Home » US Immigration - Visas » H1B Visa » H1B Visa 2015 – Frequently Asked Questions – Updates

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.

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

23,888 Comments

  1. Have there been cases where the status is “Initial Review” but employer gets RFE notice?

    Simply speaking, is it true that the USCIS case tracker is not 100% correct?

    Reply
  2. Hi Everyone,

    I have been a silent reader here since I applied my H1b this year. I just got my return package back yesterday. It was frustrating and tormenting. I worked so hard to get a job and worked harder than anyone else in the company. Finally, I got the promotion to be a manager in the next year and I met my girlfriend. But, now all have gone! All gone! My position was taken by others. My girlfriend didn’t get H1b either and she is going back to her own country. I kept asking why me? why me? why me? how this even happened? Actually, to this moment, I still don’t know why and how. But I do know I should get over it.

    I don’t know there is a god or not, but I do believe now something happen to us for some reasons even though we cannot see through them. Don’t get stuck in where we are now. Keep moving and don’t stop fighting for your life. After this failure, I feel much stronger and more determined than ever before. Like what they say, what doesn’t kill makes you stronger.

    So, I know there are some people probably have much worse situations than I am having now. I just want to tell you guys, don’t lose your hopes, don’t get too frustrated in this, we have a long way to go, we still can change our lives as long as we can breath. Be positive and be strong! Also, congratulations for all those got the lottery and approval.

    Reply
      • No He is not, you are.. You are not able to acknowledge his kind words and throwing your bullshit all over this place..

        Shut the F up and mind your own business..

        William, thanks for your kind words and all the best for your future..

        Reply
    • I am so sorry about your rejection buddy. And yes, do not stop fighting 🙂 . I am on the same boat as you, but instead of a girl, its a car 🙂 . My dream is to build a car and participate in legal track competitions. Its frustrating that a computer gets to decide your future. But hey, there is always gonna be something and if there are no problems, you have the most boring life :).

      All the best!
      Vish

      Reply
  3. I got my h1b approved on 1st may itself, but haven’t received the approved package from my employer..I am currently in India. Can any one confirm how much time it takes to receive the approval package…

    Reply
    • Hi, mine too approved on April 30. But did not get approved docs. So, we are in same boat. Update when u get it back.

      Reply
    • My application was approved on May 22nd and I haven’t received anything as well. I wrote to Fragomen yesterday asking about it and now awaiting their response.

      Reply
    • I m in the 137 series. My receipt number is EAC141375**** and still waiting.
      Should i upgrade to premium processing?

      Reply
      • I am in 14148**** SERIES , yes it s correct 8 series 🙁 I didnt saw any one over here with that series…..Is ther a possibilty for me to get approve near by???

        Reply
      • Hmmm not sure. I’m also 141375…. But got approval on May 22nd and I was regular processing. It could be that they’re reviewing something extra with your app. I can’t say! Wait maybe an extra 1-2 weeks before deciding to upgrade.

        Reply
  4. I did not get H1B this year. My I-20 will expire on Aug 8 and my grace period will end on Oct 8.

    I know that I can get a new I-20 (second Masters) at a new university starting Fall 2014 and maintain F1 status. What about applying for Spring 2015. For Spring, new I-20 date will be around Jan 8. Is it possible to stay here from Oct 8 to Jan 8, if I have a new I-20 for Spring 2015 semester ? Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • I found this online:

      “Can I stay in the U.S. between programs?
      F-1 students: You may stay in the U.S. in between transfer if the SEVIS record transfer procedures are correctly followed. If the period between programs is longer than 5 months, your new school must issue a new initial I-20 with a new SEVIS number. You must leave the U.S. within your 60-day grace period and re-enter no earlier than 30 days before your new program start date.”

      Reply
  5. Hi Saurabh/All,

    I have gone to H1b visa interview on January 7th and Visa Officer issued 221(g) form asking few more project documents from my employer. But till now my employer I haven’t provided by Project documents to submit. Now they are preparing the documents. As it is delayed for 4 months, will it cause any issue to my H1b approval? Are there any chances of getting approved. Please suggest

    Reply
  6. any1 got approval in series EAC14145******? its more than more than month while waiting and status is still initial review

    non ad/rp/vt

    Reply
    • I am from the same series too.. I have seen people from other series expect EAC14145* getting their approvals.. Not sure why 145* alone is taking time..

