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
- USCIS Update : 124,000 Petitions Received. Lottery Process followed. News Summary
- H1B Visa 2014 Quota Cap reached on April 5th, USCIS official Update
- USCIS First Cap count update FY 2014 – April 8th or 5th ?
- Will there be Lottery for H1B Visa FY 2014 ? USCIS Data Analysis, Prediction
- USCIS Press Release : Petitions accepted from April 1st. Lottery ?
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.
- For H1B Visa 2012, the cap was complete on November 22nd,2011
- For H1B visa 2011, the cap reached on January 26th , 2011
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 ?
Hi All – I have a question about responding to RFEs. I read in a few places that a “BRM” letter may work if we do not have a client letter. What is this BRM letter? Is this provided by the client?
What other documents can be provided ? Mine’s EVC model. The clause is employee employer relationship. Thanks in advance.
DRM letter chalega kya?
Babu,
BRM -> Business Relationship Manager
Some companies have the post of BRM, who manages one or more client accounts. S/he is someone of authority. If one gets a letter from BRM, it may consider more weightage as they will vouch for someone only in genuine cases. Still it will be USCIS officer’s discretion whether to accept the BRM letter in lieu of client letter or not.
Hi All
I have a question. Please answer if anyone is sure about it.
“If I say that USCIS must have to touch all petitions before 1st October, is it true? even the petition is normal rather than Premium.” Because there are so many normal petitions still under initial review. mine also EAC-13-144-5xxxx.
Best Regards
H1B_Waiting,
They are not required to touch or process them by Sep 30th. It can take longer as well.
At last I got the H1b visa … was a long journey … first i got RFE then got rejection.. submitted the MTR got approval with one week then… on interview VO asked for additional docs and threw my case in Admin Process after wait of 120 working days they called me to collect my passport …. I went and saw the visa on it …. wooooohhhhhhhh long frustrated wait that was 😀
Congrats bro!,,, Did you apply last year?
Yeah ….. previous year I applied …
Congrats
Can you please tell me which consultancy / Company is sponsoring your visa ?
Also you can share me on my mail id : divya0504 at rediffmail dot com
Congrats dude!!!!!! It was indeed a very long wait… Moral of the story for all H1 aspirants: Wait can extend real long in some cases…
Hi Saurabh,
My H1B visa got expired on 31st July,2013.
Visa extension has been filed on 9th May,2013 but still it is in Initial Review state.
In this scenario can I try for other job before I get my visa extension decision? Other company can apply for transfer till I get decision.
Any idea maximum how much time it will take to get the decision?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Regards,
pupu
Pupu,
They can file for transfer but their petition will not be approved w/ attached I-94 until your current extension gets approved. This is b/c your current I-94 has expired. Once you get the new petition from new employer w/o I-94 attached, you need to go out and return on stamped H-1 visa.
Hi Sourabh,
Thanks for your reply.
Presently my employer wants me to send back to India because my current project got closed suddenly. And I can not work for other client because my extension decision not yet came. My husband is in US with H1B visa.
I have few questions.
• In this situation can I quit my job and go for H4 dependent visa of my husband’s H1B?
• If I get a job after changing my status to H4 visa, is it possible for the next employer to apply CAP exemption H1B visa with H4 to H1B COS for me?
• If H4 to H1B COS get approved do I need to go for stamping before joining the job?
I am in a very complex situation and badly looking for your response.
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Pupu
Hi,
My status is in still Intial Review EAC13148***
Anyone is this series..
me too… a lot is moving…let’s wait…
Me too
Hi
My consultant has applied for H1B 2014 for me in Aug’13 as replacement of a rejected petition. I have got an employment registration letter from a company in July’13 which is in Texas but has not got any offer letter yet. my question, is it possible to submit the profile of a new person as a replacement of rejected one. My consultant says that my lottery will be help in Nov’13. When i read this site i find that lottery was done in april’13. I have not got any number yet for my file from my consultant. My consultant says it will be given after 3 months. can anybody help me giving some information in this regard?
Hi Payel,
It seems that something is just not right with the information that has been provided to you.
But Sourabh would the right person to provide any information to you.
But yes, the lottery took place in April itself and any additional chance would be only for those who are in waiting list, but they must have been notified about it.
So my thoughts are try to investigate and try to the get the correct details.
Hi Sourabh
Would you pls help me giving some information regarding my case .
Payel,
Your company is taking you for a ride. Did you pay any money to this company? To test the company, ask them what’s the receipt number for this filing.
The cap is done until April 2014.
Hello All,
Did anyone on this forum received an RFE which ended up in rejection? Just trying to understand the pattern.
