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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

  2. Hi,

    can any one let me know. I539 Application to extend/change Non Immigrant status.
    This form is applicable only change of status for f2 to H1 or L1b to h1b as well along with i-129

    Reply

    • Form I-539 is used for change of status i.e. it applies for an individual who is already in the US.

      NOTE: You can always search the form number in USCIS website and get the details about it.

      Reply

  7. Hi All,
    I received my receipt just now.
    AD/PP California Service Center.

    I know how tough it is for others still waiting to hear from USCIS. hang in there guys. Hope for the best.
    All the best!

    Reply

  9. I can not be patient anymore ! I lost my focus on my daily tasks and job ! I’m afraid that I lose my job even before my H1-B result. AD/RP/CA.

    Reply

    • I agree with you.

      I applied under AD/PP/VT and haven’t heard anything yet. It is not easy to wait. Every minute seems like an eternity.

      The only thing that you could have done earlier is to apply under PP.

      Reply

      • I did not have any options. My HR did everything for me. I almost had no idea what is going on plus when you are an international, you try to stay away from any conflicts just because you wanna show that you are a nice person and in case if there will be any issue in future you want them to support you !

        I’m sick and tried of this way of working. These Americans are accusing me and I can not do anything since I have no options and if I wanna stay with them I have to be like this !

        Reply

  10. Hi

    I am AD/PP/CA. I have not received a receipt as yet. I had two questions:
    1) Since non premium and/or non AD have started receiving receipt numbers, does that mean my application is not selected?
    2) By which date would I receive a reply if my application is not selected?

    Thanks.

    Reply

    • Who said NON AD and NON PP receipts are start issuing?

      Any one posted their receipt number???

      It not started yet, expecting to start by next week onwards.

      AD/PP is still going on.. just wait dude!!!

      Reply

  13. We should create a vote to see how many people applied for AD caps, and how many applied for Regular caps. So it can help people to know how big their chance is, and help the people to reference the ratio next year.

    Reply

  14. Are all AD/PP done totally ? I did not hear anything till now. This is my second H1B attempt and not sure if I can expect anything now.

    Reply

  15. Hello my EGAN/EY friends,
    I just checked my status through tracker and they updated my uscis receipt number on their tracker system but still I didn’t get email from Egan. I know we all had a very hard time. I hope you all get your very soon. Please check the tracker. I was under AD/PP. Good luck to all the friends!!!

    Reply

      • Hello Mani,
        I applied for Vermont. It is just below the case mailed date (right side – opposite side of the invoice number). You will get your one very soon brother. More information send me an email to mscpa81 at yahoo.com

        Reply

      • I just checked last year comments in this forum to check when they start getting for receipts for NON AD/NON PP.

        It seems it started on April 22, 2013, which is like 15 days after lottery.

        We can expect something this year after 25 April 2014. Just a guess!!!

        Reply

          • did you know before May 16th that you weren’t selected or do you have to wait until your package is returned by post? I wish they would at leasts end out the declines per email too so we wouldn’t have to think we don’t got in with each day that passes extra.

          • I had ended up calling there customer service around the May 5th. They said they cant give me my receipt number but can tell me if i was on the system or not, which i wasnt. On May 16th I got my packet back.

    • No its not a case, I filed along with my wife as H4. I got receipt yesterday and my employer told me this. I did not receive any thing directly from USCIS. Today I they took money $1225vfor premium and $290 for H4 processing for my wife. But again I did not receive any thing directly from USCIS.

      Reply

      • itsqashi,
        Only H-4 receipt will be send to you and that too only if you have not appointed your employer’s attorney as the one representing you for the H-4 COS case. In that case, it will be sent to the attorney.

        Reply

  21. Are you guys still not able to see old comments? I tried viewing as non-admin in FF and I am able to see comments on previous pages. Kumar cleared the cache sometime ago.

    If it doesn’t work, can you let me know about your browser and I will retry.

    Reply

  22. It is early to say but I believe that USCIS has not received too many AD petitions over the 20,000 cap. It might be 23K to 28K just a guess based on what I have seen.

    If you are AD just hang in there you will hear good news.

    Reply

  25. I got receipt number last week Friday but USCIS website still cant find case status. I am AD/PP/Vermont (EACXXX…). Is anyone able to view their case online? Thanks.

    Reply

  26. Friends,

    My employer company is located at Naperville,IL,60563. Client location would be New York. My attorney is Samshiba,Colombus. Can any body tell which would be my processing center for H1B?

    Reply

  27. Dear All,

    Kindly sign & promote this petition to Allow H1B applicants who were not selected in the FY2015 lottery temporary work authorization.

    https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/allow-h1b-applicants-who-were-not-selected-fy2015-lottery-temporary-work-authorization/2VyMkNyr

    Reply

  28. I received today a Form I-797C, Notice of Action. Case Type: I539 Application to extend/change NonImmigrant status. Class requested: H4 (of my wife). Do you know what means that we received this form? I am in OPT now. Thanks.

    Reply

    • tech12345,
      Your wife will also be moving from F-2 to H-4. This is her receipt number. Basically you are selected in the lottery as USCIS will not issue 797C for the dependent unless the spouse has been selected in the lottery.

