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H1B Visa 2014 – All you need to know – FAQs

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.

   

Other Articles

7,993 Comments

  1. MAy I know what is FENID or fedex tracking number ? My employer is saying that they have filed my petition. But not giving me any receipt number or any other index any thing ?

    Reply
  2. Anyone regular degree/regular processing got receipt number from VERMONT CENTER on Friday/Saturday. I just want to know if still VERMONT is sending receipts or they are done with sending receipts.

    Thanks for all your responses in advance.

    Reply
      • No reply, does that means nobody received receipts from VERMONT CENTER on Friday/Saturday.

        Looks like VERMONT CENTER has finished sending receipts and who are left are left for next year. Hard luck !

        Reply
    • I and my friend both received our case numbers on Friday. I think they are in the process of sending more. So have little patience. Do not let these updates sway your hopes. All the best.

      Reply
  3. Mine is Regular Processing / Regular Quota / California… My employer informed me yesterday that all the applications (23 out of 23) are accepted for them including mine… I thank God… but few concerns…

    I am just wondering how it is possible, 23 out of 23… Also i asked my case status, but no reply from my employer… whether the case numbers are received later…

    Guys, don’t lose hope… Important thing is that, your employer should submit the application correctly, without missing anything… I hope there won’t be many rejections if your application is valid…. All the best

    Reply
  4. Hi guys,

    Any AD/premium processing/CSC guys still waiting? and i know there are very slim chances . but do u still think premium processing guys can get the reciept? am so frustrated and restless!

    Reply
  5. Just got a update message from USCIS (notification) that my application has been approved.
    AD, RP, EAC1313450xxx

    USCIS received: 4/8
    USCIS processed: 4/12
    Received receipt: 4/24
    Received approval notification from web: 4/26

    Reply
  6. I’m Happy…
    I got email from my employer that my H1B petition got selected in Lottery…
    Mine is RP/RQ/VSC…
    Yet to get my Case Number…

    Reply
  7. Hi,

    very few in my company have received receipt nos. Others have not received till now. So, do we still have hope for it or they intimate to one company at one go and who have not received nos. are rejected?

    Reply
  8. Hi,

    All the very best for all those who got selected in lottery process.
    I am still waiting for mine. Waiting for the mail.

    Reply
  9. My employer is not revealing any information. And just saying that my petition is filed. I would like to confirm that my employer has filed the petition and it is reached to USCIS. So, can we get any number from employer or lawyer for the petition filed ?

    Which number I should ask from my employer to confirm that my petition is reached to USCIS.

    Reply
  10. Hey guys,
    My H1 got approved and am really surprised they approved it so fast. I am AD/RP/VSC.
    My check got encashed on 16th April and got approved on 26th April even before PP. Looks like they are processing much faster than expected .

    Reply
  11. Here I did some calculations. Please comment you guys also feel the same thing.

    1. First need to understand the receipt number like as an example: EAC13-146-5-3411

    EAC: Vermont Service center: Previous name Eastern Adjudication center
    WAC: California Service Center: Previous name Western Adjudication center

    13: Applying year or Year in which the application received.

    146: It is computer working Day. As Today 26-April is 146 working Day like always it starts with 001
    which is Oct, 1. 005 is Oct, 05 and 006 is Oct, 8 as in 2012 Oct, 8 is Monday and Oct 6, 7 are Sat, Sun

    5-0001: This is number where they starts their Case number always with 5 and like 50001 is the 1 st case data entered. As more example 50050 is 50th case processed i.e data entry. i.e 3411 th is the case processed on 146 working day at Vermont service centre.

    Now come every day case data Entry, I did the USCIS case status check from 50001 to 55000(almost 5000) and if found 3753 for I-129 which included all like L1, H1 Extensions, H-2B – Other temporary workers, H-3 – Temporary trainees, O – Extraordinary ability, P – Athletes, artists, and entertainers and other I-129 cases also + our H1 Filed cases.

    I work for Big Indian IT Company, I have my friend in ISG dept, I talked to them then for gut feeling It would be 1000 other cases everyday like L1, H1 Extensions etc so over all everyday H1b data entry would be only 3753-1000 = 2753. Let’s say 3000 every day on an average.

    I assume that only 5 days a week. They started their data entry on 8th-April, so till today. For PP they did entry on Saturday also. So 6 days a week. Total 17 days from 8th April to till today.

