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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

  1. I am in AD/PP. If I haven’t received any H1B notice as of yet does it mean that I am rejected or is USCIS still processing it.

    Reply

    • @Badluck

      Don’t loos hope. last year my friend was in same situation but he got notification around April end. He was in AD/PP/CA.

      Good Luck

      Reply

    • People have already been picked in lottery on 10 th april…also generation of reciepts have been started from tuesday too for california center atleast

      Reply

    • It looks like they started on 14th because on another web one guy reported he got receipt in mail today and mail date is 14th on receipt.he is AD/RP/CSC.hope for the best guys..we all will make thru.hope for good news,think positive and stay blessed.

      Reply

  6. I just received mail from my Company Lawyer that I have been selected in lottery. I was in AD/Non-PP/ CA center application.

    Good Luck guys who are waiting for their result.

    Reply

  9. Plausible explanation for all PP cases who got mail but no email – your attorney did not fill the email address field in form G-28, Part 1, Item 7.

    Reply

    • 😮 ! I have doubts even my attorney knows what an Email is ! I guess they do not even have Desktops and they use Pen and Papers just like 70s ! 😀

      Reply

    • I agree with you. I came across someone in this forum who said that his lawyer’s clerk missed sending two pages of the form last year and his/her application got rejected. I also heard about many cases where lawyers or their clerks did several mistakes in the form and screwed up the case.

      I think that the problem is many firms use clerks to fill application. They have several clients and all the paper work is done in the last minute due to LCA dates. Hence, it is highly possible for mistakes to occur.

      In my case, the lawyer’s clerk made several mistakes and I corrected it by informing him.

      Reply

  12. Thanks God for helping me.
    Thank you all for sharing and supporting.
    Finally got the hard copy of reciept.
    Never got email to lawyer.
    AD/PP/VT
    notice date April 13
    Reciept : EAC14133xxxxx
    Again Thank you very much.

    Reply

  13. I believe there are 50% of cases with PP. So it will take at least half of next week to process PP and then they will sending out receipt to RP guys and by Apr 28 th they will start on approving cases for PP again. So RP guys should not be worried till 1st week of MAy.

    Reply

  15. Are folks able to track the EACxxxx no’s on USCIS Web site? , I got mine a couple of days back , but still the case does not show up there.

    Reply

  16. Hi friends,
    Can you please help me out on below doubts..
    1) does USCIS sents all premium receipts company wise or they send case by case basis irrespective of company.
    2)my 6 friends got receipt confirmation today.all are reg-pp.does it mean all over for reg-pp

    Reply

  17. I am also having the same query as requested by “RP/NONAD”. Anybody please respond.

    “One quick question. My employer told that the fees was neither debited from their account nor got a receipt till now. Mine is RP/Non AD. Will the account get debited immediately after the lottery? Do they en-cash the cheque just before sending the receipt if the application was selected in lottery?. Please reply as i am little bit confused over the process. If the answer for my first question YES, by this time my game was over.”

    Reply

    • I am following this site from 1st day I don’t think so I have seen anybody saying that their money has been debited from the account.. Especially in your case yours is RP and Non AD so it will take some time.. Atleast 1st week of may.. To be honest don’t waste your time by looking at site.. its not gonna help it will just aggravates you more

      Reply

      • PP,
        Rightly said. But, we can’t resist us from seeing the updates or at least success news posted by PP candidates.. 🙂

        Non AD/Regular

        Reply

    • Rahul,

      Yes. The other option is “Change of status”. As mentioned by our frnd above, it is not possible for the 1st time visitors. But, If you are in US by L1 or even on B1 visa, its possible to get H1b without interview. I have seen some cases last year..

      Reply

  19. Question for H1B experts:

    I believe that entry to the US is restricted until 10 days before the start date. Now, is this start date what is mentioned in the petition or the day one actually starts working?

    Finally, if there’s a variance between the start date in the I797 and the actual start date (by a few days), which one is considered while determining earliest date of entry at US immigration?

    Reply

    • Dimparuti,
      Start date will be mentioned on the approval notice. Typically it is Oct 1 when the petition is approved prior to Oct 1, or actual approval date if approved after Oct 1.

      Reply

  20. Hey guys – I find this a little odd – it seems as though no one on this site has been issued a rejection notice yet. Is this because rejections are usually distributed all together at the end of the process? Or it is that anyone who has received a rejection is too distraught to write on this page haha?

