Home » US Immigration - Visas » H1B Visa » H1B Visa 2014 – All you need to know – FAQs
H1B Visa 2014

H1B Visa 2014 – All you need to know – FAQs

| by | 7,993 Comments

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. Q1> I’m jobless for last 6 months and waiting for this H1B from the bottom of my heart. Now, Should I write my most recent(last) job experience in the “Present Work Information” of DS-160 Form ?

    Q2> Work Experience letter is required for the visa stamping interview. I have 4 years + exp., and I did it for 2 companies. My last company gave me detailed experience letter but My 1st company’s HR gave a typical ordinary experience letter like this –

    “To the best of my knowledge she bears a good moral character. She doesn’t take part activities
    Sub-aversive to state or discipline. She performs her entire task to a very high standard. At all
    Times I have found her to be reliable, hard-working, honest, peace-Loving, well-mannered
    etc.”

    Will this be enough or I have to ask for a new one where all my experiences will be described properly ?
    Can anyone pls answer ?

    Reply

  2. Hi Surabh

    URGENT- I need your help in my current situation. Actually I have an approved H1 from one employer since last one year .Last to last month I transferred my H1 to another employer where I have got EAC which is showing in initial review. Now I have an offer in hand which I want to start with my new employer. So appreciate if you can let me know wather I can start work on just EAC. Vendor is ready to work with any one. I am MS holder who already has SSN. Please let me know. Appreciate your quick response

    Reply

  3. Hi folks…

    Finally after a long wait.. my petition EAC13142512**moved to post decision from IR on 12th of this month.

    All the very best for others waiting out there.. this fourm is really helpful in keeping up the hopes

    My petition is RQ/RP IT 5+

    Reply

  4. HI,

    My H1b went to RFE on 3rd Sep but I have not heard anything from my attorney.When checked with them couple of times, They said yet to receive. How long does it take for attorney to get a hard copy of notice.

    Reply

  6. Hi,

    Need your input on this..

    I’m working with company A with L1A visa and it got expired on Sep 7th 2013.. My Company sent it for the extension on Sep 4th 2013.. I have applied for H1B visa through a consultant and it got approved.. but I dint give for the change of status.. when I talked to the lawyer today he said I need to wait till my L1A Extension is approved and then only I can go for the change of status in H1B. My question are
    1. Can I apply for the change of status now itself? I mean can I apply for an change of status even before my L1A petition is approved.
    2. If it takes time for my L1A visa extension approval say another 2 or 3 month.. what will happen to my H1B which is approved without the change of status.
    3. Is thr any other way without any problem that I can apply for change of status..
    4. will the H1B approved visa get expired if i’m not in payroll for the next 2month form Oct. reason being it might take some time for L1A extension to get approved as per my attorney then only he can send for the H1B Amendment..
    Can anyone please help me with this..

    Reply

  7. Hi… Mine is COS from L to H.. I received RFE and as per Employer RFE Response has been sent last week to USCIS but Online status is still showing as RFE and not yet changed…

    can someone advice me on this if I need to contact back to Employer on this

    Thanks for help

    Reply

    • 1. Passport
      2. Photo – 2 inch by 2 inch
      3. DS-160
      4. Visa Fee Payment receipt
      5. Visa Interview appointment letter
      6. I-797 ,Notice of Action
      7. I-129 + 1 Photo copy
      8. Employer Letter , My Job Responsibilities
      9. Work Experience Letter
      10.Educational Certificates + Transcripts
      11. Photocopies of 1st and last page of your passport
      12. Names and current phone numbers of the personnel managers at your present and previous positions
      13. Resume
      14. Personal Bank record for last Six month
      15. Name and Contact Information of two Co-workers from most recent place of employment
      16. LCA
      17. Offer letter from Employer

      Reply

  12. Hi All,

    I have Visa stamping scheduled next week at chennai. Please share your inputs who has gone for stamping recently at Chennai consulate.
    I have the in person interview on Sept. 18th at 10:00 AM. Do i need to go early by 8 AM or can i be there by 9:45. Also i am taking my Wife and Son (3.5 Years). Do i need to take him for in person interview.
    The previous day i have the bio-metrics scan at 1:30 PM. For this also do i need to be early, if so by what time ?

    Please share your experiences and Visa interview questions that were asked.

