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.
anyone still waiting for non AD/PP ?
+1, I think we are out of the game now. This is my second time.
Good luck to RP guys!!
Anyone from Nebraska Service center?
Hi Mr.Hope,
How you got information regarding which center you applied for?
So far I am not getting any information from my employer so just like to know how you ppl are getting this information.
not Nebraska but i have applied in Las Vegas service center
Waiting for Non-ad/RP/VT 🙂
I am not nervous or excited anymore.
It’s not end of the world anyways.
I see some non-ad people are getting reciepts,So I will just wait for it.
I see bunch of PPs are out of the game so RP seems have better advantages.
Hopefully by next week I will get selected in H1B and greencard lottery 😀
Got Through with the lottery. Just got contacted by my lawyer. I got through AD/RP/Vermont. I also contacted SEVIS office and they told there was no change in my status so guys even if you status is not updated don’t lose hope. Thanks for keeping the thread alive I believe this is a good platform for exchanging ideas plus the fun you get by trolling the comment 😀 ~Cheers~
Oh Btw I had only one application, no dirty tricks. plain ol style lottery
Is it possible that if your OPT expires after 09/30, your status will not be updated even if you are selected?
dude I honestly don’t know, because it is a gray area. don’t take anyone else’s word for it too because no one knows (there is no official announcement about it.)
Got my receipt Regular Quota/Regular processing / WAC (CA service center). number WAC15141XXXXX. Receipts entered in system on April 22 are reaching today April 27th.
Are you AD or NoneAD ?
No just regular, NON-AD
Congrats bro . I have the same condition and still waiting.
Thanks guys. For regular cases we still have couple of weeks. Receipts will keep coming everyday. I hope yours coming too…
Congrats bro.,
you see to be very lucky.
God bless for your bright future.
CONGRATS!! when was your cheque encashed ???
Congrats Bro, one of the first Non-AD/RP cases
Boss, how can this possible.
As per USCIS news release they mention that premium processing will start from 28th April and finish at 11th May then how come as non-premium processing you got result early?
Congr8 if you really got.
There is a difference between Receipt (picked in lottery) and Result (comes after processing applications). Regular processing will not get results before premium they just get acknowledgement/ Receipt for getting picked in lottery.
Hi,
I got the receipt number today morning. Mine was AD/RP/VSC. This is my third attempt. Finally got picked. I have checked with my school on friday they said nothing has updated yet,i thought i might loose this time too.But today morning my employer sent me receipt notice. Happyy.All the best guys.
Thanks,
Sri
AD/RP/VSC — still waiting
RD/RP/VT waiting……waiting……
http://www.uscis.gov/news/uscis-will-accept-only-new-version-form-i-129-beginning-may-1
People who applied with one employer, still have option to file with another employer (within 3 days) ? Am I understanding it correctly ?
Waiting Non AD/RP/VT
RD/RP/NY
still waiting
Any idea when can we expect the results for RQ/RP/VT?
many thank you
Does AD/RP applicants get receipt numbers reflected in the sevis status ?? Any one who applied in AD/RP spoke to school DSO about SEVIS Status ? If so, what does it say ? Active/Pending ?
I don’t see any updates. Its still active
I have sent an email to my DSO to check my SEVIS status then he sent me an attachment saying like if you got a receipt number by mail then call SEVIS and check otherwise contact your employer.
AD/NPP/VT, got the receipt from lawyer this morning. I had the feeling that they are still sending out the receipt. Bless to all the genuine applicants and DON’T lose hopes.
AD/RP/VT
Just got an update from my employer. he received postal mail notice
EAC-15-140-51xxx.
lets hope for the good guys, all the best!!
#3rd Timer, #genuine application
u deserve it !! good luck
Are we going to have another lottery: http://www.uscis.gov/news/uscis-will-accept-only-new-version-form-i-129-beginning-may-1 ?
It’s only for applications filed after 1st may 2015
Is there any hope for PP?
Almost over. But officially you get till eod today
I’m into regular processing. How my employer get to know. Through email r postal r encashment? ??
by mail via USPS
Also the check used for paying fees will also get encashed.
Hi All,
I’m AD/ RP / CA
By when can I expect to hear some updates if my application has been accepted?
Same boat. Seems CAL center updates are slow
any one from iGate non AD/RP?
I’m in New York. My lawyer told me as of Friday she didn’t get any notice from any clients of her. She said I should wait until Wednesday. Anyone here from New York received the notice? Non AD/PP.
Non-AD/RP working in NYC and applied through Fragomen. Still waiting..
