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.
Hello,
I hold a Masters and my H1 is filed under PP. I didn’t receive any confirmation yt! should I still wait or it means it’s not picked?
Thanks
Sorry buddy…no hopes! U should think about next plan!
Thanks Bud!!
This is frustrating man!! :/
Better luck next time! 🙁
California has not done sending all the receipts yet. Still there is hope.
Mine is Vermont!
Friend can you please tell me how do you know your application is for XYZ state?
The problem is my application is given by employer and as per company past they are hiring for California ….still I am also awaiting for my employer further status update.
Ask your employer buddy!
F**Ked off lottery they should rlease results in one shot…why the stupid things are USCIS doing..is there anything can we chnage to escalate to someone! we are suffering …..our juniors and next year h1B folks won’t suffer same thing.
All those who are lucky unlucky or waiting, a shoutout to update the tracker so that we can accurately gauge the numbers. Can you please do the needful?
It would be better to have an option to sort the entries by the fields too
i am losing hope here… what’s you guys’ back up plan if u wanna stay in the US?
+1 NAD/RP/CA
Plan – go back home with my backpack
Do u know when will be the last day getting notice? Non-PP, Not Advance degree
My OPT extension got approved last month and got my new OPT card before 3 weeks. I called my DSO and she said “my Change of Status shows as pending”. AD/RR. No news from Lawyer…does it means I got picked up in lottery ?
Ask her when the change of status was updated. mine was same but status was updated on 22 April.
If it happened this month then you are picked.
Thank you
Thanks Vinay, I called them again and they didn’t give me the date when my status got changed but They provided me with the receipt number #WAC151395****. Still No response from fragomen.
can anyone have any news from Syntel India?
Hi guys,
I hold a Masters and my visa was applied through regular processing, but the lawyer says he has not received any confirmation yet. Is this a reason to worry? I also want to know whether checks for all the ones who got through the lottery should have been encashed by now. I’m afraid, ours have not been encashed yet 🙁
I’m in the same boat as you are.
USCIS should announce next week that all the data entry is complete. After that, one week for the mail to arrive and the checks to get cashed.
If not, hard luck and try again next year.
Just checked the status – “Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker” is approved.
AD/PP/VT here
what was the date on your receipt?
20th April
Got an “RFE” they asked me to send the vendor and client letter.. usually how long it takes to get approval any idea?
Premium processing 15 days. Regular processing no fixed time (Usually 3 to 4 months).
NAD/RP/CA
Loosing hopes as many people started receiving mails.
I rarely had good luck in past.
Lot of hopes on this last and final lottery…god save me
why last ? can buy lottery ticket again next year.
God is dead.
Ask Devil for help!!!
Is any hope left for AD/RP/VT? 2nd attempt.
I’m waiting too. They say we shouldn’t give up hopes until the beginning of may.
10 buss* days more considering delays of all sorts.
I have decide to wait till May 15th , coz as per immigration girl last yr t receipts came till may 13th.
Its of no use waiting after that….
Ofcourse it hurts 2nd attempt..
But its gonna hurt more to wait till june.. lik last yr
Yup LUCK RULES ..
still no email from lawyer or employee , I hop god help all of us. I haad only one application direct from employee.
+1 me too brother
1 or more does it matter too much ? 2,33,000 applications how many one has to file to feel confident that luck would be in favor ?
Guys, I’m PP. Help me out here. I didn’t receive any notice so obviously I wasn’t picked. However, I see some people saying that PP people need to have hope. WHY? Is there any chance of some kind of delay or something? Or it’s just the fact people don’t wan’t to deal with it? Is there any case where PP people received notice after let’s say may 1th?
chances are extremely low. Considering any kind of delays this is the last week of possibility. PP
smartplay anyone..?
+1 no response yet
+1, Still waiting.
+1
do any of you know if smartplay would send out updates soon after the law firm knows about selection in lottery….?
i mailed hr and the response was you will be updated in mid may,..
Hello, I’m 99.9% sure I wasn’t picked cause I’m PP in NYC and didn’t receive any notice. My question is: When will USCIS start sending the packages back? Any clues?
They start sending back the packets starting june.
Unfortunately they send everything back in June, you will have to wait for it.