    Reply

    • Blake…
      Distraught to write on this page might not be a reason…

      But they are still processing AD PP / NON AD PP… Then comes Regular Processing for AD/NON AD

      PP Rejections would become obvious only after the NON PP processing starts… You might not have got the return package for PP , so even after April 28th , if we havent received the receipt, its obvious that the person isnt selected in the lottery and should accept the fact that he is not through…

      Non PP Rejections would be sent out when the complete quota is done..
      So we would still have some time before seeing the Comments on this page…

      Might be wrong, but seeing the way that the processing has been happening for 2 years this is how it is …

      Reply

  23. Guys ,

    One quick question. My employer told that the fees was neither debited from their account nor got a receipt till now. Mine is RP/Non AD. Will the account get debited immediately after the lottery? Do they en-cash the cheque just before sending the receipt if the application was selected in lottery?. Please reply as i am little bit confused over the process. If the answer for my first question YES, by this time my game was over.

    Reply

    • RP/Non AD – I am not sure if they immediately encash the cheque for NON AD once selected in the Lottery… Since they are processing PP cases now its worth waiting till may end to know the result of your PP – NON AD…

      It takes about a month to get to know the exact details for the NON AD /RP cases..

      Again might be wrong, but this is based on my friends wife’s H4-H1 conversion lasttime.. Took her more than a month to know that she is selected..

      So keep up the high hopes and Spirits as it is a Friday 🙂

      Reply

  24. I am still waiting under AD/PP/VT. Will keep high hopes until Apr 28 and little hope until May 12.

    I have a question: My employer paid all the fees (petition, lawyer and PP). My employer wrote a check to an immigration attorney (whom I selected). The attorney said that his firm will write appropriate checks to the USCIS on behalf of my employer. Is this common ? Thanks.

    Reply

  28. AD/PP Guys!

    Game is not over yet! Dont lose hope till end of April at least.

    I just got an email from my attorney that they got my receipt. They did not get it by email though.

    Last year I was not picked in the lottery so it feels satisfying to be picked this year.

    I hope for the best for you guys. Hang in there.

    Reply

      • Last year I had applied under AD/RP. But I did not hear back from USCIS till about end of May. The wait was agonizing. And my extended OPT was ending.

        So this year I opted for PP hoping that atleast I would know the result sooner so I can plan my next steps.

        Currently I am on F1 again. Had to go back to school because I missed out on last years lottery…bummer!

        Reply

        • Hi,last year i didnt apply and went back to home country after finishing masters and came again on F1.so I m also on F1 now and waiting for AD/RP and havent heared anything from lawyer.just wanted to know if i get selected in lottery what happens to F1 status till H1b start date Oct 1?and what happen to F1 status if i wont get selected.do i need to do anything to maintain my F1 ?my I-20 is valid till november2014.
          Thanks for help

          Reply

          • aryan –
            Your I20 is valid till Nov 2014. So even if you are not selected this year, you should be good till Nov2014 on your F1 status. After that you might need to somehow maintain valid status till next filing if you wish to file it again. (Extend I20 maybe?)
            If you get selected this year, your H1 will be valid only from Oct. But you can still maintain valid status till Oct based on your current I20.

            If I am wrong, somebody can please chip in for aryan.

            Also, to answer above question, I guess you applied to school again and came back on F1.

  29. Guys who were picked in AD/PP/Vermont… USCIS has started uploading case details finally. Mine just moved to “Acceptance” stage… Does this mean 15 calendar days from today?

    Reply

        • USCIS seems to be really lazy & confusing at times ( Vermont Center) : I received an email receipt on 04/11/2014 with date received as 04/10/2014, subsequent to this on 04/14/2014, received a mailed copy of I-797 stating that receipt date is 04/10/2014 and they would process the application within 15 days from the receipt date mentioned in the form. Yesterday they came out with an update on the USCIS website that they would not start PP until the 28th. After almost a week they upload the numbers to track and it says received on 04/11/2014 and in the acceptance stage. At least the California based receipts are all in the initial review stage when everybody started getting receipts.

          Reply

    • KMP,
      PP SLA will start from April 28. Even if you have already received your PP receipt, 15 calendar day window starts from April 28.

      It is possible that USCIS will process the petition even before that, but from SLA’s perspective they are required to process it by 15 days from April 28.

      Reply

  30. I keep seeing these one offs about people with AD/Regular processing already having received receipts. Can someone confirm with their lawyers if those have started coming in? My lawyer will only talk to the employer 😛

    Reply

    • My attorney sent me the tracking number of the Fedex package that contained my application. I used that tracking number to check and confirm that my application reached USCIS in the first week of April.
      If your lawyer did not provide you the tracking number, I do not think you would know when your package reached USCIS.

