As I read the comments on our H1B Visa 2016 page, I can empathize what all emotions everyone are going through…some happy to be picked in lottery, some anxiously waiting for the result, some frustrated with the wait…some upset with the overall system and how it is abused… some swearing at others as they abused the system…when someone posts a comment telling that they have received the case number, the anxiousness or pressure among the ones waiting goes up by a big factor…Let me shed some light on the reality on the premium processing and regular processing times from a historical standpoint, so that all of you have a realistic expectations.
Let’s be realistic about results of H1B Lottery? About 2 in 3 H1B petitions would be rejected !
I can imagine all the pain everyone has to go through, but let’s be realistic folks…Unfortunately, H1B is a lottery and only 85,000 petitions are selected from 233,000 petitions received for H1B 2016 quota. Not being too picky on the precise probability…Just about 1 in every 3 H1B applications will be selected in the lottery process. It is very harsh on many who have spent thousands of dollars studying in US and on many who have been working at MNC companies waiting for years to get an opportunity to work in US, including many others like H4 holders who have found a job, sponsor and waiting to work…but unfortunately, it is the truth and reality…so, do not get disappointed with the results, it has nothing to do with your talent or hard work! It is pure gamble and luck…Not getting in H1B lottery is not the end of the world, stay positive…if you get it, great…if not, maybe there are better things that are coming for you in life ! Anyways, enough of the lecture 🙂 …
Keep the above truth in context and read below…
H1B 2016 Premium processing time – Case Receipts, Typical steps.
USCIS originally mentioned that the premium processing for FY 2016 applications will start no later than May 11th, later they issued a news alert that the H1B 2016 premium processing will start from April 27th. Some of our readers are receiving the case receipts for the premium processing applications. You can check the status of selected petitions in our H1B Visa Case Tracker ….But, if you have not received your case receipt yet, you do NOT need to be in panic…You still have a week or so to get the premium processing receipts.
Usually for premium processing, the employer/ immigration attorney will get an email from USCIS informing about your H1B case with the receipt number. You can use that receipt number to track the status at USCIS site . Ideally, all the receipts of selected H1B petitions should flow in on or before April 27th, or at least by 30th of April. Having said that, sometimes they may keep coming in the first few days of May too. What USCIS has promised is that the 15 calendar day premium processing SLA or Clock starts from April 27th. What it means is that the premium processing petitions have to be adjudicated by May 11th ( 15 calendar days from April 27th ). Also, one catch is that, if say your petition ends up in an RFE ( Request for evidence) while the adjudication of the petition, this will halt the premium processing clock for your petition and will restart after the RFE response is submitted by employer.
All in all, what I trying to articulate is that, just do not get nervous or more anxious when someone posts a comment that they have got the receipt and you have not. The lottery is done, if you were selected, you will get it…nothing will change that…stay positive!
H1B 2016 Regular Processing Time –Case Receipts, next steps
Typically, H1B petitions filed under regular processing do not have any mandatory SLA from USCIS, unlike in premium processing. They can take their own time based on their work load. This is one of the most frustrating things many regular processing folks experience as they have to wait a lot of time… Anyways, if your regular processing petition was selected in lottery, your employer/ attorney would get the H1B case receipt notice in traditional postal mail from the USCIS. There will NOT be any email receipt notice. You as an employee needs to be in close touch with your employer/ attorney to know the status of your case. If you were selected and your employer received the H1B receipt notice, the receipt notice will have the case number, which can be used on the USCIS website to check the status of your case.
As there is NO fixed SLA for the processing of the regular processing petitions, the receipts keep coming in sporadically from USCIS. Typically they would start to arrive from about 2 weeks from lottery date all the way till end of May or maybe even in early June for some cases. Again, this can be very frustrating to keep waiting on this receipts, but there is no choice.
Once you have the receipt number of your regular processing petition, you may upgrade it to premium processing to get the adjudication done in 15 days…but, unfortunately, now you cannot upgrade the case now…you will have to wait for the receipt number to arrive in mail to take any further action like upgrade to premium processing…!
