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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

    • just quick question if its cos then you will seewe received this I539 APPLICATION TO EXTEND OR CHANGE NONIMMIGRANT STATUS, ?

      Reply

  3. Hi, Anyone got receipt for AD/Regular processing. Really getting worried now. Most of the post I see only for AD/PP. Thank you in advance.

    Reply

  7. Does anyone know how do lawyers communicate to USCIS that you are Masters VS Regular? I’m pretty sure that when I applied last year I got marked as regular even though I had masters 🙁

    I’m still waiting now (PP / AD – if they got the AD right this time…who knows…) but my hopes are diminishing every minute.

    Reply

  9. Just received an email from my attorney about my application being picked up in lottery. RQ\PP\CA. Lucky third time (2009, 2013). WAC141355XXXX .

    Good luck to all guys … Jai Mata Di…

    Reply

  10. My Employer said that the check got cleared,but havent got reciept yet.
    Does it mean I am selected in lottery ?
    AD/PP
    Checked with school for sevis update..they replied that nothing has changed.
    I am thankfull to you guys for sharing the information.
    Wait has been really tough,but you guys have kept the hope alive. Thanks again.

    Reply

  12. my husband applied for the normal/pp/ca but we didn’t get any response yet! does this mean that he wasn’t chosen at the lottery??

    Reply

  13. I got my H1B receipt today morning, AD/PP/VERMONT, from what I saw in my circle of 25+ friends awaiting results the masters application receipts are pouring in since yesterday and today (saw about 7 guys getting their receipts) all AD/PP/VERMONT. The non AD folks just hang in there yours should be on the way and reach by end of this week I guess. The wait is the worst experience ever don’t lose heart. I saw the acceptance rate in the masters pool to be pretty high (may be my sample is too biased). best of luck to those waiting for the results.

    Reply

    • Congrats and all the very best!

      Your note is good to hear and solid too as you are basing your info from a large population.

      One of the primary reasons this wait is being more tedious than it should is because nobody has a birds eye view of the action and everyone assumes one person’s result is reflective of the general state of affairs. USCIS’ notification methods only serve to compound this chaos.

      Reply

    • Congrats and all the very best!

      Your note is good to hear and solid too as you are basing your info from a large population.

      One of the primary reasons this wait is being more tedious than it should is because nobody has a birds eye view of the action and everyone assumes one person’s result is reflective of the general state of affairs. USCIS’ notification methods only serve to compound this chaos.

      Reply

      • @AKD Very well put. Under a situation with no transparency, people can only rely on rumors, stories, and anecdotal evidence that only serve to increase anxiety and chaos…

        The ironic thing is, USCIS was awarded the government agency with the “best customer service” …

        Reply

    • Hey congrats!!
      Mine is AD/PP/VT too but haven’t received any confirmation yet:(
      and some non AD guys have already got receipts.Does this mean they are done with the AD guys ??

      Reply

  15. Anyone who received Receipt number still in “Acceptance” case status? It says received date as 11th April but still my case is in Acceptance, I see many that have moved to “Initial Review” .. is this a problem?

    Reply

    • Not a problem. I have seen cases getting approved with no trace in the uscis portal. Different combinations happen. Yours is pretty standard. As long as you got a receipt, you were selected in the lottery. Processing hasnt even started,so dont worry.

      Reply

  16. Are receipts sent at one time or are they sent throughout the day?

    I’m non-ad/PP/VT, still praying…

    I hope they are still sending receipts!

    Reply

  18. PP/RP/VT..

    till when all receits will be sent to VT applicants for regular premium processing?
    Is there any hope left now?

    Reply

    • Yup.. still here.. still waiting.. I think EGAN is still updating the AD/PP receipts into the system.. which office of EY did you apply for? what is ur email id?

      Reply

      • I emailed the staff at Egan as well, did not get any reply so far. Have you heard of any Non-Ad/PP person getting the receipt from Egan?

        Reply

        • No.. everyone from EGAN so far on this forum has been AD/PP.. i emailed my attorney and she said they are updating the tracker gradually and also receiving more receipts today… USCIS took 2-3 days to process AD/PP which is a portion of the 20,000 I am sure they will take some time to update the non AD/PP which is a portion of the larger 65,0000…. just that the wait is agonizing…

          Reply

        • No no one I knw from EGAN who is non AD- PP and has received a receipt… it took the USCIS 2-3 days to process the PP for AD quota of 20,000 I believe it will take them minimum 5-7 days to process non-AD PP quota of the 65,000 pool…. waiting for an update on the tracker so the wait is over….. sooner rather than later…

          Reply

  20. Any body started receiving AD Regular Processing ? I called lawyer and they said even Premium some time takes 2 weeks for receipts dont expect it this week.

