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H1B Visa 2015 Cap Count Updates

Page Updated  May 3rd,  2014

We have been tracking H1B Visa cap count updates every year. We will do the same this year on this page. We will post all the latest news updates from USCIS, H1B cap count numbers by week for fiscal year 2015.   You can ask your questions at QA section for any clarifications or help. 

Latest USCIS News updates, Information for H1B visa FY 2015:

All the H1B news releases by USCIS and informative articles related to applying for H1B visa 2015 will be posted below :

USCIS Official  News – Cap Count Update 

  • May 5th : USCIS announced today that data entry of all FY15 H-1B cap petitions has been completed. USCIS will now begin returning all H-1B cap petitions that were not selected in the lottery. They have announced it on their twitter and facebook pages.
  • April 18th : USCIS announced that they will begin H1B FY 2015 premium processing from April 28th, 2014. Previously they announced that they will begin, ‘no later than April 28th’. They just clarified that. You can read on USCIS website  
  • April 11th : USCIS announced that it received about 172,500 petitions for the H1B Visa 2015 Quota.  Read USCIS : 172,500 Received – H1B Lottery Summary 
  • April 7th : USCIS released official press note saying that FY 2015 cap reached today. For details, read  USCIS H1B Visa 2015 Cap Reached on April 7th. 
  • April 6th  : USCIS non-working day. Weekend ! Will NOT have any update. 
  • April 5th  : USCIS non-working day. Weekend ! Will NOT have any update. 
  • April 4th  : No official update from USCIS ! If you have to file second petition due to courier delivery issues, you need to do it soon by Monday as per AILA note. 
  • April 3rd : USCIS update to AILA ( American Immigration Lawyers Association )
    • USCIS has updated AILA team that, if there were courier delivery problems to USCIS office for the H1B petitions filed, USCIS will accept a second H1B Application for FY 2015 under certain circumstances.
    • What it means to you is that, if your petition is delayed by your mail carrier, you can submit a new H1B Application with New Fee and Explanation for the delay including a requisition to withdraw the first petition.  If there is no explanation and you file a new petition, USCIS   will consider it as duplicate petition and deny/revoke the same and not refund the filing fee.
    • USCIS is monitoring the situation and update us with more info.  Check AILA Updates 
    • AILA Report USICS Update H1B Visa 2015- April
  • April 2nd :  No Official USCIS Update today on the cap count
  • April 1st :  USCIS starts accepting applications. NO official update from USCIS yet.

H1B Information Articles :

H1B Visa FY 2015 Cap Count updates Tracking Table:
The below table will be updated as soon as USICS updates cap counts.

News Updates :
H1B Lottery conducted for 172,500 H1B petitions filed for FY 2015 quota !

USCIS Update onRegular H1B Cap (65,000)Advanced Degree Cap (20,000)Analysis and Cap Count Update Article.
 April 7th, 2014 65,000 20,000 USCIS H1B Visa 2015 Cap Reached on April 7th. .
Remaining H1B Cap 00

   

Other Articles

364 Comments

  1. As we all know that this time more petitions are Premium. Assume that out of 85 k , Minimum 30 k are belong to Premium category. I wonder, how the USCIS can finish the processing for all these petitions in the 10 working days.

    1)Will they start Exactly at 28th April or before itself?
    2)Will they throw Simply RFE to make the calender delay for the petition?
    3)What is the success rate for the premium applications?

    Really not sure how they plan and execute it.

    Reply
    • Jai,
      1. All PP receipt numbers will be generated by April 28. PP SLA has been extended until 15 calendar days from April 28. So they are required to approve or issue RFE for all those petitions by that day (May 12).
      2. They have enough time in hand and some people have already received their approvals (as evident from their online status).
      3. Data not available. Petitions success is not dependent on its filing status – regular vs premium.

      Reply
  2. Last year, the USCIS stopped taking new H1B FY2014 petitions on Apr 5, 2013 (Friday) and conducted lottery on Apr 7 (Sunday. On Apr 8, 2013 (Monday), the USCIS informed us they received about 124,000 petitions and the random selection process was completed.

    This year, the USCIS received about 172,500 H1B FY2015 petitions and conducted the random selection process on Apr 10, 2014. Some people received emails with a receipt number. Please do not panic, if you did not get any notification. We still have time to know about our result. Those who paid for Premium Processing (PP) should expect notification between Apr 10 and May 12, since the USCIS announced that they will start PP no later than Apr 28 (instead of Apr 15).

    I got this information from other website. NOTE: This applies to last year cases (FY 2014 ).

    “The earliest notifications in FY14 were premium-processing eMail receipts, which arrived on April 9, 2013. Even though the USCIS officially suspended premium processing timeframe guarantees for cap cases between April 1st and April 15th, some of the premium-processing cases, nonetheless, were acted upon promptly. The Murthy Law Firm even saw some cases approved by April 15,2013, for the last fiscal year.

    By April 23, 2013, the Murthy Law Firm had received eMail receipts for the remaining cases filed under premium processing, as well as additional approval notices. Also by that time, hard copy receipt notices for H1B cases filed under standard, non-premium processing had begun to come in gradually. These receipts continued to arrive throughout April and into May.

