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H1B Visa 2015 – Frequently Asked Questions – Updates

Updated : Dec 9, 2014 (H1B 2016 FAQs )

H1B Visa 2015 season is over. Check below for H1B Visa 2016 Season.

Applying for H1B Visa 2016 ? Did you miss FY 2015 lottery ?

Check out -> H1B Visa 2016 – Start Info, Sponsos, Fees, News , FAQs 

Flash News 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 H1B Visa 2015 Cap Reached on April 7th. 

H1B Visa 2015 – Latest News Updates , Articles 

Looking for H1B Cap Daily Updates ?  Check  H1B Visa 2015 Cap count Updates Page 

Frequently Asked Questions about H1B Visa FY 2015 

When will H1B Visa 2015 Season Begin ?

USCIS accepted H1B Visa 2015 applications from April 1st, 2014. They had the window open for 5 working days. USCIS stopped accepting H1B Petitions for FY 2015 from Monday April 7th as more applications were received than the required cap of 85,000 petitions.

What would be the Cap count for H1B Visa 2015 quota ?

No changes to the H1B Cap for FY15, the immigration reform discussions did not go through, the cap limit remained same as last year.

  • Regular H1B Quota : 65,000
  • Masters H1B Quota : 20,000
  • It is to be noted that 6,800 visas every year are set aside for Singapore and Chile Free trade agreement filings, which is called as H1B1 program.

Would there be lottery for H1B Visa 2015 ?

We had H1B visa Lottery for fiscal year 2014. USCIS received about 172,500 petitions for FY 2015 . Our predictions were right, you can read the article H1B Visa 2015 Lottery Prediction analysis 

How soon should I start planning for H1B Visa 2015 ?

[ Updated : H1B Sesaon is over for FY 15, plan for next year FY 2016 ] Well, there is nothing like too early… Getting a good H1B Sponsor can be a challenge these days. You need to find a job that fits your profile and find a sponsor that has a job for you.  Some employers want to test out the capabilities of the candidate before they plan to sponsor H1B Visa. Typically, they would like students with masters from US work for them on internship or co-op.  If they like the candidate then they will sponsor H1B visa.  If you are planning to land in US from overseas countries like India, it could be even challenging to find a good sponsor. Maybe you would need to work with global IT services companies and make your way up. It can involve lot of internal process to get the process initiated… You are never early…. Read Step by Step Plan to Apply for H1B 2015 

How do I find Sponsors for H1B visa 2015 ?

This is probably the most asked question.  It can be a challenge to find a good sponsor. We have written quite a few articles on this topic. The fundamental concept of finding a good employer does not change.  You can use our H1B Visa Sponsors Database  and search for sponsors in a city or zip code. Check out the above links under 2015 latest news and updates for the current year’s article to find sponsors. You can also, read our last year’s article :  How to find H1B Visa sponsors, avoid fraud 

What would be the H1B Filing fee for Fiscal year 2015 ? 

There has not been any changes in the filing fee for the past couple of years. It did not change for fiscal year 2014.  The  H1B Visa 2015 filing fee can range anywhere from  $1,575 to $4,325  based on the size of the company (number of employees ). Also, the attorney fee can range from $700 to $3000. If you go for premium processing again that is $1225.  You can check out the detail break up of fee at : H1B Visa Filing Fee Details – Who Pays for What ?  

H1B Visa Immigration Reform – CIR – Proposed Changes ? The comprehensive immigration reform has not passed yet.  But, lets say, if it gets passed, the below changes may happen.

  • Annual H1B Cap will be increased from 65,000 per year to 110,000. If exteme demand, it can go up to a maximum of 180,000.
  • The H1B quota for STEM degree holders from American Schools will increase from 20,000 to 25,000
  • H1B Visa fees can up to USD $10,000.
  • More stringent rules on H1B visa adjudication.
  • Mandatory LCA posting on DOL website for at least 30 days, before it is certified.