Thanks
Nirvaan
Nirvaan,
same question here. Did anyone on this forum received an RFE which ended up in rejection??
I’m also in RFE review state since July 29
I am following many forums on web including this and i have found that most of the RFE’s get approved at some point…but found one or two instances of rejections after RFE on other forums. If u google this topic you will see some cases.
Though i can’t say for sure anything about any patterns or some thing like that… was I found was purely random search on internet.
hey nirvaan
At last I got the H1b visa … was a long journey … first i got RFE then got rejection.. submitted the MTR got approval with one week then… on interview VO asked for additional docs and threw my case in Admin Process after wait of 120 working days they called me to collect my passport …. I went and saw the visa on it …. wooooohhhhhhhh long frustrated wait that was
Hi All,
I got RFE In Review state by JUNE 26th..mine is of series EAC1314052***..Still the same stautus..its just killing me…Can any one got RFE approved within the same time lines….
I’m also with the same status,
Mine is RFE review status since JUNE 24th and the status is still the same, i see few RFEreview status which got approved with in 30 days
Hi Friends,
Please clarify the below questions.
Currently i am in US on L1 B Visa and valid upto Aug 2014 and working for the company A and i have applied for the H1 B from other company B. now got approved W/COS (with out change of status ) and valid start from 01 st Oct 2013.
My Question is.
1. I plan to travel to India on next week and will be return back on Sep 15 th. so is there any impact on my H1 B visa?
2. Is it must be changed the company from Oct 1 st itself else can i continue with L1 visa on couple of months and switch the company later on next year ? is it legal to work with L1 B visa after the Oct 1 st ?
Hi Bala,
I’m in similar situation. My H1 petition got approved but not sure with or without COS. How did you come to know your COS is not approved? The approval email notice has I-94 number and consulate information. Do you have any idea what does it mean?
Thanks!
Bala,
As you have mentioned that your H1 through employer B is approved without COS and you wish to continue on L1 with your current employer say A in that case when you return back from India at the point of entry you should mention to the officer that you are entering on L1 and not on H1. Your H1 petition will be valid and whenever you wish to change your status to work on H1 you will have to leave US and visit the same consulate for stamping as per your H1 employer has applied to. Your H1 status kicks in only after you get your stamping and enter US on H1 visa. Hope this helps.
H1 visa is approved WITH Change Of Status if you get an I-94 attached with approved I-797. The number on this new I-94 remains same as was on your L1-I94.
If you do not get new I94 with your I797 then the H1 is approved WITHOUT change of status.
If your H1 visa is approved WITHOUT change of status then you can continue to work on L1 till the time your L1 visa/i94 is valid. You can also move to H1 by applying a change of status application.
If your H1 visa is approved WITH change of status then you CANNOT continue to work on L1 from the date your H1 becomes valid (all cases approved till now will be valid from 01-Oct-2013).
What is I797 Document ? Is this the document which empolyer receives from USCIS after petition is approved ?
How much time it take to receive this I797 after the petition is approved ?
I797 is the approved H1 petition. This is the document based on which you get the H1 visa stamped on your passport.
USCIS sends this document to the attorney/employer when the H1 application is approved.
It may take around 4 weeks to get the I797.
Hello Saurabh and all. I really need to understand the following to plan my next 8 weeks:
If I’m outside U.S. how does the application is delivered to me? Does USCIS delivers it to the company or the lawyer and then forward it to me via mail? Does USCIS send it directly to my address outside US?
Also, how long does it take to receive the form after the approval? Does it vary if is RP or PP?
Thanks in advance
Hi Saurabh and all
It will be really gr8 is somebody can response mark’s questions. I also want to know the same to plan my next couple of month.
Mark , do you know which list of document we should receive from USCIS/employer once Petition is approved ? and wt is I797 ?
I think via mail. Me also want to know about the list of documents and I797
Mark,
USCIS sends the approved I797 (H1 Petition) to the attorney/employer. It takes around 4-5 weeks for the employer to get the I797 after it is approved.
Your employer will then share these documents with you.
Hi All,
I received an RFE requesting the client letter. There is a vendor between my employer and the client and i do not believe we will be able to get this letter. Please suggest of a good way to handle this RFE…we can provide the other documents like RFE, SOW, offer letter etc.
George,
Was this relationship of EVC explained in the original filing? They can submit the contract b/w employer and vendor, and then a letter from client stating that they want to hire your services through the vendor. Your attorney is in a better position to handle such an RFE.
Hi All,
My H1b Petition has been moved to Post Decision Activity on 12th Aug.
So how much time would it take to receive physical copy to my employer.
