It is crazy to even think of the number of comments, questions, answers and troll on our H1B Visa 2017 page, we have hit over 10,000 comments…It is something that clearly shows the anxiety and frustration of many waiting for their H1B 2017 receipts. Would like to quickly summarize for everyone’s benefit on the anticipated deadline for getting regular processing receipts, premium processing receipts and about next steps like approvals.
When is the deadline for getting Premium Processing Receipts for H1B FY 2017 ?
Well, technically, if you have filed your petition under premium processing, you should have got a receipt by now via email or physical copy. If you have not yet received it, you have just few more days left. The reality is that your chances of getting a receipt are quite slim…If you do get a receipt, you are part of the outliers like missing emails, mail in transit kind of situations. All in all, you have about 4 days left to get your receipt as the premium processing clock starts from May 12th.
How about H1B 2017 Regular Processing Petitions Receipts Deadline ?
As you know, USCIS released a press alert that they completed data entry of all the H1B 2017 Selected petitions on May 2nd and they will start to send out the rejected petitions. So, technically, all the selected petitions for FY 2017 will be notified in regular mail by USPS. The regular USPS Retail Ground, Standard Mail takes about 2 to 8 working days for delivery. So, technically, as per the standard SLA of USPS, most of the selected petitions must be notified with their case receipt by regular standard mail by end of this week ( 8 working days), which is May 13th. As it can happen with any shipping service, you can anticipate some outliers here and there to spill over receipts to early next week. All in all, you need to start to think of back up options, if you do not hear anything, after end of this week. There are always outliers, where some petitioners have got receipts in June as well last year, but those are all exceptions and you cannot really count on that. We have a vibrant community and many of our users are updating their status on H1B Visa 2017 Tracker, I request all of you to update the result for everyone’s benefit. The rejection packages can continue to come for a long time until late July…While it is positive hope to wait till we see a physical reject package for full confirmation that you were not selected, I suggest you think of your backup plans, if you do not hear anything by end of this week and at the latest mid of next week…it is always better to plan ahead I guess.
What Next ? What happens after getting receipts?
We have written few articles in the past that talk about all the next steps. You may read the below articles to get some idea on the next steps.
- H1B Case Number : Your H1B case receipt number has significance. Each part means something and it is good to know such information. Read Understand your H1B Case Number
- Various Case Statuses for H1B : Each of the H1B Cases goes through a set of steps, it is good to know what are all those. Read H1B Case Status Meaning, Screenshots
- Steps Flow after H1B Lottery : After you get selected there are set of steps each case goes through. It is good to know the flow. Read H1B Case Status Flow Chart for – Approval
Luck may NOT favor everyone, be prepared to accept the truth…
Some of you would have worked very hard and spent thousands of dollars to study in your dream Ivy League School in US and may even get your dream job on Wall Street or in Silicon Valley… Some of you would have cracked tough interviews at MNCs, worked hard to be in right team to get an on-site opportunity to work in US… Some of you would have tried to work with a consulting company, who was willing to sponsor and file H1B for you…Every person has a story aspiring to work in US…Unfortunately, in your work visa case in US, your hard work does not matter and it is Luck that plays a part…The reality is that there is no immediate fix to this process and you all have to live with it…If you are lucky and get selected, just be happy luck smiled at you…if you are unlucky, don’t get disheartened and try to curse yourself or anyone else, it is life…As Steve Jobs said, sometimes “Life Hits you with a Brick “, we need to accept it…maybe there are better things awaiting for you at your destiny…
What are your thoughts ?
Hello Everyone,
My Case Status now shows as ‘Name Was Updated’.
Below is the history of my case WACXXXXXXXXXX
11-April-2017: Case was Received
01-Aug-2017: Request for Evidence
27-Oct-2017: Response to RFE was Received
01-Nov-2017: Name was Updated
Its has been 2 weeks from now. Does any one has any idea as how much time is required to process further? What would be my next status?
How long should I need to wait. Is there anyone who is sailing with me?
18-Aug-2017: Response to RFE was Received for my case still waiting . Its more than 4 months now.
My H1B was moved to RFE and then response was sent on December 1st week., My status still shown as, case received, there are no deadlines yet.
Hi,
The below is the status of my H1B.
Response To USCIS’ Request For Evidence Was Received
On August 17, 2016, we received your response to our Request for Evidence for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC****.
How long it will take to respond?
Thanks,
Dinesh
Case was received on April 11, still shows the same status. Anyone else facing the same ?
Sailing in th e same boat!
