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
- Applying for H1B 2015 ? Read : Step by Step Plan to Apply for H1B 2015
- How to find H1B Visa 2015 Sponsors ? Various Options
- H1B Visa 2015 Lottery Prediction – USCIS Data, Trend, Analysis
- USCIS Official News Release : H1B FY 2015 Petitions Accepted from April 1st. Summary
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.
Hi folks,
Neither my employer nor my lawyer have been notified from Uscis yet then I called my school dso and ask if anything changes on my sevis status and they confirm that there is a cap gap extension applied on my sevis status.
I also wanted to confirm with my lawyer if the Check is cashed or not and it’s not been cashed as of yesterday. So what’s wrong ? I need a piece of advise
Cong! This is a good news to me too.
Yes, I believe you are in. Cap-Gap extension means that you are selected in the lottery. Congratulations and have a great weekend 🙂
“From 28th April USCIS going to start processing Premium Application ”
Does it means not Approved before 28th April?
Any one got Approved today?
not sure when they will send the rejection notices/packages…
Any hopes for AD/PP california center
There is a slim chance that more receipts will come today/Monday. However, they should be completed with most PP cases by now. You should not hold you breath at this point.
How long can I keep hope on receiving receipt?? Mine is NONAD/RP. Few of my colleagues from my company received receipts. Can I stop thinking abt my petition?? I think game over 🙁
Which company you work for? For RP you still have more time.
You have hopes b’coz it’s RP
One of my friend got the approval on mid of June.. so don’t lose your hope.
ya please do ..
which area are you at? I am in Louisiana. Do you have any other people’s update status?
Can someone share list of CPT allowing Universities for Plan B … Please
I am using CPT from May on. My OPT was expired last year so I went back to register full time courses at a college and waited for 2 semesters to be granted CPT to be able to start to work in Summer.
Have heard there are universities that allow CPT from 1st semester … but I dont know their names … if thats the case is it legal to attend those type of universities and can it cause issues in next H1B applications ???
I don’t know. From what i know is that most uni offer CPT after 1 academic year. I took 2 semester(Fall,Spring) full-time causes and just got CPT. Now I am anxious to wait for h1b receipt. I can’t even concentrate to do anything.
Few of the CPT schools:
Goldey Beacon- Delaware
American college of Commerce and Technology(ACCT) falls church VA
University of North America VA
Sullivan university Louisville KY
Emerson college-MA
University of Harrisburg PA
KSI Chicago IL
Has anyone been to these schools … is there anything that can causes issues in our next H1B applications .. ??
I am in the same boat and checked with my HR and Attorneys. They said they wouldn’t recommend it. It is gaming the system and unless you give a strong reason, USCIS will frown upon it. Would rather go back or work in some other country to keep chances alive for next year.
anyone from tts telecom? I was told to wait till june.. rp/rq
Anyone from Non-AD/Regular processing/Vermont received receipts ? Please let me know, i’m waiting like anything… 🙁
me too … 🙁
Got receipt for Non-AD/RP/VT from my company today. So VT has started sending receipts.
Good Luck everyone!
can you let us know what date is the issue date? This week?
Issue Date – Apr 10
AD/RP/CA
Hi Guys,
My lawyers still haven’t told me anything, but i called my university yesterday and they said that my OPT has been extended through September 30.
I do recommend all who are in this situation to do that as well. Brought a huge sense of relief for me.
Did you also confirm with your employer that the check is cashed yet?
That’s awesome! Congrats 🙂
My school refuses to check it for me.
How many people are waiting for
AD/RP/VT? Is AD processing done? I am thinking to call attorney to ask about the situation. But it seems the attorney will not provide much information.
+1
Advanced Degree / Regular Processing / Vermont
Also still waiting. Called my university and no update on my SEVIS yet. Where are you located? My employer is in Maine.
I am in Louisiana. Did you ask your attorney about it? How many people in the same law firm that have the same category received the receipt?
I did ask my attorney about it and he said that the receipts just started to come in. So not all hope is lost. I am not sure how many people applied or received H1B in the same law firm. I am assuming not a lot because it’s a very small town. I am still trying to stay hopeful… but it’s tough 🙁
Waiting..
+1
I am still waiting too…Is it game over for us?? Please advise
AD still waiting
Any hope for NON AD / RP?
This wait is killing me now…Any updates of RP /non AD vermont center?
Any one from IBM got update?
WAITING…..Haven’t heard anything yet……guys any updates for NON AD/RQ/RP for CA center
…..,
Don’t loose hope,
uscis will keep few applications in waiting list apart from 85k.
Every year they select few extra petitions to accomodate for the applications that will get withdrawn and denied.
hi received receipt RQ/RP/CA for husband .lawyer in california.WAC#
this forum was really helpful and best of luck to everyone who is waiting. May be its coming along taking time.
Congrats!!!.when you got the receipt and whats the notice date
Congrats
My employer is in Iowa.. Which center he will apply for.. Mine is NonAD/RP.. till when i can wait for any intimation
Its California center (wac)
My employer & attorney is austin based, which center my attorney will apply for mine.. i am NON-AD/RP.
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.
—————–
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
Saisri ..
Jai Sai ram..
You are quite active on this forum…good
All the best for receipt …u shall get the same soon.
Me waiting for same…let s hope for the best…amen!
..
Guys, my attorney is located in California..my employer is in New York. Which service center they should have applied? Vermont or California?
if your employer is in newyork its will be Vermont
Your LCA belongs to where you work ,it depends on work location .
Did any PP get receipts in last couple of days? Im still waiting to hear back.. seems like monday is the last day! Please respond ..it will be very helpful
I am in the same boat dude, I think today is the last day for us, if we dont recieve it by today just have a plan B, This was my second time. I am not happy at all.