      Reply
    • Yes, me too on the same boat. Lets hope that we don’t receive or packets untill next tuesday. That means our packets are in waiting list and there is every chance to be replaced with the denied one’s. Bcoz almost majority of them received their packets which were not picked already.

      Reply
  7. Anybody still waiting for the Result?I didn’t received my receipt or even didn’t received packet back…want to know anybody is in same boat?

    Reply
  8. Hai All,

    Is anyone tell me USCIS is follow process of approving cases through name wise or case num ??

    When i check before my case some receipt approve and some approved after my case num also. im totally confuse how the USCIS picking the cases for process!!!

    Mine is WAC141425*****…. Initial Review

    Reply
  9. Is there any site, to check for the company like ,
    No.of H1B s they have applied and No.of Applications they have selected in the Lottery?

    Reply
  10. The status is still in initial review, when will the status change? I has been 2 months from April, and no change in status, Is the site not getting updated?

    Reply
  11. Hi guys and gals,

    my receipt is wac14143*****…

    i just checked that the person who is two no. less and who is two more than my no. have been approved yesterday. and many more near my number have been approved or given RFE.

    What does this mean?

    How are they approving… is it random or based on company or name?

    Approval process is still not decoded till now …

    Reply
  12. I have rejections on F1 visa for 9 times, All my class 49 Friends went on F1 except ‘me’ who guided most of all but become nervous on my turn. Left F1 Track and got a job in small company in India expected to work for 10k per month atleast but started with 30k …After few years struggle went to Joined MNC and they sent to US ON B1/B2 for few weeks..Now in position of 1.35 Lakhs per month(Offcourse now a days nothing) but applied for H1 first time in life..and no hopes of lottery as the person with least luck of all….I never checked my email also for this… but for my surprise I got picked up in lottery(Always don’t care, things automatically care and come in your way)……Till now no tension no nervous….But now the nervousness started without my notice…Its been 1 month 6 days the status is the same ……………What you say folks ….Share any little success story if you have any…

    Reply
    • Don’t worry, I was in the same situation few days back and I got approval almost after 1 month and 20 days of being selected in the lottery.

      Reply
    • How many years of exp you have man. You get hefty amount, why do u need to go to USA. Nyways did ur mnc apply or you applied on your own thru some consultancy. Do you work in sas technology (as your heading says)? You were rejected many times bt I dont think you are that much lucky. This time mark my words you will get through!!! But I didn’t get picked in lottery it seems so, no news till now

      Reply
      • I am holding 7 years of experience and this h1 is self not from company tho, my friends who all went earning like fat bull avg salaries around 50 lakhs per annumm…and wondering my series is EAC141485….. is anyone with this series are existing or am I too.last 🙁

        Reply
        • story seems to b pretty similar like me except dat u got lucky in the end whereas I m still fighting wid my luck, jis ko harne ki adat ho gayi hai… I apllied in 2008, got approval den US market crashed n my employer too… so didnt got the chance to reach US, dis time still waiting for lottery result, n I knw k is baar bhi harna hi hai but still hoping against the hopes…

          Reply
          • Hi Just Imagine we always watch lot of 500 series numbers buses are going on our way, but when really require…That 500 series buses will not come at all…This happens of intellectual thinking that we may loose we may loose…Never do that..Believe in your self and believe yourself you are the most luckiest person..Who know There are lot good things yet to come to your life…All the best hope for the best

          • well, gud yet to come!!! dont know wat to say… waisey its gud to b optimistic but 1 shud b realistic as well, as I m in dire trouble dese days both professionaly n personaly as well… I hope so k things wil improve but at the moment dey doesnt seem to be, getting worse n I feels like lack of motivation n depression getting over me…

          • Yeah I agree every one has their own issue. but once you get through the phase you dont even find that as issue…Just think few years we had some desperate issue but honeslty now I dont find any pain or remeber the pain of those..as days passes the wound will be gone automatically …..The same….Do one thing just read some of the persons stories who are in more trouble, then we dont even find our issue matters any :)…

  13. My receipt number is in series WAC14142XXXXX. Still in reveiw for past 2 months.
    not sure whats happening on this?

