates ?

As in previous years, we have created a page, where would track the cap count updates for FY 2016. You may check out  H1B visa 2016 Cap Count Tracker.

While you wait, you can check out April 1st – USCIS H1B Visa 2016 Season Starts Today, When to expect Lottery ?

H1B Lottery Completed – Official Tweet and Press Release 

H1B Cap Reached – Official USCIS Tweet and Link to Press release :


Any other questions ?

   

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28,610 Comments

  1. Case got Approved!!!!!
    My Receipt number is -WAC15145…
    Received RFE on 27 May
    RFE received on 14 July (Not sure about RFE Reason)
    Case approved on 18th Sep

    Reply
  2. Anyone waiting for update with EAC15147xxxxx series ?
    My case is still in received state. Also I don’t see anyone here with same series……
    So anyone here with same series and waiting for an update ?

    Reply
    • It is a good news for all who are waiting for RFE approval from WAC center, this week we could see some approvals who submitted their RFE in the month of June/July.

      Reply
    • CTS will not take care of the case to reopen since it will take so many months or years to investigate the denial case again . I see some denial cases from CTS who has submitted only manager letter as proof for employer-employee relationship

      Reply
  3. MY RFE is about Emplyee-Employer relationship, responded back on 16th of this month.
    Submitted below DOCS
    1.SOW (June to december only is this fine?)
    2.Engagement manager letter
    3.Organisaton chart
    4,Job Duties.

    Reply
  4. Hi All,
    I have applied through a small consultancy, application was approved on June 7th and consultancy guys received the copy two weeks after that.
    Still i haven’t attended the Visa interview and they are telling me that November is the good time for that.
    i heard the same thing from my friends also(they have applied through different companies)
    Is it true ?

    Reply
  5. Hi All,

    Good Morning.
    My case is approved yesterday, just want to share the details.
    Receipt number: EAC15146XXXXX(Vermont Regular)
    Receipt Date: April 13, 2015
    RFE Received: July 1st, 2015
    RFE Reason: Don’t know.
    RFE Responded: August 25th, 2015
    Petition Approved: September 22nd, 2015.

    All the best for your cases. Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.

    REDBUS/KUMAR,

    Good Morning.
    When i applied for H1B i don’t know anything(this is the first time i applied). But now i am in a position to guide ppl. It’s becoz of your site. Thanks a ton to REDBUS.

    Reply
  6. Thanks everyone for your support, my petition got approved today.
    Could anyone guide me on how much time will it take for the next steps?
    Is it so that before approval notice arrives, we can not schedule the interview?
    Also how long will it take before passport is stamped.

    Thanks for your responses in Advance!!

    Reply
  7. Hi, Our attorney submitted H1B application on 4th April 2015. We got notification from our attorney on 1st May, 2015 that check has been cashed by USCIS through electronic transaction with description “CSC FIELD OFFICE PAYMENT 1807********************”. What does CSC FIELD OFFICE PAYMENT means? Do it means we are selected in lottery? Its been 5 months and we have never received our receipt number. Anyone in the same boat?

    Reply
  8. Hi Kumara,

    I am working for an MNC A in India. One of a consultancy B in US sponsored my H1B and my petition got approved H1B stamping done recently. Now my current employer A is ready to do transfer of my H1B. I am planning to do the transfer to A. So, now how should I proceed. Once visa stamping is done, shall i do the transfer to B post Oct -1. Will there be any problem while entering US as I will be joining in A but visa stamping was done from B. Or is it not possible to do the transfer in India as my H1B status is not yet started, Please suggest.

    Reply
    • Employer A can apply for your H1B under cap exempt while you are in India. . You can again stamp H1B using petition filed by employer A. Your earlier visa stamped will be cancelled by Visa officer.

      Reply
    • My suggestion would be if you already have visa stamped in your passport….then travel with same visa for employer who filed your petition and after getting 3-4 payslips you can transfer…that would be. Good plan…..after joining new company you can ask for reimbursement of your flight tickets….this is a clean way of doing things……going for visa stamping is not a good idea…

      Reply
  9. Hi Kumar,

    I am in the US on OPT/CPT and now my H1B is approved. I want to go back to India, but the actual hardcopy is not arrived to my employer yet ..