You can read Summary of CIR – Immigration reform – H1B Visa and Green Card  . We will keep you posted with updates on CIR and H1B visa changes for this year, if any. Did I miss anything ?  Do you have any other questions ?

Note :  Some of the below comments about H1B Sponsors are negative.  Please be aware that these are comments added by individuals of companies, competitors and many others that may hate such companies. We do NOT vouch for any of the comments made as they are not made by us.

Under federal law (Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act), our Blog RedBus2US.com is NOT legally liable or responsible for information posted by public, general users or third parties that contains remarks that are defamatory for a company or individual.

   

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23,888 Comments

  1. I am looking to determine if an H1-b visa files form 1040NR or 1040.
    He has been in US for more than 1 year, has a W-2, owns a home,
    has a wife and 2 children.

    They are from Brazil.

    Can you advise? Thanks

    Reply
  2. Hi Admin,

    I got my ( Individual ) H1B PA date in Sep’16,
    I do not have dependent as present,

    My Question are-
    1. How long dependent petition / visa issued by USCIS ??
    2. If I want to travel with my wife, so She has to take another PA.
    3. Is there any way to pre-pone PA date ..??
    4. Is there any Premium PA date..??

    Please advise.

    – H4_PA_Date

    Reply
    • H4_PA_Date,

      1. There is no dependent petition. Wife can appear for visa stamping anytime during your H-1 petition validity period.
      2. Yes she has to take her own PA
      3. If the dates become available, you can.
      4. No unless there is a medical emergency or death etc.

      Reply
      • Thanks Saurabh for clarification..!!

        I got PA date,
        its after 3 months (in KOLKATA),
        How can we check available slot before it,if any

        1. Can we reschedule PA location..??
        2. Can we apply fresh another PA date, if getting early slot..?

        Reply
        • H4_PA_Date,

          1. Yes, you have to go through us travel docs site using your login and see if other dates become available.
          2. You can advance the interview date, if one becomes available.

          Reply
  3. hi admin!

    Would there be a problem if I happen to have multiple petitioners for H-1B visa? I have applied under two agencies. thank you.

    Reply
  4. Ravi

    Hi,

    My H1 status shows,On February 19, 2016, the Post Office returned your document to us. We will hold your document for 180 days or until August 17, 2016. Please go to www.uscis.gov/e-request to request that we resend the document to you. If you do not submit an online request by August 17, 2016, we will destroy your document and you will need to file a new Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with fee. Can anyone tell me what would be my H1 Visa status, since it is only showing document returned.

    Reply
    • Ravi,

      It is not possible to know what the eventual decision is. Check w/ your employer/attorney as to why it was received (maybe address changed or was incorrect). Then ask them to contact USCIS and have the documents resent.

      Reply
  5. Hi
    my h1b got picked in 2015 and got rfe. its approved recently ie. feb 2016. but i have approached to my current company for H1B in 2016 quota now due my consultancy not shared any information till now.

    Can any one suggest me if is there any impact with 2016 h1B for selecting in lottery as my case was approved now.

    Do i need to go for my 2015 h1b stamping asap or can i wait till h1b 2016 quota lottery as i am interested to go through my current company not through the consultancy.
    appreciate your quick response.

    Reply
    • SA,

      It would be best if you can get at least the receipt number for your current H-1. Then your current employer can file a cap-exempt petition for you instead of relying of chances of getting selected in lottery again.

      In case you get no information for current petition, then go through lottery again.

      As for stamping, you can appear for it anytime during the petition validity period. However, the moment your H-1 employer agrees for stamping, they will have to share H-1 approval copy w/ you, which you can then use for H-1 transfer.

      Reply
  6. Currently I am on CPT and, I am going to graduate on July 2016. My consultant is ready to file my H1B for 2016. I wanted to know, Can I apply in MS quota for 2016?

