Home » US Immigration - Visas » H1B Visa » H1B Visa 2015 – Frequently Asked Questions – Updates

H1B Visa 2015 – Frequently Asked Questions – Updates

| by | 23,888 Comments

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.

   

Other Articles

23,888 Comments

  2. This is a question to people who inquired about their SEVIS status and have received their I797C. Are the receipt numbers that you got from your school DSO same as the ones on your I797C or are they different.

    Reply

        • The person handling my case, contacted me for some additional documents while preparing the application. And thus I had to send my docs to Boston.

          Reply

      • I’m also waiting on Fragomen!! Consulting firm based in NYC. I thought Fragomen would have done all our applications as premium processing? However, when they first emailed us to notify that they had filed our H1B’s they said we would have to wait several weeks to hear back. A friend of mine, also from consulting firm in NYC heard back last week Monday (April 14). I emailed them yesterday and the paralegal said if I don’t hear from them in 2 weeks I should send a follow-up. But why would they say we should hear in May, if it was done as PP?

        AD/PP (i’m guessing), VT still waiting

        Reply

  4. hey Guys,

    i have a question. I see a lot of folks here awaiting lottery results here have an offer letter from top companies like MSFT, YHOO, GOOG, VMW, BIG 4 consulting firms etc…

    why does such large companies leave peoples career fate to a lottery system? Can’t they move you to another country they operate in and then bring their employees on L1 visa instead? There is no cap limit on L1 visas…..

    Please don’t flame me! I am trying to understand why companies make a plan B and let their valuable employees know the Plan B in Advance so that people can have a peace of mind and plan accordingly….

    Reply

    • Well, technically that is what I am doing with my company. My corporate attorney and I have always had “Plan B” and “Plan C” even before the H-1B filing date, because we all know that there is a high risk that my application will not get picked in the lottery.

      I believe that my attorney will be preparing for my TN application starting next week, if they still don’t receive my PP receipt. Transfer is also a possibility, to Canada or the UK. Most tech jobs are not location specific anyway, as a lot of work can be done remotely anyway at international offices.

      Also, it may be a good idea to start discussing PERM LCA and the Green Card process with your manager/HR, whether or not your H-1B is selected in the lottery. That is because getting the GC is the only sure way of securing permanent work authorization and say good bye to this lottery non-sense forever 🙂 This is especially a good approach if your country of birth is not India (too much GC backlog for Indian applicants…)

      Happy to hear what other people’s plans are.

      Reply

    • http://www.immihelp.com/immigration/employment-authorization-document.html

      see c-(9)

      I wonder if you can apply for GC + EAD and then apply for H1b?

      Reply

    • Right, I’m in that situation. I landed my dream job at Amazon and I think I didn’t get picked up in the lottery. No clue if they will even offer me an alternative to this random lottery.

      Reply

      • @Laura – start discussing the situation with your manager immediately. Ask to see about possibilities for internal mobility to international locations just for one year until next year’s H-1B. Both UK and Canada (only 2 hours north of Amazon HQ in Seattle) offer much more flexible visa policies that have 1) no caps 2) expedited approval process.

        Reply

  5. I got my receipt last week but it’s still not showing on USCIS website.. Anyone else in the same boat?

    Reply

    • AD Advanced degree, PP Premium processing, RP Regular Processing, VT Vermont Servis Center, CSC California Service Center

      Reply

  7. Ive just got an official receipt from my HR director with receipt number on it (Form I797C).
    received date is April 10, Notice date is April 17. I’m AD/RP/VT

    Checked through USCIS website but case not found. Guess they havent updated yet

    anyway. Thank you for this forum and everyone here, you guys have been great! Good luck to everyone on your journey!

    Reply

  9. I have a question;

    So if you receive a receipt it means that you are selected in lottery.

    What are the possible reasons that your receipt won`t get final approval? What are the chances of that happening?

    Reply

    • there are high cahnces for rejection this time. 99%. What question is this buddy? Are you a L kg kid.? Every petition is different so it depends.

      Well, if you are one of those fake consultants with no client letter no sow chances are pretty high.