My employer is based in US only.
H1b Approved,
They should receive it within 30 days.
I got a RFE evidence pertaining to the proffered position
Position requirements: submit the following aditional evidence to establish that the proffered position qualifies as a speciality occupation:
Job description. Provide a more detailed description of the work to be performed by the beneficiary for the entire requested period of validity. Include specific job duties, the percentatage of time to be spent on each duty, level of responsibility, hours per week of work, and the minimum education training, and experience necessary to do the job. Also explain why te work to be performed requres the services of a person who has a collage degree or its equivalent inthe ocupational field.
Can anybody let me know what is this about and did anyone here got the RFE for the same reason and how they replied it??
Got the same RFE. Then went to NOID.
so sad. Hope you will get through
Noid means?
under which position your petition was filed?
Notice of intend to deny
you applied under which position?
How is the success rate from the RFE stage. My case went to RFE Response Review to 29 July. I’m worried too much. This waiting is killing me inside.
Rihaan,
Getting a RFE is very normal these days. You should not be worried, rfe is just a part of the process.
My friends case went to RFE review on 23-July and was approved on 12-Aug.
So just wait for sometime and hopefully your application should have a decision in next couple of weeks.
Today my case is approved. Thanks to all for your comments. Have a patience. All cases will surely get some response very soon.
Can any one tell me, what list of documents we should receive from USCIS and from employer after the case is approved ? And how much time generally it takes to receive all the documents.
2 years !!!
Just kidding .. will take 1 month. Congrats buddy 🙂
Thanks. First wait is for Lottery result[Depends on luck/USCIS]. 2nd wait is for Approval[Depends on USCIS/Employer submission]. 3rd wait is for Documents[It takes 1 mnth but Dont know at what time empoyer will give]. 4th wait is for visa interview date[Depends on employer]. We just have to keep waiting at every stage.
Can anybody tell me what is the best time and worst time to receive the document. Any possibility to receive the document after approval in 2 weeks ??
Does the document arrive faster if it is premium process?
Mark,
It will take same time unless employer encloses a self-addressed priority mail envelope (can be done for both RP and PP).
@XYZ
Can you please share your receipt number?
WAC13143511**.. So, many numbers are approved/RFEed for 143 series. Mine is approved on 15th. Independence day of INDIA.
It is very unprofessional to ask some one to give their receipt number. You can ask series number but not receipt number.
Why should anyone share their receipt number with you when you are not his/her employer or someone who paid for his/her visa!!!
@Yes U
I would suggest you to relax, asking the receipt number in this forum itself means the series excluding the last 3-4 digits. And the other things you mentioned have not been asked even. It was obviously the series that we are looking for.
Talking about professionalism, I am professional thats why i did not respond to XYZ’s response and didnt pound with additional questions. Take a moment before you contend.
@XYZ, I apologize if you felt that I asked your entire receipt number, it was just the series that everyone is inquisitive about.
@U:
Let me tell u somethimg with no offences.. Ppl dont have time to keep guessing ur keyword or aliases.. I m following this forum from last 6 months n ppl who ask say clearly abt series…
So funny… A number means a series…. LoL.. Maybe at consulate we should start giving series rather than number… Oxford went horribly wrong I think….. 😛
@U: No problem bro.. I understood ur requirement…but plz stop arguing with ppl when it is very clear that u were wrong…
Congrats Bro…. Where is the sweets box!!! 😛 😛
XYZ,
USCIS will send the approval notice (797) to the employer. The employer can then send you the documents required for your stamping.
My h1b Approved..My Series is EAC131375****…………This forum helped me alot…..thank you one and all…
Lottery within Lottery !!
I tried finding some trending in the way USCIS is processing the petitions. Somehow I could not crack the formula. I am forced to believe that they may be using lottery process while picking petitions for processing. there is absolutely no pattern in which they are processing the petitions. They may be using a simple ‘C’ function ‘Rnd’ to pick a number and match with the ones in IR and then pick for processing. Looks like our life is highly dependent on luck, from here on. After this it will be Green Card lottery. 10 years down the line, I will not be able to show my face to my son if he finds that I played so many lotteries to help him become US citizen !!
very true..thre is simply no pattern
My application number is WAC131435**** series. around 80 cases of my series was approved out of 100. [WAC131435**00 to 99]. I was in 20 who were in IR. Everyday , I was tracking remaining 20 number, and what I observed is USCIS was approving 1-4 cases everyday from remaining 20. And today my case is approved. And now remaining number is reduced to 9 from 20. Can you check the 00 to 99 , 100 cases, where you number belongs and make list of remaining IR cases. Are they really working on yr series of 100 ? This math was posted in one of the comment by some one in this forum and it worked for me also.