    I want to ask when USCIS start sending the H1B paper on which I can travel ???

    Also please tell me if anyone on this group (who is already in the US on F1 or OPT/CPT) has got their H1B document ??

    Thank you all..

    Reply
    • It can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. Your employer would get the hard copy. If you do not get by then, your employer should reach out to USCIS.

      Reply
    • My H1b is also filed from Logic Planet a still in ‘Case received’ status.
      Have they replied to your RFE? Did they tell you about the RFE?

      Reply
  10. Hi
    I could not see any status changed from ‘Case Received’ to RFE/Approval.
    It seems USCIS is replying to RFEs
    Lets start counter again for ‘Case Received’ status

    +1 EAC

    Reply
  11. Hi,

    My employer (small consultancy firm) says that he has submitted the required documents in response to RFE I got. It has been 2 weeks he submitted but I don’t see the status in USCIS website changed to “Documents/Response Received” Is anyone in the similar situation?

    Reply
  12. Hi Guys/KUMAR,
    I would really like red bus support here! I applied my H1B through US based company , i got my visa stamping done today and my employer in India (Big MNC M…S.FT) is asked me if i am happy to transfer my H1B !!!
    my questions:
    1) will there be any issues with actual H1b petitioner if i transfer my H1b to current employer in India? Actually my employer in India is telling that he will be paying my traveling expenses (for family) and he is intended to send me onsite as soon as my visa get transferred!!
    2) I already paid some amount to my US petitioner, so i think its not a big loss for him, so is there any chances for him to withdraw my application? is it possible for him after my stamping done in India?
    3) If i go to work with my petitioner i will have to pay them % basis , how long do i need to work for my employer in USA legally? any time limit?
    P.S: This is my first H1B and i never been to USA.
    Thanks,
    Thakur.

    Reply
    • Hi,
      1)There will not be any issue.
      2) There are chances that ur current US employer can pull the plug and when u reach US, at the PORT of Entry,u will be deported, so better not to give any clue to ur US petitioner until ur H1 is Transferred.
      My suggestion, stay with ur US employer.You will be earning more money and they will file ur GC.(my personal opinion)
      3) You need a employer in US either A or B for entire 6 years until u get absorbed as a Direct employee after ur GC. so it depends on u, when u want to change in US.

      Reply
    • Check this link it says no to your question Immigrationgirl.com/changing-employers-before-october-1st-with-a-cap-subject-h-1b/

      Reply
  13. Hi All,

    My RFE Received date is June 26th 2015, My Employer yet to respond RFE. I heard wihtin 90 days we need to respond for RFE.? If yes, i left with only 3 days to respond?

    Reply
    • Your employer should respond before the target date. One of my counter part was saying they have some buffer time but I am not sure how many days extra they have…but force your empoyer

      Reply
      • Your employer should respond before the target date. One of my counter part was saying they have some buffer time but I am not sure how many days extra they have…but force your employer

        Reply
        • Thanks ram for your reply.
          The problem with my Employer is that they are not updating me last date of RFE.. They are responding only we know the last date, We will respond on time dont worry.

          Reply
  14. Hi All,
    I’m getting the status as “Notice Was Returned To USCIS Because The Post Office Could Not Deliver It” please let me know how to proceed.

    Reply
    • USCIS sent some response RFE/Approval but the post office not able to deliver it to your attorney or employer location. Your attorney/employer might changed address. Please follow bellow message in your status text.
      “If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.”

      Ask your company/attorney to visit www.uscis.gov/addresschange

      Reply
  15. AK,
    your last year analysis can not be true. 65 K applicants can not be on the some sites , only few are here on all sites.Be positive , your visa will approve with in week and there is no issue in approval of visa till Jan.
    As i saw most of people got approval in Jan also.

    Reply
  16. Hello Guys,

    My Case is approved, got I 797 approval notice, valid from 10/01/2015 to 09/08/2018.
    The US requirement for which my Petition filed by my employer is gone, So I want to know whether I can change my employer and then submit the DS160 and go for stamping with new employer and US Project.