      Going forward, pls do not ask such generic question. Post your profile here and then some one can help you.

      non sense

      Reply

      • This forum is not owned by ur father, mind ur language…. a question of no sense for one can prove to be very sensible to other and vice versa ….don’t u have any knowledge of it….. u a*s h*le…….. have some manner ….. neither u r President of USA nor u r god……… if u cant behave polite at least behave normal….

        Reply

        • So you abuse me and talk about mannerism? I really didnt abuse him. And I am pretty sure such questions are not helping anybody on the forum. Its not even silly, it stupid.

          If not, please provide a logical answer to the above question without getting in this debate.

          No Saurabh is not my father, not sure if he is yours?

          anyway. good luck with your H1

          Reply

          • sorry….. i din mean to make u feel bad (that was my first reaction, which anybody else could get)…. bud ur response to stranger cud have been a little more polite….. sorry again….. all the best to u too…..

    • I honestly don`t understand what was wrong with my question. I just want to understand, if I get the receipt, would it be a guarantee to get H1-B if your documents are fine.

      Reply

      • Alright. Well buddy. USCIS will review your application and if they find all the required documents are alright you will get your petition approved. Do you work for EVC model? Or work with the direct employer?

        Reply

        • direct employer of course. I graduated last June from MIT and working on OPT for almost a year now.

          appreciate the answer. I can understand that everybody is tense but please try to answer less harsh next time:)

          Reply

          • 😀 Most of the petition with direct employers get through easily. I also assume your education credentials are in sync with your job.
            I went to NEU now in TX.

          • I will be moving to Houston office as well:) Ok then thanks for your answers. All I need to do is wait for the receipt.

      • WAC – california service center
        14- year as in 2014
        142 -day as in 142th day in 2014
        5- same for everyone
        0xxx- processing count for that particular date.

        Reply

        • In that case my status date doesn’t support 138 th day or 138+31 day was updated today in my SEVIS and it gives receipt number EAC141385**** and my DSO told your status updated date is today.so its not the format what you guys have predicted.

          Reply

          • Nope we are correct, your lawyer is wrong.

            OR

            We are both correct and USCIS sent the email late even though they processed it last week.

          • May be,but i haven’t heard anything from neither employer nor attorney.only thing i found out today at 12-30 pm my school DSO emailed me that i got SEVIS updated by USCIS with that number dated today.
            So in that case either my employer or attorney would have got a mail (m RP/AD and me,my employer,my attorney all of us live in Georgia and by now there is no mail has been received.

    • Hi,

      The first 3 letters(WAC) is the center, next 2 digits(14) refers to year, next 3digits(142) refers to the (day of the year + 31), next one digit(5) refers to the digit for type of visa(5 for H1B.) and the last 4 digits referts to sequence that resets on the daily basis. This is my understanding.

      Thank you

      Reply

      • Varuthapadatha dude… (Don’t worry buddy)

        Be patient till you get the receipt number or the case application telling you that it’s rejected..
        It ain’t over till it’s over..

        Reply

    • -Transfer to foreign office (Canada/UK/etc)?
      -Get TN Visa(North American Free Trade Agreement, if you are a citizen of Canada or Mexico)?

      Reply

  14. I think i got picked up but not sure.i am AD/RP currently on F1 status for second master.(not OPT or CPT).i haven’t heard anything from my employer but i emailed to my DSO and he replied me with this
    Email:-
    I see a pending Change of Status application.
    It is dated today, and the receipt number is EAC1413850***
    That’s all I can see.
    Hope this is helpful.

    But i can not track my application on USCIS web.Does it means i got picket up?? Can anyone have same condition??