    Reply
  14. This may sound stupid, but till now I do not know what category my application was filed in? I am with a PhD in science. How would I know if i am pp or regular?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • You application would have been filed under advanced degree, if you had submitted all your diplomas and transcripts to your attorney. For finding out if you were filed under PP or regular, you got to ask your attorney or employer.

      Reply
      • I just checked with them now, and they said regular? I have PhD in science from recognized university in US? Why do you think my employer did this? is it money wise? Please answer if you may have a clue. Thanks in advance

        Reply
        • Premium Processing does cost 1,225$. You should discuss this with your employer. Having a PhD does not matter for premium or regular processing. If you want quicker response and paperwork, one should go for premium processing.

          Reply
    • Har kissi ka number aana h….Bhai aaj teri baari h toh kal meri baari h……me also waiting…no update neither consultant nor uscis

      Reply
  15. My Series is EAC-14-142-50XXX. Earlier status is “On April 10, 2014, we received this I129…..”. But Yesterday it got changed to “On June 5, 2014, we received your correspondence for your I129….”. All the times Case status is “Initial Review”. Any idea, please…..

    Reply
  16. Any updates guys??????? I have been hearing about rejections only in the last 3 days.. Please tell me any positive news…….

    Reply
  17. Picked up in Lottery known from my Employer ,but still no update from there,petition approved!!! or not??…
    any hope??

    Reply
  18. Hi ,

    Many Congts to those who got selected and All the best for those who are waiting.

    I got selected in lottery and it is showing Post Activity Pending against my Receipt number.

    Can anyone please let me know how much before I can appear for Stamping/Interview?(Like prior to September)

    Thanks,
    Khushi

    Reply
    • Kushi, If its showing up post activity, it means it is RP and it is approved. You can appear for Visa Interview anytime from July1st.

      Reply
      • Hi,
        Mine is under the decision and saying it is approved.Do i need to something to change the status to post decision activity?
        My employer told me that i need to apply for your visa at your local US Consulate.Also, the employer will send the relevant approval letter and documentation.
        Also, please let me know what all forms i need to fill.There is one i can see is d190.

        regards.

        Reply
  19. guys.. any updates to RP.. my file is selected on may 2.. but no updated status yet..
    Does anybody have any updates? ??

    Reply
  20. Hi Guys,

    Any idea about which series is under processing at WAC.
    My Receipt # WAC14143XXXXX. Or anyone received any approvals for WAC14143 series.
    If anyone has got approval in last couple of days, please share the masked receipt number.

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
  21. Hi Folks

    Why no action ? Ache din already aa gaya kya ? Atleast for those couldnt make the cut, lets explore ways on analysing our chances …

    Reply
  22. My lawyer informed me that my package was returned today. I’m glad the wait is finally over. I have the chance to stay in USA with a H4 visa, but I’ve decide to leave. I would be miserable if I couldn’t work.

    Reply
  23. Learnt about the rejection receipt a while back. Such a futile effort there was more to lose than gain from this ordeal. Glad its over in a way feels like will be hard to recoup from the loss of energy and take steps on Plan ‘B’

    Reply
  24. my visa was filed in PP and my employer is saying it is selected in lottery but no approval yet, is it possible ?
    I am thinking visa was filed in regular and they told us Premium.
    I thought premium was already over on 15th may..
    Any ideas ?

    Reply
    • In case it is PP, you should be expecting an approval max 2 to 3 weeks from the day your receipt is generated. Regular of course yes, takes its own time for the approval. Ask your employer to share your receipt number.

      In case your case status on USCIS is written as we will email your case, it is a PP. in case it is written as we will mail your case, it is RP.

      Reply

Leave a Comment