    Reply

  24. Any news from Vermont for General Quota (Non-AD) and regular processing? Seems like EAC is going very slow this time. Any updates from EAC will be highly appreciated.
    Thanks!!

    – Dave

    Reply

  26. Guys!

    I’ve still been waiting news from my lawyer but still didn’t get anything so I decided to call my school’s immigration services. After providing them my SEVIS# they congratulated me for my selection on H1B because it appears there is an evidence in my cap gap extension in my SEVIS record on the system!

    My question is that is this evidence strong enough that I can take into account to party tonight!?

    Reply

      • my OPT ends in June 15th 2014. So what they said is its extended till September 30th 2014 which I believe is the automatic extension on my OPT during the cap gap period

        Reply

        • Hey Bruce,

          Do you mind posting here what exactly you asked from your school? What information you provided them? What did you tell them?

          Thanks!

          Reply

          • Sure,

            I gave my Sevis number where you can find from the upper right section on your F1 to let them check it on their system. I asked that I haven’t heard back from my lawyer and having low mood during this period that affects my work and daily interactions with people so I need to hear the result fast! I’m copying the response from her below:

            ‘Congratulations! It appears you have been selected for H1B processing. There is evidence of a cap gap extension in your SEVIS record. (If I am calculating correctly, your STEM extension ends June 2014. That completion date has now been extended to 09/30/2014)’

            In order to verify, I called her directly and we discussed everything with her looking at my SEVIS Record on her screen.

          • Note: In addition to all things she also said the change of status request has been made by today! just an FYI!

          • Just checked with my school. Apparently they see no updates in my SEVIS record and that my OPT is still expiring in its original date… 🙁

          • Nope. That’s too early to be said actually!
            The lady from my school said if you had called me yesterday I wouldn’t have given you an exact answer so what that practically means is that wait at least until this Friday bro!

          • Hope you are right. My question is, at what point in the process is the SEVIS record updated? The date that the lottery is completed (April 10)? Or the date that your Receipt # is physically entered into the system (and concurrently sent to your attorney via email)?

          • Nobody can be sure about that unfortunately. Don`t lose hope just yet.

            By the way, is getting a receipt guarantees getting H1-B visa?

          • I tried to call my school too. The person was in a meeting… I’ll try once again after sometime.

          • dg, the receipt may not guarantee the H1B visa. My friend had got selected in lottery last year. He got an RFE during the application review process which finally resulted in rejection of the H1B.

          • @bruce – so judging by the response from your school, I am assuming that someone (or some computer system) manually entered in your Receipt # sometime last night or earlier this morning, and that also triggered an update in your SEVIS…

          • Jonathan, just hang in there. I got my receipt number but my sevis is not updated (I was calling my school since yesterday morning). May be it coz i am VT and they havnt updated anything in the system yet. Cant see any status on the USCIS tracker. I know its a very uncertain phase…but dont give up! Good Luck

          • @ Jonathan

            I contacted my school yesterday morning and they said that my OPT is still the same. The school also said that sometimes it takes time, sometimes it is automatic and sometimes it does not update because of an “error/data block” in the system until you provide receipt and they entered manually.

            This was around 2pm EST. I got the receipt from the lawyers around 9pm EST but the USCIS email shows 12 pm EST.

            That proves what the school official said.

            Good Luck!

          • Assuming the documents are filed okay, if you get a receipt does it mean you will get H1-B?

            In other words, if you get a receipt does that mean you won in the lottery or you were just part of the lottery?

          • @Box @Mani – thank you both for the analysis and support! You are right that it’s a very uncertain phase, with too much speculation, rumor, and personal anecdotes flying around…

            I filed AD/PP, so I’m not sure how high chances are for Master, and whether or not they have already finished sending AD/PP receipts… I guess the only way to know is to wait till end of the week, or latest before April 28.

  27. Is it true that USCIS have to send you the decision before your OPT ends? And as a result if your OPT ends earlier than others, you should get the receipt earlier?

    Reply

    • Not necessary. If your OPT ends, but your h1b application is still pending then you will be part of H1b cap gap until you have the final results of your h1b application.

