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H1B Visa 2015 – Frequently Asked Questions – Updates

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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.

   

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23,888 Comments

      • No, the petition is approved and my employer is going to send the necessary documentation.I am not sure what all forms i need to fill so looking for somebdy from hyderabad region.Once i get the documents, i will book the date.

        Reply

          • Hi,

            the link which you have sent has mentioned a fees as
            ‘Once you have determined the correct visa type and completed the DS-160, you must pay the visa fee. The visa fee page lists the visa types ..’.

            Is it okay that i pay this fees ($190), or it has to be paid by the employer.I assume that my employer wouldnt have any issue but just wanted to know usual practice followed.Also, when the interviewer asked about who paid the visa fees, did he mean this visa fees as well ($190)

  2. Got selected in lottery..can anybody tell me how many more days i need to wait to knw if my petition is approved or not

    Reply

  3. Hi Friends,

    All the wait is over now.

    I got the info from my employer that I did not get picked up in the lottery and my package is returned.

    This is for the third time that I didn’t get thru, feeling very unlucky. May be god has kept some other good stuff for me in my future.

    Regards,
    Follower of this site from Day1.

    Reply

    • Hi H1-Base,

      I tried to call karthik couple of times but he not responded I don know what’s going on ..!!!

      any update plz post

      Reply

      • Even it same for me.. I have tried calling karthick many times no response. He said mine is selected in lottery and no update.

        you can inbox me your mail id or your contact number.

        [email spam ]

        Reply

        • Karthik and Pooja and Priyanka,

          All 3 are thieves…you will never go to US…its all a scam….congrats on losing the money..

          file a complaint against him and take legal action….you have his contact number so try to get his address using that via a police complaint.

          Reply

        • Yeah.. i stopped calling them.. i think they only reply once they get approval from client. don’t know what kind of professionalism is this. Let’s hope for best. Your email is not showing in above post. Try to write in below format

          maildotdc1986attherateg mail dot com

          I hope you can understand the keywords and tell me yours too in same format

          @AKA – Did they cheat you or any of your friend? can you tell how? I would be much more interesting to know the mystery behind their cheating funda. Because they didn’t took single rupee from me yet.

          Reply

          • Karthik, Pooja and Priyanka all are thieves. Their funda is simple….they collects USD 500 (Rs.30,000) towards fraud verification fee and escape….Every year at-least 20 to 30 people are cheating by such people. So pls be aware.

          • @KRKR —- how did you know about this are you also got cheated by them ??

            or you know some one who cheated by them ??

            possible drop in email to me vkasi1984 attherate gmail dot com.

            Need to discuss on this.

  8. Got confirmation about my package not been selected in the lottery for this years cap …. Moving to plan B see you guys next year … This forum has been of great help in past few grueling months … congrats to all who made it this year and good luck to people who did not …

    My personal suggestion people who are still waiting to hear back please start working on Plan B …

    good luck … god bless us all

    Reply

  11. Anybody under AD/VT still waiting?Are you sure that your lawyer/employer is not just holding up your decision?? Thanks.

    Reply

  12. Hi ,

    Any update from “yana Software” I have written couple of mails to HR regards my H1-B Status but no update as of now . if you have any info plz update .

    Thanks

    Reply

  13. Hi guys,
    My lawyer just called me and told me a sad news that they have just received my return package from USCIS. My case was under AD/RP/VT.
    Good luck to you all !

    Reply

  14. My attorney is telling that still he didn’t got any rejection packages back from USCIS, am still waiting for my petition status

    Reply

  15. I received my form : I-129 H-1B Cap Reject by post.

    It explained and read ” USCIS received your petition during this timeframe, however, it was not among those randonmly selected for processing.

    Will apply next year !!

    Reply

  17. I lost focus. This waiting is killing me. Dose anybody know how long will it take for RFEs to get approval ? Mine is RP-AD-CA.

    Thanks in Advance

    Reply

    • @Sandeep

      It depends. Last year my friend got RFE and it took lot of time to get approved. If I am not wrong then USCIS approved his H1-B on the month of November first week, but until then he was able to work by extending his work authorization.

      Reply

      • Thanks Smith,

        It is not the matter of EAD. It is this waiting that is killing me and I literally got mentally paralyzed. It is like I’m retarded or have some sort of mental disorder. My job is full of data and complex math formulas. I almost make mistakes everyday just because I lost focus. 🙁 🙁

        Reply

        • @Sandeep

          Take it easy man. You have already crossed the most impotent phase and that is Lottery selection.

          Sometime RFE get generated so that USCIS wants to buy some time.
          Sometimes they need some documents before approval of H1-B.

          USCIS approves RFE if everything is legitimate and to get RFE get cleared has high chances.