Yes you are absolutely right. Life will go in playing and praying for lottery to favor us.
L1-to-H1 COS – (Principal Applicant)
EAC-13146513xx – Upgrade request to PP sent on August 9th
August 12th – case upgraded to PP, clock begins
August 13rd – status changed from original “initial review” back to “acceptance”
August 15th – status changed from “acceptance” to “initial review” – CLOCK STOPPED. Reason is sent on postal mail.
L2-H4 (COS) – (dependent)
EAC-13146514xx
Straight status change from “Initial review” to PDA – Approved!
Will Principal applicant case status change to Decision/PDA soon with approval? because it doesn’t make sense to Approve dependent case without approving Principal Applicant? Am I right?
Thanks in advance
L1-to-H1 COS – (Principal Applicant)
EAC-13146513xx – Approved!
Case Status changed to Decision in 2 1/2 hours.
Thanks to everyone in this forum and good luck to folks waiting for decision! May God bless all.
Congrats L1toH1-COS… Is the case now in decision or PDA… let us know when it moved to PDA that will help understanding the time moving from decision to PDA. Also did u receive new I94 and I797
Hi, Could you please share your email Id ?
I am in a similar situation. I need help.
Anirudh
Hi Sourabh,
Hope you are doing good.
I was on L1 with company A and same company did H1B for me and it is approved and got I797A with I94 which will kickin on 1st october.
My question is how soon i can change my employer and shift to other company.people says that u need to stay 2 month in your current organisation?is that true or i can changed may be after 15th oct?
our payslip comes one in a month so i will get it on end of oct.
Please suggest.
arun_123,
There is no wait time. A new employer can file H-1 transfer petition prior to Oct 1 (no H-1 payslips required) or after Oct 1 (H-1 payslips required from Oct 1 to filing date).
L-H COS ; I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER has been approved and is showing in decision stage since last 4 weeks. What could be the reason not moving to final stage of PDA (post decision activity) and how much time usually it takes from decision to PDA stage and receiving I797 notice.
Decision,
If it has been more than 30 days since that stage and employer/attorney have not received the approval notice, then your employer should follow-up w/ USCIS.
Hi All,
I am currently on L1- B in USA from company A. I got H1 approved from consultancy B.
Now my question is do i need to leave company A Before Oct 1st and join company B or i can wait for few days till the time i get project from consultancy B and continue my job in company A with existing L1 VISA.
Thanks
Rajat,
Yes you should leave company A, before 1-Oct-13.
Your status in US will be H1B from 01-Oct onwards and you should not continue with your L1 employer.
If you continue to work for company A, even after 01-Oct then it will be illegal and may have adverse affect in future (future visas and GC).
Thanks
Prashant
Prashant,
My friendly suggestioin to you is to exercise caution while suggesting anyone without knowing complete details of the case.
Rajat, You need to provide more details like was your L1 to H1 COS or without COS? If it was COS then ideally from Oct 1st you should join your H1 employer but even if you join your H1 employer say in first 2 weeks of Oct then also its fine. Your H1 status kicks in from Oct 1st but it also gets into play when you actually join your H1 employer. Recommendation is to join H1 employer on or after Oct 1s at the earliest.
If your H1 approved without COS then you can contine on L1 until you leave US and get your H1 stamping done and enter US on H1 visa. Hope this helps.
Vishal,
You are right. I should have considered whether Rajat’s H1 is approved with or without Change of Status.
Rajat,
Vishal is correct. If your H1 is approved with change of status then you should move to your new H1 employer starting 01-Oct-2013. And, if your H1 is approved with CoS then i sincerely recommend moving to H1 because i know people who have problems in their GC process because they overstayed on L1 even when their H1 was approved.
If your H1 is approved without CoS the you can continue on L1.
How long does USCIS take to review one petition … Mine is in IR
WAC131375 Series … should i go for the premium processing ? or should i wait for another month ? Please suggest
Hello Ravi,
Iam also in the same boat, Mine is WAC 1314251**** and still in IR.
Also looking for answer to your question as I do have same idea of promoting to Premimum process.
?????
What happened!!!!
H1 stamping done!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hello !! Can you please tell me which consultancy / Company is sponsoring your visa ?
Also you can share me on my mail id : divya0504 at rediffmail dot com
Unfortunately, I can’t share that details as it is personal and confidential….
Is there a way to bribe the consulate officer to get the petition approved…..?
@U
LOL, i hope it was just a joke..
lol…… typical Indian style!!! 😛
I have a quesiton.