I asked the employer if we could upgrade to Premium but they advised to wait.
Have you asked your employer to check with USCIS, what ar ethey saying? Is there a deadline?
The new H1s are about to start. Getting worried
This year there seems to serious delay’s in processing. Long wait continues for most cases.. no one would be able to tell you timeline for response. You can track your Service Center processing times which are little indicative.
Where are you tracking the service centre processing times Vin?
you can just google it friend 🙂
https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplayInit.do
Then select your service center. Note that these timelines are only Indicative. They are not frequently updated by gov, but still something is better than nothing. hope it helps.
HI, Still awaiting for Approval. Any inputs
Still shows the same status. Are you aware of any deadline. The new H1 B process will start in less than a month.
The premium upgrade is paused too. Is there a suggestion on how to follow-up with USCIS.
did u get your approval?
I have got RFE, and most of my friends status is rejected after RFE responded. And heard frm sumbdy This year, they are rejecting most of the cases after RFE response.any ideas on this?
Not sure about that..two of each rfes got denied even after premium processing….mine is also on rfe
Hi Admin,
I have a question, I filled H1B this year. I can see my status “Case was received”, case active 191 days. Shall I wait or what. Please help me.
Same here Kamalakant. Even my case stands on ” Case Received ” from Month April.
Can we still hope for the best ! Can someone please update based on your previous experience !
Best Regards,
Ravi
Guys.. my H1 status was “case was received since 11th April with vermont centre, just got it approved today. You may wanna check your status
Congo Hitesh. Good to hear that. I checked mine. it’s still in Case Received from 11th April. My Case is with “California Service Center”. What’s the ” Field Office” for ” California Service Center.” in case I want to check the Processing time
How about your status Kamalakant ???? Any luck !!
Thanks. Unfortunately they don’t provide any timelines, they are supposed to review all petitions by 01st Oct however they are delayed like last year. Just cross your fingers to have an update soon.
No Ravi,
Still I can see same status in my case, What about you.
Hi Kamalakant, my case status also still case was received, no update till now, hope will get soon approval, all the best..
Hi, Today my case status was changed to “case was approved”..
Hi Kamalakant,
My status still sleeps on ” Cae was Received “. Absolutely, no idea what’s gonna happen ! It’s already 1st week of November and not sure what to expect !
Will keep you posted and also please keep me posted on your case status
Hi Saurabh,
I’m on L visa in USA, applied COS to H and waiting for approval still. I already have an SSN. Saw in some comments here on this page, wondering do I need to apply a new SSN after COS gets approved ?
Thank you.
Ramki,
No new SSN is required as you already have one. That stays with you for life.
Thanks Hitesh for the updates. Was your’s premium processing or Regular Processing?
Based on your previous experience what are chances of Case Denial or RFE for cases like me which are with status ” Case Received ” from April? Any though ?
Mine was regular processing. Chances of denial or RFE depends on the documentation provided with petition. Delay does not necessarily mean that chances of denial or RFE are increased. It’s just that USCIS has minimal staff (only 120 across all service centres i heard) reviewing lacs of petitions and causing the overall delay. Hope to have update soon.
Thanks Hitesh ! Will wait and watch. Will see how it goes ! I have some believe now looking at your case from “Case Received” from April 11 to “Case Approved ”
Congrats once more and will keep you posted on my H1B status !!!
Thanks Ravi. I am already in US on L1 though i can start looking for options soon. Good Luck and keep me posted.
SSN will remain the same. No need to apply again. Upto maximum of 3 SSN are provided in life time, this is for your awareness
Is there any last date for approval? My EAC number still shows ‘Case Was Received’
Hi,
My Petition was got picked up in lottery, But still I haven’t received any approval conformation. Can anyone specify the time span so that I can wait for approval.
Is any one know the deadline of the of Regular process?
same with my case. It got picked and got an RFE on june 7th and submitted in time and still no update on the status.
Looking for the same…….
My case has the same status “Case was received” though i got my receipt Number on 11th April. Looks like Vermont center is overloaded
Same thing here, my employer says this is being delayed because the coming election, my PERM process is delayed as well…
Thanks Hitesh ! Will wait and watch. Will see how it goes ! I have some believe now looking at your case from “Case Received” from April 11 to “Case Approved ”
Congrats once more and will keep you posted on my H1B status !!!
Can a h1B case get approved and not updated on usics website?
Kumar,
Yes, at times the status is not updated on USCIS site but the petition has progressed to the next step.