    Reply
  17. Hi Guys,

    Today my case status changed to approved in the USCIS site 🙂

    Below are the details

    RFE responded by company: 20th july
    RFE received :21st july
    Case approved:18th september
    Case approved status updated in uscis site: 21st september
    Center:california

    RFE details:Employer employee relationship and the project has sent last 3 SOW’s (which is not active now ) with manager letter .

    Will pray for others approval also .
    Thanks god.

    Thanks red bus .

    Reply
  18. Kindly suggest if amendment is being accepted by USCIS for 2016 cap cases, I need to travel on another project/different location and petition validity starts from 1st Oct, My company is saying USCIS is not accepting amendment cases. Anybody have any information on this.

    Reply
  19. Hi guys,
    do you know how much time we still have for ‘case received’ status to get cleared, i saw the threads stating the RFE also approved/rejected but what about case received.
    Kumar you know how the actual case picking works with case received staus yet to cleared and we have RFE where they are getting cleared ahead of the case received.

    Reply
    • In same boat…thats what I keep thinking. RFE also getting processed but few ‘Case Received’ like ours are not moving. Till August it was fine by from middle of Sep I am really worried and sometimes the thought of Denial also comes to my mind even without RFE. Hoping for +ve result very soon.

      Reply
  20. Hi, long wait over…..
    my case status changed as approved.
    receipt # WAC1514653***
    RFE received : May 29th
    RFE responded : June 29th
    RFE responce received by uscis : June 30th
    Case approved status change : Sep 22nd (but the status msg says my case was approved on Sep 18th )

    Reply
      • SOW – which is valid till Dec 2017
        Manager letter – (just onsite manger ) signed copy
        nothing else which i am aware which they used to file the response..

        Reply
  21. Hi all,
    I received rfe on 2nd September.the rfe asked about my education evaluation experience match to the speciality occupation, copy of work orders, sow, or client letter, evidence for space for software production, maintenance of software inventory, etc.
    Mine is an in house project does anyone received similar rfe and what is your status.please respond

    Reply
    • It is the same except the fact that I didn’t get anything from education evaluation. Everything is required from Employer end. Status: Employer is preparing the documents requested in RFE and is pretty sure that he will get positive response from USCIS after submitting the documents. So fingers crossed.

      Reply
      • Did you or your employer or attorney get any receipt from once it was upgraded.

        And also, from which date you are calculating 15 days ? Is it from the date your request for PP was sent to USCIS ? or from the date when you received acknowledgement from USCIS ?

        Reply
        • I heard it’s 15 days from the date that your status changes. My attorney told me it now takes about a week for USCIS to update the status after they receive the PP request

          Reply
          • Nope…it is 15 days from the time USCIS receives the shipment and not from the time the status is changed.

            Mine is ‘Case Received’ since April so there is nothing for USCIS to change my status as ‘Case Received’ is the 1st stage.

            And moreover, its been 12 days since my PP shipment was sent to USCIS and I dont see any change even in the wording of my case..

  22. Hi,
    My case was in received status till yesterday and suddenly today it got changed to the below status – “Notice Explaining USCIS’ Actions Was Mailed”

    On September 17, 2015, we began reviewing your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC15145*****. We mailed you a notice informing you of the action we intend to take on your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice and submit any requested materials. If you do not receive your notice by October 1, 2015, please call Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

    Guys, wot does this status mean? I didn’t got any RFE in between.. It’s was just from case received to the above status. Kumar / any one who knows abt this can explain to this forum. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Hi MK, I think it’s RFE. Same happened with me. My case directly changed from ‘Case Received’ to ‘Document was mailed’. But the mail I received from USCIS says its ‘Post Decision Activity’ . Can they deny case without asking for additional docs(if they are not sure abt case)? M worried as it directly changed to unusual status. Nd I found gap between what they mentioned on USCIS website and in an email .

      Reply
      • Hi GJ,
        Same happened with ur case? but the status u are telling is “Document was mailed” but my status is “Notice Explaining USCIS’ Actions Was Mailed”.
        So what they have asked as part of RFE?!!

