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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.

   

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7,993 Comments

  1. Guys,

    Got receipt today.
    I was in RQ/RP Vermont Servicing Center. I got confirmation in the morning from University DSO and now from the attorney.

    I really found this blog useful to find the moment to moment update. Good luck for those guys who are still waiting.

    Reply
  2. Hi All

    Have received confirmation from my employer that my application has been received by USCIS. I was in the RQ/RP category.

    This blog has been a great support for me and surely for you guys as well. I have only a small advice. For those who got selected, great, hope all goes well, be humble. For those who do not get selected, I completely understand the feeling, but start working aggressively on you plan B, whatever it is, and you will be absolutely fine, this is not the end of life. Keep in mind things happen for a reason.

    Take care and thanks.

    Reply
  3. Hi

    Anyone know if is there any way to upgrade H1B application from regular to premium if we selected in lottery on regular process?

    Any reply will be appreciated.

    Thx

    Reply
    • @Waiting: yes. it can be done by your employer once you get your reciept number. I got my reciept on 22nd April 2013. My employer upgraded it to premium on 23rd April 2013. I just got my H1B ‘Approval’ mail an hour ago.

      Hope this helps. Best of luck.

      Reply
    • Is upgrading to PP really worth it ? My receipt notice date was 13th, I am AD/RP/VSC. I received the notice by snail mail on 19th. I got my H1B approved on 29th. If you are AD, I will say you will get it approved soon, if Regular, they you might go ahead.

      My I797 no is EAC13134xxxxx !

      Reply
  4. Hi All.

    i have recieved my reciept yesterday…it shows the recieved date as 8th april and notice date as 19 april…but lottery was taken on 7th april why is it showing the recieved date 8th.
    i have applied for regular processing ..

    Reply
    • For everyone received date is 8th. Because USCIS did not open any application packet before lottery. They started opening packets on 8th.

      Reply
  5. How many of you are waiting for Advance degree, regular processing, Vermont center? I don’t see any SEVIS change, not check has been cashed out so far.

    Reply
  6. Is there anyone who has received their receipt, but not SEVIS updated?
    I called my school to check my SEVIS record again, and there’s still no update… 🙁
    RQ/RP…..

    Reply
    • search a few random number for day 149 and all the cases i see are for non I129 , means no more h1 receipt from Vermont?

      Reply
      • I am not able to track any receipts getting generated today for Vermont.

        @Waiting:Can you please tell me from where you got non i129 receipts for today?can you please provide the receipt number.

        Reply
        • EAC1314950001 is the first receipt i saw for today and goes till EAC1314950800 + and so far did not see any of the receipt as I129…

          Reply
          • Guys try out this no “EAC1314950858” its generated today….so I guess they r still generating!

          • yea i see that too now, but going by the past today’s pace with which uscis generating receipt is fairly slow and that i believe mainly because there aren’t whole lot of h1 being coming out of the system..

          • @Waiting: i think what you are saying is correct.

            but can some one tell me, normally will the check be en-cashed the same day the receipt number is generated?

        • RP/RQ/VSC ( Got H4 receipt first at home then got H1 receipt after 3 days– that means Employer delayed notification)
          Received date: 04/08
          Notice date: 04/24
          EAC-131425**** (Mine H1)
          EAC-131425**** (Dependent H4 — last 2 digits varies)

          Have faith they are still sending notice

          Reply
  7. Hello guys ,

    Got my receipt number just now .. Its such a big relief. Its RQ/RP/VSC…

    Best of luck to everyone . Don’t give up hope . Receipts are on its way

    Reply
  8. Is there any AD applicant still waiting for receipt?
    Mine is AD/RP, haven’t received receipt yet.
    I checked with my college, my Sevis was not updated as of yesterday 4/29.
    Do any one think that they are still processing AD applications ?

    Reply
    • Me too AD/PP/VSC- nothing so far

      Actualy, anything is possible.
      one AD /PP has received today with notice date of 30th
      EAC1314854333 AD/PP/VSC

      I belive this was on waiting list.
      So, while chances are remote, people in waiting list are slowly getting in.
      WE DONT KNOW CRITERIA they use to put in waiting list, but probably AD first, but i may be wrong. Probably there was a 3rd lottry to select people for waiting list.