    Reply

    • I’m in the same boat. heard from my DSO that I got picked and checked my receipt number on USCIS website saying accaptance level, but neither my employer nor the lawyer have heard nothing from the USCIS yet.
      Still waiting on that but I’m pretty sure we’re selected because otherwise the SEVIS record wouldn’t be changed

      Reply

  20. This is a rough estimate only. No one really knows how the USCIS conducts random selection.

    General Category
    ——————-
    Total Petitions: 172,500
    USCIS received more than 20,000 AD (Masters Cap) . We don’t know the exact number.
    Regular quota available after Singapore and Chile quota: 65,000-6,800 = 58,200
    Hence, the probability for General Category: 58,200/152,500 = about 38%

    Advanced Degree Category
    ——————————
    AD REG P/AD P/REG
    20000 152500 100%38%
    22000 152500 94% 38%
    24000 152500 90% 38%
    26000 152500 86% 38%
    28000 152500 82% 38%
    30000 152500 79% 38%
    32000 152500 77% 38%
    34000 152500 75% 38%
    36000 152500 73% 38%
    38000 152500 71% 38%
    40000 152500 69% 38%
    42000 152500 68% 38%
    44000 152500 66% 38%
    46000 152500 65% 38%
    48000 152500 64% 38%
    50000 152500 63% 38%
    52000 152500 62% 38%
    54000 152500 61% 38%
    56000 152500 60% 38%
    58000 152500 59% 38%
    60000 152500 59% 38%
    62000 152500 58% 38%
    64000 152500 57% 38%
    66000 152500 57% 38%
    68000 152500 56% 38%
    70000 152500 56% 38%
    72000 152500 55% 38%
    74000 152500 55% 38%
    76000 152500 54% 38%
    78000 152500 54% 38%
    80000 152500 54% 38%
    82000 152500 53% 38%
    84000 152500 53% 38%
    86000 152500 53% 38%
    88000 152500 52% 38%
    90000 152500 52% 38%

    Reply

    • Hey usgrad, have you heard back from your attorney yet on your AD/PP case? Also AD/PP/Vermont here. It sees that Vermont is somewhat slower in issuing PP receipts. I may be wrong…

      Reply

      • just_for_you:
        This is an emotional moment for many and I see many posts where people start losing their temper, but, it would be wise if we check our posts before we click on submit.
        Irrespective of the reputation Mikeab might have, but you could have answered him politely or not answered at all.
        Your post couldn’t have been helpful and he could have gained the information just by watching the other following posts. 🙂

        No offense, Have a good day everyone.

        Reply

  22. Is it true that DSO’s can tell you the receipt number as some people are mentioning even if your OPT expires after 1st of October

    Reply

        • No matter what if you are in the USA and on OPT (even if it is expiring or expired on April 1st) they will issue your Cap Gap.

          Reply

          • But my SEVIS status is still Pending and there is no mention of CAP GAP. I think CAP GAP is only for people whose OPT expires before the start date of H1B which is October 1st.

          • Damn, that means i was not selected?
            Change of Status Pending
            04/18/2014
            ACTIVE
            System Interface

            Change of Status
            PENDING
            EAC1413651***

            this is what i received from DSO.

      • Hi Mikeab, when you asked your DSO (I assume you asked them before you got your receipt notice, right?), did they give you the same receipt# that shows up on your I-797C?

        Reply

  23. I just heard from my employer that my H1B got picked. Thanks to redbus .. I am following from day 1…….hope all the applicants who are waiting should hear good news.

    Thanks!!!!

    Reply

      • This is a rough estimate only. No one really knows how the USCIS conducts random selection.

        General Category
        ——————-
        Total Petitions: 172,500
        USCIS received more than 20,000 AD (Masters Cap) . We don’t know the exact number.
        Regular quota available after Singapore and Chile quota: 65,000-6,800 = 58,200
        Hence, the probability for General Category: 58,200/152,500 = about 38%