When you see a comment or status on our H1B tracker that regular processing petition case number received, do not panic and get worried about your case… You just need to wait for couple of months to conclude your luck…Over the years, I have seen the frustration of applicants and can empathize the pain that regular processing applicants go through…it is very tough ! All I can say is, stay calm and keep doing your day to day stuff, do NOT stress yourself.
Tracking your H1B Visa Application Case
We have created the H1B Visa Case Tracker with the goal that everyone can see the status of many people like you and have an approximation on timelines. Instead of adding status comments on blog, I request all of you to add your case and keep the status up to date on the H1B Visa Case Tracker as your case status changes…We will try to enhance, for more options..
Have you applied for H1B last year ? Any words of wisdom for new H1B filing candidates ? Share your thoughts.
Any CPT universities in Chiago ?
is that only infy list or general for everyone??
Infy guys, internal news wait for couple of days and big h1b selected candidates list is on the way..cheers n good luck..
Is it true? If yes, can we get it in this week??
All the best of bad luck:(
B+
Guys ,
I am eagerly waiting for results. I didnt even get any rejection mail . People r saying that I must have got rejected. What should I do ? Be positive and calm ? its really hard guys.
Is anyone who did PP/AD/CAL waiting to hear the rejection or return package?
Dear all,
I would be grateful if anyone can answer my below clarification.
My H1B for 2016 case has been picked in the lottery and received the receipt number from my employer where I filed and checked the status in USCIS site where it states that they received my Form I-129. What does that mean? so what is the next process after my case has been picked in the lottery and how long the process.
Regards
Sunil
@Sunil: It means they stated processing your application. It takes 2 to 3 months for regular processing.
Any one from TCS got selected in the lottery? They started updating status since last week but still my status is in “awaiting lottery result”. Do I have chance? Thanks..Congrats all selected members!
Even in Wipro they have updated last week about lottery selection, and have not heard this week anyone got selected .they maintained only 40% receipt number received, but many ppl already got selected. no hope in waiting , they are keeping hold to send the rejectd one 🙁
I got It. But doesn’t know receipt number. Manager updated me that i got selected in lottery..Thank God….!!!!
When did you come to know that you have selected?
that’s great news!! congratulations;
are you currently working in the US or in India?
Any one still waiting from capgemini
No man I am also still waiting
upto june there is scope but this wait kills…:(
Anyone from Experis got any update ?
Its May 21st already. and nothing yet regarding RP in my inbox. Best of luck for next year guys.
Hi
My H1B picked up in lottery under Normal processing. I want go for now Premium processing, can I do that by asking my employer. ………Please advice the same.
Thanks !
congrats,…… when did you receive your receipt?
guys is there any chance for regular processing , advanced degree and i don’t know what center i am in for.
company : IBM ,USA
Hard luck..
But last year I did see ppl receiving mails in June 1st week too..
We r on same boat…@IBM
Last year Even my friend got receipt on may end….but not sure this year how they are processing…many of them already got receipt….heard this week few ppl got receipts(Monday night)…Refreshing my lotus notes 100 times a day…INszoom is very bad…No replies for any queries.
Did any one get update from Averon technologies Pune
No. Waiting for an update…
I’m also waiting
Anyone waiting to hear rejection ?
AD/PP/CAL
Premium processing!!!! Still waiting to hear anything
No way we are getting anything from PP, that’s over- same with me –
Sorry
I am seeing the following info on USCIS. Can you please comment if my application is selected in random pick? The status is quite confusing for me:-
On April 13, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC15xxxxxxxx, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your receipt notice by May 13, 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.
Read H1B Statuses Meaning
Congrats your name has been picked in lottery. you will get next update after 15th June
@LuckyOne: How do you know the next update will be after June 15? My status is similar to SG’s and was wondering when the next update comes.
I got a mail stating that my h1b is in wait status and my employer has not recieved any info. But one of my friends got VISA. Is this wait status just an eye wash?
Pray to god he’ll do wats good for us… As one my colleague went in 2012 and came back 6 months. so if we deserve and good for us surely god will do. Everything is for good
Well Said 🙂
ITS DONE !!!! may be we can some expect good immigration reform by next year… my employer applied my h1 visa in 2008 didn’t get through.. even in 2015 its same:-) only t0o lucky will get receipts here after..this doesn’t apply to big firms like TCS INFY CTS WIPRO etc since they may announce status in phased manner.. Only PRAY MODE will help us to calm our mind..