    In FY14, the USCIS began returning cases that had not been selected in the lottery on May 6, 2013. The packets containing these filings started to arrive via regular mail a few days later.”

    Reply
  3. Hey guys, someone posted this link to a petition asking the Government for temporary work authorization for those who will lose the lottery, which is more than 50% of us if you have calculated the probability. Please create an account and sign: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/allow-h1b-applicants-who-were-not-selected-fy2015-lottery-temporary-work-authorization/2VyMkNyr

    We are all anxiously waiting for the lottery results and in the meantime, let’s help out one another by signing this petition. Hopefully it’ll be one step closer to the almost-hopelessly long awaited immigration reform.

    Reply
  4. For regular processing I guess it will take some time may be by next week…although one way you can possibly find out is to ask your lawyer/employer if the fees have been debited from their account if yes then your case has been selected..

    Reply
    • Lakki,
      Once selected, your employer/attorney will be notified about the receipt number which you can then track on USCIS site.

      Reply
  5. Got the email from employer that I am through the lottery but receipt number have not received yet.

    It was a wait from last year so really giving value to this, I know the pain we all gone through from last yr. I wish at least the people who are waiting form last year should get this through and all the best to you all.

    mine was REG/PP/CA

    Reply
  6. Has anyone received any application number for normal quota normal processing?

    This is so frustrating.. There is no update anywhere.

    Reply
  7. Hi,

    I dont know what to do???????? eagerly waiting and frustrating. Two of attorneys told that we can for home country when h1 is in processing.Based on their we planned and booked the tickets. After that when we asked our employer they says we should not go.

    Now i m not knowing what to do?? Up to know i didnt get any confirmation about my lottery pick up and at the same journey date is coming up………..

    Frustrated.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
    • Nanny,
      If you travel outside US while H-1 is under process, then COS is abandoned. H-1 will continue to be processed, but your status will not change to H-1. Separate COS needs to be filed or you need to return on stamped H-1 visa.

      Reply
  8. Hi everyone,

    Two people in my friends contact got the receipt number today. They both were selected in premium quota and both are regular( non-ms) category. I dont have any other specific details about those guys.

    So ppl have started getting reply from USCIS.

    All the best everyone.

    Reply
  9. Hi Dude,
    In Source at http://www.uscis.gov/news/uscis-reaches-fy-2015-h-1b-cap-0,
    Information as follow “USCIS received about 172,500 H-1B petitions during the filing period which began April 1, including petitions filed for the advanced degree exemption. On April 10, 2014, USCIS completed a computer-generated random selection process, or lottery, to select enough petitions to meet the 65,000 general-category cap and 20,000 cap under the advanced degree exemption. For cap-subject petitions not randomly selected, USCIS will reject and return the petition with filing fees, unless it is found to be a duplicate filing.”

    from above info USCIS Say,they have completed a computer-generated random selection process, or lottery and when we will know our application status?
    is selected or not .

    Reply
  10. When will we get receipt numbers for regular processing. Do USCIS send any notification to Attorney once application is picked up in lottery?

    Reply
  11. Hi did anyone from premium processing get their case number. I wanted to know when will regular processing people start getting their case number

    Reply
  12. USCIS announced on April 7 that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap of 65,000 visas for fiscal year (FY) 2015. USCIS has also received more than the limit of 20,000 H-1B petitions filed under the advanced degree exemption.

    USCIS received about 172,500 H-1B petitions during the filing period which began April 1, including petitions filed for the advanced degree exemption. On April 10, 2014, USCIS completed a computer-generated random selection process, or lottery, to select enough petitions to meet the 65,000 general-category cap and 20,000 cap under the advanced degree exemption. For cap-subject petitions not randomly selected, USCIS will reject and return the petition with filing fees, unless it is found to be a duplicate filing.

    Reply
    • WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on April 7 that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap of 65,000 visas for fiscal year (FY) 2015. USCIS has also received more than the limit of 20,000 H-1B petitions filed under the advanced degree exemption.

      USCIS received about 172,500 H-1B petitions during the filing period which began April 1, including petitions filed for the advanced degree exemption. On April 10, 2014, USCIS completed a computer-generated random selection process, or lottery, to select enough petitions to meet the 65,000 general-category cap and 20,000 cap under the advanced degree exemption. For cap-subject petitions not randomly selected, USCIS will reject and return the petition with filing fees, unless it is found to be a duplicate filing.

      The agency conducted the selection process for the advanced degree exemption first. All advanced degree petitions not selected then became part of the random selection process for the 65,000 limit.
      On March 25, USCIS announced that they would begin premium processing for H-1B cap cases no later than April 28. For more information on premium processing for FY 2015 cap-subject petitions, see the related USCIS Alert.
      USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions that are otherwise exempt from the cap. Petitions filed on behalf of current H-1B workers who have been counted previously against the cap will not be counted towards the congressionally mandated FY 2015 H-1B cap. USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions filed to:

      Extend the amount of time a current H-1B worker may remain in the United States;
      Change the terms of employment for current H-1B workers;
      Allow current H-1B workers to change employers; and
      Allow current H-1B workers to work concurrently in a second H-1B position.
      U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in occupations that require highly specialized knowledge in fields such as science, engineering, and computer programming.

