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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.

   

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23,888 Comments

  1. Hello,

    Hope someone can help me providing some information.
    I was in L-1B status since 2010 and from this October 1st I got the status changed to H-1B, and I’m working for the same employer.
    They missed to file COS for my spouse from L-2 to H-4, we have applied I-539 for her COS, and the case is pending.

    We are planning on travelling to India in December, and I think I’ll need to apply for a new H-1B visa stamp at the US consulate in India before re-entering to US.
    My question is – do we see any rejection in the L-1B to H-1B COS visa stamping? And if they do, which will be unfortunate, but what would be the way to re-enter the US?
    I think my previous L-1B is no more valid since I got a new status, H-1B starting from October 1st.

    Any information/experience anybody could share will be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you very much in advance.
    Kalinga

    Reply
    • Gen no issues in this as you are with same employer, have past pay slips, W2 etc. I saw many of my friends got visa stamped in this way from L1 to H1. sometime they ask a tricky question about your position and skill set because last time you had skill set and job that qualifies for L1 and now same job/skill set is qualifying for H1 visa. that’s a tricky thing as L1 and H1 skill and job requirements are quite different.i hope you got my point. so just prepare the answer that how you evolved in your present job/role to move to new role/job.

      Reply
  2. Finally after 7 months wait got my H1B approved.

    Series: EAC14141#####
    RFE date: 28th July
    RFE: Right of Control
    Responded:16th Oct
    RFERR:23rd Oct
    Approved:23rd Oct
    It was a regular processing,hence was surprised the RFERR and Approval happened on the same day!

    Reply
  3. Hi,
    Can I make Visa fee payment without filling DS-160 form first?
    Becos I done payment first without filling DS-160 form..
    Please reply early please…..

    Reply
    • Yes. You can do VISA payment without completing DS160
      But atleast you should have DS160 application ID (I,e should start fiing DS160) before you book interview slot

      Make sure you finish DS160 filling before going to interview

      Reply
      • In DS-160 form:
        Intended date of travel means? can we fill 1 month from now?

        where do you stay in US?
        can we fill employer address in US? or any hotel name?

        Do we have any mention about H4 dependent on LCA/129/797 docs?
        My question is: do we have to mentioned about dependents in petition while filing H1B?

        Reply
  4. Question regarding visa date less than petition date.

    Hi all,

    My visa date is given almost 9 months less than petition date..is there a chance for correction…if possible how much time does it take?

    thanks in advance.

    regards
    SS

    Reply
      • Hi,
        DS-160 form has to be filled up first or Visa fee payment to be done first?
        Any of these can be done first right? becos i didn’t fill DS-160 form yet but
        paid fee for visa interview…is it ok? or I’ve to pay again?

        Thanks,

        Reply
  5. My petition is approved.now my employer has asked to reissue new passport for surname change(was blank before).i have got the passprt now.could anyone tell me now whr all i need to update the new passport details as my petition was approved with the old passport

    Reply
    • I was in a similar situation where I had a different passport than the one that my employer used while filing the petition. All you need to do is just fill up your DS 160 form with new passport details. That’s it.

      P.S. My visa was approved last week 🙂

      Reply
  6. How many days will it take to receive the documents from USCIS after petition approval in case of regular processing? Those who already got the docs, please help.

    Reply
  7. Hi ,

    I applied H1b under cap gap on Oct 17th status says denied and today Oct 23rd it went to initial review. Is it a glitch or may i know is there any one in same situation..Please help!!!

    Thanks

    Reply
  8. I have been a silent reader of this website and it helped me all way long.
    Today I had my interview and my Visa was stamped from Chennai consulate.

    June 2- Selected in interview(received on April 28)
    July 16 – RFE
    Sep 12 – RFE RR(upgraded to Premium)
    Sep 19 – Approved
    Oct 23 – Interview

    VO asked very basic questions and if you’re from a BEP category company chances are like 99.99% to go through. Following were the questions asked.

    Whom do you work for?
    Whose your client?
    What do you do for them?

    Handed over a pamphlet and said “Have a pleasant stay in US”.

    Regards,
    Redbus2Us fan

    Reply
  9. Hi

    My case status is in RFE response review from past 3 months at vermont centre.

    Intial Review:April 21st
    RFE: June 15th
    RFE Response Review :July 21st.

    But Earlier in the USCIS site under comments it was given that On July 21st, 2014, we received your response to our request for evidence.

    But today it is showing as On October 20, 2014, we received your response to our request for evidence.

    Can any one provide inputs on this.

    Reply
  10. EAC14146XXXX vermont, today my petition approved. ** in how many days i can expect the interview and what is the max time to schedule interview.

    *** PLEASE SUGGEST ***

    Reply
  11. EAC14146XXXX vermont, today my petition approved. ** in how many days i can expect the interview and what is the max time to schedule interview.