My petition number is WAC131385****
My company had filed an I129 petition which was picked up in the lottery and it was showing as approved in the USCIS website a month back ( in Post Decision Activity ).
But today when i looked at the USCIS website again i do see a new status as “Initial Review” with the below mentioned message
“On August 8, 2013, your Alien Registration Number was changed relating to your I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER.”
Now what does this status mean? Is my case being reviewed again? This is quite confusing. Can anybody please clarify the same.
Also I haven’t travelled to US til date. This is the first time i have applied H1B.
I129 approved now back to intial review,
It may just be a technical issue on USCIS site. Ask your attorney to contact USCIS and follow-up on the case.
Thanks a lot saurabh. I spoke to my employer. He says H1B is approved.
Looks like a system glitch from USCIS side.
Finally my H1 got approved, series wac1313950xxx. I need help for two questions:
1. Is there a deadline for stamping? Like I have to stamp within FY2014, otherwise the H1 will expire?
2. What if the situation changed and the company cannot provide me a position, can I apply the same job from another company even before stamping?
Thanks!
Me too having same question!!!
Can anyone clarify?
ApprovedFinally ,
1. Yes, you need to attend a Visa interview before your petition’s validity end date. it should be there on the approval notice. In most of the cases the validity is given for 3 years. So you need to attend the visa interview before that.
2. once your petition is approved, you are free to change projects as long as proper amendments are filed by your company. even if you change the employer, your new employer can file a cap exempt petition for you anytime in the next 6 years.
Hello !! Can you please tell me which consultancy / Company is sponsoring your visa ?
Also you can share me on my mail id : divya0504 at rediffmail dot com
Hi All,
I have upgraded my case from regular to premium last week. Today I got a message stating
On August 14, 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
Did anyone get such message earlier? Does anyone know what it means?
Thanx for the update buddy. Hope it’s good news. Wait for a couple of hours and see if there’s any update. Best of luck!
Hi waiting forever,
yes its finally a good news, its approved. All the best for your approval. Update as soon as u hear something, I guess you will also get in a day or two.
Can you please let me know how to upgrade to premimum ? Attorney can call USICS and upgrade preimum over the phone or Attorney need to send any docs through regular mail ?
Regards
SA
SA,
They have to submit form I-907 along w/ necessary fees to upgrade to PP.
I’m running into a weird situation. I have applied H1 with L1 to H1 COS. H1 petition got approved but the email notice has I-94 number and consulate information. Petition got approved and valid till 2016. How to know if the COS was approved? We did not receive the physical mail copy yet.
Saurabh and others, have you seen anyone getting both I-94 number and consulate information? I appreciate the information.
Thank you!
Saurabh and Other active users of this Site, please respond if you know any information about COS.
Thank you.
@COS email notice:
Sourabh has gone to Himalayas to repent all his wrong doings till date….He’ll return after 50 years…
COS email notice,
Look at the actual approval notice. If it has an I-94 attached to the bottom of it, then it has been approved w/ COS.
Hi,
I got a RFE and USCIS asked me to justify the Business Analyst position falls under speciality occupation. Couple of my colleagues also got RFE for the same reason. They did education and work evaluation but still their visa got rejected.
I am a little concerned now so could you kindly suggest what additional documents I can provide to make my case little stronger.
RFE Response,
You could also look online (e.g., mounster.com) for job openings asking for a Business Analyst and that show that the education requirement is at least a bachelor’s degree (so it shows it is a specialty ocupation), and include those job openings in your response, if you can find some. Good luck!
monster.com sorry
Hi,
I got a RFE and USCIS asked me to just that the Business Analyst position falls under speciality occupation. Couple of my colleagues also got RFE for the same reason. They did education and work evaluation but still their visa got rejected.
I am a little concerned now so could you kindly suggest what additional documents I can provide to make my case little stronger.
RFE Response,
They should get similar job postings from other prominent companies to show what the job requirements are. If those job openings mention Bachelor as a must, then it will show that BA falls under speciality occupation. This should be done in addition to other documents submitted for your colleagues.
Hi all I m waiting for my h1 approval…but nothing has happened yet.my employer has not shared eac no. With me.what can i do?there are.is it possible that employer is playing some game .
Same story here 🙁
I don’t understand what these companies gain by hiding all information!!! 🙁 🙁
Hi all I m waiting for my h1 approval…but nothing has happened yet.my employer has not shared eac no. With me.what can i do?there are.is it possible that employer is playing some game
Hi Saurabh,
Could you please help me in clarifying my doubts. Currently I am in US on h4 visa. I came here in May. My company applied for my h1b in april without COS. I am on leaves now.