Oh I did not see you were PP… Good luck bro
Same boat. NYC Non-AD/PP/VT waiting to hear from attorney. But I heard from my advisor that it should be good news (he wouldn’t confirm explicitly). Not sure if I can celebrate yet.
I hope it’s good news. As of 04/24 the check wasn’t cashed yet. I don’t know if I should give up.
I keep getting told by the attorneys that there’s no news, but my school keeps confirming that it should be good news. So just hang in there for a bit longer and don’t lose hope!
Any news Jen?
Couldn’t reply to your latest msg for some odd reason, but I got good news! Attorneys checked again after I prompted them (my school said my status changed on 4/21) and got the receipt number. So if your company filed from a large law firm, it could have fallen through the cracks I guess.
Guys any update on NON-AD/RP … Please
+1. Non-AD/Rp/VT
+1 Non AD/RP/CAL
+1 Anything ?
Nooooooooooooo waiting to hear
I am waiting too , NoneAD/RP CSC
waiting
Thanks for the update guys… our boat count is increasing… +1 🙂
Hope all will get selected all the best..
+1. waiting
There are so many in this boat that boat will sink 😛
+1, I am in same boat.
+1 non-ad/RP
+1 still waiting 🙁
+1 Non AD/RP/CAL
Anyone from EPIC systems who got the receipt? I for one have not received it (Non AD/PP)
Epic as well. But I have not heard anybody received any news regarding H1B lottery.
Is there still a chance for PP category to get receipts?
Any update on non AD RP lottery results ? Anyone who has heard regarding RP ?
Anyone from Accenture started receiving email on status?
Good luck for all of you guys . Hope for the best 🙂
Krishna Prasad donepudi
HI,
I applied through PP still I didn’t get any update from my consultant is there any chance for PP
less than 5%
Dont worry.last year one of my friend got it on june 1st week.good luck.
Got mine. Cheque cashed. Non-ad/RP/VT. Good luck to everyone.
When did you get it? On Weekend?
My employer informed me this morning. It was cashed yesterday.
Me too same as you …congrats to you and best of luck.
I will pray for rest of the crowd who is waiting eagerly
got during weekend?
Any one filed H1B through DW Practice. This is my 3rd attempt. My petition didn’t picked up in the last 2 years lottery.
RQ / RP
Hey RK, I had tried for lottery last two times.
This time I moved forward with other alternatives. i am happy that I did as this time the selection probability is even worse. But I can truly understand the anxiety that you might have been going through. Hope eveything is good for for…Best of luck!!!
First ask them whether they really filed or not.
Guys ..
This is RP guy..
I still didn’t get any update from my employer ..
Does it mean that ..its not selected or do we have any hopes still?
I’m an RP, AD, VT applicant.
I think we have hope. They just started sending receipts to RP people. So, don’t lose hope yet.
Good luck!
Do you have any numbers/statistics supporting your claim?
I don’t think anyone has exact numbers, statistics. It’s all observations and predictions.
I have read that it takes time for uscis to send receipts to people. Not all thousands of receipts will be sent on the same day. So, chill and hope for the best.
Ps: this is my only chance too and I’m being hopeful. If it doesn’t work out here, it doesn’t have to be the end of the world.
Anyone from TCS?
TCS keeps lying to attorneys and USCIS….
tcs, infosys,wipro …no one else have luck
My PP app has not been picked up… I’m waiting for RP now.. Hopefully it gets thru..
All TCS and INFOSYS should be banned for H1b category they have only stupid brain less, waste resources, all kids fresher’s they always cheat USCIS.
Correct, Now IMB also in same category.
Last week I received this email. Does it mean I’ve been selected? Somebody know next steps? I was under premium processing…
The Vermont Service Center has received the following
I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker
that had been filed under the Premium Processing Service:
Receipt Number: EAC1513851916
Date Received: 04/13/2015
Yes if u have got a receipt no means u have been picked up in lottery
you might want to consider removing your post which contains your H1B Receipt number. It is not a good idea to post it. Do it ASAP.
yes u are selected BUT remove your full receipt number ASAP.
I reviewed information from my employer’s legal team that the last receipt they received came in on the 22nd of April. This is my 3rd time through this lottery and again this year I was not successful. Not a great feeling.
How do I know if my H1-B filing got picked in lottery or not? only through employer or is there any other means?!!
That’s the work of uscis, don’t worry too much abt it.. Worst case u hv to go back to ur country, it’s still on this Earth.
Can u people stop speculating things & post only if u receive some info. It’s becoming v annoying reading your cribs & cries. Be practical, h1b is not the end of the world.. Uhh
Mine is non-AD and regular processing, application sent to Vermont.
I am still waiting for an update .
Same here, still waiting, no news from employer yet…
same here. still waiting! hope to hear the good news this week!