    Now 3000*17=51000,

    Till today the entered only 51000 applications in the system, 85000-51000=34000.
    3400 applications are also remaining. Which means 12 working days i.e 10-May-2013
    Lets say last receipt will be entered on 10-May and it will reach to us by 17-May.

    So we have still lots of hope. I am also waiting RQ/RP/VSC. I am also praying for all good people in this forum.

    Reply
    • My Friend you are counting applications from Vermont Center but California Center is also processing 3000 application every day. So, I think they are already done.

      Reply
      • Yes i forgot to mention that this count is for both the centers but the logic is given only for Vermont. So 3000 is for both VSC & WAC

        Reply
        • I don’t know if I should still keep up my hopes
          I m regular quota regular processing
          So many my knowns have already got the receipt number … nothing for me yet…
          Last year my application was returned back and this year m still waiting… I m feeling like
          Y such a torture for me always?
          Men don’t loose anything! It’s always the wife who has to bear this torture of loosing physically – while having child, mentally- bearing torture given by in-laws and even carrier wise since there is no option than to sit him on h4 like this!!
          It’s awful being in such state:”(
          I m starting looking hope already

          Reply
    • Hey Arnav,

      Interesting analysis,With curiosity I did further analysis on this ,and it seems on average 4650 applications being processing for day in USCIS.

      Reply
    • Hello All,
      Wish you all good luck those who are waiting….
      All these days I’m a silent reader of this blog. I wanted to share my opinion here….
      @Arnav, I too did calculate the receipt #s that both centers processed from April 8 to yesterday. Total applications they processed are around 120000. Among these you can take away almost 30% receipts as they are other items as you explained. (one can check for receipt #s even before April 1st. On average processing centers gets 1000 applications per center. So 17 working days in 2 centers is 34000). My point is they processed almost all applications as of yesterday for 2014 H1.
      Whoever is waiting, please be positive that you all will get receipt #s in next two weeks (because its reaching you by snail mail.) My receipt # is generated on 137th day in CSC (RQ/RP) which is April 18th but my employer received only on April 25th. Someone posted in this blog that 136th day CSC receipt was received yesterday i.e., April 27th. So actually postal is getting delayed not the process. And you already got selected but not notified.
      Another good news for those who applied through small employers they will get through the lottery. You can see Joseph’s post above that all of his employer’s 23 applications were selected. Please read 2nd para of the below article.
      http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9238243/U.S._gets_124_000_H_1B_petitions_45_above_cap

      Sorry TCS/CTS/Infy or any other Giant outsourcing company guys.. This is not to discourage you. You guys have another option to apply for L1. So USCIS give priority to American based small employers…. So as per my understanding this lottery is only for those big Giants who apply in thousands…. And you have 60% chance to get through the lottery. Wish you all good luck again.

      Reply
      • Hi

        how do USCIS knows whether the applicant is from a small company based in US or MNC untill they open the sealed packet ?

        Packets selected in lottery only will be opened and rest will be returned back to concerned applicant with out opening the packet.

        Tx
        Ashok

        Reply
  12. Guys, Looks like things are moving fast for RP/RQ applicants. Wish everyone good luck. I got mine yesterday. WAC13137*****.

    Reply
  13. I received my receipt number about 2 hours ago from Fragomen. Thank you all so much for posting in this forum, this has given me a great support over the last month, I have been checked this website about 50 times a day since the beginning of April.
    My lawyer also told me that receipts are processed until end of May, so please do not give up hope! There are many spots left, stay brave and wait patiently, you will get rewarded!

    Best of luck to everybody!!! I hope everybody in this forum will receive a receipt and be selected!

    Reply
  14. What happened to the other blog that had 59 pages of comments? Did it get closed? There were a lot of people commenting on that particular blog past few weeks

    Reply
  15. Yeahh!!! My attorney received my receipt two hours ago. Regular Quota/Regular Processing/CSC – WAC13140*****. The attorney is located in Nebraska, the employer is in California. Thank you all for the support! I was visiting this 20 times a day for the last month!

    He previously said that USCIS officially said that receipts can be processed until the end of May (although he hopes that they will over deliver). So be patient, there is hope until you see your package returned.

    Good luck all!

    Reply
  16. My H1 transfer was received on Monday to Cali center
    Got my my receipt on Tuesday.
    On Friday Morning 10 am got a message saying My 15 day time cycle has been stopped and they have sent the reason to my attorney.
    At 2.30 pm My attorney gets an email saying h1 transfer approved.