      Reply

      • Truth, don’t lose hope. Although I am AD/RP, I read last year’s forum and found that some AD/PP folks got receipts around April 26,2013 even though premium processing clock started on April 15, 2013. So, hope for the best, carry on with your work and don’t give up.

        Reply

          • Based on what I read in last year’s forum, AD/RP started getting receipts from April 16, 2013, a week after the lottery was announced. AD/RP continued to get their receipts till mid may. However, the last notice date on their receipt number was April 29, 2013.

            Yesterday, someone reported that he got his receipt and he was AD/RP/CA. So, I think they have started issuing receipts.

      • Last year my employer filed for h1b for 4 people.
        All through regular processing, AD.
        One person got her receipt by mid april, 2 guys got in end of april and one got it in mid May.

        They was one more guys who didn’t make it to lottery, but his app was filed after 7th april..

        So there is no “set” rule. Relax!

        These are true facts!

        So there is no pattern.. just relax and wait.

        Reply

      • You are not a kid.. use your logic and bit of browsing ability to search on this forum to find the facts. People are very kind to respond to such kiddish posts. You guys are from “advanced” degree, not elementary school. If you can’t take this much, how are going to handle lot more in life ahead. I am sorry if this kind of sounds rude. But, please think for yourself before asking others for such kind of questions.

        Reply

    • Same here. Although I do get responses from my lawyer that nothing to update. Are you employed by EY?
      I am getting really nervous about the results,

      Reply

  34. I have a quick question concerning which service center my application was filed under.

    1. I live in Boston, MA.
    2. My office is in Boston, MA.
    3. My employer headquarter is in San Francisco, CA.

    Is my service center in Vermont or California? Just a bit confused…

    Reply

    • Petition is filed under the Jurisdiction of Service Center at which the employer is located. So, in your case it should be CA.

      Reply

        • If you work full time from Boston hub, then your petition will go to Vermont. Ask your attorney for a FedEx/UPS tracking number. I did the same to clear my confusion as I also work from the DC hub for a west coast based company.

          Reply

        • Jonarthon,

          Don’t worry. I have talked with USCIS and they informed me that, it will be not a problem if you are sending your petition in another service center also.

          Reply

        • You will have to ask your company’s concern person who is incharge of the process. If everything has been handled from Boston office, then it might have been sent to VSC. If your HQ handled it, then it must be CA center.

          Reply

    • Jonathan , mine is exactly the same , living in Boston , working here , but HQ in CA , mine was filed in Vermont , I think it depends on the work location

      http://www.uscis.gov/i-129-addresses

      This link has the details

      Reply

    • Ask your employer for tracking number. You application should be on California Center does not matter where your client is and if your actual employer is in cali then your application must be sent to cali center only.

      Even if your employer has offfice in boston and used headcourter address in that case your application sent to cali center only.

      Reply

    • Jonathan, I think your petition is filed in Vermont because your case is similar to mine.

      1. I live in DC
      2. I work in DC
      3. My employer headquarter is in San Francisco, CA
      4. My attorney and his law firm are based in San Francisco, CA

      According to my attorney, petition is filed based on the jurisdiction of the beneficiary and not the petitioner. So, my petition was filed in Vermont. I even have a copy of my H1B petition and a UPS mail receipt to support my claim, if it helps 🙂

      Reply

      • Okay, thanks Masters. That makes more sense. I think I’m in very similar situation as you are. AD/PP, still waiting to hear back.

        Reply

    • It should go to VT center. I think lot of people in this site are just commenting without any Idea of what LCA is and where beneficiary works and where should application be submitted.

      Reply

  35. I guess our state has become like the relatives of MH-370. We know what one of the possible results will be. But we are still demanding for a closure.

    Good luck !!

    AD/RP/VSC – The wait continues.

    Reply

  37. For regular processing I guess it will take some time may be by next week…although one way you can possibly find out is to ask your lawyer/employer if the fees have been debited from their account if yes then your case has been selected..

    Reply

      • I believe there are 50% of cases with PP. So it will take at least half of next week to process PP and then they will sending out receipt to RP guys and by Apr 28 th they will start on approving cases for PP again. So RP guys should not be worried till 1st week of MAy.