    Reply

    • No need to go early, be on time at OFC and be 30 mins early for Interview.
      No need to take your kid for OFC and Interview, make sure to carry a photograph of kid. I have 1.5yrs old kid, we attended without kid.

      Reply

      • @stamping done,

        Congrates buddy…
        Please share the questions that were asked.
        I have mine next week. Fingers crossed, final round……

        Reply

  13. Hi All,

    My Case Status changed from IR to RFE on 13th August and it was filed through a Consultancy Firm in US. Whenever i follow up with my consultancy, they are not revealing any details and saying that they are yet to hear back from USCIS.

    After so many follow ups, they had mentioned that they had responded to the RFE request but not sharing any dates. I am not seeing any option like ‘RFE RESPONSE REVIEW’ in the USCIS site and my case is still in ‘RFE’. Would it change from RFE to ‘APPROVAL/DENIAL’ directly to it would have to go through ‘RFE RESOPNSE REVIEW’

    Please clarify!

    Reply

        • RFE Query Seeker,

          Thanks. But my confusion is when it would change to RFE RESPONSE REVIEW? Since my consultancy did not share the RFE response date, I am not having any idea about the same.

          Also, in the USCIS site, I am not seeing RFE Response Review Option and only ‘Decision’ and ‘PDA’ options. So, I am really confused with the process

          Any clarifications would really make me much relieved from this tension!

          Reply

      • Rajan,

        Did you provide the response through your company or by yourself?

        What was the RFE request?

        Are you seeing the option ‘RFE RESPONSE REVIEW’ in the USCIS Site while you check your status there?

        if possible, please share your company name as well!

        Reply

  16. Hi,

    I got RFE. I replayed for rfe and upgraded to premium.My case status still showing from
    initial review to acceptance . I am little bit worrying any one please help me.

    Thanks.

    Reply

  17. Hi, I am preparing my DS-160 form. I have some queries regarding the DS-160.
    On behalf of my company, one Attorney Firm filed my H1B petition. now, what should I write for this question in the DS-160.

    Q1. “Name of the person/company who filed your petition?”

    And another question is, what should I answer for this question.
    Q2. “Person/Entity Paying for your Trip?”
    Should I write Self here or Company?
    Pls, help me.

    Reply

        • Hi Ivanovich,

          Your company took help of attorney to file your petition. So, it is like your company filed the petition. For H1B it is always company. DS-160 is common application for all visas, and not specific to H1B. Person is generally for B1 kind of application.

          Second one, for H1B all expenses should be borne by employer, so write company name only.

          Go to immihelp . com site where you find guide to fill DS 160 form
          http: // www. immihelp . com / visas / ds-160-usa-visa-form-guide.html

          Reply

  18. Hi .. after receiving RFE, how long does it take for USCIS to send the mail regarding the RFE details…? Usually, how long does it take from the date RFE is posted in the USCIS site?

    Reply

  19. Hello, it is Mark again. As I stated below, my application was approved and moved to PDA yesterday (9/10).

    Is there any change that the company will receive the letter about my case before 9/27, inclusive?

    Reply

  20. Hi saurabh,

    I have one doubt. As i told you earlier me and my husband got h1b approval from same employer.first he will be appearing for the visa in october.In DS-160 there is a column saying that are anyone accompaning you.?My employer suggeted that say No to this question.?
    but if i go for stamping if they ask your said no is accompanying you. there may be a chance of visa denial right.

    please suggest your suggestion is appreciated.

    Reply

  25. Hi,
    I applied for h1b through multiple employers just to be sure I get in the lottery. Now one of my employer has received an rfe which states that – ” multiple petitions have been filed by the employee for 2014. Kindly submit evidence or clarification if necessary”
    What should I do in this case ? Would it be a good idea to respond to the rfe or would it also risk my other petition ?

    Reply

  26. L1 to H1 with COS….RFE on 3rd Sept and got to know today that RFE is about my Education assessment….I have 9 years of IT experience and studied Computer Science engineering….
    would this be a common RFE?

    Reply

    • Hi L1 to H1,

      Its a common query and kind of requirement while submitting your H1 packet to include education equivalency evaluation to avoid such RFE. But you or your employer can get this done with any professional institute recognized by USCIS and submit the same.

      Hope this helps.

