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H1B Visa 2014

H1B Visa 2014 – All you need to know – FAQs

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H1B Visa 2014

 

H1B 2014 Cap reached on April 5th, 2013. Read : 124,000 H1B Visas Filed. Lottery Process
For this year FY 2015 H1B Info  read : H1B Visa 2015 – FAQs

Page Updated :  January 18th ,  2014

As USCIS is all set to accept H1B Visa petitions for the fiscal year 2014, many of you have questions on various aspects of filing H1B Visa 2014 like fee involved, lottery chances, H1B sponsors, Change of status, start date, end date of accepting H1B Visas, etc. This page will track all the H1B Visa 2014 News updates, Cap count information, FAQs, etc. Bookmark this page !  We have divided the page to various sub sections for your convenience.

FYI. Last year quota,which is H1B visa 2013 cap reached on June 11th, 2012.

 

H1B Visa 2014 News Updates

 

FAQs – All you  need to Know  !

Over the years, we have observed that prospective H1B visa seekers are always looking for certain pieces of information. We have grouped such information and created FAQs as listed below :

When will H1B Visa filing season start for Fiscal year(FY) 2014 ?

H1B visa filing season for fiscal year 2014 starts from April 1st, 2013. USCIS did a press release confirming the same.
How to find H1B Visa 2014 Sponsors ? Various Ways to find H1B Sponsoring companies
Finding right H1B Sponsor can be a very daunting task. There are few options to find sponsors like checking the H1B Sponsors Database and randomly contacting employers, working with IT outsourcing companies, looking at options in American Universities, Networking with friends. Each of these options are explained in this article :

How to find H1B Visa 2014 Sponsors ? Avoid Fraud

Why do we call H1B Visa 2014, when the petitions are filed in 2013 ? 

USCIS operates on a fiscal year basis instead of calendar year ( Jan 1 to Dec 31st). Its fiscal year starts from October 1st and ends on September 30th. On that lines, USCIS’s fiscal year for 2014 starts from October 1st, 2013 and lasts until September 30th, 2014.  So, though we file H1B petitions in April of 2013, they are counted towards H1B visa fiscal year 2014 and everyone calls it in short form as H1B visa 2014.

What is H1B visa 2014 Cap count for Regular quota and Masters Quota ?

If you are not aware of H1B cap count, it is the congressionally mandated numeric limits for H1B petitions based on category. Regular quota is for anyone who meets H1B visa requirements and Masters quota is specifically for students who have a Masters degree from US University. Typically, below are the numeric limits… ( we had these H1B cap limits set in 2004, if any changes by USCIS, we will update this page)

  • Regular Quota Cap – 65,000
  • Masters Degree Quota Cap – 20,000

Also, typically USCIS sets aside 6,800 visas  for Singapore and Chile Free Trade agreement filings, which is H1B1 Program. Also, read article All about H1B Caps – Basics Calculations, Lottery

 

H1B Visa 2014 filing deadline – What is the last date ?

Well, there is no set deadline as such by USCIS. They start to accept petitions from April 1st, 2013 and will continue to accept H1B petitions until the H1B cap (85,000) is reached. It can vary based on the H1B visa demand.

 

Will there be Lottery for H1B Visa 2014 ?

This is most commonly speculated question by many H1B seekers. Due to very high demand and hype for H1B workers, we had lottery in some of the previous years. But we do not know, we just have to speculate based on past data and economic conditions. As done in previous years, here is our analysis:

Check out H1B Visa 2014 Lottery prediction- USCIS Data Analysis

. You can also check out last year’s: H1B Visa 2013 lottery prediction 

 

What will be H1B visa 2014 filing fee ? Any changes ?

There has not been any changes to the filing fee for the fiscal year 2014. Check out the article : H1B visa 2014 filing fee – Who Pays for what ?. In general, it can range from $1,575 to $4,325 based on the number of employees ( this does not does not include attorney fee and premium processing fee).