1) My h1b has been approved last week. My H4 is going to expire on 10th October, can i apply for my h4 extension now since I am planning to go to India in December for stamping?
2) If I apply for extension, and it doesnt get approved in December, and in mean while if I go to India, what will happen to my extension?
3) If I come back to US in january after getting my h1 stamped, and h4 extension gets approved after that, will I again come back to h4?
Pls answer my query. I am really confused.
the_confused,
You should maintain some status as long as you are in US. the status is defined by the visa type on your I94. you can apply for H4 extension and if that is approved, you can stay in US till the validity end date. mean time you can go to India and get your H1 stamping done and come back to US on H1. if your H4 extension is not approved, you need to leave US on or before your H4 expiry date.
I havent heard of any case where H4 extension is rejected as long as the related H1 documents and status is good.
the_confused,
I think you have asked this in Q&A section as well. See my response there.
Ok, finally mine status got changed from IR to Post decision activity
Mine Recipt number;
WAC131435****
Thanks everyone for the info and wish you guys goodluck.
Hi h1b doomed,
Did the message stating premium processing clock stopped means approval?
Did you upgrade from regular to premium. If so, when did u apply for premium.
Actually last week I upgraded my case to premium. Now since Aug9th my case is in Acceptance stage. I haven’t heard anything from uscis yet. Any idea how long will it take just in case if you also have upgraded from regular to premium.
Hi Waitingh1,
Yes I did upgrade from Regular to premium and the premium clock started on Aug 5 and status was Acceptance
Yesterday the premium clock stopped and the status changed to Initial Review and I got the message.
After 3 hrs status changed to Decision and it said approved!!
All the best for your result….
Thanks h1b doomed for the wishes and detailed explanation. Thanks again.
Also, can you please tell me which series u r in EAC or WAC. Sorry to bother you again.
HI,
mine was EAC131435****
@h1b doomed : Congrats for approval… would like to understand how much time it will take from decision to PDA. Or did u get I797 while case is in decision approved stage or do you need to wait for PDA to get I797.
Hi H1b2013,
my employer mailed me the approval notice
By When all Petitions will be Approved?
Is there any Deadline for that?
Prashanth,
There is no deadline to approve/deny the petitions. USCIS can take its own sweet time, however, most of the cases will be adjudicated by October
Finally got my H1 approved.
EAC13137519** – RP
Applied Date: April 07
RFE for client letter: Apr 22
Replied to RFE: July 15 (Yes they took that long to respond)
Status changed to RFE RR: July 19
PDA: Aug 13
Brief resume: 10+ years as Java Tech. Architect
Was this under Regular or Premium Processing?
RP
Hi,How is the success rate from the RFE stage?
Hi Sourabh/ All,
I know this is a stereotypic question but it really dawns upon only when it happens to somone personally. My case went to RFE too yesterday 🙁 EAC1314251**. Any idea how much more time it would take for PDA? Some say 1 month, some 2 months and some even 3-4 months. Its really bothering me. Please clarify!
What details they are asking for?
Did your employer missed to provide those?
ya mine did. i dont understand how can a immigration lawyer filing tons of h1b every year could do that
L1 to H1 EAC13138503** series anyone is still waiting?
Hi Kumar,
Mine is in EAC13138512** series. still in IR for the past four months.
anybody else in this series ?
Hi H1b_2ndAttempt is your’s L1 to H1?
mine is not from L1 to H1
L1 to H1, EAC 13138515** IR.
I know two more EAC 1313851555 and EAC 1313851575 also in IR
Scenario 1: L1 to H1
H1B approval on Sept 10th, assuming start date on new I94 as Oct 1st
Resign from Current Employer A on Sept 16th (gives 2 weeks notice period)
Start new employer B on Oct 1st
Risk on Scenario 1: Employer A might know employee swithcing over to H1 that is yet to be active from Oct 1st, Employer ceases empoyee job before Oct 1st. Risk of going out of status
Scenario 2: L1 to H1
Wait for H1B approved
Wait to receive I-94 with Oct 1st start date
Resign on Oct 1st from current Employer A
Join Employer B after satisfying 2 weeks notice period on Oct 14th
Please help!!!
Hi
i am also planning the scenario 2. I am waiting for my H1B approval.
please let me know what you will get feedback.
arshad.ahmad at gmail.com
thanks
Hi,
You should wait for getting your H1 approved. Do not resign before Sept 30th and make sure you have all your H1 papers approved and in place. After that you can resign from your current employer and get on H1 as soon you can from Oct 1st week. COS generally kicks in from Oct 1st but I have heard that it actually happens when you join your H1 employer. As per my view, Do not risk your current L1 status until Oct 1st. Hope it helps.