After they are done informing the ones selected in the lottery and take a week off of mailing, they will start mailing the rejected packages back. So, expect them back in June.
Good Morning Friends,
Just now I got a message from my employer that I have been selected in the lottery. But he is did not able to give any details as he is on holidays. This is the second time that i have applied in non AD/reg processing. Last year i was not picked in lottery. I wish Good Luck to all of you who have a applied this year and waiting for the result.
Perhaps you had a fragmented family and never experienced consistency in your early years.
If you think you’ve forgotten some of the rules, it would not
hurt to take a glance of the rules and instructions. For cash games, you
should always sit down at the table with at least 20-25 buy-ins for
the level you intend to play at.
Hi guys,
Are there any hopes for AD/RP/CSC. I heard many people have got there receipt numbers already.Also heard that CSC started Non-AD
Tons of hope left. CSC has been slow pushing out AD/RP receipts.
@Sai,
I hope so!
I’m in the same boat!
Also don’t be surprised if your check hasn’t been cashed or your SEVIS hasn’t been updated. That’s the case with most of us
@sai
I hope so too. Was just concerned. Thanks for the support.
Non AD / RP / VT , nothing yet. Will wait for a while before I call it a gone case.
I’m in the same boat. I hope we get something soon!
Hi,
This is in regard to the PP applied, if there is no email till 28th April and whatsoever. does it mean, that it is all done for this year, or could it be that , they will send emails to PP event after 28th April ?
–also typically if the check is not encashed till now, is it right to assume that it is not picked.
Yes…it was not picked!
wondering on same thing…
Some applications which got selected in the lottery get rejected right away for some obvious reasons (like wrong fee check etc). USCIS must be replacing those applications by again randomly selecting the application from those who were not picked up in the lottery… I guess that is the only hope now these PP guys have…
On 13 th april lottery they already select more than 85 K to have this pool covered So no new chances
Any update for syntel folks?
Is anyone from DEP/CAE
Is there still a chance for AD PP?
I wish there was a better answer for you. Unfortunately there isn’t anymore chance for PP.
Any news from NYC?
Till what date RP application will be in fight?
I would say wait till mid May.
is there any chance left (Non-AD/RP) of being selected in this stupid lottery?
anyway this waste of time , someone’s carrier will depend on lottery.
I better go start plan B rather than hoping for nothing!
The receipts are still being generated and coming out eventually..!! be patient and do not lose hope…!!
Am on t same boat this is my 2nd time, I am a hardworking person n used to never believe in luck used to think hardwork is what leads to luck …
This lottery proved it wrong . LUCK rules !!! 🙁 🙁
Same here Sai,
Still awaiting for result, LUCK is everything ..hard work don’t matter.
This a first time in my life to depend on LUCK instead of hard work.
Anyways hopefully god will with us and we will get best…Lets conti.. with hard work without any expectation…Cheers
This process is not reliable and not helpful to deserving candidates.Means how can luck decide someone’s future and aspirations?. First time even I am depending on luck.Feel so helpless lost and just hope hope and hope.
world is full of deserving, talented and hard working people. Unfortunately Jobs are less, Quotas are low than aspirants. Developed countries cautiously opens gates for immigrants/ non immigrants workers.
Lets praise the Devil and ask help.
God has become deaf, was always dumb.
Hey Devil please help
Hi, our lawyer said he received form I-797 Notice of action. what does that mean? We are on RP. does that mean we are approved already or only selected in the lottery?
That means you are selected in the lottery…!!! still your application has to be processsed..!!
ah okay, thank you! hoping for a positive result.. still waiting time is not yet over… any idea how long will it take to be totally approved by uscis?
The lottery is the toughest part….be cool
Friends, Anyone guide me on below receipt status:
Case Was Received
On April 13, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC1514XXXXX, 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.
Well, you got selected. Now depending on your case PP/RG, your case will be adjucated.
When did you receive this notice.
I haven’t received the notice yet. I got this status from USCIS site. Are you sure on the statement – that my Receipt selected !!! still under confusion!!! and mine is not PP
Are you looking at someone else receipt number? Or is it your you have got that from USCIS website? If the latter is true, how could you get that?
@hkradh – i got the receipt on my employer portal and checked the status of the same in USCIS portal
well you get nothing. Your employer/attorney get it. They can share what ever information you desire.