      Reply
    • Bunny’s status (CSC/AD/RP) just went from “Initial Processing” to “Post Decision Activity”!
      She is a very happy bunny and doing her “office dance” to celebrate.

      Reply
      • @Bunny: so happy for you.
        My status was showing ‘Acceptance’ till 10 am EST today. An hour later, I mean from 11 am, it’s showing:
        ‘On April 30, 2013, the 15-day Premium Processing clock stopped on your I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. A notice was sent on this date explaining the specific reason for stopping the premium processing of your case. This notice will contain detailed information on further action required by you. Your premium processing receipt notice contains contact information for direct inquiries on your case.’

        Hope it’s not ‘RFE’/’Denial’. I am tensed and worried……no change since then.

        I too want to do my ‘office dance’ like Bunny. (did couple of times when my CFA and FRM results came out)…

        Reply
      • @Bunny…let’s dance togather. I got decision on my H1B petition just now. It’s ‘Approved’!!!
        Guys….best of luck to everyone. Keeping my fingers crossed for my husband and all of you. So though I got mine, am still not there yet!

        Reply
  9. Employer just sent an email saying the application for my wife’s H1 is selected in the lottery-VSC.
    Havent received teh receipt No yet.

    Good luck to All!

    Reply
  10. Hi guys,

    I got the Receipt Notice (lawyer e-mailed me) yesterday 04/29/13. Here’s some information:
    – RQ/RP/VSC
    – EAC-13-140-52XXX
    – received date: April 8th
    – notice date: April 19th
    – the first letter of my last name is “M” (I noticed a lot of people asking this question)

    Thank you to all the good people on this forum. We stood one for another.

    Never lose hope and a sincere good luck to everyone that’s waiting. It will come.

    Reply
  11. EAC1314854333 AD/PP/VSC
    Waited for 30 long days and finally got it, got it, got it.
    Monicaaaaaaa, O my darling, I am coming, coming, coming, O lalitaaaaaaaa

    Reply
    • I am also AD\VSC\PP

      Nothing yet.

      What is the notice date???

      Why was there delay??

      Was lawyer sitting on news??

      Pls give me info

      Reply
      • What is the notice date???
        04/30/13 got an email early in the morning.

        Why was there delay??
        I don’t know about the delay, may be USCIS is taking their time since they got a lot to do and H1 is not their priority.

        Was lawyer sitting on news??
        No the lawyer is very good abd they reply back to the employers as as they get any update on our cases.

        Pls give me info
        All the info is given…..

        Reply
  12. I just heard the golden words from my employer yesterday late evening that I am selected in lottery and he will send me the receipt number today morning. Really feeling relaxed now.

    Reply
    • EAC1314854789 AD/PP/VSC…
      Ladies and gentleman, I am pleased to announce that I have been selected in the lottery. I just got email from my employer that my name has been selected in the lottery. And I am sharing it with all you people.
      So the people who are still waiting on their cases should cool down and chill out and give some more time and hopefully everyone gets it except H4 people cz they are not supposed to take rights of other deserving candidates.
      All the best for all out there….

      Reply
        • Cz I think that these H4 to H1 process is ethically wrong. I know one of my indian friend came on F1 visa, got H1b and then applied for his wife on H4, she comes to US, babby sits for sometime, makes some money, gets a fake job through these consultants nad applies for H4 to H1 visa, gets it approved unexpectedly and here we go. She is working in BA or QA, that $25/hour paying job, gets pregnant after some time and quits the job, H1B visa is gone waste.
          Here is the other scenario, I have one friend who was working at gas station since he came to US from India, worked really hard to pay for his college fees, and then works extra hours to pay off his loan from back in India, he graduated with a good GPA and applies for his H1 and does not get selected, now he has to do it all over again just because there were not enough visas available. I believe that it’s more than enough now. I am tired of writing now. So :-))))))))

          Reply
          • Your friend working in gas station is illegal while on student visa. Working extra hours to clear his loan back in india is again illegal. Applying for a course and continuing as a student just because he did not get through lottery is again wrong (ethically)

            What makes you think he deserves more than others?