What is NonAD/RP/VT here ?
I know RP – Regular Petition
Regular Processing
Non-Advanced Degree
Vermont Centre
RP (regular process) vll for sure have some health issues ..
1st v shud wait for the lottery pick results, for almost a month , n then wait for 3 to 7 months for approval . Premium is too expensive to fasten things up and employer vll also not apply via Premium 🙁 🙁
Too much of waiting …………………………………..
Until june first week we can hope
how many times we need to try to get through the lottery?
(n-1)^3 !
This would give you a rough idea.
Each years lottery is an independent event, so your calculation is wrong…
It depends purely on each years applicant and quota limit.
Plz reply any hopes for
non ad/rp/vt
Hi all… I’ve applied H1B RP and when i call my employer he is saying that he haven’t received the list of candidates (not even one) who were picked and is asking me to wait till end of this month.. Do u guys think he is trust worthy?
employer name?
Any one got update from Avant Systems Inc ?
Guys… How many of them or your friend got receipts this week?
I didn’t hear anything this week.
Is game over or shall wait ??
Non-AD/RP
I got it on Monday and few HCL guys received on Tuesday as they posted.
Any one from Experis US INC,
Got selected in lottery for h1B 2016
I am still waiting.. I saw a lot of posts where people got the receipts as well.. I am not sure whether we should expect any news or not now…
Two Indian-Americans, who recruited foreign workers mainly from India with purported IT expertise, were arrested in New Jersey today on charges of H-1B visa fraud.
Scm inc is a fraud company. No wonder genuin workers nevr get thru H1B .These morons file fake applications in ample amount and let them get picked..Fools!!!
Guys,
I got receipt number… When I see the status… It’s showing as
On April 13, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number XXXXXXXXX, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your receipt notice by May 13, 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.
Still I did not received my receipt notice… Can some help me out here what to do….
They have clearly mentioned t phone no , Why don u call n find out..
This is a great news. These desi consultants should all be behind bars. Is there a website where people can report about these companies? Few of my friends wants to file a report.
tweet to USCIS
I am selected in lottery for H1B 2016.
I requested my employer to upgrade to premium.
How do I check/verify if my petition was upgraded to premium?
If you have a receipt number you can track it at the USCIS website. If upgraded you should see you a new status.
the way the system is right now even 5 or 6 attempts won’t be enough to get approval. Tweet to USCIS. We need to barrage them and hope they fix this.
Anyone from PTG got any updates ?
time is up, its over. Now what?
What next people?
WHy did so many apply multiple applications?
Its not fair.
I know a person who applied 3 and got 3.
They use multiple consultancies to apply.
This sucks.
Its over.
Bye.
I have applied only one through my employer(top companies in the bay area).
I don’t wanna go back to India. 🙁
I shall move to Canada.
Hi can you let me know which consultants they used?
I received my receipt # just now . NON-AD/RP/CA
guys guys chill mine is of RP my employer asked me to wait until first week of june… so dunt trust unsure comments posted here
Weird my employer has been saying there is no chance after may 6th.
If its PP, NO WAY
If its RP still I dont think so, as they have done with the data entry.
sorry to say this way, correct me if I am wrong.
I applied with a PP/AD/CAL, packing my bags now
If check hasn’t been cashed still, is there any chance of receiving receipt?
Sorry guys, i got mail from my company that few set of people that ours was not selected. So, all my hopes are come to an end now. Hereafter waiting for the receipt number no meaning.
Please focus on your work, don’t loose confident, better luck next, we will meet again in forum
which company?
whats on the receipt…when did uscis approve it ….is it after may 4th ?
Its leading MNC in india. Receipt No# is the one to track your application. Also this is the one confirmation on your lottery selection. otherwise, we can understood that it got rejected. you may get details / refund later.