 

International Students  – Can we do Change of Status ( COS) from F1 Visa to H1B visa for FY 2014 ?

Yes, international students pursing their Bachelors, Masters or PhD programs from US Universities, who may be working on OPT, can file a H1B Visa petition to USCIS with Change of Status(COS) option.  The advantage of COS from F1 visa to H1B visa is that you can continue to work after OPT expiration starting from October 1st, 2013 without leaving the country.  You have to do the COS before your OPT expires to maintain legal status in America.

 

How soon Can I start working, if I file for H1B visa 2014 fiscal year ?

One can start working from October 1st, 2013 , if you have an approved H1B petition. You may need to get H1B visa stamping done, if you file your petition from overseas and wish to come to America on H1B visa.. Unlike, if you are filing for a COS by staying in US, you can start to work without leaving US for H1B visa stamping.

 

What is current H1B visa 2014 cap count ?

The H1B season for FY 2014 will begin on April 1st, 2013. We will keep track of the USCIS cap count updates with analysis.

All H1B Cap counts will be tracked at :  H1B visa 2014  Cap Count Tracker .

In the mean time, you can check out our FY 2013’s  : H1B visa 2013 Cap count Tracker

 

Would you like to be informed about H1B visa 2014 ?

Subscribe for FREE H1B News, Cap Count updates below:

Photo of author
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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7,993 Comments

  1. My friends and myself send the petition from the same employer/lawyer. But one of us received the receipt ( RQ/RP/WAC , WAC13139*****) . For others did not receive any information. Any possibility to receive it later..

    Reply

  6. Can some one please advice, do I need to get a police clearance certificate for my h1b interview. If yes I need advice as to how I can get this if I am not in India. Many thanks for an expert answer.

    Reply

      • thank u…but I thought they will do back round check for overseas applicants….how will they determine with out this if the applicant has any records…..sorry for another question here…..just wanted to clear things before I attend for an interview…thanks,

        Reply

  8. Anyone got RFE’s? My status is changed to RFE today (AD/PP). I am discouraged. Last year, my application reached last day after the CAP was full. I lost job offer from Fortune 100 Company as my OPT extension ended in Jan this year and I would have to take 9 months break from work, so they took back the offer. This year, got selected in Lottery but RFE. I am really nervous about my career. This is my last chance. I’m still waiting for the RFE details.
    Anyone in the same boat?
    Does RFE means eventual denial? I am scared.

    Reply

  9. I have been reading the forums religiously from the day one, but did not leave any comments so far. I just wanted to share the good news with you guys that I finally got my receipt today!! Don’t lose hope guys! USCIS just began to send out receipts for RP people. Just wait and you will hear the good news!! Wish everyone the best luck 🙂
    RQ/RP/CSC

    Reply

    • I have been reading this blog starting from April 1st, I lost the hope as well, but today I got my receipt . I am reg/reg/Vermont and mine is h4 to h1. I really thank everyone for sharing the information , and wish all the best for everyone .
      Don’t lose hope guys…

      Reply

  10. Guys i think USCIS Vermont is still processing the Applications today, the latest i could find is

    EAC1314552501

    Can some on confirm if this number belongs to today and we still have Hopes for RP/RQ

    Reply

  11. Hi Guys,
    My attorney send me message stating “We received notification from XXX(employer name) that they received your H-1B receipt notice, which indicates that your case was selected for the lottery”

    I want to know what is the meaning ” H-1B receipt notice”, is it something USICS sends for every H1B application? any clue?

    Reply

  12. I got the receipt number from my employer today. RQ/RP from CSC.
    I didn’t get lucky in 2008 lottery and missed last year as well because my application reached one day after the quota was closed. Had very little hope this time around but I guess law of averages finally caught up! Now the wait begins for final approval

    Reply

  13. @SAD—

    Currently Where are u?My situation also Like yours….I am on H4 visa and applied to H-1b till now i didnt hear any thing so,Want to join in college. Plz share the college admissions info with me.