          So stop worrying and concentrate on your work, if you get fired (I am not intending to scare you) because of your mistakes you made then you will be in greater trouble.

          Reply

  19. Anybody under AD/VT still waiting?? Are you sure that your lawyer/employer is not just holding up your decision?? Thanks.

    Reply

  21. Since i have not been able to get thru lottery and waiting for the sake of waiting, i would say this random lottery system needs to be replaced. As with many folks, all my docs and exp are genuine but still everything gets decided by the roll of a dice.

    Had i got selected, I would have been happy but still for the benefit of those who really need H1B, this lottery system must go. But untill better sense prevails, we will have to move on and work harder irrespective of the outcome.

    Reply

  25. Just spoke to my attorney acc. To him game is over fr those who r waiting fr reciept. Wait fr more 2-3 week fr yur returned pckgs

    Reply

  26. mt101. I guess for us waiting and hoping. IF we haven’t received receipt NOR Package returned up Until July 1st. Its time for us to move on and accept the fact that it wasnt meant for us. Chances are less as works starts Oct 1.

    Reply

  27. Got the approval just now. I checked my status some 10 minutes ago and it was showing initial review and now I see it as “Post decision Activity”.

    “On June 9, 2014, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.”

    EAC14146xxxxx. Thanks to everyone and my prayers are with you. I wish all you guys get approval. Thanks

    Reply

  28. Hi all
    My petition is in rfe. Below are the documents asked for it.
    I need some suggestions whether I need to follow up with my visa cell or I may need to provide client letter demanding the position is specialty one and I meet the requirements.

    USCIS is requesting evidence to prove that the offered position qualifies as a specialty occupation. ***CRITICAL***.

    (1)Please describe ALL of the Associate’s job duties for the Computer Programmer position in detail, with specific attention to the percentage of time spent, hours per week, level of responsibility, and the minimum education, training, and experience necessary for each duty.

    (2)Provide a complete list of the various software tools, languages and technologies used to perform the job duties.

    (3)Provide a detailed description of the YYY company project, and explain what the associate’s role within the project will be.

    Reply

    • I have the same specialty occupation RFE received May 10th, attorney is still working on it, she said will send docs by july end

      Reply

      • Thanks nit for the reply.
        My company visa cell is stating that I need to prepare all those docs myself. I,already, sent those with petition as PRD. Is it your lawyer preparing it for you?? Any speculation is it critical to go through such rfe? I am RP RQ petitioner.

        Reply

        • Specialty occupation RFE’s are pretty critical, If you dont have an attorney then you should hire one and present your case to him/her. Based on my research you should never deal this kind of RFE’s on your own. As it requires some good documentation to prove that the proffered position requires Bachelors degree as a min req. An attorney can draft a good response for your RFE by contacting your employer and fetching the req docs.

          In my opinion hire an attorney.

          My RFE is currently been handled by my attorney and employer as there’s nothing I can do to help them.

          Reply

    • I believe in this case you may need to provide all the above required info to attorney. Becaz its related your employment/duties and responsibilities and your attorney may not be having any idea about those info. Better check with your employer…All the best

      Reply

  29. Hi all….

    I waited too long & today i got my package back. Hope god has different plan for me. Pray for those who are still hoping.

    Reply

  30. I just spoke to my case manager and he told that they have started receiving returned petitions. And we will be contacted once they have the package returned.

    So it is over for me. But guys frankly saying these 2 months are like decades. I wish God please don’t put anyone in these kind of Horrible situation. They are all your Son/Daughter. A real guardian doesn’t do this. And this is my pray for the people applying next year and so on. Wish you all the very best who have got it.. See you H1B 2015 guys some time if possible next year.

    Reply

  31. My employer informed me that my cheque to USCIS was en-cashed last week but they are yet to receive the receipt number. Does that mean that my application is picked in the lottery??

    Fingers crossed.

    Reply

  32. What are the chances of getting a receipt notice for a person with AD/PP/CA if he has not gotten the package returned yet?

    Reply

  33. AD/Vermont : Got my packet back with a letter saying it was not picked up in a lottery. Some people were talking about waiting list and stuff which is not true. So just wanted to give a heads up for people who didn’t receive their receipt till now and still hoping for one to come. Lets hope we will be the people who gets picked up first and approved next year. All the best for others who are yet to be approved.

    Reply

        • I read it millions time and if uscis does something once they must do it every year but they dont declare it otherwise people start to ask them where is my petition etc… I am sorry for you but you may have too many chances in the future Also for more info they deniy almost 15 percent in petion and 15 percent in consulates also some withdraws etc.. Anyhow good luck everyone…

          Reply

          • I do not have many chances, this is my last chance my work authorization expires in July and I still haven’t heard back either for receipt or returned package. I understand your frustration I am going through the same. Have worked hard to get the job and was recently promoted to higher position with good raise … but the computer is one choosing my fate which is so unfair … anyway … good luck to you as well

            god bless us all.