Hi,
My employer status shows “Petition filled, Pending with Immigration” Does it mean got selected in lottery ?
no
Are u from Accenture? .. Then the status seems u r thru
No.. Confirmed this status is through
Was your application RP or PP ? When did you observe change in status ?
Last Friday, RP
If u r from TCS, then it means that they have applied for ur VISA and now they are waiting for lottery and this status is not updated ever if u r not picked else it gets updated by May end that Waiting for Stamping
From many of posts, it seems like they will be done for Masters Normal. Should we assume that they will start sending results for Normal (non-premium, non-masters) Application results from 27th onwards ? USCIS is not saying any date for that.
As far as I know, the AD/RP notices have moved faster in VT than CAL. So if your application was sent to VT you can expect a result sooner than later
Sai, I am not sure, where my employer filed it. I know that it was applied through Berry and Appleman & Leiden LLP. It was files as standard application. Last status I can see in my profile is – “3/31/2015 Cap-subject H-1B petition filed. Awaiting receipt. “
The place of filing depends on the state you work
I am in California. So it mean, I should not expect results in April or till next 15-20 days ?
I work in California. It should, I should not expect results within next 15-20 days ?
I would say mid may. I am an AD/RP/CAL and I’m still waiting
+1, same situation (AD/RP/CSC)
How do we know that the application is not picked in lottery?? Do the denials also reach by this month end for premium processing?
Rejected petitions are sent by snail mail in June
check your sevis status.
AD/PP – 2nd attempt, picked
Just got an email from my school which says my change of status is “PENDING”
They just emailed the Receipt number too.
Good luck all
Did you ask your school about your SEVIS status? or did they just email you without you asking?
I asked my school and they checked it for me once and told me that no pending status and that I should just wait for the receipt and they are not going to look it up for me next time. WTF.. I paid them over $300k getting a dental degree and this is how they treat me?
It really comes down to the DSO / people in your international office. Some of them tend to be very helpful, others are just paper pushers doing the minimum necessary.
I’ve attended a state school, as well as an ivy league school, and believe me it has nothing to do with the cost, and everything to do with the person you are dealing with.
No, they emailed me without me asking them.
Yeah it’s true, it’s totally upto them, sometimes they are very understanding and helpful and sometimes the call volume is so high they get frustrated and they mind getting repeated calls.
Good luck all
Is there any way we can track the status of H1 from the courier tracking number ? I know that petition was sent via overnight mail. I believe rcpt num is issued after petition is selected. So, until then is there any way to track ?
no, no….no
Looks like i have lost this time.. i am packing my bags now.
Is it PP or RP ?
Hi Sid,
Would you mind to explain me what it means… If Possible
VT?
RQ?
CSC?
SEVIS?
DSO
Keep faith
Is that it then for Premium Processing? Looks like next year then…
If you don’t receive the receipt by 27th then its kinda shakey. But don’t lose hope. Good Luck.
My employer received the receipt yesterday. Yay!! Profile Masters Normal Processing.
Mine is non-AD and regular processing . Did the process of sending receipt no’s for Non-AD/RP has started? if no then when will it start?
h1b
This is only happenning because of colleges like ITU, Hergaun , Tri Valley..fake universities with fake students applying in masters category and also double filing in regular category. Abuse of system must stop. The government needs to move towards a tier system of colleges/MNC and h1b approvals like if your a student from top 100 rank university your application is selected..similarly if your an direct employee of a top MNC your application is selected. what ever is the left over ..then you do a lottery from the remaining fake applications. this way genuine candidates are not hurt . this is discrimination but at this time this will help avoid the abuse caused .
It’s upto the local US emabassy to give student visas to these students.
USCIS should stop returning filing fees so that no one can abuse the system.
What do you mean by genuine candidates? I agree fake student applications, paid application and duplicate applications are to be rejected. However, there are consultancies which are not top MNC still sponsor H1b. H1B is not just for Students who study there. Most of the people will have dreams to come to America. How can you say applications other than students and top MNCs are fake? You are discriminating and abusing.
Well aren’t the true consultants for MNC with genuine experience affected by fake resume students. The way i have put it it will free up many more visa’s for such cases.
Do the receipt notices come over the weekend as well? NAD/ PP here
yes , they do. I got mine today morning via Fragomen. So have patience till 27th!
Thanks Man.. guess i have to be anxious for a few more days.. man this is very stressfull!!
Folks,
How does an attorney decide which service centre to file the Visa petition. E.g. my attorney and company’s HQ is in Cali but my work location is in Texas. Where would my petition go, CSC or VSC ?
Thanks !
based on work location, your case should go VSC