    Reply

  14. Waited for a month so badly….finally end up with nothing. Watsoever life moves on so trying to find college and go back to old life!!! Gonna lose current job n everything…..so boring!!!

    Reply

  15. Hi Folks,

    I got a receipt from RQ/RP from CSC as I confirmed with my Employer. Do not loose hope till you received back your package. Best of luck and thanks for sharing your info.

    Reply

  16. Got my receipt this afternoon RQ/RP/VSC
    Received date: 04/08
    Notice date: 04/19
    Check encashsed: 04/23
    Receipt received: 04/25

    Best of luck to all!! 🙂

    Reply

  18. L1 to H1 change of status???
    I want to know if i can leave US on L1B and come back before October?
    My H1b application got picked in the lottery and my L1B is valid till Dec 2013.
    Is there any problem with my H1b processing if i leave US and come back in one month before my H1b gets approved.

    Reply

    • Hey you can do perform these actions as per my knowledge.
      1) If you leave India now or before October it do not matter at all.
      2) The only thing is your I94 will get changed. For H1 processing you will submit your I94 copy. So when you come back when you get h1 approved in october you need to do one more application not new H1 just change of I94.
      3) In case if your employer accepts : you can travel to india in the month of september and if you are back after october 1st, then your L1 will be active and H1 will be inactive. Your H1 will be active once your mail or contact your employer. You can work on L1 till your visa ends and then you can activate your H1 then. One of my family member did the same.

      Reply

      • Thank you for your response!

        So, better option would be to go in may and come back in june right?
        After coming back from india, again i need to submit my I94 right?

        Reply

        • this information from Vijay is incorrect.

          Your change of status would be abandoned if you leave US now. H1b petition if selected becomes void.

          Spend few bucks and seek a attorney.

          Reply

          • Thank you bond!
            I think I can speed up my H1 process by making it premium and can leave US once it is approved.

          • in that case you will need h1b to be stamped to work on h1 status. If you return on L1/L2 status once you return you need to file COS application which can take 2/3 months.

    • why do you want to come 1 month before, why not on 20th September “valid date to enter in US on H1B” with full respect.

      FYI it is possible to travel on L1b and renter (while H1b is pending)

      Personally i do not prefer this!!

      Reply

    • Honebee,
      1. If you leave before your H-1 is approved w/ COS, then COS will be abandoned. You can return on L-1 (provided L-1 employer supports your return) but will not move to H-1 status until a separate COS is applied or you enter on stamped H-1 visa.
      2. If you leave after H-1 is approved w/ COS, then you can return on L-1 prior to Oct (your L-1 employer still needs to support your return on L-1) and will automatically be on H-1 from Oct 1.

      Reply

      • thank you saurabh!!

        So, if i leave before H1b approved, i need to apply COS again. In that case, i would still be considered as H1b 2014 cap or do i need to wait till next year?
        or is it just a COS with new I94?

        Reply

        • honebee,
          Your petition may still get approved even if COS is abandoned. Once petition is approved, you are cap-exempt for future petitions. Only COS will be required and you don’t need to go through the cap again.

          Reply

  19. I guess I will be one of those who will have to retry next year, in which case, would you advice sticking with the same consultancy or try someone else?

    Reply

  20. Finally got receipt today at 2.00pm .. RP/RQ/VSC.. My employer receive the packet today.. My application has reached on 01 April 13 at 10.30 am.

    Reply

  21. Finally got my receipt num thru Univ – EAC13142xxxxx(RP/AD/Vermont). What a relief !!
    Apparently my employer has not yet received the receipt. Is this normal?

    Reply

  22. My Employer called the USCIS….40 mins wait…they gave him a WAC number, but there is no record of that number in the MY CASE STATUS on the uscis website….Any clue what that means……is it that they give a number to every case or just to those which are selected in the lottery……this is killing me.