      Reply
  13. The USCIS , should tell the total number of applications they have recieved and the date they will be doing the Lottery or they have already done the Lottery , so they should just disclose it.

    Since , any ways only 85000 applications will be selected whatever the count is, so the sooner USCIS send the rejected packages back and the reciept numbers for the one selected in H1B Lottery the better it is…

    At least people won’t go through frustration for along time, and tension they suffer every day…

    Keeping suspense and delaying the process is also not good on the USCIS part on humanitarian grounds…

    Reply
      • Vipul

        This not the site for Modi Sarkar’s publicity… so use it only for H1B Visa talks ok…

        Every body is eager to know the results, so it’s not desperation, have seen the waiting in last year Lottery and the Frustration there, that is why I posted my comments…

        At least my comments are genuine and not on MODI SARKAR..

        Reply
        • You are so desperate that you failed to understand humour. Anyways, all the best. All of us are in same boat.. .

          But still, humanitarian grounds comment was hilarious…

          Reply
    • Dont worry its all lottery.Its all on luck .No matter if its 150 k applications or 300 k appln.But by the way you’ve showing your desperation,I think you are trying to have some sort of permutation and combinations.Its better that you take some BP pills and chill out.Let them take their time.It will be released very soon.Very soon can be one day,two days,3 days or 4.Be positive think that you will not get selected,that the way you’ve to see.

      Reply
  14. If the number of application count is known then atleast the percentage of selection can be calculated in the Lottery…

    Rest it’s all waiting and being patient, all in the hands of USCIS…
    And Luck…

    Reply
    • For Last year Lottery the reciept number came till August also.. but in May and June maximum reciept number should come..

      For packages not selected in Lottery will be returned before only max till May, all the packages not selected will be returned based on last year Lottery experience..

      Reply
  15. Good news

    US plans to allow spouse of H1B visa holder to work in America

    Read more at:
    http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/33440310.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

    http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/nri/visa-and-immigration/us-plans-to-allow-spouse-of-h1b-visa-holder-to-work-in-america/articleshow/33440310.cms

    Reply
    • Last year also they were saying something similar for the bill but nothing got implemented. I don’t believe in this bill, this might be just political ways of getting more votes may be.

      Reply
  16. Last year count was released on 8th april, so we should get H1b application count from USCIS soon…..

    http://www.uscis.gov/news/uscis-reaches-fy-2014-h-1b-cap

    Reply
  17. Whoever is the author of this article.. please clarify this point. Following is published above in this page

    April 7th : USCIS released official press note saying that FY 2015 cap reached today. For details, read : USCIS H1B Visa 2015 Cap Reached on April 7th.

    Question is about “FY 2015 cap reached today”. Is there any source where it is mentioned that the cap reach on 7th April? As per the news from USCIS, it mentioned that cap reached but did not specify on which day yet. Please confirm if you have got this anywhere else.

    Reply
    • RK,
      Doesn’t matter which day it was reached. USCIS will accept petitions for at least 5 days even if the cap was reached on day 1 or day 2 or day 5.

      Reply
  18. When we expect acutal count received for this year and what is the data for generate the rando selection ?

    Regards
    Sanjay

    Reply
  19. Release Date: April 07, 2014
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap for fiscal year (FY) 2015. USCIS has also received more than the limit of 20,000 H-1B petitions filed under the U. S. advanced degree exemption.

    Reply
  20. http://www.aila.org/recentposting/recentpostinglist.aspx

    USCIS Received Sufficient FY2015 H-1B Petitions to Trigger Random Lottery (.pdf 540 KB) USCIS announcement that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap for FY2015 for both the general category and the advanced degree exemption category and will close the filing period after 4/7/14. A random lottery will occur at a later date.
    AILA Doc. No. 14040740.

    Reply
  21. 4/7/2014
    USCIS Received Sufficient FY2015 H-1B Petitions to Trigger Random Lottery (.pdf 540 KB) USCIS announcement that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap for FY2015 for both the general category and the advanced degree exemption category and will close the filing period after 4/7/14. A random lottery will occur at a later date.
    AILA Doc. No. 14040740.

    Reply
      • Found it on AILA Org site –

        “USCIS announcement that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap for FY2015 for both the general category and the advanced degree exemption category and will close the filing period after 4/7/14. A random lottery will occur at a later date.
        AILA Doc. No. 14040740.”

        Reply
  22. USCIS announced today that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap for fiscal year (FY) 2015. USCIS has also received more than the limit of 20,000 H-1B petitions filed under the U. S. advanced degree exemption.

    http://www.uscis.gov/news-releases

    Reply
      • Latest News from USCIS……
        Release Date: April 07, 2014
        WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap for fiscal year (FY) 2015. USCIS has also received more than the limit of 20,000 H-1B petitions filed under the U. S. advanced degree exemption.

        Reply
    • People need to realize that it took 5 days for USCIS to release count last year. It will probably be the same this year.

      Reply

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