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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.

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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

  1. Updates till today

    ||count || Name || status ||
    || 2||MAB, || Don’t Know ||
    || 3 ||Integral Guy, Integral Aspirant, Integral || Selected ||
    || 2|| Bob,XYZ || Rejected ||

    Reply

  2. Hi,
    Can any one please tell the process followed by USCIS in approving the petition. My receipt number is in EAC-14-144-XXXXX series, dated April 25. But still the status is in Initial reveiw.

    Thanks in Advance.

    Reply

  6. hi guys, I got an email from my employer that my petition has been approved but they have not yet given me receipt number. So just keep hopes on….i am not sure under which center the petition was filed….

    Reply

  9. Top IT Indian – Scam : Filled for all employee whom are student in final year (M.S from BITS : Distant education)……. Other Company Fooling : With Fake account details: Filling for most of the employee working in non us account, in order to increase the chance of Lottery result…….. Who is going to ask this…..

    Reply

      • Dude!!! Everyone know this, including us consulate…. How these Indian It giants able to get LCA documents within last couple of days…:-)

        Reply

        • May be a few studid companies do, but don’t put ‘India’ name in it. What you know about India? I am proud to be an Indian.

          Reply

  12. My rejection package dated May 16th was received by the attorneys. Interestingly, the law firm did not care enough to inform me when they received it. I decided to do a follow-up (for what seems like the 50th time) to see what has happened.

    If your petition was handled by a law firm/an attorney and you’re waiting to hear back, please call and find out. Even if you call everyday, it does not matter because you paid for the services. Don’t forget to ask them to send a copy of the USCIS rejection notice.

    Reply

  13. Hi all,

    My wife’s H1 got approved. Details below.

    Received H1 receipt from employer on April 28th

    Vermont Service Center
    EAC-14-140-XXXXX
    Regular Processing, Non-Advanced Degree
    H4 to H1

    Good Luck

    Thanks,

    Reply

  14. Hi All ,

    This is my consecutive 2nd year to file my H1-B . Last year it was denied -Reason Unknown for me .
    Just now I got RFE for my current H1-B petition as it seems that my attorney don’t mention my previous denial case while file my petition as it come some contradicted statement come from DOL .

    what’s best option available please help ?

    Thanks

    Reply

    • The previous H1B denial is not required to mention. RFE doesn’t come for these matters that you failed to mention previous denial or RFE. You will notice during the attorney questionnaire of current h1b filing, there is seldom any column which asks your H1B antecedents. It is not needed.

      You RFE is is for something else.

      Reply

  16. I ve got a cap exempt petition through my company in Premium. Attorney hasnt even received the petition number/receipt number yet. Is it a practice to send receipt first or do they directly approve it( hoping) in case of Premium processing?

    Reply

  17. I am a silent observer of this site since my H1B is filed.I just now got update from my employer that my petition was not selected in lottery and my package was returned.
    My congrats for those who got selected and approved.

    Reply

  18. My status shows approved and notice sent on 3 June. Employer mentioning not received approval notice yet. How long it can take to receive the notice ?
    WAC14143#####

    Reply

    • I can’t say for sure but I think your attorneys will send your package at the end of the monnth/early July. Reason is that my petition was approved on may 22nd and I still haven’t received mine. When I asked Fragomen they said I had to wait a couple weeks, then I received an email from them on June 14th that they received the package and need a forwarding address. To date they have not sent it. The clerical lady said I would receive a tracking number shortly. My guess is that since we can only go starting July 1, they may hold it back till close to that date. just a guess…

      Reply

  19. Hello All,
    I got my H1 petition go thru the 2014 Lottery successfully. The case status shows “Initial Review” with “On May 14, 2014, your Alien Registration Number was changed relating to your I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. ”

    It has been this way from the date – May 14th. Any idea how long it takes for it change? What should i be expecting next? Any help/suggestions guys?

    Thanks!
    BB

    Reply

  20. HI Admin,

    My petition status is showing as Initial Review for the past 2 months , what would be the time frame for this my petition series is WAC141455****

    “Initial Review

    On April 25, 2014, your Alien Registration Number was changed relating to your I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. Please check our website at www.uscis.gov for further updates on your case. Please wait until the end of normal processing time before calling customer service at 1-800-375-5283 for live assistance.”

    any body with this sort of situation

    Thanks

    Reply

    • Hello,

      Please could you let me know if GIT has send an email communication. or did u talk to them. Did they say that they will let know people who have been selected in lottery or people who have been rejected or both.

      appreciate your help.Thanks

      Reply

  27. Hi,

    Just wanted to know that only B.tech or M.tech have been selected in lottery this year, any one who is having 3years of course and get selected into the lottery. Please update on the same.

    Reply

  28. Hi all, did any one from series WAC14143***** get any update? like RFE or Acceptance? Mine is in initial review for a long period.

    Reply

    • Hi,

      Just wanted to know that only B.tech or M.tech have been selected in lottery this year, any one who is having 3years of course and get selected into the lottery. Please update on the same.

      Reply

      • Hello,
        No condition for only B.Tech/M.Tech. Most of my friends with regular degree(3 Yr) have got selected in the lottery.

        Reply

  31. Hi Everyone,

    Has H1Base India scheduled anyone’s visa Interview?Looks like we are expected to pay visa fees(embassy fees) then they will schedule it.

    Reply

    • Did they ask you to pay fee? I am also waiting for interview schedule and they said they will schedule by end of june but didn’t mention anything about fee.

      Reply

      • Yes,
        even I got the same reply,but said we are supposed to pay embassy fees then
        employer would schedule and amount would be refunded later.