    Was scary in the morning but relieved now. Seems like most of them get this message before their approval

    Reply
  17. Hi all H1b applicants,
    I’ve been read all comments about H1b lottery since April 1st. I understand how frustrated waiting for the Receipt Notice from USCIS either From California or Vermont.
    I’m here waiting for the Receipt Notice for my Son. It is RQ/RP/CSC. I really hope God give His Grace for my son and all of you. Keep pray and faith. if it is God will for all of you to have a new life and job in US then you will get the Receipt Notice and you will get approval for your H1b visa. Don’t lose hope and faith everyone…be patient…I wish you all luck…thanks for all your comments and posting…it really help us to know about the H1b progress…God Bless You all…

    Reply
  18. Hi All,
    I got the receipt today for regular processing. But my last name was mis-spelled.
    How can I get it corrected?
    Thanks for yours help

    Reply
  19. Hi,

    My story is take this: I didnt make the last years quota on time as many other people.
    This year lottery happened so I was devastated. Once I learned I can check the Sevis record I did that and got my receipt number from there on 04/18.
    The check cashed this week so couple of days later. Until today I havent received the paper receipt. So those of you who dont have the chance of checking your Sevis keep hope as it takes too long to receive the paper receipt.

    I am AD/RP/Vermont

    My application says initial review. Does anyone know does USCIS start reviewing the application after all receipts are sent or they are already in the process of approving regular process applications?

    Thanks to this forum as I learned a lot by reading it and everyone keep hope.

    Remember when one door closes another one opens.

    Reply
  20. hi everyone, i know that this lottery is not fair and it sucks. nevertheless, please don’t lose hope. receipt numbers are currently being sent to all employers. just pray, whatever the outcome, have faith in God. You’ll be surprised to see that you’ll get your receipt number and visa will be approved

    –RQ/RP/CSC

    Reply
  21. I am still waiting for my H1b receipt (AD/RP/VSC). I tried reaching my university but they didn’t tell me anything about my SEVIS status (replied that they can’t see receipt number in SEVIS). Instead they said that they mailed me my CAP GAP I-20 authorization by leaving my SEVIS update/status to my GUESS!. I know that no university provides cap gap I-20 without having a H1b receipt number. Also this is not Preliminary cap gap (that provides work authorization until June 1) as my OPT is valid until June 6.
    Does this mean that I got selected in H1B lottery? Is anyone in the same boat?

    Reply
    • I am sailing in the same boat my friend. Keeping my hopes alive until end of next week at least or should I say until I get response from USCIS.

      Reply
  22. Hi All

    I am an H1b FY 2014 applicant 🙁
    I applied with a small company based in CA, they applied for 2 H1B and yesterday the other came through. I applied under Normal Quota, normal processing, CSC. (as did the other applicant) My boss called USCIS yesterday, and they could not find my details on the system. My boss asked if they could tell if made it through the lottery or not, but alas they didnt know as there was no data associated with my name….So I dont know if it means that I’m not one of the lucky ones who made it through through the lottery or does it mean a receipt has not been generated and there is still a chance?

    any thoughts?

    Reply
  23. Hi…By Gods grace I got my reciept num
    EAC13140XXXXX
    RQ/RP
    Luks like it is generated on 19 Apr but the check got deducted on tuesday 23 Apr

    I guess there wud be chance for another 2 weeks. So dont loose hope, I was through the same tense situation as you all are(for persons waiting on result)…hope you all get your wishes to truth and be happy

    Still therez another step for approval! So another kind of tense feeling started.
    I dont know if these tense feelings kill the hapiness of the purpose

    Reply
  24. Got vexed waiting for the news. I’ m losing hope on this result. ..:'(…my employer is not just responding to any of my questions. He just asks me to wait.mine is RQ/RP/…even my husband dint get any news on his h1b…so so frustrated!

    Reply
    • The same thing with me. My employer is also not responding anything. I called him couple of times and he said don’t disturb me. God grace what to do. This Lottery is eating so many people life and hope. I think I am out of the race. My employer is in CA. Its a small company. mine is RQ/RP/VSC.

      Reply
    • I’m….

      Oh God… Its really really sucks…., USCIS can at least improve the lottery system result announcement…

      At least they can publish the selected random number immediately as soon as they scrutinize the list thru lottery…

      Reply
  25. Hi guys… I am from Virginia and my employer applied for my h1 from here in regular process…Can someone tell me that where my application go means vermont or texas or california…And has anybody received their receipt from Virginia ?

