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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

  1. here is my situation and tell me what to do please;

    Neither my lawyer nor the employer have received my receipt number yet. So I decided to call my school DSO and ask them if there is a current change on my SEVIS. They said my OPT is extended till September 30. 2014 so that means a cap gap period extension which also means I should be selected. But again I haven’t heard anything yet.

    So can please someone comment on my situation. How am I supposed to feel like?

    Reply

    • still hopeful,
      SEVIS update indicates that you have made through the lottery. Your receipt may be on it’s way. Confirm with them if the checks have been cashed. Based on user comments, some PP folks have received receipt number through postal mail and not email.

      Reply

  6. I also just checked with attorney and my filing fees have not been cashed. Does that mean I wasn’t selected in the lottery? I am Non-AD/PP/VT

    Reply

    • California Service Center
      If the job is located in: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, or Wyoming – then file with the California Service Center.
      —————-
      Vermont Service Center
      If the job is located in: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, or West Virginia – then file with the Vermont Service Center.

      Reply

  14. I am currently working in India and my company has applied for my H1B under NON AD & NON PP, I was told that by 20th I will get the clear picture of my lottery result, Till now I havent got any news about my case from my HR , should I assume that my name has not been picked up in the lottery.

    Reply

    • They will have update for some guys by now for sure. ATLEAST. They will keep you waiting and guessing for a month or so atleast though.

      Reply

    • SAP GRC,
      Your employer gauged the situation incorrectly. It is very tough for all non-PP petitions to know the lottery outcome by April 20th. Wait for some more days/weeks.

      Reply

  15. Good news from my side. Employer just informed that i got picked up in lottery
    AD/RP/CA Thank you God and all the people here for the support

    Reply

  16. Hi All,
    My wife just got her H1B receipt and it is mentioned as date received on April 10th. She is NON-AD/PP/VT.
    Last time (i.e. 2014) we had applied for H1B and lost in the lottery. But this time luck favored us. Good luck to everyone who are waiting for their H1B.

    Reply

    • @Radhika

      Just don’t loose hope yet. Its not over and USCIS still generating receipts.

      Last year one of my friend friend got notice around April end. He was in AD/PP/CA

      Best of luck and have faith until your lawyer/employer receives the application packet back.

      Reply

  20. I just got news from HR that my application got picked.

    Advanced Degree/Regular Processing/ Vermont

    I still don’t have the receipt number.

    Good Luck to all of you guys!!

    Reply

  21. I just spoke with my attorney’s clerk. He said that he did about 40 cases (PP: 8 and Reg: 32). I forgot to ask him about the number of AD and Non-AD cases. The firm is pretty big and I assuming that they would have done at least 200 cases or more.

    NOTE: The sample size is small, since we are considering only about 40 cases.

    He said that he received 7 receipts out of the 8 PP cases that he did. I am the only one PP applicant (AD category) waiting for an answer. He said that he even received 4 postal mail receipts for those 7 lucky PP guys/gals. He said that he hasn’t received any non-PP receipts yet.

    Even though, things look bad for us (PP applicants). We can retain hope until Apr 28, since some of the PP applicants are still getting receipts.

    Reply

  23. Hey guys,

    A couple of my colleagues who have exact same position as me got their receipts today. Even our h1 petitions were sent together. Does this mean that I’m not picked?
    I’m always always the unluckiest one everywhere…UNBELIEVABLE

    Reply

    • went through the same senario last year. Very frustrating. I was the only one NOT picked. Still give it some time maybe its coming. 🙁

      Reply

  26. Will receipt numbers will also come from Vermont for H4 to H1, I am waiting for my Husbands receipt number to come applied under H4 to H1 cos, General Quota/Regular Processing/ Vermont Center?

    I see only AD/PP/RP coming in only.. Only one RQ/RP post uptill now..

    Reply

    • Hi

      I am also from Non AD/Regular/Vermont Center and for H4 to H1. Did not receive a receipt yet…still waiting 🙁 :(…

      FRUSTRATED

      Reply

  28. Hi Guys,

    I just got my receipt number this noon, and the status is initial review. Does it mean that I was selected in the lottery?
    receipt Number: WAC1413851XXX
    Case: AD, regular,
    Company Location: MI

    Thanks.

