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H1B Visa 2014 Cap Count Updates

Page Updated :  December 14, 2014.

H1B 2014 season was over on April 5, 2013 with lottery. Currently, we are in H1B 2016 season. See below for details:

Check out :H1B Visa 2016 – Start Date, Sponsors, Fees, FAQs

H1B 2014 Cap reached on April 5th, 2013. Read : 124,000 H1B Visas Filed. Lottery Process
Did you miss FY 2014 ? Check out : H1B Visa 2015 – FAQs

Just like previous years, we will track all the news updates and cap count numbers related to H1B visa 2014 on this page. You can check out our previous H1B visa 2013 cap count updates page to get an idea.

Latest News updates, Information for H1B visa 2014 :

All the H1B news releases by USCIS and informative articles related to applying for H1B visa 2014 will be posted below :

H1B Visa FY 2014 Cap Count updates Tracking Table:

The below table will be updated as soon as USICS updates cap counts.

USCIS Update on Regular H1B Cap (65,000) Advanced Degree Cap (20,000) Analysis and Cap Count Update Article.
April 5th, 2013  65,000  20,000 USCIS news Update – Lottery
Remaining H1B Cap  Zero Zero   Total Remaining = ZERO

 

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Satheesh Kumar Ilu, commonly known as Kumar, is the founder of RedBus2US.com. He is an Immigration and Study Abroad expert. He holds an MS from the University of Houston–Clear Lake and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He studied, lived, and worked in the U.S. and Singapore for nearly two decades, and has traveled to over 25 countries.

   

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3,409 Comments

  1. Hello All,

    I am in the same boat like you only. Never got my package nor the receipt. And now I am not hoping anymore as only rejected packages are coming only.
    Well, I am on H4 and glad that my husband is on H1B, so at least I can stay in America as usual. Difference is that I will be at home 🙁

    Option: change your status to F1 and get your CPT and company offer letter to work here.

    Or, anyone has any good option for H4? I am in bay Area, california. Can someone suggest me any good college so that I can get CPT ASAP?

    Reply
    • Let me know,
      The same with me, I am also on H4 and looking for options once again .tried last year and did not meet the cap. so started doing a course in University of California,Irvine thinking that I would make the cap atleast this year. now back again to the same situation. not sure what to do this time.

      Not received receipt yet nor the package.
      please email me, so that we can stay in touch and decide on Plan B.

      Reply
    • The max. duration of CPT is 3 to 6 months a year. You will have to stop working after the CPT duration. The best time to start CPT is January.

      Reply
  2. Spoke to my employer few minutes back and he said, he received neither my receipt nor package back.

    I asked him if he is still receiving receipts, he said they are not receiving receipts now, but they are getting the unselected packages back.

    He asked me to wait for the package to return.
    I totally lost hope. working on Plan B(Going to India)

    Reply
  3. Hi,
    Today I got information from my employer (one of the Indian IT major), they have not still received any information from USCIS.
    Some people in our organization got lottery selected mail.
    =Should I hold my hope by any chance? or forget. Waiting kills…..

    Reply
  4. THanks to this wonderful forum!!! I am working in a MNC in India.
    I’ve been silent watcher on this forum since yesterday. But now am on serious worries as I was not selected so far. When asked, my manager said that my name was not there in the two lists got so far and they are waiting for another list soon. Only 2 got selected in my project so far.
    I just want to know if this is really true, that US Immigrations sending list by list to employers? Because I dont want to be in false hopes. Also, if a person receive RECEIPT number, does that mean they are selected? How can I know that I was rejected in the lottery. Is it worth waiting still? Your answers will be useful for me to speak with my manager.. By when(date), these will be over? PLease someone help me!!!!!

    Reply
    • I hope this helps.

      I just want to know if this is really true, that US Immigrations sending list by list to employers?
      Normally for bigger employers USCIS sends list in multiple slots. which means they send the results (selected/not-selected) in groups. this is only for lottery selection process. the approved/RFE/Rejection employer gets case by case.

      Also, if a person receive RECEIPT number, does that mean they are selected?
      This means, he/she is selected in the lottery system. decision on the petition will be made after this. only selected applications will go through the decision phase.

      How can I know that I was rejected in the lottery. Is it worth waiting still?
      Only employer/attorney can tell this. if they get the name in the selected/not selected list you can be clear. also if the check is encashed then it is selected and receipt number will be on its way.

      By when(date), these will be over?
      As of now there is no time given by USCIS. sources say that till month end you can expect. but there is no official communication on this.