    PLEASE SUGGEST

    Reply
  12. EAC14146XXXX vermont, today my petition approved. ** in how many days i can expect the interview.. what is the max time to ***

    PLEASE SUGGEST

    Reply
    • Hi,
      you can schedule interview as soon as you have hard copy of all required documents for interview till then be ready with your DS160.once your receive your docs take date of interview. it will take 7 Days to reach documents to your employer and if you are in India then another 7 days.

      Reply
  13. I just got approval.
    Vermort center
    RFE Response – 28th August
    Approval- 20th Oct
    Got updated on system 22ndOct

    Hopefully interview step goes well too.

    All the best to rest who are waiting…:)

    Reply
  14. EAC14146XXXX series, got a mail notification today “Your Case Status: Post Decision Activity, On October 17, 2014, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER”

    1) shows on 17th mailed the notice, but i got mail notification today. why the diff ?
    2) does it mean that my petition approved, so scheduling interview is the next step?
    ******** PLEASE SUGGEST ******
    please suggest ***

    Reply
    • I guess nothing to worry about the diffrance in dates in the site. Point to be taken is that your application is approved and next is to fill the DS160 and schedule date for personal interview.
      Congratz nd All the best..!!

      Reply
  15. EAC14146XXX series, i got a mail notification today that “Your Case Status: Post Decision Activity, On October 17, 2014, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER”

    1) shows on 17th mailed the notice, but i got mail notification today. why the diff ?
    2) does it mean that my petition approved, so scheduling interview is the next step?

    please suggest ***

    Reply
  16. My petition is approved today.
    Filed: 10th Apr 2014 (initial review)
    RFE Response Review (directly from initial review): 2nd Oct 2014
    Approved: 16th Oct 2014

    Status is updated on 21st Oct in USCIS site, even though it says the petition was approved on 16th Oct.

    Thanks for your help and inputs all along this hectic wait and wish you very best !!

    Reply
    • hi MP,
      mine also same vermont center
      EAC14146XXX series, i got a mail notification today that “Your Case Status: Post Decision Activity, On October 17, 2014, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER”

      does it mean my petition approved?
      should i check with my employer for interview scheduling as the next step ??

      Reply
  17. Are there any issues if we switch in US to another employer and later come home for vacation ? Does it cause any issues while returning back to US ?

    Reply
  18. Hi Every one,

    My spouse is employed, Still she can attend dependent visa interview along with me, or she need to resign her job? could you please advise.

    thanks

    Reply
    • Thats little funny …. why you want to deprive her with her job for your job.
      No need to resign but prepare your questions like are you planning to travel with family, will she join you later, etc etc
      I joined visa interview with my husband and that time I was also employed in IT company. no issues and got visa stamped.

      Reply
  19. Hi Forum Readers,

    I have scheduled my OFC and VO appointment on 27th and 28th Oct 2014 respectively @ Chennai Embassay.

    Due to my employer’s request, i have cancelled the appointments.
    But if i try to re-schedule the appointment, i am not able to do so, OFC dates are not visible..

    Please help

    Reply
  20. Hi ,
    Anybody got update for an RFE? I am waiting from august 28th (had submitted documents to FDFU) . Still didn’t get any response from FDFU .

    Reply
    • Hi Vb,

      Here are the dates available @ Chennai Consulate for next 3 months:
      Nov – 3,4,5,6,7,10,12,13,14,17,18,20,21,26
      Dec – 8,10,11,12,15,16,17,18,19,22,23,24,29,30,31
      Jan – 5,6,7,8,9,12,13,16,21,22,23,28,29,30

      Reply
  21. Anybody here who also recieved 2nd RFE? What are the chances of approval after 2nd RFe? And does it take 60 days also for USCiS to review it?

    Reply
    • I recvd 2 rfe. first one for employee and employer relationship and the second one for my husband’s payslip. Waiting from Aug 18th – RFE RR status.

      Reply
  22. Suggestion required,

    RFE date: July 30th

    Till now my employer has not yet submitted the answer for RFE to USCIS,
    If I count 84 days from July 30th, 22 October would be the last day for submission.

    Incase if my Employer misses the deadline, what are the options for me?
    Am worried, Please let me know.

    Thanks/Ram

    Reply
    • If you are asking about options on your H1B petition then I dont think you have many options left as its up to your employer if your employer is not responding then I dont see USCIS is going to approve your petition. But I dont understand why your employer is not ready to respond to RFE.

      Reply
  23. Hi,

    I have received RFE mail 3 days before and my manager is not ready to provide End-client letter requested in RFE, at present we have only BRM.. will it be a problem ?

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
  24. Hi,

    my case time lines:

    Vermont center:
    RFE on 14 August
    RFE Request response review on 14 October
    Wating for results

    Any idea about avg time taken by Vermont center to process RFE response review and approve/reject petition ?