        Advanced Degree Category
        ——————————
        AD REG P/AD P/REG
        20000 152500 100%38%
        22000 152500 94% 38%
        24000 152500 90% 38%
        26000 152500 86% 38%
        28000 152500 82% 38%
        30000 152500 79% 38%
        32000 152500 77% 38%
        34000 152500 75% 38%
        36000 152500 73% 38%
        38000 152500 71% 38%
        40000 152500 69% 38%
        42000 152500 68% 38%
        44000 152500 66% 38%
        46000 152500 65% 38%
        48000 152500 64% 38%
        50000 152500 63% 38%
        52000 152500 62% 38%
        54000 152500 61% 38%
        56000 152500 60% 38%
        58000 152500 59% 38%
        60000 152500 59% 38%
        62000 152500 58% 38%
        64000 152500 57% 38%
        66000 152500 57% 38%
        68000 152500 56% 38%
        70000 152500 56% 38%
        72000 152500 55% 38%
        74000 152500 55% 38%
        76000 152500 54% 38%
        78000 152500 54% 38%
        80000 152500 54% 38%
        82000 152500 53% 38%
        84000 152500 53% 38%
        86000 152500 53% 38%
        88000 152500 52% 38%
        90000 152500 52% 38%

        Reply

        • Thanks! If it was indeed 70% or more (possible given the success rate I’ve observed for my circle of friends) then the ones like me without a receipt are quite unlucky … especially if this is the second year we try our luck.

          I’m starting to wonder whether there is something else I am not being told by the lawyers. Anyone tried calling USCIS directly? Any luck?

          Reply

  26. Got notified by my HR today. AD/RP/CA

    Now i can get back to work and concentrate.

    All the best to those still expecting. yours is on the way be hopeful

    Reply

  27. Finally I got my receipt number this morning from lawyer. My receipt number is WAC14133500XX.

    This is kind of unexpected to me. Anyway guys don’t lose hope and don’t be frustrated either. At least we know we are in processing queue still.

    Reply

  32. Just called the international student office in my school and they said my SEVIS is updated, receipt number is EAC1413754***, I checked on the USCIS website and its not found. Does anyone know why?

    I am AD/RP/VT
    By the way, thanks to this forum, it has been very helpful!

    Reply

    • hey I am having the same situation. You sure this number is for H1B. My current opt expires after october 1st so I am not eligible for Cap Gap. SEVIS status is still pending but the date is 4/18/2014

      Reply

      • I am not 100% sure but she said congrats to me and said Im the first she saw picked in the lottery…

        And if your OPT expires after Oct. 1st, I think you are fine as long as you are in the process.

        Reply

  35. I am RP/PP/CA and am still waiting. does it mean i have less and less chance to be selected since I have seen many RP people have gotten their receipts?

    Reply

  36. I am starting to lose hope….the lottery system is really unfair system….
    Probably have to go through this again next if it does happen this time…..2yrs in a row didn’t get picked …

    Reply

  38. I received a receipt no, but my lawyer says its just a confirmation of that the application was received and filed by USCIS and does not imply that I was selected in lottery as they didn’t receive a confirmation on that. Also my DSO told me to wait for an official confirmation and refuses to state my OPT status. I am confused.
    I’m AD/PP/VT. What can I assume from this? Anyone in the same situation?

    Reply

      • I am in the same situation with you. Then I called the school and they said they will never processing the new I20 with extension unless I received another formal receipt states “approved confirmation”……but I saw someone already got extension now

        Reply

    • I got the same response yesterday. As far as I know, this is not a definitive way to know whether you got selected in the lottery. My friend told me that SEVIS will update when they start reviewing the case. So I am trying to hang in there being hopeful.

      Reply

      • I am so worried. My friend who graduated with me from the same program, got her status updated. She’s also under AD/RP. She heard nothing from her attorney but her advisor told her SEVIS status got updated. So I guess I might be out….

        Reply

  42. Hi
    I just called my DSO and he said my SEVIS status is pending(my opt expires in October). He also gave me a receipt number EAC1413651####. I do not know if this receipt number is for my H1B petition. can anyone please decipher this number and confirm if this if for H1B visa for this year.

    Thanks

    Reply

  45. Is there any hope left for AD/PP guys? No updates from attorney nor DSO. No hopes right now.Is there anyone waiting for AD/PP or game over for us? if anyone waiting/got receipts today in this category please comment.

    Reply

  47. Really don’t know, I heard about a lot of receipt coming in yesterday all like Non-AD/RP/VT and AD/PP/VT also, so can’t say anything..

    Reply

Leave a Comment