      Reply
      • USCIS will not send list by list, they will send individual petition numbers to the law firm. As your company is big, it may have gone for a major law firm. They may be sending the list in batches.

        Reply
  5. I called USCIS today and after waiting for an hour, he checked my status in the system. I was not on the “system”, not sure what exactly it means. So, i asked if it means i am not selected in lottery and the answer was no it does not mean that. He said by 15th may your petitioner would either get the receipt or the package returned. Not sure if he meant that receipt would be generated till 15th or not.

    If someone else also got a similar reply, please share the same

    Reply
    • Hey how did you contacted.. If I call USCIS they are asking application number or employer online. Is there any way to contact with-out these two?

      Reply
      • 1-800-375-5283. They asked me for

        Last name
        First name
        Date of Birth
        Company name

        Also the IVR prompted me for the EIN(employee identification number) before i could talk to the representative. mAy be i was just lucky to get through as i expected them to ask for the employer or petitioner to call

        Hope it helps and share your experience

        Reply
    • I did premium processing on May 4th and yesterday I got an email from my lawyer that my premium processing application was rejected since they couldn’t locate my information in the system. So my lawyer is saying that since it’s not in the system it means that my application has not been picked up in the lottery, and asked me to wait for official rejection notice. She also suggested me to plan accordingly to leave USA within 30 days since my EAD card has already got expired in last month.

      Very disappointed…

      Reply
    • I’m in exactly same case of you. But my lawyer tells me it means very low chance to get picked in lottery,so we move on plan B now.

      Reply
  6. Does anyone know what order does the USCIS process RP applications? I understand RP apps are taken up only after PP, but I cant understand the logic in their selection.
    I randomly tried some numbers before and after my receipt no (WAC1313451xxx). Many are approved before and after mine, but mine is still in initial review. I also checked for WAC1313351xxx, (i.e. same no, but entered on the previous day) and it is also in intial review. Are they processing as per last name / first name or randomly picking up? Is it possible that they are bypassing apps they have potential problems with to scrutinize in detail?

    Hey bhagwan!! Is H1b ne dimaag ka dahi kar diya!! First the excruciating wait for lottery results and now this.. I’m AD/RP/CSC

    Reply
    • i had the same problem, i tried before and after me, most is proceeded to next step. I am so worried and it is killing me:(

      Reply
  7. I have tried randomly : EAC1315951945 and it showing application accepted on 14th May. Looks like application consideration process is still going on……… here is the status:

    On May 14, 2013, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER and we e-mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice. This case is being processed at our VERMONT SERVICE CENTER location. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you……..

    Reply
    • That must be H1b for transfer or extension. No petitions for new H1b were accepted after 5th Apr (i.e. after lottery).

      Reply
      • Again tried another number: EAC1315951944 its showing as:

        On May 13, 2013, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you……..

        I hope this accepting application only…

        Reply
        • Waiting and Waiting…..,
          A friend of mine applied for H-1 transfer, and his message was exactly the same. Another friend of mine applied for H-1 extension, and her message was also same. And now you found a FY-14 cap-subject petition where the message is also like this.

          I wonder, whether this receipt number belongs to my friend #1, my friend #2 or your cap-subject find.

          PS: If my reply sounds sarcastic, then probably it is. I am tired of people posting random receipt numbers and expecting it to be FY-14 petition.

          Reply
  8. Hi All,

    My H1b was file under AD/PP vermont center, the attorney says they haven’t heard anything back till now. Anyone else wit the same situation.

    Reply
  9. I got my rejection layer from USCIS today saying I was not selected. I live in Chicago and have one more month until I will be forced to quit my job. Has anyone thought of a plan B? Want to share your ideas?

    Reply
      • Can we convert from F1 to J1 visa? I too didint get selected in lottery and have only 19 days left in my OPT before I will be kicked out of US.

        Reply
    • mine also came back,they mention reason as “u have requested incomplete or incorrect employement date”,i.e they mention employement start date as 09/01/2013.
      is it possible to resubmit again.

      Reply
      • Sreya,
        I at times wonder, how attorneys can be so idiots. They can try to refile and put forward their case, but the refiled application may not be accepted as the cap has been reached.

        Reply
  10. Hello All,

    As per my lawyer, the receipts will continue to come at least till May-end (similar to 2008).
    Reading through the updates here, looks like even rejection notices have started to come.
    So there is no way but to wait for notification (hopefully positive ! !! )

    All the best guys. Everything will lead to something good, if not now then in future.
    God bless.