Well Wsher,
Technically you are on H-1 from Oct 1 and need to start working on H-1 from that day. If your L-1 employer asks you to leave early, then that’s what you have to do.
If the issue comes down to few days before or after Oct 1, then it may still be ok in the long run. You should talk to your H-1 attorney about the number of days where you can take some leverage.
Thanks Saurabh and Vishal. Your help and advise is greatly appreciated.
My status just changed to
what does it mean?
On August 13, 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.
ahh the long wait is over…its approved!!!
EAC131435****
Hi h1b doomed,
Does the message premium processing clock stopped for you mean approval.
Did you upgrade ur case from regular to premium. If so, when did you apply for premium.
Actually last week I upgraded my case from regular to premium. Since Aug9th my case is in Acceptance stage. Haven’t heard from uscis yet! Do you know when can I get o hear something if you also have upgraded your case from regular to premium.
Hi Waiting H1,
My case was upgraded from Regular to Premium on the 8th Aug. It shows acceptance from then. No update from uscis yet. Guess we are on the same boat.
Please let me know if you get an update.
Thanks.
Hi waiting forever,
yeah looks like we r in d same boat. Surely will update you once I hear something, you do the same. Are you from Vermont or California center?
Hi waitingh1,
Yes i upgraded from RP to PP, yesterday the clock stopped and status showed Initial review and after 3 hrs it changed to Decision and approved.
Hi h1b doomed and waiting forever,
My status just changed to Initial review with the message
On August 14, 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.
I am getting tensed, what does this mean?
Hopefully as for h1 doomed, this msg moved to approval, my case also gets moved. But do you know anyone who got such message.
Also, waiting forever, can u pls check ur status n let me know if you got something.
Hi h1doomed and waiting forever,
I got the approval, status changed to decision. thanks.
Hi Waiting H1,
Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Waiting H1,
Mine is still acceptance. I am applying through the Vermont center too.
My case was upgraded on the 8th Aug.
According to H1b doomed, you will get your decision pretty soon. Best wishes. It MUST be good news.
Hopefully I will hear from uscis soon.
Hi waiting forever,
Yes you will get a good news soon, don’t worry. All the best and keep us posted. May god bless you.
Finally H1 stamping done successfully….pheww!!!! What a relief ….
Thank You Mumbai Consulate for completing the formalities in a matter of few minutes. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Happy Happy!!!
Hello !! Can you please tell me which consultancy / Company is sponsoring your visa ?
Also you can share me on my mail id : divya0504 at rediffmail dot com
Hi All – Question about mailing of RFE for Regular Processing. Does USCIS use priority shipping? How long does it generally take for the RFE to be delivered, if sent from California to the east Coast…any ideas?
Why do you think USCIS should consider you for priority shipping? Are you so special?
Shipment normally takes a week or so… depending on conditions…
@Ghanta visa milega!!!
You personality is pretty much evident in your nick name. be sober enough to reply else stay shut rather than replying as if you are…………….
If he/she is posting a question, they dont have any interest in wasting their time or others. So to maintain the decorum of this forum’s interactions, try to be a little courteous or reply in a normal tone rather than your usual self…
@Babi
Typically they prefer normal shipping over expedited shipping.
U – Thanks for the response…so i checked the timelines of USPS for a shipment from California to the East Coast. They show 7 days so maybe around 10 days, give or take a couple.
Coming back to the “more interesting” topic, i really do hope there was a way for Saurabh to ban a couple of guys. I guess it’s not easy though, because you could just change your name/email and post comments. Anyway, best to just ignore them 🙂
U will be rejected, my son.
My son – I think you recently had a H1 rejection along with the H4 of your wife and kid. Sounds like you are in big shock after the rejection, that is why talking about rejections everywhere. Anyway all the best for your 100th attempt for US VISA. 😀
🙁
@ Babi
absolutely, ignoring is the best thing to do. Do you think its worth everybody’s time to give an ear to all of this?
This chap has also written a lot of weird comments in this thread. So its better to refrain 🙂
Are you Ramdev Baba fan!!
Are you Ramdev Baba fan?
Im Sunny leone’s fane. 😛 + Mallika + Poonam Pandey’s fan..Im not a gay that i would be Baba Ramdev’s Fana.. hahaha
Babi,
It is sent through normal shipping unless employer/attorney has submitted a self-addressed priority shipping envelope.
Hi Surabh,
I need some help on H1 COS RFE.