    Reply
    • I got my visa approved…
      Lottery selection – 30 May 2014
      RFE – 16th August 2014
      RFE response – 25th August 2014
      Visa approval mail from TCS – 16th October 2014
      (Although visa was approved on 9th September 2014 and I got it for an year i.e. 30th September 2015)

      All the best for your rfe result

      Reply
        • RFE was about end clint letter,BRM letter,sow,organisational chart out of which agreement and sow has not been shared with fdfu… Visa is approved for an year…
          Just wait for some more days you will get a response….

          Reply
  25. Hi,
    Can we take our U.S. Born 2 year old kid for H1 interview process at Chennai U.S. Consulate .? If anyone had this experience please share…
    Thanks in advance…

    Reply
    • Better don’t, my friend told during his interview the officer stared the person angrily when the child started crying.

      Because they have an option to grant visa to children without visiting. So unless and untill you have to carry your kid, please try to avoid.

      Reply
      • Bharani,
        My kid is too small so I have to take him for interview,so I need to know whether it is allowed or not as he don’t require any visa as he is already a U.S citizen….

        Reply
        • It is not an issue to take your kid with you. When we dont have a option to leave our kid with someone whom we trust it’s better to take them with us. What ‘s the big deal in it 😀

          Reply
        • Ok. I came to know from my petitioner that by Oct end we can
          expect the update. And also came to know that California center is slow. By that i observed one intresting point. My REF RR is on Aug11 and 60 working days would end up by Oct end. But if we just count 60days, its already over.
          Anyway, have hope and we have to bare with this waiting.

          Reply
  26. Now its payback time for me to this website.
    Got approval in May. No Queries no RFE 🙂
    Booked for Visa appointment through online or NEFT using citi bank.

    (Please select account type “CURRENT” and DOMESTIC).
    After making payment with in 2hours my reciept number got generated.
    After that a screen is displayed to book appointment with a calendar.
    Select your Visa Interview Date first and after selecting Visa
    interview you will be prompted for OFC appointment.

    OFC and Interview at Hyderabad Consulate

    Booked for OFC on 16Th October:
    It just took 15 min at OFC .
    Only One question at OFC is Why US?(Answered)

    Interview on 17th October:
    VO: Good morning
    me: Good morning
    VO: Passport and Petition
    Me: Given
    VO: Why US?
    me: Answered
    VO: Employer name read out by VO after scanning my Petition.
    Me: I said yes
    VO: Who is your client.
    Me: Answered
    checked for the client but didnot find in system. Asked me to spell
    out the client name.
    VO: Website of your client
    Me: Answered.
    VO: Asked for Client letter
    Given and VO verified my client letter.
    VO: What is project you are going to work at client.
    Me: Explained about the project and how it works.
    VO: For whom this project being developed?
    Me: Answered
    VO: How much salary you will get.
    Me: Answered
    VO: Education Qualification
    Me: Answered.

    Golden words came out Your visa has been approved. Have a nice day.

    Thanked VO and came out. So this is my experience. Be cool and be
    specific VO’s are really helpful. As I see some dependents interview
    during my stamping. VO’s are struggling to help dependents who are not
    able to speak english. Really great gesture by them.
    Wish you all the best.

    Reply
  27. I was silent reader of this forum from last 6 months attended the visa interview on 14th October in Chennai

    Me: Good morning madam
    VO: can i have passports and I797
    Me: Given
    VO: Which company you are going to work?
    Me: Answered
    VO: What is the salary?
    Me: Answered
    Mean time she was talking to another person for 2 minutes then she started back again she started asking the questions
    VO: what is the salary?
    Me: Answered
    VO given my I 797 form back
    Vo: Are you going to work in client location?
    Me: It’s in-house project .
    Vo: can i have the project document?
    Me: Given, she gone through the pages.
    VO; can i have your I797 again
    Me: given.
    she started asking the question to my wife
    VO: what is your highest Qualification?
    My wife answered
    VO: your visa is approved and given me the I797 and pamphlet
    Me: Thanks you madam and we left the counter.

    Reply
  28. Hi friends
    My situation is too different.my h1 application was approved by end of September2014.my current US employer sold their company very recently .I don’t know whether the new employer will send the papers or not. If they don’t send the papers what is my next step pls suggest.

    Reply
    • What do you mean by papers ? You mean I797 or some other papers for visa stamping ?
      I dont understand why new mgmt wont provide you the documents. but if they dont then your options :

      If you have minimum h1b petition number with you then you can search for another employer who can file for your H1B any time as now you are cap exempt.

      Reply
  29. So I got denied, but still wanted to share my dates with you.
    RFE: June 16th
    Lawyer answer: August 28th
    RFE: August 29th
    Denial: October 16th
    WAC California
    Don’t have the reason for denial yet, but will share, when I know.
    Good luck to everyone still waiting, because this is just luck, nothing else.