      Reply

  28. Hi,

    I have a question about maintaining the H1B status in a tricky situation. My employer filed a H1B application in April 2012, which was denied in July 2012 after an RFE and then we filed Motion to reopen. There was a RFE on that and we replied. The only update we saw on the case was that USCIS sent a document and the post office returned it. We did not hear any updates from the employer after that. I have been on F2 status ever since it was denited initially.

    So, we filed a new H1 through another employer this April 2013. We got an RFE on this new H1 petition 2 days ago, which mentioned that the former H1 was approved in Jan 2013 and asked for the details of maintaining the H1B visa status. I did not knew that the earlier H1 was approved until the RFE mentioned it. I guess even the earlier employer would not know that, else he would have contacted us. So, I want to understand if there would be any issue from my side as I have not been maintaining my H1B status because I’ve been thinking that I’m on F2 visa. Also, is there a way to utilize that H1B visa now (no payroll was run from Jan to Aug 2013)?

    Thanks,
    Priya

    Reply

  29. Hi All,
    After long wait my case EAC1313854*** went into RFE on 9th Sept.

    God knows what kind of documents they are looking for after 5 months.

    Thanks

    Reply

  30. Hi All,
    My petition got approved on last night.
    My case no is EAC1314250xxx.
    My special thanks to Saurabh and other folks who posted a very useful information on timely and also good guidance too.

    Thanks All….

    Reply

  31. I got L1B visa in 2008 but I travelled to USA in oct 2010,but my visa extension got rejected in jan13 2012. So I travelled to India on 24.01.2012 then i got new H1B and I returned to USA in 29.01.2013 .

    Now my question is
    1. How long I can stay in USA using H1b visa
    2. Will my L1b stay considered in h1 6 years period
    3. How long I need to stay outside of US to reset the clock?

    Pls give me answer

    Reply

    • 1st answer:- You can stay 6 yrs max with H1b in USA.
      2nd answer:-No L1b won’t be consider in this 6 yrs of H1b, as you have 1 yr cooling period in between,thats more than suffecient.
      3rd answer:-After your H1b 6 yrs or meanwhile you can apply for GC for extended period. Another method go back to home country and come back after few months or a year.

      Hope it helps.

      Reply

  33. Dear Saurabh,

    I got RFE last week for my H1B regular application and my attorney will be responding this week for the RFE.
    I would like to upgrade to premium processing with RFE response.But my attorney says we can not premium process RFE.Can you please let me know is this true? If yes can we upgrade once after the RFE has responded to USCIS and they received the response.

    Thanks

    Reply

  35. Hi I had one approved expired petition and asked consultant to file under cap exempt but he told you never went for stamping so can’t be filed under cap exempt.is it true?

    Reply

  36. Hi,

    My h1b got denied and the reason i got is that my experience letter is not detailed.
    USCIS wants a detailed experience letter which says about my career growth, technologies I worked on, how I helped my peers, etc. There is no way my previous companies gonna provide me such letters so any suggestions about what can i do.

    Reply

      • I got RFE and then denial.
        Yes they are asking for previous companies experience letter.

        Note: This is the first time i applied for H1

        Reply

        • Did you respond the RFE with any experiance letter? I belelive few responded with the usual experiance letter which just says the years of exp.

          Reply

          • I used to work for a Top IT company back in India. When I resigned, they gave me a standard letter : Designation at time of leaving, Start and End Date.

            In my RFE, they had asked for a detailed experience letter. Luckily my company was good enough to give me a detailed letter and I submitted the same. Still not received any feedback after RFE submission, so keeping fingers crossed…

          • Hello,

            I used to work for a Top IT company back in India. When I resigned, they gave me a standard letter : Designation at time of leaving, Start and End Date.

            In my RFE, they had asked for a detailed experience letter. Luckily my company was good enough to give me a detailed letter and I submitted the same. Still not received any feedback after RFE submission, so keeping fingers crossed…

  37. @All those whose visa stamping done: How many of you are flying this October this year on newly approved H1B to chase the great American Dream? Comment below

    Reply

    • @Ghanta

      Yaar pakka nahi pata..stamping done but manager saab proj dhundenge tab jana hoga..kyunki current project mei to jagah nahi hai.

      tu bata ghanta..tera kya scene hai?

      Reply

  38. Dear Saurabh and other friends,

    Are we allowed to work after October 1 if the H1B case is still pending for approval and your OPT expires during first week of October. I am on OPT right now and is valid until first week of October, I am not sure if I can work after my OPT expiration and the H1B approval is pending? I am not sure if everyone who are waiting for approval would know about the H1b approval by October first week?