My L1B visa expired on Nov 2012 & I-94 expired in June 2013. We have applied for L1B extension in May 2013. My H1B is also in process now (with COS) and got RFE for change of status. Asking evidence for valid immigrant status from June to October 2013.
1. Can I use the L1B receipt notice as evidence of status ? After i-94 expiry, am I out of status or on L1 B ?
2. Is it possible to ask for consular processing instead of COS, while submitting the Response ?
3. In this cases, does USCIS gives a consular Processing instead of COS or deny H1 visa completely ?
4. Any other suggestions like exiting US to fix or clear the RFE ?
Thanks.
Hi,
You are in a very tricky situation and would suggest proper professional help or surely consult your H1 attorney perfectly. As per my knowledge you should have applied for L1 extension before your visa expiry. Just verify that if you are eligible for L1 extension after your visa expiry and before your I-94 expiry. If the latter is fine then probably you can submit the L1 extension receipt to show your legal status. Regarding point 2, it might be wise to opt for counsular processing because in case if your L1 extn doesn’t get approved before Oct 1st then you anyways will have to leave US immediately and even you will have to file an amendment on your H1 for counsular processing which is an extra cost as well as more time for processing and more risk with your current H1 petition. Hope things go your way but make sure you carefully evaluate all worst case situations and accordingly act. Hope this helps.
I talked to immigration attorney – she said it is fine to apply for extension before I-94 expiry. I got receipt & RFE for L1 – this indicates I am eligible for L1 extension.
We can request for consular processing with RFE response. Lets see how this goes …… thx
I am in the same boat, only difference is, my L1 and I-94 expired on June 2013.
What if H1 approved with COS and L1 ext. rejects after Oct 1st, Should I go for stamping ?
If you H1 approved with COS, you will be on H1 and you should cancel your L1 extension process – need to revoke.
But if some one is out of status till Oct 2013, will they be given COS ? OR CP ?
This is my understanding.
suppose L1 ext. denied just after one day of H1 with COS approval (somewhere in Oct, say H1 approved on Oct 10th and L1 denied on Oct 11 or Oct 9) what would be options ?
+1 L1 to H1,
Once your H-1 is approved w/ COS and it is post Oct 1, L-1 denial will not impact your status. You can continue to stay and work on H-1. However, if L-1 extension gets approved after Oct 1, then your status will change to L-1 from that day.
HELPONH1COS,
1. No. You need proof of L-1 extension approval to show that you have valid status. Just submitting the extension receipt is not sufficient.
2. Yes, your attorney can do that
3. They will deny COS and approve the H-1 petition
4. The other option is for your L-1 extension to get approved and then submit that copy as proof.
thanks Sourabh,
How can attorney ask for Consular process instead of COS – through – Is it through H1 Amendment ?
HELPONH1COS,
If they think that there is very less possibility of L-1 approval and H-1 RFE deadline is approaching then they can respond back stating that you will not get the L-1 approval in time and they are ready for the petition to be processed w/ consular processing and not COS. As the petition is still pending, they don’t need to file an amendment. You can confirm w/ your attorney.
Thanks Sourabh.
1 last question. If I get approval on CP, will my stay beyond i-94 (though I have applied for extension) have any negative impact when I go to visa stamping ?
Hello Saurabh,
I am a frequent visitor to your website. I was hoping to a get a question resolved.
My STEM OPT was approved 2 weeks after the H1b approval. I want to be on H1b status from October 1st. Is there anything either the employer or school need to do OR will the transition be automatic?
Thanks.
Just let your DSO know that your H1 was approved. but one thing once u r on H1 you cant use OPT
Hi All,
I got RFE asking for a client letter on client’s Letterhead.
The issue here is that the work location in my petition is San Diego. The customer is ready to provide the client letter but on their letterhead the address mentioned is of Irvine, CA (This is their Corporate office and their letterhead always has this address).
They have mentioned that I will be required to work for their San Diego facility.
I want to know:
1. Whether this will create any kind of conflict?
2. Should we mention the whole address of the San Diego Facility or just “Mr. X will be required to work from our San Diego facility” will suffice??
Work Site
Employee’s services are to be performed exclusively at End-user’s location
end-user’s full address.
Mention this point in the letter. it doesn’t matter where the Corporate office is, just mention your work location in the letter.
Hi Saurabh ,
My application is in IR ( WAC131375 ) series ,in case if i got an approval in the second week of September or later . Can i enter US after October / November.
Do u see potential need for an upgrade to PP ? Please advice ….
Ravi,
Yes, you can go for stamping and then enter US in Oct / Nov as long as your employer wants your employment services in US around that time.