    Reply
  11. I got an email from my employer that my h1b is not selected in the lottery. It seem that USCIS has started sending rejection notices. My one was RQ/RP/CSC.

    Reply
  12. Completely frustrated…every single day waiting for the result,bites d dust..this is so unfair tat the employer is not at all revealing the selected list.

    Reply
  13. i am afraid i will get rejected since i randomly tried the 20 numbers before me and after me. all case move to the request for evidence or approved status except me.

    Reply
  14. I just receive my file rejected for a date format on my I-129. But i have a reeipt number. Do you think i can call them or is it useless?

    Reply
        • Hey.. applicatoin number will not start from VRN.. here is the format

          EAC/WAC/LIN/SRC – YY – DDD – 4xxxx

          EAC/WAC/LIN/SRC : Service center name
          YY :: Should be 13
          DDD : number of Working days from Oct 1st
          and xxxx : appli number on that da.

          Just check the application number…

          Reply
          • your number itself is a wrong.. Just check application…

            you can call USCIS, if you can found the number.. you can also check the status in uscis.gov

    • @Add,
      did you check it online or you got the documents back?
      If you got the documents back, what is your online status say?

      Thanks so much and good luck

      Reply
    • It covers new petitions for H-1B, H-1C, H-2A, H-2B, H-3, L-1, O-1, O-2, P-1, P-1S, P-2, P-2S, P-3, P-3S, Q-1 or R-1.

      This is my understanding though !

      Reply
  15. Hi, I got my receipt notice number WAC-13-135-51XXX, and its current status is Approved. This was filed by Employer A. Now I got an offer from Employer B, who is giving a better pay and also willing to file my GC at their cost, hence would like to know, will it be possible now to switch to Employer B ? Am currently in India, and had filed through Employer A for this year quota; This is the first time I had applied for H1B. Also, am yet to get the VISA stamped.

    What are my options?

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • I would suggest you to stick to your employer A, get your visa stamped and come to USA and start your work. If you go with company B, first you have to wait till next year for them to apply for your H1B, who knows if there`s going to be another lottery or may be they dont approve your H1b. So its better you dont take that risk and stick to employer A as per my experience. There are many companies in USA who will be willing to do your GC at their own cost, so for this you dont need to change your employers atm. First thing first, get your visa stamped, come to USA, start working and then look for a company who is willing to do your GC. All the best

      Reply
      • That’s not true. Once you have your approval receipt on hand, you can just apply for a transfer through your employer B.

        Reply
        • @Paromita Thanks for your suggestion.

          @H1 Thanks for your clarification. Will it be possible to transfer H1B with Employer B after stamping or before stamping? If I apply for transfer before stamping, will it cause any issue while appearing for Visa interview for stamping purpose? Meaning chances of denial increases or will not have any affect .

          Reply
          • Hi,

            You can transfer H1, before or after stamping , that’s not an issue.
            DONOT transfer without working for atleast 3 months with the employer A, you will have a lot of trouble otherwise. If you transfer without having paystubs from employer A, there will be problem in applying for SSN, if you dont have it already.
            Opportunities will keep coming your way, dont risk and make things bad. Play safe.

          • Vamsi,
            That is not correct. SSN has nothing to do w/ the fact that the person has changed employers or not. SSN can be applied as long as the person has been admitted to US on H-1 status.

            Payslips are required only if the person has been to US on H-1 for at least 1 pay period.

          • Bhai, I wrote the above comment based on an experience by an acquaintance, who transferred , before starting to work at first employer.
            I am not saying she cannot get an SSN, but why take a risk when it can be done easily, if you stay with employer for a few pay periods.
            I think company B lawyer is the right person to contact.

          • Vamsi,
            My theory is that one should go for stamping and enter US through the employer which has the best track record. Going for stamping through small consulting companies is riskier than going for stamping through IT giants or US major companies. Also, after entering US lot of desi consulting companies do not pay salary until one gets the project. Its better to move out of such companies as soon as possible instead of running into issues of 221g and not maintaining valid legal status in US.

    • FIRST get ur H1b stamped Dude… there are people waiting in line for H1b to get approved who are already in US. you must be lucky to get it approved so fast. GOOD LUCK with stamping.

      Reply
  16. Hi,

    Congrats who got selected in lottery.

    My application(WAC131425XXXX) got selected in lottery but not sure how many day will it take for approve.

    Anyone got update on Regular Quota / Regular Processing / No Advance Degree / Applied from India / California Centre.

    Regards,
    Raghu.