            “H4 to H1 process is ethically wrong” – is it so ? why so ? Just because some one misused a visa makes all others wrong? is this your version of justice ?? wow !! Your friend can break the laws and you are ok with that ?? Lol !!

          • U must be an H4 or former H4 or a spouse of H4.
            Wrong is wrong whatever u say…..
            Working at a gas station is called hard work and local people over here seem to appreciate the hard work of these people. While H4 to H1b in majority of the cases is lust of money from people involved in the H4 to H1 process.

          • Although I don’t have a dog in this fight, but any hard work done illegally is still illegal at the end of the day.

            Taking a quote from one of the above posts “gets pregnant after some time and quits the job, H1B visa is gone waste.” If a girl does Masters in US, gets H-1, gets pregnant and then decides to give priority to the family – why is that H-1 not considered as a waste?

            Taking few examples and extrapolating it on the entire community is called being prejudicial. Hard working H-4 folks exist as much as F-1 folks who knowingly broke the rules (remember ITU).

      • Your case status is back to acceptance from initial review .Any Idea?Morning i have checked it it is in initial review when I am checking now it is in acceptance.

        Reply
  13. Hi ,

    Mine is in acceptance stage from 24th on wards.status is not changing ..I applied on premium processing.any Idea please?

    Reply
  14. Regarding my personality,I am filled with high degree of motivation,enthusiasm and initiative along with interest that go beyond the areas expertise.Being a professional I want to rise at the highest level by sincerely working in my field and want to develop my hidden potentialities, capabilities and skills to my utmost level.

    Reply
    • “Regarding my personality,I am filled with high degree of motivation,enthusiasm and initiative along with interest that go beyond the areas expertise.Being a professional I want to rise at the highest level by sincerely working in my field and want to develop my hidden potentialities, capabilities and skills to my utmost level.”

      O yes baby u are the man. Your personality is the best on earth. I know that u r very sincere to ur work and u are a hard working man. I mean what else can we ask from GOD, but ur kind of personality. Ur hidden potentialities , capabilities and awsome skills are very good. U need to teach everyone out there as how to have all these qualities in oneself. Please give us all ur contact so we can learn something good.

      Reply
    • O yes baby u are the man. Your personality is the best on earth. I know that u r very sincere to ur work and u are a hard working man. I mean what else can we ask from GOD, but ur kind of personality. Ur hidden potentialities , capabilities and awsome skills are very good. U need to teach everyone out there as how to have all these qualities in oneself. Please give us all ur contact so we can learn something good.

      Reply
  15. Hi,

    Any one from Wipro received a receipt copy . Please let me know….
    Anxiously waiting…. Loosing hope and completely in Stress :'( ………………

    Thanks,

    Reply
  16. I just found out I’ve been selected in the lottery (WAC/RQ/RP), don’t lose hope people.

    My employer had just told me he didn’t expect to hear back until mid-late May, I’d started to lose hope, forever refreshing my emails and these forums, then the good news came!

    Good things come to those who wait! Thanks everyone for posting on here over the last few weeks, its been a great help! Good luck everyone!

    Reply
  17. Hi all..

    Today I got my receipt..

    RG-RP-WSC..
    Notice 25-04-2013
    WAC-13-142-5….
    Thanks for ur wishes..

    All the best for you all who are waiting..It will be jus matter of time..You all will receive numbers very soon..

    Reply
  18. RQ/PP/vsc
    No receipt so far. Its like sometimes irritating to check mails now n then
    But cudnt control ….this system of lottery results should be told right away just like any redball or powerball lottery results…it sucks to wait n wait n wait

    Reply
  19. I have received e-mail from my employer saying that your application accepted for processing will share the receipt no, but still not yet received receipt no from them. I applied through some consultancies , I was doubt on that , how i know the receipt name if in case he shared the receipt no.

    Reply
  20. My employer and lawer got the notice in the mail today 04/29.
    I’m under regular quota/regular processing/Cali.

    Received date: 04/08
    Notice date: 04/24
    WAC-13-141-521**
    I’m currently on OPT extension that ends around June.
    My SEVIS status wasn’t updated when I checked after the notice day; so don’t lose hope if yours is not updated yet.

    Good luck everyone!

