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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

  4. Is there any other way to know if your case is PP or RP other than what your employer/lawyer tells you? Mine says they did PP but I don’t see the I-907 form and the additional fee in the packet they submitted (they sent me a copy).
    Still haven’t got receipt so I’m starting to hope mine is not PP…

    Reply

      • Thats wrong! An application can be upgraded to Pp only after the receipt no is generated. You can’t do anything till the receipt is generated

        Reply

        • Absolutely Wrong Yipee!!!

          You have to decide before the lottery whether it is Regular /PP.

          Once lottery is done, they will send out receipts first to PP guys and then to RP Guys!!!

          They can decide once the receipt is generated which is PP and RP.

          Reply

          • You can upgrade to PP once you got receipt to fasten the procedure only.

            It is NOT meant to get your receipt fast once receipt is generated as regular.

            Correct me if i am wrong!!!!

          • Thanks for the info!
            Actually I just hope it’s RP. Even it’s not selected or rejected, slower RP will probably buy me more time to work since my OPT doesn’t expire so soon…few more work days could earn me air ticket money lol

  8. applied AD / RP / California.

    my lawyer just notified me of the receipt. don’t panic guys, i say wait it out until the middle of may.

    Reply

  10. I am also waiting on Regular processing.mean time what is the AD and non-AD that you are discussing about?Please some one clarify that.

    Reply

  12. WAC1414150567 is last case as of now.. i see most of them are Regular processing.

    RP guys, Just hang on receipts are on the way!!!

    Reply

  14. I am waiting for Non-AD/RP/VT receipt number to come for my Husband, filed under H4 to H1 cos , GOD CAN ONLY HELP..
    I AM PRAYING!!!!

    Reply

  16. Guys one of my friend applied for AD/RP/EAC .. he just received email from his lawyer with the receipt.

    Received date – 10 April
    Notice Date – 16 April

    Lawyer location – New Jersey

    Receipt Number – EAC1413654XXX

    I am expecting to receive my as well, now the wait time is really killing me.

    Reply

    • Thanks for the update! As I suspected, states closer to Vermont gets their receipts earlier. Earliest processing time is last Wednesday. So it takes 3-4 days for closer states and would probably take another 3-4 to reach the farthest state.

      So assuming the AD processing ends today for regulars, worst case scenario would be getting the receipt in first/second week of May.

      Reply

      • I guess that is the case … my employer is in Texas so probably I should be hearing back from him anytime this week … Fingers crossed …

        Reply

  21. Hi guys,

    I applied for Regular AD/ No PP. I wonder if anyone heard back yet. For regular AD, how long do we usually hear back from USCIS?

    I am so nervous.

    Thanks

    Reply

  27. AD/RP/EAC….Just now got an e-mail from lawyer with receipt notification dated April 16th. This is my second attempt. I did not expect to get notification this early for regular processing. Gud luck others…..

    Reply

  28. Received I797C receipt by mail ..so I believe they have sent out the receipt for PP as well as RP at same time. So this week we should get most of the receipt..check with your lawyer usually they forgets to tell you that they have received something ..Any update on case processing in VT Center any one got decision?

    Reply

  29. I think i got thru the lottery. I had emailed my college at 9am today (CST) and they replied back within an hour with the below response

    “Thanks for your email. Yes, the cap gap extension has been applied and your OPT is extended to Sept. 30, 2014. I can print you this new I-20 and mail it to you. Where would you like it sent?”

    I still haven’t heard from my employer/lawyer. maybe i should ehar in next few days.

    I would like to thank this forum for providing this alternate way of finding out if we are selected in lottery. All the best to everyone else.

    AD/RP/CA

    Reply

    • Can you please let me know if this should be checked only with school DSO or the SEVIS is updated online where we check I901 updates(https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/dhs/loadSearchPage.do)… My DSO does not respond properly..It would be helpful for me to know if i am in 🙂 or out 🙁

      Reply

    • Hi there,
      I’m in the exact same situation with you. Although I learnt from my school that my OPT is extended until sept 30, 2014, and neither my employer nor my lawyer have heard anything from USCIS yet.
      I’m so tensed and stressed!

      Reply

      • Yes i understand. I asked my college rep again if this means i am selected in lottery. She replied ” I cannot give you a definitive answer about the H1B (you’ll have to ask your employer who filed), but I think it looks very favorable as I don’t believe the cap gap would be automatically applied otherwise.”

        So just hang in there. We will get to know from our employers soon 🙂

        Reply

  32. Thank you God!!!
    I got my receipt today from my employer. AD/RP/VT.
    This was my last chance for H1.
    Thank you very much lord and best of luck to all the guys who are waiting. Dont lose hope…my lawyer told me uscis will send many receipts this week and the next!!!

    Reply

  35. Guys,

    I just wanted to check if anyone has the same situation like me. I’m non AD/PP/VT. I got my reciept number last Wednesday, but there was no case update in USCIS website when I entered my case number. Today I tried it again and saw nothing on the website.

    What am I supposed to expect?

    Reply

  37. Hello, I just called my school and they told me that there is no update with my SEVIS status. Does than mean it is over? Can SEVIS status still change?

    Reply

  40. finally got my receipt. AD/PP/VT. receipt was delivered on Apr 11 but lawyer forgot to send it to me until asked this morning…

    Reply

  42. I have been waiting patiently till to get AD/PP, RQ/PP , AD/RP over…now when will they start sending out RQ/RP receipts ?

    Reply

  43. AD RP (VT?) here. I haven’t received a receipt # yet but my school visa office says my SEVIS record was updated to reflect to a change of status application pending, which I believe means I made it through the lottery?

    However none of the checks to USCIS were cashed nor has the lawyer heard anything, so waiting for one of those to happen before celebrating.

    Reply

  44. AD/PP/VT

    My employer (not attorney) got a mail (paper mail, not email), which was the Form I-797C, with a receipt number. However, the receipt number is not trackable in the uscis website. the website says “your case cannot be found”.
    Does this mean I am selected in the lottery?
    I am really excited and nervous, since this is my last chance for h1b.

    thanks

    Reply

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