    Reply

    • congrats,

      you made it, it takes few days to update your record on website

      if you got the receipt no.that means you are selected in the lottery.

      LIN – Nebraska Service Center (LIN refers to Lincoln, Nebraska).
      EAC – Vermont Service Center (old name: Eastern Adjudication Center).
      SRC – Texas Service Center (old name: Southern Regional Center).
      WAC – California Service Center (old name: Western Adjudication Center).

      Reply

        • 13 digit H1B EAC/WAC/LIN/SRC case number = Receipt number

          First two digits correspond to current year

          middle 3 indicate date

          The last 5 digits indicate the case number that was assigned to on a particular day

          Receipt(case number) usually send from the USCIS via email/telephone

          Generally it takes a month to get the hard copy of receipt(notice) from USCIS

          Reply

      • My Case is RQ/ PR and my employer and attorney are in texas. so i hope mine is SRC .if that is so why is that i have not seen any receipt with SRC as prefix till now?

        Some on kindly help me on this.

        Reply

        • Hi..

          i m AD/RP/ CSC

          got the receipt- 17th april, received date 8th april.- approval date 24th april.

          i got the H1 approval.

          Thanks to god… so worried before 17th april- and on 25th april got h1 approval.. not got any mail yet- but online status.

          hope everyone will make it..

          Reply

          • Hi,
            Do you mean received a receipt number OR approval?
            Can you tell me your full receipt number or first 6 or 7?

            Thank you

  26. I called USCIS and my employer… both said same answer… wait 30 days clock to know about the receipt no / lottery looser. I am RQ/RP with CaliforniaServiceCenter.
    When my employer called to USCIS, the response to my employer to wait 30 days from received application by USCIS.
    example: your application received by USCIS on April 1st wait till month end and
    application is reeived after april 1st wait till end of 1st week of May….
    YOU SHOULD KNOW YOUR RESULT BY NEXT WEEKEND….

    Reply

  27. Hi All,

    Regular Quota / Regular Processing /Vermont Still waiting. My employer got receipt number for few but no updated on my application.. Can I still hope 🙁

    Reply

  33. i called USCIS. after 45mins wait, they answered that they could not find my name in the list. so, he said that probably i did not make through the lottery. mine was AD/PP/VSC. i was expecting the same since i did not hear any premium processing updates from 1 week.
    gud luck to everyone. hope u guys will get it.!!!!!
    does anyone know any school that provide CPT immeditely?

    Reply

    • Hi nvn,

      If we share our name, they will check for it in the list and let us know if we are selected in the lottery?
      can you Please share the number. If that is a TOLL Free number, is that accessible to the Location outside US?

      Thanks in Advance.

      Reply

        • Hi nvn,

          Can you confirm if this number 1-800-375-5283 is correct. If not can you kindly share the appropriate number.

          Thank you.

          Reply

          • it is correct. check below
            http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=ddce0b89284a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=ddce0b89284a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD

      • 8003755283 is d number. u can ask ur employer/attorney to call them. i requested my employer. he did it. i was there. as far as i know, they ask employer federal tax id, postal address. they will provide informatoion only if manager /employer calls in.
        when u call in, options might be 1 , 1 , 2 , 3 .
        i am not sure about regular processing applications.

        Reply

      • ITU.edu
        San Jose, California
        This school gives CPT from the first semester, they recently got accredited, but its not going to be a walk in the park. Attending the classes which are on the weekends if you opt in for CPT is mandatory. and they classes itself are pretty good. Need to put some work in to get a descent grade.

        Best of luck

        Reply

    • Just as a thought, could this also mean USCIS might have lost the packets and it never actually was a part of the Lottery. I heard from some of my friends that one time USCIS lost the application packet for Citizenship application (might be a different scenario) but what if?