        Reply

    • Hi AN. One quick question. My employer told that the fees was neither debited from their account nor got a receipt till now. Mine is RP/Non AD. Will the account get debited immediately after the lottery? Do they en-cash the cheque just before sending the receipt if the application was selected in lottery?. Please reply as i am little bit confused over the process. If the answer for my first question YES, by this time my game was over.

      Reply

  38. Hey guys, this is a message specifically for PP guys who are still waiting for receipts.

    I just reached out and called the USCIS customer service line about receipt updates.

    The USCIS service representative kindly informed me: Inquiries can only be made if you have waited for more than 30 days since your date of submission (April 1st). After 30 days, USCIS will be able to perform a more in-depth inquiry on the status of your case. So, be patient.

    I also asked them why it is taking the Service Centers so long to issue receipt numbers.

    USCIS answer: Each service center has personnel who have to manually sort through all the applications they have received, and then separately send out email or mail receipts for those selected applications (it is not possible to do it within a short period of time due to high volume). Each service center is working on H-1B petitions and other applications concurrently everyday, so it will take time.

    Just want to put this message out there, especially for all those PP guys.

    Reply

    • @ Jonathan: Thanks! This is useful. Helps in keeping up my patience, though this wait is only getting painful. Good luck to everyone waiting!

      Reply

    • Thanks!

      This helps!

      @Everyone, may your patience and belief be rewarded 🙂

      If only they used the 21st century technology… This process would have been wayy faster!

      Looking at the brightside, i guess this manual process keeps some people employed 🙂

      Reply

    • I expected such reply from them. We (PP applicants) need to wait until Ap 28.

      Someone (PP) said earlier that his/her attorney called the USCIS and they immediately received the receipt. I think that it was pure coincidence. I don’t think that the USCIS will encourage such calls especially before the PP deadline.

      We (PP applicants) can retain hope till Apr 28. But, we all sincerely wish that we know the results today, so that we can finally relax and enjoy the weekend with our family.

      Reply

  39. I am non AD / PP / CA nothing received yet from ogletree deakins 🙁
    My employer big 4 firm , saying if not this time , we will apply again next year.
    But what I think, even next year too these Indian body shops will race for h1bs and will flood the annual cap like this year.

    My question is any chance that “Immigration Reform” can be passed by next year ?

    Reply

    • Hi Chaitanya,

      Firstly don’t loose hope. There is still a lot of time.

      I am in the exact same situation as you, AD/PP/CA.

      Well I really hope they do pass that immigration reform for H1B part.
      Atleast I hope the US tech companies push for it.
      It is funny how un-documented people here have more rights than people like us who follow the law.

      Have good day and awesome weekend like you already got your H1B 🙂

      Reply

    • We are at the same boat. I am waiting from ogletree deakins. I sent them e mail about the pp stiuation and they said wait until end of the april. Please post anything you learn from ogletree deakins. My company is vmware

      Reply

    • hi chaitanya ,

      Even if Reform passes before oct 1, 2014 still you will be elegible for this year quota that is what the senate bill said. First of all lets wait peacefully stil have chances , also hope the bill to pass by Oct If so all the rejected ones can reapply

      Reply

  44. Did not see any comments from last 2 days on this site may be they have started working on the RQ/RP now..
    Keep the fingers crossed..
    ALL WILL BE WELL!!!!

    Reply

  48. Hello folks,
    My employer has offered me a job but the designation and salary is not maching my experience (indeed its really less, around 65k for NC). I was wondering that is there any possibility that I can transfer my h1 to another employer without joining/landing in US?

    Reply

          • And I would really like to avoid this. Basically it would be nice a law saying that a company sponsor you, you have to stay at least 1 year.

          • Should I not think that how much my employer will be gaining from me and not even passing me “the share” which i deserve. Things are blank and white, dont you think the same have not thought by my employer? This is the way they make money, this is the way one should make money using them.

          • The company gave you an offer and you accepted it. You asked for H1 and they supported your request. Now you come here and talk about your “share” and “the way they make money”.

            Good luck with your H1 application !

    • not sure about rules..
      But in case your employer has taken care of all expenses for H1B, it will be unprofessional to ditch them…You should at least spend 6-12 months then you can move to another employer…

      Reply

    • Mongo,
      Legally, once the petition is approved, another employer can file a cap-exempt petition for you (aka H-1 transfer).

      Reply

  50. When will the RQ/RP people start getting receipts?

    Approximately how many PP applications have got receipts uptill now?

    Till what date last there is hope for people filed H1B under RQ/RP to get receipts?

    How many days does USPS take to deliver the mail containing receipts for RQ/RP?

    Reply

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