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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. Hi All,

    Anyone from Non AD/ RP from HCL ? Any idea by when we can hear that we are selected…for Non AD /RP..I heard from other forums as well that RP/Non AD guys start getting their receipt no..desperately waiting…….

    Thanks

    Reply

      • Hey Gr8 sir and congratulation.. let see if i have been selected or not finger crossed. so you are from HCL Chennai or Noida and how many exp do you have ? or if you don’t mind can you share your empl id..i will get in touch with you i am from noida/ERP and having 10+ years of exp.

        Thnaks dude.. 🙂

        Reply

    • You can convert F1 to J1 if any one can sponsor you but waiving J1 is extremely difficult in your home country but doable with taking lot of pain. J1 to H1 B transfer is not favorable.

      Reply

  3. Hi,

    I got the acceptance receipt under permium processing on 15april. Its from vermount center.My employer forwarded me the same mail..However when i am checking the status online ,It is saying invalid EAC no.Anybody else facing the same issue?

    regards.
    PS

    Reply

  5. I didn’t receive anything but my lawyer told checks were chashed today so I think I am IN, Good luck everyone and be hopeful

    Reply

  13. My application got picked in lottery today. Just got the call. Huzzah!! CA center. Regular Quota Regular Processing. Good luck everyone else.

    Reply

  14. Anyone from Microsoft got receipts or still waiting? I am still waiting. non-ad/PP. Attorney told me this morning they had not received any communication about my filing to date…

    Reply

  17. This is an UNUSUAL question, but I really need your help. My receptionist told me that my HR received mail from USCIS yesterday, but she has not informed me about it yet. I am the only person applying from my office, so that makes me pretty sure that it was for me. But my HR hates my guts and I have a feeling she is hiding it from me.
    Firstly, can the HR get an acceptance letter (since I am RP) from USCIS or is it only the Lawyer who receives it?
    Secondly, is there any other way to find out if you got picked in the lottery??
    Any advice can be useful!! Thanks!

    Reply

    • I am not sure for you. But for my case, my lawyer receive notification from USCIS first and he told me about H1b been selected. After few days, my employer got a mail with Form I-797C ( Notice of Action). They though I don’t know so they share that with me. So I think both your lawyer and HR person will get respond from USCIS

      Reply

    • AD/RP/CA,
      HR can receive the letter if the contact person has been mentioned as the HR and not the attorney. It is possible the company hired the attorney only for initial filing and doesn’t want the attorney to represent them through the process.

      Reply

  18. Got the receipt number today…
    Non-AD, Non-PP and CA servive center… I think they are starting sending this out this week for RP/Non-AD… so keep your fingers crossed and best of luck to everyone

    Reply

  19. Is there a difference between how AD “selection” is conducted compared to regular gap “random selection” ?

    The wording from USCIS never mentioned about ‘random’ for AD category.

    From USCIS – “The agency conducted the selection process for the advanced degree exemption first. All advanced degree petitions not selected then became part of the random selection process for the 65,000 limit.”

    http://www.uscis.gov/news/usci…

    Note – I do understand the fact that AD people join the pool of regular cap if they are not selected under AD exemption.

    Reply

    • 2 of my friends and I got tracker updated with receipt number today. But we havent received any email confirmation. all are non-AD/PP/Vermont. Best of luck!

      Reply

  21. Anybody able to see the status update in Vermont center? with my case no I always see case not found. Do I need to worry about it? Please guys give me some update.

    Reply

  24. Hi All,

    Anybody under the non-advanced, regular processing start getting receipts from the VT center ? Any idea on when these ones would be received?

    Thanks

    Reply

  26. Hi Frens

    Can any one help me out with my question ?
    How to ensure that employer filed H1B and reached USCIS ? I Knew it depends merely trust on employer ,but a hope is there a way to trace out . . I appreciate your help . .

    Reply

    • There is no way to find out. You can ask for the UPS/Fedex recpt number, but even then you cannot be sure if that package contains your petition or not. You just need to trust your employer.

      Reply

  27. Hi All,

    I got the Receipt from my employer today.
    AD/RP/WAC – WAC14136XXXXX

    “On April 10, 2014, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case.”

    Wish you all the very best of luck
    Let me know if you need any more information

    Reply

  28. Not sure if anyone has the same case as of mine … My employer had applied for 8 applications under regular processing … He just called me today informing he received 7 receipts except mine … Is any one experiencing same issue … I am very nervous and all worried … I think I was picked up in the lottery …

    Reply

    • I was in the same situation last year: At this stage, all other H1B applications from my company had a receipt number yet nothing for me. On May 10th my package was returned to our lawyers, so I was not selected. This year I have applied again and have not heard anything as of yet, (I’m AD/RP/CA). I have a Ph.D, 2 post docs (One a Marie Curie) and 25+ publications and am working for a very niche firm. At this stage I don’t have much hope.

      Reply

      • Start working on plan B now (last week actually). If your application is still pick then it’s fantastic, but the likelihood at this stage is quite small. So you should be focusing on alternatives with intent, while still holding a candle for the lottery.