@vj – yes i got the receipt from my employer portal . but wanted to know final status – selected or not?
Is there any chance left still for Regular Cap/PP?
NO MORE chance for PP
Hi all i got my receipt number today and my document was picked in 22 april 2015.am so happy to tell this .
NonAD/RP Got selected..
when was your check en-cashed?
This Morning. Hurray
Non-AD/Regular Processing anybody received the receipt nos.??
Why the system is made like accepting multiple applications from a same person. People like me who’s having and has lots family responsibilities unable to get opportunity. Sorry i don’t know how far right to share this thought. But kinda accumulations
companies started abusing the system by applying more applications. So it’s nothing wrong for a person to apply through multiple companies!
Some bigger companies who use to apply 1000 applications now due to big lotteries they apply like 10,000 applications. Can we stop them to not put so many applications ? due to lottery every company small or big push more applications. So, In a way companies are exploiting much more than individuals.
HCL ?
syntel?
Anyone waiting for AD/PP/Cal ?
I am! I wanted to play it fair! Went to a top school! Joined a fortune 100 company! Didn’t apply through a shady consultant , and here I am losing to most of the people who did that!
My lawyer hasn’t received a word..
Same here , so annoyed . Life is not fair sometimes.
AD/PP/CSC….still waiting !!! Genuinely applied with fortune 100 company, no desi consultancy…and here..still waiting 🙁
Same here , Realised being honest and hardworking doesn’t really matter anymore , all that matters is money and luck…. 🙁 🙁
If no luck then throw money u earn luck 🙁 🙁
20,000 for AD is sufficient for top schools masters. Probably they should remove shady master colleges from 20K quota. Top 100 schools * 200 h1 = 20,000
Same here… AD/ PP/ CSC
One application through a top company. Work in Mechanical Enigneering area, so multiple petitions through desi IT comps was not an option.
Anyone from EPIC got any email?
Hi.
Epic has filed the H1B petition for me too. Where are you from?
I mean, which university/city?
I am from India. EPIC legal told me they haven’t got receipt number for my petition. But she said epic has to wait till Monday to know if any more petitions will be selected.
But going my other’s commentary, its a no-go for me.
Anybody got updates from Infosys.
Any of your Infy frnds got till now?
Nofy
No news yet from infy…
Scammers , frauds , greedy Fuchs….
Nope… not yet… No news from Infosys
No
Hi.my employer sent me receipt on 20 April for AD PP VT. But my DSo hasn’t updated sevis.
@Stemopt : when does ur opt expire. even I have the same case….
It’s expiring in July 2015.
ok..my expires after 1st oct
Anybody got information from omega solutions?
I got a receipt notice last week and My case is approved today. Best wishes for everyone.
AD/PP/Vermont
Congrats bro.
Please pray for me bro.
@Jay, when did u receive the notification last week? and what is the date notice date on receipt?
waiting is really hard but no choice.
AD/RP/CA
No update on check encash or any other notification, Is it end ?
not yet, wait 2 more weeks
AD/RP/VT Got Receipt from Employer.
Good Luck Everyone!!!
Attorney just got receipt number
nonAD/RP/CSC, second attempt, single application
No way Anton, I’m in exactly the same situation! RD/RP/CA, 2nd attempt (1st attempt 2013), single application. Good luck to everyone else, thinking about you all!
Anybody from Big 4 got receipts?
When is the last day will get notice? Or check will be cashed out?
No still waiting..
Nobody from my company got answers yet..it’s very weird
Heartily congrats to those selected.
Finally 85k requirements will be filled out of 233k actual vacancies !!!
It means , more demand/options for those who have got selected in lottery 🙂
Any news from NYC?
Nope, waiting Bach, RP…none of my friends from NYC got a receipt
I’m Non AD/PP. My lawyer didn’t say a word. It’s weird that nobody is NYC received the notice. Kinda losing my hope.
NYC same here…
some of AD got receipt but non of RD got anything
RP CA, got letter yesterday. On average how long will I have to wait to hear the result?
1-3 months
got my receipt from employer, non AD,RP
dont loose hope till your petition gets returned
nonAD/RP/CA
Still waiting…..