Hi Saurabh,
Is there is nay scope to get quick appointment if urgent h1b required
Rishu,
Emergency appointments are available but they are granted based upon needs. What’s your reason?
Hi Saurabh,
My H1B petition has been approved today(filing date 04/11/2016, CA). In my petition I have opted Chennai consulate for Visa stamping. The current waiting period for Chennai is 130 days. Is it possible to change the consulate now? if yes, what are the procedures?
Please help!
Thanks,
JJ
Hello Everyone,
My Petition was got picked up in lottery, But still I haven’t received any approval conformation. Can anyone specify the time span so that I can wait for approval.
I’m bit worried.
Thanks in Advance.
JJ,
yes, you can go to another consulate.
Is it true that even Premium processing of H1B transfer is getting delayed to get a receipt number from Vermont Service Center?
Infoseeker,
PP cases have 15 calendar day SLA and are not delayed unless they are stuck in security check.
If my status says case transferred new office has jurisdiction what does this mean I am an h1b applicant
@Reddy this means your case is transferred from Vermont Service Center to California Service Center
Does that delay the process of selection also I don’t see this status in redbud web site can you please update as it helps some one like me
@Reddy It means Vermont Service Center had heavy work load and to process petitions faster they distributed there work load to California Service Center.
So it will process your Petition Faster.
@First Timer
Thanks a ton 🙂
@Reddy Your Welcome
I haven’t got a receipt notice or the reject package yet.. Do I still have change to get the H1B Visa?
No. The curtains are down. The fat lady has sung. The tribe has spoken. Please pack up your knives and go. Your work of art, didn’t work for me. You’re times up. I have to ask you to leave the mansion. You must leave the chateau. Your tour ends here. You’ve been chopped! You’ve been evicted from the Big Brother house. Your desert just didn’t measure up. Sashay away! You did not get a rose. You have been eliminated from the race. You are no longer in the running. You’re fired. Auf Wiedersehen.
Hi Saurabh
My H1B Petition was approved on June 30th after RFE of maintenance of status.
I guess i will receive my I-797C Soon. Saurabh here i have a question, when i can apply for my SSN.
FirstTimer,
I assume this is a caps-subject FY-17 petition which starts in Oct 1, 2016. If your COS is approved, then you can apply for SSN after COS becomes effective. So if COS is approved for Oct 1, then you can apply soon after. If COS is not approved, then you cannot apply for SSN until you get COS approved or enter US on stamped H-1 visa.
Hi @Saurabh
My COS approved for Oct 01
FirstTimer,
Then you can apply in first week of Oct itself. It may take 3-4 weeks to process.
Thanks @Saurabh
Also my H4 Dependent can come here any time now… right ? or they have to wait until Oct 1st
FirstTimer,
Dependent can go for H-4 stamping soon after your H-1 is approved. However, she cannot enter US on H-4 until your H-1 COS goes into effect. This would be Oct 1 in your case.
Hi Surabh
I am on h4 visa now . My h1b got selcted and I’m waiting for approvals .after approvals I will start processing H4 to H1 so is it required to go India for my new h1b stamping .please help on this
Thanking you
H4 -H1,
If your H-1 is approved w/ COS, then you have to start working on H-1 immediately. You can get visa stamped later when you travel outside of US next.
If H-1 is approved w/o COS (no I-94 attached), then you either need to enter US on stamped H-1 visa or file separate COS before starting to work on H-1.
Saurabh!! Great thanks for Info..
Hi,
I have got the receipt and status is case was received on April 11th. But even today there is no change in the status. Will there be any deadline to receive the approval or RFE status. Please let me know if any one is aware. Thanks
Sid.
You should until July 31 for status changes like petition approved or RFE
Siddhartha,
For RPs, there is no deadline.
Hi All,
I am aware of the fact that, we do not have SLAs for the petitions filed under RP.
But, just curious to know, in general (based on last years experiences), when we start receiving updates (RFE or Approvals) for the petitions for RP applications.
Mine is non-AD/RP
Thanks,
Ram
Ram,
Some have already received those updates. Most of the petitions will see some sort of update by Oct based upon historical trends. Again, each year is different so its just a guesstimate.
Hi,
My application is Advacned Degree – Regular Processing – Conuslar Notification.
My status shows as “Case Approved”. At present I am in India. Can I attend the VISA Interview now and Travel with H1? (My present status is OPT with expiry date of Jan 4th 2017)
Thanks.
Got approval notice on 19th May and receipt notice on 14th april. Non-AD/PP/CA