I didnot get any confirmation till now from my consultancy.Is there any chance my case will be picked in future and please let me know upto which date one can get the receipt.
any one got receipt number today in CTS
Is any got today? I m also waiting
I just got mine this morning! so happy!
which location is your application submitted Vermont/California?
whats on the receipt…when did uscis approve it ….is it after may 4th ?
it was may 4th, vermont
Hi. What date exactly u received receipt ?? I am too from CTS and waiting
Guys,
Did anyone receive receipts on 12/05/2015? Please answer truely so that people who are visiting this would have some hope.
Thanks.
I got it yesterday and my friend too..RP/VT
Me and my friend got our receipts today, its RP/Non-Ad/VT..got lucky in second chance,Good luck for everyone who is waiting.
Hey guys,
I did not hear anything from my lawyer (a lot of my coworker already heard from lawyer since last month) so I contacted school last Monday, and found out that my status has been changed to Pending. I received new I-20 with receipt number xx147xxx indicating change was made as of April 28th. I still haven’t heard anything from my lawyer yet. In USCIS website, the receipt number cannot be found, but once I sign in, and add receipt number, I see that change was made 4/28. When I called the national center, automated system cannot pull out my information. Could there be a case when Sevis is updated but no receipt is sent?
Hey guys.. who are still waiting for their reciepts……the wait has ended.Recieved Rejection mail from employer.
Today is the last day i will be visiting the site, so here is the answer to all the silly questions you will ask.
1)petition:- NonAD/RP/VT
2)Country:- India
3)Company name:- can’t disclose in public forum (large IT company in india)
4)Mail Recieved:- 12th may.
Goodbye everyone!!!
is Anyone keeping count on receipt number ?
Any Idea where are we on the Count ?
Is anyone waiting to at least hear a rejection?
I did AD/premium processing/Cal…
Why can’t I know any news.
sorry to tell that I am in the same boat, PP/AD/CAL
no news, waiting for the rejection receipt only.
Guys can anyone tell me till when can we wait.?
— For Regular processing?
— What does these short form mean NOD-AD? and others?
— Last year till when did people receive their receipts?
— If not receipt will i get “rejection” at least ..because i need to file my opt extension soon.
I work at a MNC in the US.
Rohit,
Why don’t you write a written letter/email to USCIS? I was in same situation as your’s in 2013 and USCIS immediately sent me Approved HIB since I requested them to expedite considering my OPT sitation
Hmm that’s actually not a bad idea.
— last year my opt started by august 18th [date on EAD card] hence I have time [3 months before august latest 1 month before august].
— I am going to send a email to uscis but which email id did you use ? much appreciated if you let me know that. tsc.ncscfollowup@dhs.gov the one given in the website and since i am in texas]
Hmm sounds like a good idea. did you use the email address given under the service category on uscis.? main website?
[Uscis website-> contact us -> USCIS Service Centers -> email id according to state]
what email did you use? Or did u send it by letter?
It does rajat. Thank you sir much appreciated.
hi rajat
u r sharing nice info
I am having one doubt we are still receiving California receipts or not
I am not sure about centre wise receipts but one of my colleague still waiting for California centre to respond to her petition.As soon as I get to know something I’ll post here.My employer hardly files for H1 and I guess this time they filed 7 petitions,till now 3 got selected all VT centre.
Rajat i have one last question ,
Q: does advanced degree category (me) also can wait till june mid week.?
I do not think the AD or Non AD matter. I am on AD also, and I have not gotten anything yet. They do all the lottery at once. I am quite sure about this
Yes you are right I somehow had Premium Processing in mind.If its AD Degree RP yes you have chances till Mid June.Sorry for misinterpreting your question Rohit.
Hi Rohit,I dont want to disappoint you but as per my employer,discussion with colleagues who were picked up last year as PP and several confirmations over this blog waiting for PP receipt is no longer suggested since the processing has now started and I don’t think your employer/attorney has any reason for not declaring your selection till date.
I know waiting kills but few of my colleagues who were picked up last year told me that they received confirmation even in June 1st week for NONAD/RP.This kept me calm.So guys don’t loose hope.
My receipt was generated on 25th April but my employer informed me only when they received it formally on 11th May and did not disclose anything prior to that.NONAD/RP/1st Time/Single Petition/VT.
Hope this helps.