        Reply
      • @GJ … so yours was RFE ? You said you have received mail from USCIS ‘Post activity mailed’….have they asked any further evidence in the mail or there is still no clarity ?

        Reply
      • Hi MK and Sun, by same I meant it directly changed from Case Received to some unusal state. I am not sure baout my case because on USCIS webiste it sayd ‘Document was mailed’ and the mail which I recevied from USCIS says ‘Post Decision Activity’. Not sure what does this mean. clueless.
        MK, I said RFE for you because it’s clearly mentioned in your status “We mailed you a notice informing you of the action we intend to take on your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice and submit any requested materials”. I hope it’s clear now. Fingers crossed. I hope it will be a good newzz.

        Reply
          • Hi .. It is NOID only… Mine also went into this status after RFE response. They have asked few documents from employer details were not disclosed by employer. Not a good sign… Be prepare for any decision….

          • @waiting …. yours went to this status after RFE which is understandable to some extent …but for this guy it directly went from ‘Case Received’ to this status. I am not sure if USCIS rejects cases without asking for further evidence.

          • @KS … Does NOID means ‘Denied’ ?

            Since you said direct NOID after ‘Case Received’ is possible,..can you please tell one scenario where it might happen…Do you mean those consultancies which are black-listed by USCIS,..in those cases it can happen or any other scenarios that come to your mind.

    • Hi MK & Sun197895,

      thanks for your time , here what i have which i got from one of our friend.

      It is basically an NOID(notice of Intent to Deny). If you have received this after submitting RFE documents, then it says that after reviewing those documents USICS intend to Deny petition because they were not able to establish valid proof that you are eligible for H-1B classification. However, do not panic. It is not a denial. But like a last chance to submit evidences to USICS to make cancel this NOID. Typically this NOID has to be submitted within 30 days of notice. You have limited time to send a response. Failure to submit additional Evidence will result in denial. I am not sure on what is the NOID that you might have got as it differs from case to case. Please review your RFE and you will have an idea on what it can be. NOIDs have to be carefully responded. I would suggest you to take guidance from an experienced immigration attorney to overcome NOID provided you have valid reasons.

      Reply
      • Hi pkumarsv,
        Thanks for your time.
        In my case its not RFE and then to this status..Its directly to this status.. So i am bit worried…So wot is the decsion for ur fren finally? pls update!

        Reply
  23. My Petition got approved till Apr 2017, will it get extended without any issue, and how does extension work..I am planning to jump from current company in between, what are the points I need to take care of? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Just chill. When you jump to another company, that company is going to file your transfer, at that time USCIS will extend your visa as per request as long as you have not spend your 6 yrs of gas.

      Reply
  24. Just now received an email from USCIS saying ‘My Document was mailed’. It directly changed from Case Received to above status. Does this mean my case denied by them? Tensed no clue what does this mean. Plzz let me knw if sm1 with same scenario. Plzz

    Reply
        • I have gone through many sites and with that info I can only say that you no longer belong to our club (Case Received) 🙂 …. You have moved to RFE or most probably (80%) to Approved. I wish the later is true in your case …. have fun but pls keep us posted.

          Reply
          • Thank u so much for those efforts. I m completely OK with both the options u mentioned. I m just hoping it should not be denial notice. 🙁

        • Can you approx. tell me at what time IST today you saw the change and also if you can tell me if you have registered for any notification or its just you were checking the site and you noticed it.

          Reply
          • Around 10:20. Yup registered for an email alert. By any chance on any site have you found anything negative abt this? I mean it indicates denial nd all

          • For new H1B I-129 I found all +ve. But in one site for Cap-exempt/extention one guy was responding ‘it could also mean denial but not sure’…..so it was just his opinion and the actual person who posted on this site did not come back. But I am sure they will not reject without any RFE….I know ir is difficult for you to be pretty sure about it but I have a strong feeling that your is a +ve one.

          • Thank u so much @sun for those inspiring words. I hope it will be approved soon and I wish your visa should also be approved soon.

    • Hi GJ,
      I too have this status, but my status moved from Approved to Document was mailed. Till now no update on it. Will post if I have an update.