        Reply

        • Can you email me your contact number on my email – jatinchawla1986attherategmail . Let’s talk about the discrepancy in repsonse over here.

          Reply

    • Yes my interview got scheduled in August. They said company will pay embassy fees and i did not paid Pls let me know the updates cutyloopsattherateyahoodotcom

      Reply

  33. Hello All,

    My Petition Got Approved on 10th June(WAC141425****) and till now i didn’t heard anything from my employer. Can anyone tell me how much time it will take to receive all documents and when i can go for stamping !!
    After USCIS aprroval only stamping left.. Right!!!
    For visa interview which consulate is best among (Hyd/Chennai)!!

    Reply

    • Consulate name will be mentioned in the approval notice, that’s where you should be scheduling the appointment. You can schedule appointment with other consulates or at embassy in case of emergency.

      Reply

  37. Hi All,
    My receipt number is EAC14147523xx and my status is still stuck in initial review, almost all my coworkers who applied for h1b have either received approval or rfe , is there some thing to worry about, getting tensed with each and every passing day.
    Waiting for your reply

    Reply

  38. Is EAC14142 series getting approvals??? Mine is under “Initial Review” since April 10,2014

    Reply

  40. Hi Admin,

    I am going to appear for the visa interview. I have few doubts wrt documentation.
    Is last 2 yr tax slip of employer is required?
    Does employer also needs to provide h1 status of all its existing employee?

    I dont have these two documents…My employer is pretty old company and i think most of the employee holds green card..My employer havent provided these documents and even i am not sure if these documents are required for my employer.
    Can somebdy help me here if these docs are mandatory.

    regards
    PS.

    Reply

  41. Hi rajaspl , yesterday you said you received the receipt number from splendtek after sending the cheque. so did you check your status??…what is the status??

    Reply

  42. Hi All,
    USICS website showing my status updated to RFE but my company HR has not sent me any update on this. USICS says they sent a mail on 16th June.
    Any idea by when it should reach to my HR and after submitting the RFE docs how many days it will take for approval.

    Thanks.
    Sunny.

    Reply

    • They should have already got the query by now. Once the response is submitted back to USCIS, the status will be immediately changed to RFE Response Review. From then it might take 10 days to 6 months to get approved if its a regular processing. If its premium processing, you can expect a response in exactly 10 days.

      Reply

  43. @ TCS Folks… Heard that 5th list to be available by 24th or 27th and probably the last list.. Those who are still waiting…. Keep your fingers crossed.. ! Wish you all the best !!! My mantra – Hope for the best, Prepare for the worst !!! ~~~

    Reply

  44. My attorney has not received lottery result or rejection package while I am AD/PP,
    and I see that RP people have already their rejection packages !
    How can it be possible ?

    Reply

  45. Hi guys,

    Would you please share you knowledge about the kinds of RFE?
    my attorney didn’t receive it so far, I am so worried what is it…

    Thanks.

    Reply

    • If you are RP, it takes about a week for your attorney to get RFE mailed out by USCIS after the status shows up on USCIS website.

      Keep in touch with your attorney since usually they have no obligation to update you(beneficiary) what’s going on but only report to your employer (petitioner).

      Reply

  46. I recieved an email from my employer saying the package is returned, however there is an attachment to the email from Homeland saying that “IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED PROPERLY FILED FOR THE REASON THAT MISSING PAGE IN LCA” BUT I or Employer haven’t recieved any info about the picking of my package at the first place. And now with out any time frame given the package is returned after lets say “QUERY”.
    They asked me to resubmitt the package in case if it is an error of rejection.

    Im confused please help me

    Reply

    • Looks like a rejection for lack of information in the application filing. You can resubmit the application with all the required info.

      Reply

    • It seems the package was rejected without being entered into the lottery, as it was not properly filed. The first thing USCIS does is to check the completeness of forms, signatures, fees, and all required papers. Missing a page in LCA has the same effect as missing a filing fee or missing a page in the petition form, that is, the entire package will be rejected without any action. The package may contain a note inviting re-submission, but since the quota is already filled, re-submitted package will be rejected as well. (Not properly filed is equivalent to never filed; it is totally different from RFE.)
      This is likely the attorney’s mistake. Unfortunately you are the one bearing the consequences.

      Reply

  47. Has anybody received petition approval in a day or two? I haven’t heard anything on my case since filing the application. My company is not even providing me with any receipt number. Today, I was told that nobody is expected to receive H1B approval now. 🙁
    How can I obtain receipt number at the least? Please help.

    Reply

    • Your employer is not telling the truth but he/she is the only source to get to know the receipt number. Try getting it.

      I got my approval yesterday. so i can also go for stamping anytime from july1st..

      all the best..!!

      Reply

  49. Both mine n husband’s petitions approved. USCIS is approving RP pretty quick than expected

    Mine – EAC/RP/RQ [ L2 to H1]
    141465****
    RFE- May 16th, received RFE documents – May 21st
    Responded – June 3rd. Changed to rfe review – June 4th. Approved June 16th.
    RFE was to prove specialized skill.

    Husband – EAC/RP/RQ [ L1 to H1]
    141435****
    Approved today – June 20th

    Reply

  50. I have not received my rejection package yet. Is there a way that I can ask from my consultant that shows the package is returned so that I can understand if he had atleast applied for h1b and is rejected. I feel he is fake.

    Reply

    • Hi, Same is here. Mine was PP but still no update by USCIS.. Really frustrating to wait like this even though its PP case… Check this link, almost 95% expected rejections received by them.. Are there any body(PP) still waiting for an update?

      immigrationgirl.com/what-to-expect-if-your-h-1b-petition-was-not-selected/

      Reply

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