    Reply
  7. Hi Saurabh

    Need some help in my case.,
    I got my petition selected and I797 for the year 2015 on Oct 2014 but since i was in another country could’nt attend my visa interview on time.
    Now since the client was no longer available, my consultancy has applied for an ammendment on this July 2015 and my case is in received state till then.

    So i would like to know.,
    My chances of getting denial/approval.
    Am i getting lost anywhere in the process as the actual petition filed has the validity only till oct 2016.
    Is there any other possible issues that could affect on me getting Visa.

    Reply
  8. I am following this thread since last few months. I just want to let others know that my H1 approved yesterday. It’s been more than 5-6 months but worth of waiting. Details of the case as below

    Case Received : 15th April 2015
    RFE Sent : June 23rd 2015
    RFE Response Review : September 25th 2015
    Case Approved : 19th November 2015

    Reply
  9. firstly i understand this process was brutal for some of us and I hope you get your visas in the next shot. For those who got lucky this year good luck.

    I have a QQ: For stamping, if you are a former STEM student, anyone underwent stamping at Canada. Is it advisable to to Canada or is the risk of 221g greater? Looking forward to a few responses.

    Reply
  10. Hello All

    Need Advice!!
    My Case status on normal processing is in “Response To USCIS’ Request For Evidence Was Received” from Oct 5th. Please advice on how long would it take USCIS to review this?

    Reply
    • After submission of RFE, USCIS may take time upto 60 days for validation, however, not more than 60 days. If you have failed to receive the notification, you may call National Customer Service Center to file a Service Request.

      Reply
  11. Hello All,

    I need your expert advice. I have applied H1B for this year and came to know about the receipt number during last week of Sept that I have been picked by my company case manager. And they mentioned that my case is on RFE. They asked for some additional documents which I have provided in a week time and waited for the results. Today I was just checking my case status and came to know it has been approved.

    Case Was Approved

    On October 19, 2015, we approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC-15-XXX-XXXXX. We will mail your approval notice. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

    My doubt is – I am still on doubt that whether it is on my name or not And if yeas what are the further steps to be followed.

    Reply
    • Hi,
      You just need to trust your employer that’s it.

      Next step’s are:
      1. Your employer should give you the original approved copy I.e., I797 document.
      2. Along with the I797 document, your employer will give you other necessary documents like LCA, Client letter and so on.
      3. Once you get all the documents from your employer, you are ready to proceed for stamping process that you can find it very easily.

      All the best. Have patience.

      Reply
    • Not Sure,
      In addition to what H1B Advice mentioned, your approval notice 797 would have your name mentioned. That would prove its really you who got the approval.

      Reply
  12. Hi,
    My h1b is in RFE status but my h4 visa expires on sep 30 and I94 on Oct 10th. Do i need to apply for H4 extension or can i stay with H1b rfe status. Anyone please let me know.

    Reply
  13. Hi All ,
    My H1B petition got approved few days back..Yet to go for stamping .My current account does not have requirement for onsite..At the same another account has one requirement for my skills set..
    Do I can go for amendment process before stamping ?Also how much time it will take for first amendment ,then stamping?Does we can complete everything (amendment plus stamping ) in 2 months after receiving the approved petiton.

    Reply
    • SInce your stamping has not been done yet, amended petition will not be required.
      Amended petition is required only when stampuing is completed for one account (US Location) but you are going onsite from another account.

      Reply
      • Hi all ,
        Since my account does not have onsite opportunity, do I can go for stamping with other account which has got onsite requirement?My current status is petiton approved in first account where no onsite requirement? Can someone guide me on how I can go ahead?Do I need to change account now?

        Reply
  14. My case was picked up in lottery this year. it has been more than 5 months and still my status is showing “CASE WAS RECEIVED”…Is any one in the same boat and for this i need some advice like how long it takes time to change the status.
    TIA

    Reply
  15. my case is showing status from last two monnths…no update on this from employer also ..