      Reply
      • Ohhhh.. Thank u for the reply. I read somewhere else also that their status changed from Case Approved to Document was mailed. But in my case it moved to directly Document was mailed. M bit worried now. Plzz plzz post here if u see any update. Have u seen any case where it has been denied directly?

        Reply
      • Hi, few quick ques, when your status changed to document was mailed? Since when you are waiting for document? Have you received any doc , if yes what it contains? Thanks in adavance

        Reply
      • Mine is still ‘Case Received’ and after looking all these comments,…I think this wait is really testing mental ability to deal with pressure.

        Reply
        • @Sun I think it’s always better to have some normal case status than unusual case status. Trust me, it brings you more frustraion and tension.

          Reply
          • Hi,
            Thank you for the reply. I also haven’t received anything. Fingers crossed. Could you please tell me one thing in you status what is mentioned? I mean have they mentioned like ‘Your Case is approved and we have sent copy of your form I129’? Is “APPROVED” keyword present in your case? My status “We mailed your document for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC151******* …”
            Please reply. Thanks in advance

          • GJ.. My status was “Case was Approved” earlier and it is moved to “Document was Mailed” with same words as it for you.

          • Hi Venkat,
            I saw somewhere your case was approved recently. Right na? I asked my employer, but they are also not sure abt the status. They said they received an email saying your case has held for security reasons. No clue what it means. They said they will raise query with USCIS. But no updates since then. And just to remind my status directly changed from ‘Case Received’ to ‘Document was mailed’. Please please let me know if u get to know any updates. M bit tensed now. Anyways let me know if u hear anything. 🙂

          • Hi GJ,

            No, My case was case received and then “We mailed your document for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number ,..”.
            I am trying to contact my employeer abt the same. pls mail your email I will email you in person.

    • After getting the hard copy of the petition, you need to go for the visa stamping, this process takes 8-10 days depending on the company process and visa appointment date (Not much wait these days) , once you get the passport post stamping you are good to go.

      Reply
    • After getting h1b visa do we need to travel with same employer who applied for H1B for me ?, or can i travel with another company if i have offer ? it is first tim etravel, plz let me know

      Reply
  25. Have some queries regarding RFE..
    1> Is there any chances of rejection after submitting valid RFE doc as requested? Any previous years statistics?
    2> How many days will it take to get response after submitting RFE Docs? My RFE due date is 18th October and going to submit the docs today. Is it possible to get approval before 18th Oct?

    Reply
    • For a legitimate case the chances of rejection are close to 0. Most of the rejections I’ve heard of were for shady applications with shady companies.

      Reply
      • @KS … for one of my coleague, petition got rejected due to salary mismatch (This was way back in 2012) … so are there any chances that the petition might get rejected due to some fields in the form were filled wrongly or cheque amount was wrong….something like that or even in those cases it would just be an RFE and not a straight rejection. I am asking because mine is ‘Case Received’ status since April…

        Reply
    • If you company is genuine, you don’t have to worry at all. Only fake companies and employee’s not eligible as per the skillset gets rejected. My calculation says around 90-93% RFE gets approved.
      After submitting RFE docs, the decision comes in 2 months… average statistics. For me decision came positive last week in 40 days.

      Reply
  26. On July 20th my case status changed to RFE. As per employer update, RFE should respond by attorney only, Nothing from there end to respond to RFE. Attorney in not reveling the RFE reason and even not responded till the date.
    What would be the RFE reason only attorney to respond? Any one in the same situation ?

    Reply
    • Yes even I got RFE on july 28th , Its regarding client letter , so only attorney can handle and till today its not been responded .
      My US consultancy name starts wit the letter V . How abt u ??

      Reply
    • I’m sorry, but yours is a shady attorney because they don’t want you to know what they are doing. There is no legitimate reason for attorney to hide the rfe details.

      Reply
  27. got mail from HCL today that it s approved and they have sent I-797C, Notice of action which dont have any details on approval except my case no and name. any idea what s this form and how to check approval validity?