    Reply

  29. AD/RP/CSC – Selected
    Received date : 4/10/2014
    Notice date : 4/17/2014
    Receipt number : WAC-14-138-528XX
    Employer from OHIO
    Attorney from VIRGINIA
    I am from NEW JERSEY

    ALL THE BEST FOR ALL WHO ARE WAITING THERE!!!!
    JUST BE PATIENT!!!

    Reply

    • Check for my application is also not cashed yet … dont worry it will take some time … good news is we have already started seeing at Regular processing receipts …. so hold on you will hear something good soon …

      Reply

    • @Sandra,

      I think the cheque would be cashed sometime later because when I checked with my Univ today, I was told I have an approved cap-gap extension. But my attorney said the cheque wasn’t cashed yet. So it all happens slowly I guess. So nothing to worry.

      Reply

  35. I applied through my firm in New Jersey, called my University today but they don’t see a change in SEVIS?…Can I confirm that I haven’t been selected in the lottery, I see most of them who got picked see “Change of Status” pending in SEVIS…

    Hopes fading out…

    Reply

  36. Just got my confirmation from my attorney saying that I got selected in the lottery. I was filed under AD/RP/Vermont .

    I have been checking this blog every now and then to see if regular processing people are being notified and my heart would skip a beat every time. this was my last chance. But Hey, GOD is Great. Didn’t make it last year, this time I had to make it.

    I pray that all the people who are in a dire situation like I was, would get this lottery done. All the best peeps.. Ganapatti Bappa Moriya!!

    Reply

        • Cool thanks … My employer is located in Texas so hoping to hear back from them this week as the mail would take a little more time to reach there …

          Reply

          • I don’t mean to scare anyone, but I am a regular and I thought it would be a snail mail (like everyone was saying). but my lawyer sent me a scanned PDF of the for I797 and it is stamped at April 21, 2014 . Meaning they sent a scanned document to my lawyer. it looks instant to me. So i think the whole thing about snail mail, regular mail for RPs is not true. They are probably sending any way possible.

          • 100% regular. My employer asked me to pay the 1225 if I wished to do PP, but I was in no hurry because I knew I’d get approved if i got selected. So , I opted out.

          • USCIS doesn’t send scanned document. Your lawyer must have scanned receipt, received in regular mail and send it to you.

          • HappyPM,
            The above is the right answer. Your lawyer received hard copy and they scanned and emailed the same to you.

    • with H1-B you can go to school and work at same time but it is depending on your employer to let you be full-time or part-time student. Also you can start your Green Card process short after you get your H1-B so it is kinda visa that will help you to get permanent residency. These are all the advantages of this VISA over F-1 Student VISA.

      Reply

  39. Got a receipt AD/RP/CA today at 12:45 pm from HR.
    Status is in Initial Review. Employer/Lawyers State: Kansas
    I wish everyone – Best of Luck.

    Reply

  41. Hi,

    If I call my University, What should i ask them concerning my Sevis?

    I am RQ/RP. Second Time applying I hope I get it this time!

    Reply

  45. Hi All
    I have been following this chain for a long time.
    But never posted anything, I just got an email from employer with my receipt no.
    I was Non AD/PP VT.
    But I could not track the status on USCIS website… It says your case cannot be found. Is there anyone with same situation …

    Reply

  46. If I applied for regular AD and expect for the answer, will USCIS send out their acceptance/rejected letter via email or mail?

    Thanks

    Reply

  48. I am on STEM OPT and had applied using the “consular notification” option instead of the “Change of Status”. Does that have any impact on the selection/processing of the application? Anyone else also opted for “consular notification”?

    Reply

    • one of my friend did this same mistake 2 years back. It won’t affect your selection process, just that after you get h1b, you will have to amend the petition to correct it to “change of status”. Thats what my friend did 2 yrs back.

      Reply

  49. Non-AD/PP/VT

    Are you guys able to track case status received from vermont?
    I got my receipt# (EAC14134…..) last tuesday ie 15th april, but i am still not able to check, it says ‘Case not found’. Do you guys face the same issue ?

    Thanks

    Reply

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