    Document Was Returned To USCIS
    On May 13, 2015, the Post Office returned your document to us. We will hold your document for 180 days or until November 9, 2015. Please go to uscis.gov/e-request to request that we resend the document to you. If you do not submit an online request by November 9, 2015, we will destroy your document and you will need to file a new Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with fee. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

    Reply
    • As far as I have understood, your organisation needs to provide additional documents to USCIS to get your petition approved. Please follow up with the concerned team within your organisation to get it done.

      Reply
  16. Is there anyone whose case received status still showing from month of May..I don’t know why it is taking so long as my status is still showing as case received.H1 B starts working from Oct 1st but it s almost mid of September no update on change of status to getting approved..has any one in the same boat…???

    Reply
  17. Anyone applied from 3-i infotech ? I have not heard anything from them since 3 months. They said i have been picked in lottery but didnot sent case number. Total Fraud. Never trust indian.

    Reply
  18. Hi all,
    I need someone’s expert advice .
    My case was picked up in lottery this year. it has been more than 4 months and still status shows the “CASE WAS RECEIVED”. I still haven’t got any change of status. What does this mean ? Also My employer is not e-verified and it has risen my risk factor to the maximum. Can someone please advice me regarding this

    Reply
  19. My h1 got approved in october 2014 (last year)….after a long gap of 10 months, finally my consultant has sent me the docs for stamping…but he said he cant arrange client letter…if you are asked about client letter, say ” This is the first time I am going to US, i will only get the client letter once i report at the client location” he said there wont be any problem….please advise guys???? what to do??? I am really worried as it is already very delayed, i dont want to get 221g for not taking a client letter with me…..

    Reply
    • Hi.,

      I am facing similar situation whereas my consultant says that my ammendment is pending with USCIS. not sure what is the process.
      Need some help…

      Reply
  20. Hi All, a short info of my case. We have approved I-140, applied for H1b 7th Year extension in Nov 2014 in regular processing, got rfe in Jan, responded back, again got denial in Mar 2015, applied in PP in May, got rfe in May, responded back to RFE in PP on July 10th… Yday we’ve seen in USCIS News forum site that USCIS resumes PP for H1b extensions!! The following is the news in the site..

    USCIS announced that beginning today, July 13, 2015, the agency will resume accepting premium processing requests for H-1B extension of stay petitions. This provides an early cancellation of the previous USCIS directive suspending premium processing of extension petitions from May 26th through July 27th. Pending H-1B extension applications may now be upgraded to premium processing by filing the appropriate application and fee. Any premium processing requests for H-1B extension of stay petitions received by USCIS before July 13th will be rejected.

    My Questions here is we actually applied our case in PP in May as we got rfe in PP too our attorney responded back on July 10…Due to the above news, we couldn’t able to understand that our case too will get rejected as it applied before July 13th? But we responded back rfe not the actual case, right? couldn’t able to understand whats going wrong..we tried calling USCIS but they’re not having clear information, they are telling our case status as its displaying in the site sometime and sometime they’re saying may be its rejected according to the above news and sometime we don’t know. We even tried calling our HR they said the attorney office is already closed for the end of the day and will update once it will be Monday. But we can’t wait till Monday as our patience level has been dropping off . If anyone have any opinion or undestandable information please pour…

    Reply
  21. Hi,
    I have h1b visa valid Up to Sept’2015. Is there any options to extend my h1b visa validity ?
    Please help me .
    Thanks,
    KR

    Reply
  22. Hello Dear Friends

    Please be careful about CAYLEY AEROSPACE SEATTLE COMPANY. it is a visa fraud company never send them money they say we applied h1b but they never ever do nothing just they take your money if you want more info write me mceh() mynet.com

    Reply
  23. Did any one receive the lottery acknowledgement in last 10-15 days? Mine filed in Regular ..do you think there is still a chance? I read a comment about third slot yet to be dispatched, is this valid ?

    Reply

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