    Reply
  28. Hi,

    My application selected in lottery and after few days status changed to “Request for Additional Evidence Was Mailed”. My Employer submitted all the requested documents (actually they took 50days). My employer submitted almost month back however still status show the same.. “Requeste for additional Evidence…”. I have confirmed from my Employer and they postal accoknowledgement also.. Typically how many days they will take to consider the submitted documents and to change the status… Please help me..

    Reply
      • Same here…
        They received my RFE on June.16, still no update…
        Do you plan to expedite it? I’m going to file a request this week because it’s only one week left to October

        Reply
          • My RFE is because of Employer-Employee. Imm Team asked for SOW and Manager letter. Since my project got changed and in my last project (from where my petition been submitted) dont have any sow rather they have SO(service order) and that been ended on july 2015. My old client was unable to provide any sow. So I have submitted MSA of my old project(without end date) manager letter of my new project(new cts format without client info on it). Imm team told me its a critical case and my petition will be on risk since there is no sow(please note changing client in time of RFE will lead to denial since USCIS consider the initial petition as invalid). We are two guys with the same situation from same project. However both of us got approval.

            So guys dont be hopeless like me. Keep hoping your Visa will be approved. All the best.

            RFE Received: 5th June
            RFE Response: 7th August
            Case Approved: 21st September

  29. Petition approved on September 15.
    Receipt number: WAC15147517**
    Receipt Date: April 13, 2015
    RFE Received: June 8, 2015
    RFE Reason: Employer-Employee relationship.
    Documents submitted: Manager letter, SOW.
    RFE Responded: July 31, 2015
    Petition Approved: September 15, 2015.

    Reply
  30. Hello Guys,

    I just wanted to know anyone is waiting for your Approval after submitting your REF documents (i.e) before 90 days??? I heard that the USICS time to respond back to your document is 60-90 days , but since the process is very slow, I need to know this information. Mine submitted on July 2nd (82 days over) and still waiting for the approval. WAC.

    Thanks in Advance,

    Reply
  31. Still my Case is received since 13 APRIL 2015. Its frustrating and loosing hopes. At the same time feel it will be approved.

    Do we have any timelimit to approve/Deny/RFE ?
    Any timelimit where all cases should be either of above 3 state?

    Appreciate if anyone can share details that keeps @HOPEALIVE 😉

    Reply
    • Dude, this question is asked every day. Please, respect others and put a little bit of effort yourself before asking. No deadline for USCIS, there are lots of people like you here.

      Reply
  32. Is there anything for people like me to worry about since my case did not change from ‘Case Received’ till today. I mean, anyone know cases where it got rejected straight away without any RFE…like invalid cheque (I guess cheques would have got encashed long back).

    Till Aug end I was fine but little tense since Sep as I see I am in the 3 – 5 % lot whose status did not change from ‘Case Received’ since April 2015….

    Reply
      • Till now I would have checked some 300 cases randomly and found less than 10 cases in ‘case received’ status.

        And also, some 20 days back someone posted the percentage of cases in different status … and he has mentioned 7% in ‘case received’ status. Not sure from where he got the data….but yeah, all these calculations make me believe that it might not be more than 5%.

        Reply
        • Just to add.. I have also checked more than 100 cases and I found only 3 cases with Case Received status including mine. So I also think that very few ppl (lucky or unlucky??) are left. Really waiting for approval .. 🙂

          Reply
    • Same here .. M also sailing in d same boat. I dnt think they will deny our case directly . Dnt wry definitely our cases will be approved soon. Good news is on the way. Fingers crossed

      Reply
  33. Can any one help me to understand ‘what is employer relationship’ documents may expect from USCIS.I Can see some of the cases got rejected due to this reason.
    Thanks in advance..

    Reply
    • I had received the same RFE and got approved last week.
      I got to know that my employee submitted foll docs.
      1. Offer letter with agreement details.. terms and condition.
      2. Project details/ SOW.
      3. Proof of how management will have control over employee.
      4. Some more docs related to employers financial conditions.
      good luck

      Reply
  34. There have been at least 5 guys(may be repeated) posted that their petition was denied. There could be some more not posted here probably.. can any please comment, is this typical count or more

    Reply

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