    Reply
  30. Hi everyone, I ‘hv been a silent observer of this forum since April. “Admins” thanks to you guys for creating this forum.
    Yesterday I, along with my wife, appeared for our visa interview at Mumbai consulate. Mine was a straight forward case as I am directly employed by my employer. Here’s my case history and experience:

    Case history:

    Petition selected: 6th May
    RFE: 13 th May (very simple RFE on educational background)
    RFE replied on: 1st July
    RFE Response review status: 3rd Aug
    Petition approved: 8th Aug

    Interview experience:
    VO: Namasate! Good afternoon.
    We: Good afternoon.

    VO: Can you give me your passports please?
    We: Given.

    VO: Can I have your original I 797?
    I: Given.

    VO: So you work for XXXX?
    I: Yes I work for XXXX.

    VO: What kind of project will you be working on in US?
    I: Explained in about 30 sec.

    VO (to my wife): When did you get married?
    She: answered

    VO: When is your husband’s b’day?
    She: answered

    VO: What did you give your husband on his last b’day?
    She: answered

    (At this point I was feeling she was getting more interviewed than I did 🙂

    VO (thinking for more questions): What’s ur husband’s favrt color?
    She: answered

    VO: where did you guys go for your honeymoon?
    She: answered

    VO: how did you find the place ?
    She: it was awesome.

    VO: Alright sir your visa is approved. You should be getting your passports back in 3-4 days.

    After we reached home I checked the status of the application and it was “Administrative Processing”. Today it changed to “Issued”.

    For all those who have already got approval “congratulations!”. For all those who are awaiting result “best of luck” and for all those who didn’t make it through for some reason or the other “there’s more to life than it seems”… I am sure there are better things ahead.

    Reply
    • Hello

      Congratulation to you
      I have only one question yor petition got approved 8aug and you attended interview few days back. Why so much time between approval petition n interview ?

      Reply
      • Thanks Cmss, I couldn’t attend it before because we (both I and my wife) had to get our new passports and I had some other project commitments that I needed to take care of before focusing on the interview.

        Reply
        • Thanks for reply

          I ask u because my employer revived approval petition
          1 and half month back but my employer is not
          Arranging visa interview .
          Do u know what could be the resion for the delay?

          Reply
          • If you’ve already received approval on your petition then the only reason that I can see is that your employer might not have the actual start dates from your end client. This ofcourse is based on the assumption that you are not directly employed but working in an EVC model. Again this is just a speculation and believe me no one apart from your employer would know the exact reason. Why not just email/follow up email your employer if you haven’t done so already.

  31. Hi, any idea on best case and worst case timelines for a L to H COS filed under premium? (I know worst case is 15 calendar days 🙂 but wanted to know if ppl have experienced any deviations)

    Reply
  32. All,

    Wishing you all a very happy Diwali Week…

    May this new year brings lot of Good News’s in your Life..

    Hope for the best

    Reply
  33. Hi experts,

    I need small clarification for agreements.

    1)consulting agreement.
    2)service agreement.
    3)Master service agreement.

    is above three are same or different ?.please suggest me friends.

    Reply
  34. Hi guys,

    Wanted to know if name change in the passport is mandatory for H4 Dependant visa. I am planning to raise dependant visa for my wife . Can we go for stamping with her retaining the name before marriage. We have marriage certificate and photo album

    Reply
    • Hi,
      I think there is no need to change the name on passport if she still goes by her maiden surname officially. If name is changed officially then you might have to.

      Reply
      • Name is not changed on passport yet. We are thinking to submit the docs to pp authorities India. But that might take a long time for the new changed name pp to come.

        I was just wondering if we can go ahead with her maiden name.and i can raise H4 for her and take her along fior the stamping.

        Reply
        • I never changed my name after wedding and came to US on H4 Visa. We can get passport with name change using tatkaal which is like a premium processing but still I didnt consider my name change because of many issues. We have to provide each time the supporting documents right from DMV office for Driving License to getting a GC.

          Reply
          • Thanks a lot for the replies. Decided not to go for name change for my wife and will raise h4 with her old name.

  35. Mine was RFE RR Aug.5, then after the long wait it went back to RFe on Sept. 30. My lawyer received Rfe letter Oct 5 and it was asking for long list of documents from my employer ( taxes, quarterly wages, license etc). They said 2nd RFe is very unusual, but still keeping my hopes high:) if it’s meant to happen it will in God’s time:)

    Reply
  36. Can RFE RR take more than 60 days?
    If anybody got approval from RFE RR after 60 days, please share the details.

    May 29 : RFE
    Aug 18 : RFE RR
    By Oct 18 i should get the decision, till now i haven’t got any updates.

    Reply

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