          • Anybody under AD/VT still waiting? Are you sure that your lawyer/employer is not just holding up your decision? Thanks.

  37. I have got a notification on last Friday, June 6th that mine is selected in lottery. So I guess there is still hope for people who are waiting. Good Luck to all.

    Reply

  38. My application receipt number EAC14140*****. I have observed ppl with higher receipt series numbers got approval/updates and am still at initial review. any thoughts???

    Reply

  43. Hi Friends,

    I heard from my HCL friend ,One employee got receipt number on last friday (June6).so please wait until you get the rejection mail.

    Reply

      • I tried to contact them, but neither they are picking up calls nor they are responding to emails.
        Lost my hope to get receipt now. 🙁

        Reply

      • Hi Splendek Ppl ,

        I got called by HR inquiry about the lawyer fee ($ 1000) which I paid them any body get similar type of call from HR .

        I wild guessing might be I am not picked up ( Package return) n they looking around lawyer fee.

        Any Update from Splendek plz post ..!!!

        Reply

        • Hi,

          You already paid 1000$ for the lawyer fees and all right? are they asking more amount or what? what did they update you in call?

          Please let us know. Did they informed you initially that your check got deducted?

          Reply

        • I got a similar asking when was the $1000(Attorney Fee) check was dedcted.

          But they have no idea about the receipts

          Reply

          • They not told me any thing about my receipt but inquire about my lawyer fee ($ 1000) which I paid on Feb 25 .
            Any body from Splendek got receipt?

          • @ NonAD/PP-Splendtek

            Have you got info that your check in cash n u being picked up in lottery by Splendtek HR ..when they ask for attorney fee…Plz update

          • Yup.I got a mail on 7th May saying My check was deducted and hence I got picked up in the lottery.
            But the call I received last week was only for Date when my check to splendtek was deducted..

            Splendtek guys,
            Please update any sort of information you get from SplendTek about the receipt number

          • they say they wanna update in couple of days…..i don’t know whats happening..no calls taking or replying…….

          • Someone updated in this forum wait until this weekend to get receipt numbers from Splendtek, Just waiting,waiting and waiting !!!!

          • At least they must specify the date when they would be sending out the receipts. This WAITING is soooo frustrating…

          • Had they informed that check was deducted? In that case we should be getting the receipts right?

          • when i asked these guys about my receipt no, they said they received it and they have it. So i called them and asked to send me right away but they replied saying that they will send receipts to everyone at once this week.

            Don’t know which day this week.

          • Hi waiting…
            Same update I have received from them reg the receipt no…..not sure when they will send…….

            when i asked these guys about my receipt no, they said they received it and they have it. So i called them and asked to send me right away but they replied saying that they waveill send receipts to everyone at once this week.

    • I don’t understand if they have the recipt numbers what the point in keeping with them, big concern is people are updating about RFE, how would know about their case progerss without having recipt number.

      Reply

      • Yeah..thats absolutely true !!
        Theres no point keeping the receipt numbers from us for such a long time.

        I wish they could have understood how it feels to keep waiting in hope to receive the receipt number.

        Reply

    • Hi Splendtek Junta,

      Is any body from Splendtek who have not informed by the Check in cash by USCIS but called last week about the status of Attorney Fee ($ 1000) . Kindly post if have similar experience.

      Reply

      • No updates about encashing of check or about receipt or rejection package. They just called on last Tuesday and enquired whether the cheque I sent to them as attorney fee is deducted or not??
        and then when I asked about my case status they said we will update today or tomorrow(Tues r Wednesday June 3 r 4th) but no respons
        e till now

        Reply

        • @waiting
          Similar situation not information about status but called on Friday (June 6,2014) about Attorney fee $1000, rejection package n just clear the dues before giving further bad news ( pure imagination though) don what’s going on …

          Have you able to contact any body who give clear pic.

          Thanks

          Reply

  46. I got picked thru lottery but still no update on approval. even after picked thru lottery are there chances of rejection of my H1B. Plz advice

    Reply

  49. Immigrationcom guy has posted , that there are no wait list. he claims he has called USCIS and confirmed.

    Immigrationgirl has said in intrv that there are no wait list.

    Reply

    • Dear friends there is wait list some web sites are lying for their benefits you can see declaration in uscis web site if u google it also employee names are written in any notices.

      My issue unused approval can be used after 6 years any expert here

      Reply

  50. Hi,

    my application was selected in lottery, I was able to check my status in ucis,it was in initial review stage.today I am not able to check my status?Is there any maintenance going on in ucis.

    help me

    Reply

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