    Reply
    • @Reghu: Same as yours, but my app is not selected in lottery and have not got any rejection notice yet as well. You are in a much better situation, don’t worry, it’s just a matter of time for you.

      Reply
  17. Guys,

    I am still waiting for Receipt . can any one in same boat. Please tell me guys.

    What is the last for this waiting.. will this end by this week ?

    🙁

    Reply
  18. Siva @ TCS Hyderabad

    Hi, This is Siva from TCS. I got an email saying I am Selected in Lottery.
    They are releasing the Lists on weekly basis it seems.
    Till now 3 lists are announced & 2 more lists are there. Dont worry.
    This is correct information.
    Please wait until the end of June.
    Dont forget that in 2008, when H1s are closed on April 1st only &
    the RQ receipts are generated till June 2nd.
    So, there are more coming. keep up the hope.
    Good luck to all.
    🙂
    Siva @ TCS Hyderabad

    Hi, This is Siva from TCS. I got an email saying I am Selected in Lottery.
    They are releasing the Lists on weekly basis it seems.
    Till now 3 lists are announced & 2 more lists are there. Dont worry.
    This is correct information.
    Please wait until the end of June.
    Dont forget that in 2008, when H1s are closed on April 1st only &
    the RQ receipts are generated till June 2nd.
    So, there are more coming. keep up the hope.
    Good luck to all.
    🙂

    Reply
    • If possible please share the first 5 digits of your Receipt number, date it considered and Center.

      Reply
  19. Hi All, could anyone please tell once after receiving the approval notice, when can I attend the interview? Oct 1st would be start date. Then interview can be atteneded sometime in Sep 1st?

    Reply
  20. Hi Saurabh, ALL

    is a COS ( L1 – H1-B) treated the same way as a new H1 petition ? Does it follow the 65K cap and following process?

    Reply
  21. woh! people moved to the next stage where they can see initial review status and I am still waiting for the receipt number…. Is there any hope remaining ?

    Reply
  22. my notice date is 04/15/2013 vermont center, some of my friends whose receipt number behind me has already get approval. But mine is still initial review. Any one in the same boat as me? I am so worried and afraid to be refused. Anyone knows when all the results will come out? Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • @so worried, Don’t be worried becoz It will take minimum 2 months , don’t compare with others. also so many guys who are on f1 and opt , now they got packet back. so you are lucky becoz you are selected in lottery. For refused h1-b, you put up proper docs with actual client not dummy client then you don’t have to worry. all the best

      Reply
      • Me too…My notice date is 04/22/2013 Vermont center, one of my friends whose receipt number was behind me has already got approval notice. But mine is still in initial review. It means I am in the same boat. But as per Vermont center, they took around 2-3 Months in decision. Thanks

        Reply
  23. Applied for H1B under Advanced Degree, Regular Processing. Got the I797 notice on the 18th April from WAC. Checked last Wednesday and found that the website says Post Decision Activity
    “we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER”. Surprised that they processed the application which was regular processing in such a short time. Attorney still waiting for the hard copy of the I797.

    Reply
  24. Jenny –

    USCIS returned your packet in the mail today. Unfortunately, the packet was rejected. I will mail your checks back to you today. As a courtesy, we will resubmit your H-1B for you again next year at no charge. Your employer will only have to pay the USCIS charges.

    We will work very hard this week to get all of the recruitment going and get your PERM approved as quick as possible.

    I may not be available by phone today, but let me know if you have any questions.

    Kind regards,

    Reply
  25. my husband is waiting for H1. can anyone tell me when is the last date for receiving receipt ? I heard many rejected ppl starts to get their petitions back . it means, no use to wait anymore ? pls confirm.

    Reply
  26. How can I come to know whether I selected in lottery or not without asking my employer and attorney… Please let me know….Please reply

    Reply
    • Hi
      From which dept. you got this update ? What is your status is showing in ultimatix, plz let us know it may help us also?
      Do they also have update about receipt number ?

      Reply
    • Hey, do you have any idea when was the check was cleared for you…I mean…did the check cleared first and then the receipt number came? Or , it happen at the same time….as my employer said that he filed for 5 H1b but only 2 check were accepted as of now …and I am not in the lucky 2…..is there still any chance of getting accepted..

      Please let me know….

      Reply
  27. hi all,

    My HR has started getting rejected applicaiton status…

    is it true that after all selction only they will get rejection list… becuase htey did not get my file status till now.. does taht mean that my name is rejection list is on the way… ???? because if i would been selected .. my name would have reached them…. is my understanding correct ?????