    And more over i also heard that Master degree get mostly receipt is it true?

    thank you

    Reply
    • I have MS from US uni. applied in PP from VA through vermont office – checked with DSO – no updates to SEVIS yet. Will wait for another week and after that hopes will start to get down .. but still hopeful as I haven’t received anything from USCIS yet. Could it be, since I applied in PP – so they rather than following step by step process – simply approve and send confirmation? as they said they will process PP cases till April 30 and its already April 26 and 2 weekend days so we are looking at April 29 already …

      Reply
      • Im on the same boat. AD/PP. Keeping my fingers crossed for some sort of miracle to happen in the last few days. I’m the only one in my company who didnt get any receipt. So frustrating.

        Good Luck to you!

        Reply
  26. WAC service center is updating the receipt with an average of 2500/Day.Even today they have updated around 2500 Receipt, that means hopes are still alive for atleast another 1 week

    Reply
  27. My employer told me that I got selected in the lottery and they got the receipt on Tuesday.However they are not giving me the receipt number since its their company policy.

    Am in RP/RQ/CSC

    They told me that the status is Initial Review.

    Any advises!!!

    Reply
  28. Both myself and my husband applied for H1B on the same day by the same Employer. But myself got the receipt (i.e WAC13138****). But for him No Updates. Is there any possibility to get the receipt from USCIS ???

    Reply
  29. Praise to God. I recieved my H1B reciept today.

    EAC1313952XXX.

    This forum was very helpful to me for getting all the information I needed.

    Reply
  30. Hi All,
    First of all, my hearty congratulation to those who got their receipts or or got their visa h1b approved.

    I am Reg processing/AD/CSC, I have not yet received my receipt. Is there any hope for me to wait or should I start looking into other options???

    Are there any other Reg processing/AD persons who is yet to get their receipts?

    Regards

    Reply
      • @Harry: Thanks for your reply. As on 23Apr2013 there were no updates in my SEVIS. I am not sure if I need to followup with international office again. Hope they wont be mad at me for requesting SEVIS request twice in a week.
        Regards

        Reply
    • Same boat dude! Have not received any update as of now. AD/RP/VSC – My hopes are down and my employer got info from USCIS that they have no info on my file. All hope is gone.

      Reply
  31. Hi,
    I am on L1 and my company applied L1 – H1 COS for me including my wife L2-H4. I got a reciept for my wife for H-4 with reciept number but nothing for me. Even my employer/attorney has not replied anything about my H1. Do you know if my wife’s H4 reciept number is generated what about my H1B. Does it indicate anything about my H1 petition. I am not sure if attorney has filled my and wife’s both application together or not. I will really appreciate your expert comments.
    Thank for help.

    Reply
  32. Dear Saurabh,
    I am on H3 and filed H1B this year and got reciept.
    My questions are:
    1) I am planning to travel India in last week of may-July. This time i have to go for H3 stamping. Can I go for h3 stamping in June if my new h1b get approved before my India visit?
    2) Do i need to change my H1b application under PP?
    3)Can I go for h3 stamping when h1b process is pending?

    Please answer asap.

    Time is of the essence

    Thanks

    Reply
  33. Hi … A note of encouragement … Got my receipt yesterday
    RQ/PP/VSC
    The USCIS tracker for mine does not mention 15 day premium processing or clock started!
    My Premium Receipt took six days to reach my employer by regular mail!
    So you can’t really tell from wording on the tracker whether receipts processed are premium or not!

    Reply
  34. Hi All.

    Another nervous person here. Has anyone else still not received their receipt number from the California location? I am still waiting..

    I read that we have to wait until the 13th of May – if we don’t hear by then we definitely did not get the receipt number. Can anyone confirm this??

    Thank you!

    Reply
  35. Finally after waiting waiting waiting to what seems like an eternity..got my receipt today

    Got my receipt no# EAC131405xxxx
    I am little confused..can anyone tell me which day/date was 140th day?

    CTS guys GIT is updating receipt number..everyone will get it..

    Cheers 🙂

    Reply
      • My H1 request in VTS was approved & I had submitted all my documents. The last I heard from the visa cell mail on Feb-27 was
        “…If the documents are complete, it will be sent to TCS U.S. office for further processing……”

        Did anyone of you hear anything more than this??

        Reply

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