    I would really appreciate your help

    Reply

    • I am not sure of OPT, but I am on CAP GAP, OPT expired and H1B pending.
      I cannot work after 30 Sep if my H1 is still pending. From OCt 1st my H1 has to kick in

      During this period I should not get any paychecks. Option 1: I should go on unpaid leave.

      Reply

      • Thanks,

        I was thinking if the cap Gap opt can be extended after 30th of September. You made it clear that it is not possible to work beyond sep 30. Lets hope our h1b gets approved by the end of this month. Thank You.

        Reply

        • But you guys can take admission in school and can get CPT and can work till your h1 got approved or work till your h1 got approved and then get your pay from your employer.

          Reply

  39. Dear Saurabh and other friends,

    The RFE was responded last week of September. My OPT expires in the first week of October. Am I allowed to work after my OPT expires and if H1b is pending for approval. I am not sure if I can work on Cap – Gap extension after my opt expiration in October.
    Thanks

    Reply

  40. hi, anyone got approval on position market analyst recently? I replied RFE on July 22, but status back to IR…. No update yet…… Anyone in the same boat ? I am so worried about my position….. Bless…..

    Reply

    • Still one month to go for 1st Oct bro… just chill and relax!!! 🙂 Have beer and party all night.. You will know ur result soon

      Reply

  41. All,
    My petition got Approved last night, thanks a lot all for ur help and time..
    Saurabh, a spcl thanks to u.. This is a very good platform to know things and I really appreciate this to the core…
    EAC1314452***
    Regular RQ RP and IT
    Direct to PDA from IR
    Thanks all…
    All the best and good luck to all the people out there who are awaiting…

    Reply

  42. Hi everybody,

    I received an Employer-Employee relationship+Specialty Occupation RFE for my H1-B application. My employer cannot get a client letter from the client. So we are thinking of changing the client and responding to the RFE. My case is with the California Service Center. Now my question is, if the new client is based in a State that falls under the jurisdiction of Vermont Service Center, how will it work out? Is this even do-able?

    Thanks in advance!

    Reply

  44. Hi,
    I am on F1 Visa and working under OPT STEM. I applied for H1B (without COS) this year April 2013 and it is still under review. The issue is, My student visa and OPT both are expiring in December 2013. I am confused amongst these scenarios:
    1. What if my H1b is approved. Since my student visa is expiring, do i need to go immediately to India for Visa stamping or can i wait.
    2. What if my H1B is still under Review till December. Then what would be case, can i continue working until H1B decision or what?

    Please let me know your thoughts

    Reply

  45. Hi my h1 b is still in initial review since apr 8th,Its been 5 months and no single update.
    file id-EA13145*****,when i check the series by changing the last 2 digits i.e from 00 to 99,i see al either in rfe or approved except mine,

    Is there a chance that a application may be missed or kept aside??

    Reply

    • Hi,

      My receipt number is EAC13145539**(Regular)

      Same for me also. I have checked EAC1314553900 to EAC1314554000. There are 4 cases still in IR. My number is one of them. I believe they are processing as random. Hope we will get approval/Ref in next 2 weeks .

      Hope for the best 🙂

      – Rahul

      Reply

    • HI
      my case status also same , mine hasn’t changed from IR still
      what to do ? how do these people really evaluate things , is it random order . Friend of mine for whom it was applied later , his status changed to PDA . what would be next process after PDA

      Reply

  49. Hi All,
    Kindly let me know which Visa consulate should i choose.
    New Delhi or Mumbai.
    I have heard that New Delhi visa office is more stringent in granting H1b visa.
    I have an approved Petition for the year 2014.

    Kindly guide me.

    Reply

  50. Friends,

    Looking for reply on few scenarios mentioned below:-
    1) Filed H1B from company A from India. Approval done and Stamping done till 31st Decemebr 2014.
    2) In US, July 2014, changed the company and joined company B. I797 transfer done till December 2015.
    3) Now suppose want to come to India on vacation in November 2014. So my question is Do Stamping required once again for company B. Also what is the probability of Stamping Denial or Approval?
    4) If not coming on vacation, still stamping is required or not in USA?

    Looking for replies.
    Thanks in Advance for the reply.

    Reply

Leave a Comment