    Reply
  21. Today I have received an email from my employer and it says,
    “Today we received the receipt notice for your H-1B filing. This means that your case has been selected in the lottery and the petition will be processed by USCIS.

    Within the next business day, the receipt information will be available in the portal so that you can check the status of your case. Please be advised that USCIS processing time for cap-subject cases is expected to be 4-5 months.

    God bless all who are awaiting their receipt and thanks everyone for putting information.
    thanks,

    Reply
  22. Finally got the news as an MBA/PP for a very small co.: On April 27, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

    Best wishes to all!

    Reply
  23. I got receipt by mail for my wife today and mine is still pending. The receipt is just a print out, It is not a original copy of receipt(797) as I got earlier also for my other petitions. Others also received the same as I…please help? It says received date, Notice Date, Receipt number and did not say petitioner name also.
    RP/RP/VSC. This is H4.

    I still don’t know my receipt, employer did not shared with me.

    Reply
  24. CSC is done giving out anymore receipts. We are all done for unless your in Vermont who seem to be still giving out some.

    Reply
      • I got this info from the fact that not one single lottery receipt has came out of CSC since Saturday. No receipts have came out of CSC that are dated 8th of April today. They have stopped.

        Reply
  25. Finally I got receipt for my wife H4 through mail. I was reading in this blog, the same thing happened with others that mean I am selected in lottery? My employer did not shared anything with me about my receipt. Thanks to this blog for giving positive… Wish you guys all the best.

    Reply
  26. Is there any hope still left for Regular Processing/AD/CSC ?

    No Receipt number, No updates in SEVIS, Check not en-cashed as on 26-Apr-2013.

    Is there anyone belonging to my category???

    Regards

    Reply
    • All – Please update me if you know this. My employer has told me that he has received 4 out of 6 regular processing receipts last saturday ( 4/27) by mail. I am not among those. Does USCIS keep sending receipts or am I out of luck ? If they keep sending , then I can hope that my application gets picked in the next couple of weeks…Any thoughts

      Reply
  27. Hi ..

    Any one from ICC Ohio ? These people applied for my h1b. Till now neither the lawyer nor the HR has given me any thing. They are asking me to wait till mid of may.

    Has anyone else got feedback from them ???

    Reply
  28. I applied thru a consultancy, I was informed I got thru the lottery but wasnt given the receipt no. I have all kinds of doubts now. Is it possible that my employer lied to me for some reason?
    Is there a way I could check with USCIS if I have got thru the lottery but do not have a receipt no.?

    Reply
    • There is no logical reason to lie for something like that, because you will get to know sooner or later. If you are in the masters quota definitely call your school and ask to check your Sevis Record for update. If not you can call USCIS and a rep will tell you as long as you give all the details. So no worry there is a way to find out.

      Reply
  29. Hi

    I just got call from my employer that i am selected. Thanks to GOD. I was too much stressed and tensed as my L1 was expiring at the end of this year. I will get receipt tomorrow. i was RQ/RP/Vermont.

    I pray that all you will get soon and this tension will release for all of you.

    Thanks

    Reply
  30. L1 to H1 —
    No status yet. Applied through a start up product company who is applying h1 for the first time. Will it be the fault.
    Really nervous but not losing hope. Any comments?

    Reply
  31. I am so much happy today to share with all of you that I got a call from lawyer and said I got selected in lottery. I had already lost my hope since last 2 weeks. I am regular/ PP. So PPs are still getting there receipt so I wish everyone would definitely get it. Thank you all for sharing there feeling which gives comfort to all. I am happy coz I missed it last year too.

    Reply
  32. Looks like everybody is getting it!!! Only not me though… I am desperate now, but so happy for all of those who have gotten their receipts.

    Reply
  33. My Employer said that my check got encashed on 4/26 at VSC. But still no receipt.
    Any clue, how many days it takes to recieve receipt # after check encachement?

    Reply
  34. Hi All,

    I have been watching this forum for the last two weeks…

    My lawyer just contacted me 04/29/2013 4pm EST (I am in New York).

    I think my employer used the California centre.

    I am RQ/RP/California (I think)

    received date April 8, 2013 (on form)
    notice date April 25, 2013 (on form)

    🙂 so happy

    Reply

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