      Reply

    • No. I don’t think it is necessary that they would send it before your OPT ends. If your application is selected in the lottery you will be receive an automatic cap extension called “Cap Gap” till sept 31st and you will be able to continue work. You might wanna apply for STEM extension just to be sure to be in valid status in case (hopefully not) your application does not get selected in the lottery.

      Reply

      • Well my OPT ends in June 9th. If I get the decision from them after that date, in theory wouldn`t I be working illegally?

        Another question, is getting a receipts guarantees that you are going to get H1-B assuming there is no problem with your documents? Or does it just mean that you were in the lottery and the results are not clear yet?

        Reply

        • dg,
          As soon as you get the notification that your H-1 application is selected, your status will be extended till Sep 30 (cap-gap). You can continue to stay and work until Sep 30 or H-1 denial date (whichever is earlier).

          If you don’t know the lottery result by OPT expiration date, then you enter the 60 day grace period where you can stay in US but cannot work.

          Getting a receipt means you made through the lottery and will get your H-1 pending document review.

          Reply

      • small correction..September has only 30 days…
        I am not AD, but have a question, i think even PP H1b valid only after 01/sep, so if the Person delayed in the stamping like if he got the appointment in Oct what would happen to his stay..

        Reply

  28. Is the last day for PP notification 15 days from lottery date? So last week of April?
    And do we get emails or only the lawyer/employer?

    Reply

  29. do not panic or get frustrated and let hope …. be patient you are just in early days of selection notice . last year i applied in NON AD regular and waited till end of may .some guys got even by 3rd week of may.

    Reply

  36. Hi friends , last year I was not selected in lottery . Can anyone tell me how are the chances this year for the people like me who didn’t selected in lottery? Mine is non ad/ regular / CA . Congrats to the selected ones and gud luck to remaining .

    Reply

    • worst than last year as no of applications increased. so the probability to get in lottery also decreased.

      Hope your luck increased this year so that you can go through the lottery.

      All the best!!!

      Reply

    • if my math is any good…here is your chance…

      65000/152500*100= 42.62 % (APPROX since 6800 of the 65k is reserved for chile and singapore and whatever is not used is spilled over to next years 65k)

      I would say you have around 40% chance….good luck !

      Reply

  37. Oh My God…I just received my (EAC) receipt number Non-AD/PP. I’m so happy and praying for everyone who are waiting for the good news.

    Don’t loose your hope…Good luck everyone 🙂

    Reply

  38. Is there any possibility that USCIS processes the applications in alphabetical order of Employer names. My employer name starts with ‘S’, I am wondering if there are candidates who have received confirmation for applications with employer name starting from R onwards?

    Reply

    • Yes, my employer initial is T and I got mine.
      Yours is S you might not be selected according to your logic. better luck next time

      Reply

  41. Got the email from employer that I am through the lottery but receipt number have not received yet.

    It was a wait from last year so really giving value to this, I know the pain we all gone through from last yr. I wish at least the people who are waiting form last year should get this through and all the best to you all.

    mine was REG/PP/CA

    Reply

  42. WAC1413650700

    Initial Review

    Your Request for Premium Processing Service for your I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER was received on April 15, 2014. We mailed you a receipt with information about processing. We will mail you a decision as soon as processing is complete.

    During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed

    Still PP cases are going on..dont loose hope

    Reply

      • On April 10, 2014, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or contact our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

        This means they just sent mail notice .It will take 1 week or so to know the receipts

        Reply

        • this need not to be potentially RD/RP.

          this might be even AD/RP. or even cap exempt H1 visas which dont fall under this FY2015 visa quota.

          We should get confirmation from some one who actually applied for RG/RP and received receipt through snail mail package.

          Reply

  48. I got a confirmation from my attorney that they received physical copy of reciept for my application today morning. However, they did not receive any email about my case. They still have not shared the receipt number with me so I do not know the validity of their confirmation.

    My petition was filed for AD/PP/VSC.

    I checked with my DSO and they said that there is a pending COS on my SEVIS but no receipt number for reference from USCIS.

    Does this mean that I was selected?

    Reply

  49. Did anyone from Fragomen non ad pp hear back?
    i work at one of the big 4 and haven’t heard back yet :/

    Reply

  50. Those whose applications got picked in AD . Can you please check with your college Student office whether there is a change in your SEVIS or not ? It would be helpful for everyone here.

    Reply

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