      Also, is it possible that USCIS never enter anything (even those who did not make through the lottery) into their system and rely on Paper applications!

      Reply

    • Yes NVN, There is one, Globe university in Minneapolise, Howerver you have to find employment/client in Minneaplois to attend classes.

      Reply

  35. Guys,

    Still waiting for my receipt. RP/AD/Vermont. My employer called USCIS and they told him that they could not find my info – said beneficiary not found. Asked them to wait 30 days until they have official word. Does this mean I’m out?

    Reply

  36. Hi All,

    I received receipt number from my employer today by mail as

    We are happy to inform you that you have been selected by USCIS for H-1B processing. Attached is your Receipt notice and you will be able to check the status of your petition on www.uscis.gov under Case Status. We will of course update you as and when we receive any new information. Thanks.

    Mine case was RP/RQ.

    Regards,
    Amit

    Reply

  38. Hi Guys,
    I received an email from my employer providing me the The receipt number EAC1313xxxxxx on 24th.
    Does this mean my application has gone through the lottery?
    Mine petition was Regular Process/Regular Cap
    All the best to everyone who is waiting for their petition lottery result.

    Reply

  40. I had been informed by my HR last week that i was selected but as it turned out there was some confusion between the attorney and HR. I am still hoping i will get lucky soon. 🙂

    Based on the comments here, i advised my employer and attorney to call USCIS and ask the case update. As per my attorney “We cannot follow up with USCIS regarding a specific case especially if there is nothing wrong with the process.”.

    Can someone point me to some official link which mentions that the attorney/employer can call USCIS and enquire the status. I can share same with my attorney.

    I belong to the group who think that the attorney/employer should call the USCIS and not the employee impersonating as employer. Hopefully i keep my patience, especially because my HR would be on leave for 3 weeks starting next week and the attorney is not too accomodating when it comes to answering my concerns. Despite couple of reminders, my attorney never shared the tracking number for my petition but insists that it was delivered.

    Can someone share such official link?

    Also, to update this is what my attorney said:

    We have been informed that the data entry for regular processing cases will likely not be completed until sometime in May. Please note that when the cap was reached on the first day in 2008, USCIS did not complete data entry and issue receipt notices until late in May.

    Reply

  43. Hi Guys,
    I got the receipt no just now. my employer emailed me..RQ/RP/CSC…..
    never thought i wud make it…
    i wont say its a big relief and all….i thot wen i get this, i wud be overwhelmed with happiness or something…but i dont feel like that right now..i doonno y… its a happy news ofcourse…thts it…i believe that everythng happens for a reason…u will get rewarded for ur hardwork today or tomorrow… thank u for all the info,support, motivations, shares… it helped me a lot…
    and wish u all good luck….

    Reply

    • Hi,

      When was ur petition filed? Does anyone know whether we are getting the receipts in the order of the petitions filed?

      Reply

    • u r exactly right. We wil be rewarded for our hardwork. None can deny the benefits we derive out of hardwork which is our own! All the best to all:)

      Reply

  44. Hi, I got my receipt number from my Sevis (04/18), but havent received any paper receipt yet. I check with lawyer today and he said no. Is this bad? my receipt number is 13137XXXX.

    Reply

  45. Guys,

    Got the mail I was waiting for…

    Applied date: 04/01
    Receipt date: 04/08
    Received the receipt from employer: 04/24

    Regular Process/Regular Cap

    Thanks all for sharing updates, gives you an idea of whats happening and what to expect.
    I will share my updates as and when i get em.

    All the best for everyone waiting.

    Reply

  46. Currently in US on H4 (stamped visa valid till 2014).
    With approved H1 (effective from 1st October) – can I travel to India and be back before October and still have my status as H1 on 1st October
    Any pointers will help !!

    Reply

  49. Hi All,

    Did anyone get the receipt from the Mindtree ?(Regular Quota , Normal processing )

    Please tell us if any one get it ?

    Reply

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