        Reply

          • Well, last year when I wasn’t selected my company applied for a J-1 visa for me (which was approved in 2 weeks). My J visa is valid for 18 months and was intended to bridge the gap between last year and this year, since I’m not subject to the 2 year home rule requirement. If you can do that and are not subject to a home rule requirement, it’s a good option. I’m still working on plan B, right now I’m thinking that I will return to my country and start a company based on what I learned here over the past year.

    • My law firm Backer and Mckenzie is not communicating anything, that’s why wanted to check whether anyone else filled through them and get notified.

      Reply

      • I’m using them too. They have a cool portal where you can check your status online. They anticipate most Non-AD/RP receipts to be this week.

        Reply

          • A paralegal should have contacted you with a Login and a Password. Reach out to them if you never got an e-mail about it. Here is the portal though: https://global.inszoom.com/.

            And I think receipts will trickle in off the wait list for the next 3 weeks. But if I were a betting man I’d guess that we’ve seen the end of true PP acceptances, and we’re finishing up AD/RG over the next day or so.

            However, I think many more receipts are issued off the wait list than one might think. Stay optimistic and we’ll pull through through this.

          • Hi,

            We are also using this inszoom portal in our company..

            Can u please let us know if receipt no. will be updated on this portal first or email will come first from employer?

            Also, what is the current status for your case in that portal..is it “closed” or “open” or “other”

        • Really!! dont know that. Could please share the link here for the portal. Also did they say that hope is over for AD/PP?

          Reply

  30. PP/AD/CA just got receipt from the attorney. Thank God. Shows got selected on 4/11 and emailed out the result. The delay is indeed kind of random.

    Reply

  31. Is it Game over for all PP’s ( AD/NON AD ) or are we still hopefull to wait until 28th.. Coz I see lot of RP’s being generated and do not see a single comment from a couple of hours back about any PP coming thru ?

    Not to disappoint anyone…. just wanted some thoughts …

    Reply

  34. I have been following this page since April 1st and it’s time for me to contribute now. I just got my receipt from my employer. I was feeling pretty hopeless when seeing a lot of regular process people got their receipt on Monday and Tuesday. Finally today I got mine! So all I want to say is don’t lose hope… Receipts are still on their way to be sent out!

    AD/RP/VT
    Notice Date April 18 2014

    Reply

  36. ADV/RP/CA, as far as that was what the law firm told me.

    The law firm never informed me the status expect the first mail on March 31st. Tired of waiting and checked the last from the law firm this morning and found I can check it myself on their web. Surprisedly found my receipt was received on April 10th.

    However, all 3 of my colleagues checked their status. No receipt shown yet.

    Reply

  38. I and my husband both had applied for H1 visa. My husbands company applied for him through PP/VT and for me RP/ VT. And just few minutes back i got mail from my lawyer that my H1 visa got selected .I am happy for my H1B but i wish and pray that my husband’s visa also get selected.
    And i hope by 28th we will get to hear good news for my husbands H1 visa too….
    fingers crossed…

    Reply

  39. Admin!!!

    Please clear the cache, could not able to see the comments, please schedule the drop cache so it is automated……

    Reply

  40. DSO says “active OPTX ends on xx/xx/14. There is COS pending initiated on 04/22/14”
    Am I to understand if this has been picked in the lottery. Can somebody please confirm?(AD/RP/VT)

    Reply

  42. Guys, there is nothing to be upset about..

    There will always be someone “luckier” and “unluckier”

    Arent you fortunate that you got the opportunity to study here and find a job?

    be grateful for what you have already achieved.

    If this doesn’t work out, try to find a job in a different country or create more jobs!

    Reply

  45. Is anyone here like me? Who is holding F1 visa but no OPT or CPT?and got picked up in lottery….if yes could anyone tell me what happen to my F1 status ,my I20 valid till November and course finishes in November too…can I be here and study and finish my course till November if my H1 approval notice comes in 1-2 months?or do I need to file any form or something?my attorney has filed I-129 change of status for me in my petition.i want to finish my study because it is my 2nd master.

    Reply

    • Hi aryan. I am in exact same boat as u. 2nd masters and valid until Nov. If u get h1 within next few months…no need to worry. U can still continue your school until u graduate. There is no rule which states you cannot study on h1. Just continue ur school as before. To be on a safer side just inform your school that you have got your h1.

      Reply

  46. My company filed 4 H1B this time. Two guys got their receipt today. Is there any hope for the rest of us? All 4 are AD/PP/VT.

    Reply

  48. I just got confirmation from my lawyer (baker mckenzie) that my petition was selected in the lottery (non-AD/PP/Vermont). I had almost given up and was focusing on a Plan B. Looks like they are still sending out PP receipt notices. Hang on and don’t loose hope.
    Lawyer’s message:
    “I received notification last night, but I wanted to see the physical receipt notice before I confirmed for the team—what a fantastic success!”

    Reply

  49. AD/PP/CA folks

    Did any of you try to check your SEVIS records? Did you contact your university? My university is so slow. I asked but haven’t heard back yet.

    Reply

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