    Reply
  28. Hello,

    What does the first 5 digits of the receipt number mean? How should we interpret it? Thanks in advance.

    -Ram

    Reply
  29. Saurabh,

    Hi, I have a question. I was on H4 and applied for H1b for 2014. The application got approved. I live in CA and my H1 has been approved from IL.. Now I have another job offer from an employer in CA. So my question is if I can apply for an H1B transfer without working for the initial H1B. Is it legal to do so.

    And one more question…..Can I apply for a Social security number now ( my start date is october 1st )……..so will they give me Social security number based on my approval right away or do I have to wait till October for that.

    Any responses will be appreciated

    Reply
    • good and congrats.. did you apply through consultancy??? even i did apply through consultancy and i am on H4 visa. if through consultancy ? did ur consultancy submit client letter?

      Reply
    • Hi,

      As per my understanding you can transfer your visa , but you run a risk while applying for SSN and it may also lead to RFE’s while applying for transfer.
      The other company’s lawyer may be the right person to reply, but do your research.
      I dont think you can apply for SSN now, you will have to wait till 1st Oct, as your I797 is not active yet i.e., you are still on H4, which makes you ineligible for SSN.
      Hope this helps.

      Reply
      • Vamsi,
        That is not correct. SSN has nothing to do w/ the fact that the person has changed employers or not. SSN can be applied as long as the person has been admitted to US on H-1 status.

        Payslips are required only if the person has been to US on H-1 for at least 1 pay period.

        Reply
  30. anyone still waiting on AD (RP or PP)
    There is not really any updates going on, on this site. Guys please share any information about your backup plans ?

    Reply
  31. I received my package back on Friday saying I was not selected in the lottery. Game over!
    Not the end of the world but very very desappointing. I was AD/RP

    Reply
      • Thanks Troy. I have to leave my job by the end of next month cause that is when my OPT ends. But since my employer knows that I am not staying, I doubt he will keep me that long. One way or another, this lottery thing sucks!

        There are people got selected and approved but decided not going to take the job, and there are people like me with a US degree and went through intership to a full time position, working for a few months and then have to give up everything. Where is fairness?

        Reply
          • I am switching to H4 because lucky me, i have a husband who is on H1. Despite all the investment and efforts I already put it in the past 3 years, going home and be a house wife won’t be such an awful idea.

        • Hi Jenny, the world is not too small. Lucky you, atleast got a H1B person along with you to switch to H4. Definitely you will get H1 next year. Dont lose hope.

          Reply
        • Hi Jenny,

          I feel your pain. I studied in the US too got my job fair and square. Did the internship thing and got my job full time too and was subjected to something stupid like a lottery system. And I’m reading dumb crap like ppl getting the H1 and wanting to change jobs right after or not taking it. What’re the odds that happens to people like them and us? Pretty unfair.

          Reply
  32. I have discussed with my Attorney and they are saying USCIS not finished the regular process applications and they can be done only by end of May. They will return unselected applications only after finishing data entry of all selected applications. So we will get rejected information only towards the end of May.

    I am also waiting for the status (RP/RQ) and can have hopes till end of May however day by day probability will go down.

    Reply
    • hi

      My Hr told me that they have started getting rejected application… though they did not got my status till now…..

      is that possible that they can rejection information before all selected information

      Reply
  33. At last got the mail from my client that my case is selected in the lottery for further processing……..RP/RQ …..all the best to those who are still waiting.

    Reply
  34. Last year, one of my friend has applied for H1 B on 3rd Apr 2012. He has given the client letter which has an end date as 30 Sep 2014. His petition got approved on 5th Dec 2012. He went for Interview and got it. But when I saw in the passport, the visa exp date was 30-Dec-2014. He was given a visa from 3-apr-2013 to 30-dec-2014.
    So, is it totallybased on the Inteviewer?
    What to do after 31-dec-2014?
    Whether he need to apply again for the Interview?
    Is there any limitation on how many times we extend the visa?

    Please clarify

    Reply
  35. I have received my receipt number. But my emplyer did not share the details. I knew that it will take minimum 2 months for the approval. My question is, could anyone please tell me once we received the approval, when can I start processing the petition for the stamping for RQ/RP?

    Reply
  36. Just got the confirmation from my employer….My receipt no is WAC13…….. and notice date was 26th April. On top of the world 🙂

    Reply
  37. its very frustating to wait… its almost now 1 n half month.. why cant they just declare a list on website with some application number…. against selected or not…. its too much and slow process…..

    can anyexpert on this.. tell me why they adopt such a slow process …..

    Reply

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