      Reply

        • Tech,
          Even last year, at times the dependents were receiving the notice prior to the main beneficiary. It may be on its way to the employer. Keep in touch with them and let them know about your wife’s 797C.

          Reply

          • Tech,
            H-4 notices are sent to the H-4 applicants (and not you) unless you have assigned an attorney to handle the H-4 COS as well. H-1 notices go to the employer/attorney.

      • Hi Saurabh,

        The above change of status is only for F2-H4 or if some one moves from L1 to H1 they will get same notice.

        Thanks
        SAISRI

        Reply

        • Saisri,
          The discussion is relevant to only dependents like L-2, F-2 whose spouses have filed for H-1 w/ COS from L-1, F-1 etc.

          Reply

  30. My wife got it approved PP/AD California. Few of her office colleges who had applied H1 also got it (all of them), all were AD. I strongly feel that acceptance rate of Masters cap(AD) is very high, say more than 90%. Even last year also it was very high.

    Reply

    • Hey Veronica,

      I am in the same boat – AD/ Non PP. So far, regular processing cases haven’t got receipts. Last year, RP folks started getting receipts a week after the lottery was conducted. So, I guess we have to wait for another 3-4 days.

      Reply

  36. Hi All,

    I just want to update you that my non-ad petition/PP/California center has been selected in lottery and i got the receipt number from my employer today.

    Thanks you all!!!!!

    Reply

  37. Hello Guys,

    USCIS announced that premium cases only start after 28th April.
    But seems to be few of the people are knowing that selected in lottery.
    I am getting mad. Could any one please clarify ?

    Regards,
    Rajesh

    Reply

    • USCIS will begin premium processing of the H1B Petitions no later than April 28th ( it means that they could be process early as well )

      Reply

  38. On the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti and Bengali New Year (I’m Bengali), THANK YOU GOD!!

    Second time lucky. Had to leave a great job and settled life last year. Hopefully, approval comes through soon.

    AD/PP/CA

    I know not everyone will get through, and assurances like “it happens for the best” can be quite galling, but all I can advise is – if you have your health, if you have around you people who love you and if you have a job, you’re still among the luckiest people on God’s own Earth. Count your blessings and see around you who are considerably less fortunate.” This helped sustain me. I hope all of you find peace of mind as well.

    All the best!

    Reply

  39. Finally the wait is over and I saved 1225 usd. Mine is non AD, non PP, Regular from CA… got receipt number WAC1413553625. All the best to everyone else.

    Reply

    • Congrats Ram.. how come they have started disclosing the non PP and non AD results soon.. I am really tensed now.. fingers crossed..

      Reply

    • I don’t know the authenticity of this post, but this is what works against it:
      – No one posts their own receipt number without masking the last few digits. This one didn’t
      – Even if it is an actual cap-subject receipt, USCIS will have to mail it to the employer/attorney who will then share it with the employee. Receipt number contains 14135 which points to April 14. So USCIS and USPS need to be super efficient to get this out so quickly in less than a day to the employer

      And this is what works in favor of it:
      – The receipt number is 14135, which points to April 14 and online status has receipt date of April 10 (which will be the date for all selected cap-subject petitions). So looks like a cap-subject petition

      Maybe an incorrect online status showing a PP case as non-PP, but not 100% sure

      Reply

      • Hi Saurabh,
        While entering the comment that guy might given some valid mail ID right!!!
        As an admin you check his mail id and just send a mail to him to clarify on this.

        Just take some time on this.

        If it is really non-AD/non-pp, then this will be helpful to remaining.
        Just my thoughts!!

        Reply

      • WAC1413553622 (Randomly searched)

        Converted to PP on 14th April, whereas the receipt number is generated on 10th April, 2014. Seems like Cap Subjected petitions and it is just 3 positions before RAM. Seems like Non PP cases are also being send.

        However, as most NON AD/NON PP , cases belongs to people who are not their in US, hence not much discussion is about them.

        Is anybody, can ask his/her employer about check clearance then only this can be confirmed.

        Reply

      • Guys,

        I had checked a few Numbers randomly, and found that WAC1413553622
        Converted to PP on 14th April, whereas the receipt number is generated on 10th April, 2014. Seems like Cap Subjected petitions and it is just 3 positions before RAM. Seems like Non PP cases are also being send.

        However, as most NON AD/NON PP , cases belongs to people who are not their in US, hence not much discussion is about them.

        Is anybody, can ask his/her employer about check clearance then only this can be confirmed.

        Reply

        • It will be hard to communicate with the attorneys/management in US to get to know about this check clearance for NON AD/NON PP cases.

          Only thing we can do is to wait!!!

          Reply

        • Yes mine is through BAL Global attorney. Received email from my attorney on April 14th that my petition has been picked up in the lottery & receipt number is updated in the BAL status chek. AD/PP/VT

          Reply

  49. I am not sure where my h1 was filed.. I am in California, Will it be vermont, or CA? Haven’t received any update… Mine is PP/Regular Quota..

    Reply

  50. Congratulations to the guys who got notified, Only two days have gone till now, and it feels like a decade. I am still waiting for AD/PP/CA.

    #allthebest2allofus

    Reply

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