I am GQ/PP in california
Either Monday or Today. Either way, you should not wait any longer. Start your plan Bs asap.
I am waiting too.. So much tensed and sad..
Stop waiting. Go enjoy your weekend. Have a drink, loosen up.
Then prepare for next steps.
EAC141335XXXX Still not trackable, got receipt on April 13, wonder what is wrong with USCIS.
Me too
@TN, do you also have EAC141335XXXX?
Waiting4H1B & TN, is both of your applications are under premium processing?
@TN, when did you get your receipt and is your reciept# EAC141335XXXX?
Yeah, mine is premium processing, but now I think it was not worth spending money for premium.
same here. Received on 10 April, notice date 14 April, EAC141345XXXX still non trackable. 🙁
I think EAC141345XXXX,EAC141355XXXX,EAC141365XXXX series are not trackable , mine is EAC141355XXXX and waiting for more than a week , to see it on USCIS web site
@Jai, Mine is EAC141355xxxx too…
@ Jai.. Is there any way we can reason why is such a problem with these tracking nos with USCIS and when can we be able too see the status??
Aggregating previous comments looks like receipts generated on the 133rd, 134th, 135th, 136th day are not yet updated.
Thoughts? guys?
I got receipt with EAC14138***** which is trackable and showing as Initial review. This was filed in regular processing and regular quota.
Congrats Buddy!! BTW which company are you from?
wow.. mine is EAC14131***** and is still showing a status of “acceptance”.. My case is under PP, I guess not so premium after all :-p
Yeah me to. My Receipt is EAC141335xxxx, but i suppose any receipts generated between 133 AND 136 is not displayed. But I guess as per USCIS, they are still on track, as they had told us that they will start processing from April 28th for Premium processing.
Yeah! mine is EAC14135xxxxx too…not trackable yet.
What about the e-mail stating that the “the case will be adjudicated within 15 days from the received date…”
Well yeah the words mean nothing until May 12th. Because USCIS need not refund the fees until then for premium processing. So technically they are not bound by that line. This is ofcourse my Understanding…. :)…..
I still havent recieved anything from USCIS, lawyer & Employer. I applied for GQ/PP do i still have time or should i consider my self unlucky?
Yes. Unlucky… just like the rest of us. Also AD/PP here. It’s not mine or your fault, so no need to feel sorry for ourselves. What matters now is how we respond to adversities.
Hey CTS guy, any idea, how many ppl from CTS applied thr’ NonAD/RP and got receipts? Do all applications go to CA center?
If you’re reading other posts here, then you would know that processing center is based upon your work location (as present in LCA).
AD/PP/VA…got my receipt no yesterday, after being unlucky the first time, with a notice date of April 18th…all the best guys!
correction AD/ RP/VA…my bad!
Where are you located? Thank you!
Did you get by email or general mail? Also could you share first 5 digits of your receipt number
1) Does uscis en-cash the check at the same time when they issue the receipt notice?
2) I have not seen any AD receipt notices with a ISSUE DATE after April 17. Does this mean that they are done with all AD?
I have the same question. All the receipt was issued on April 17.
It seems they don’t issue the receipts this week.
Mine AD/RP/VT
USCIS did not encash the check the same time in my case.
My notice date is 18th, check deducted on 24th.
Is there anyone able to track Vermont receipt no. On USCIS website.
Yes, I can
Advanced Degree / Regular Processing / Vermont
Still waiting. Anyone else?? 🙁
They are finished with printing. Yours should be in its way via snail mail. the best thing is that you check with your school’s DSO and ask for SEVIS update.
@Mikeab How do you know they are finished? And I checked and now update on my SEVIS as of yesterday.
caz they started processing the applications and I have seen many applications changed form Initial review to Decision both in WAC and EAC. It takes time for SEVIS to get updated. So just check with your DSO next Monday.
What if the check has not been cashed yet? Does that mean receipt has not been generated yet??
i am waiting. Don’t dare to bother the company to ask whether the check is cashed. I asked on Monday already.
My colleague got the receipt today.. we are working in CTS..
Just curious Non AD RP or PP ? In HCL nobody from RP has got the receipt only PP so far.
NON-AD/RP
Dude is it from California (WAC) or Vermont (EAC)?
Sameer, How do you know abt HCL PP ? Could you confirm it ?
I heard a couple of people from Syntel got a receipt for Non AD/RP.
Really… I am from syntel and so far i havent received any receipt.
I can not tell for sure , I heard it from one of my friends working there.
I guess CA and VT stopped printing the receipts and started approving. I guess when they announced April 28th as of the starting date for PP applications, they really mean that ! any thoughts ??
I am so tense I am losin weight..any RP/Non AD news?
Guys anyone from non ad /non pp/ wa received receipt no.s. Iam so frustating, fingers getting crossed.do reply anyone please
anyone from jeanmartin/tringapps ? any update received? Non-AD/RP.
really tense
Good morning !
I think there are many who applied under AD/PP are still waiting for an answer. Hopefully, we will get a positive result today.
– Is today (Apr 25), the last date to get receipts for AD/PP applicants ?
– I heard that some (AD/PP) got receipts yesterday. I am not sure when it was actually issued. Sometimes, attorneys email their clients after few days. Do we have any confirmed news (AD/PP receipts issued yesterday) ?
– I think we can retain some hope till May 12 assuming we are wait-listed (provided we did not get our application back by May 12).
– I think we need to actively work on our backup plans from Apr 28 (Monday). Unfortunately, there are not many choices other than going back to our home country.
Good luck guys/gals !
Actually USCIS has never guaranteed that they will send rejected applications by May 12. They only guarantee a 15-day decision time for those selected in the lottery AND that they must not have an RFE. This 15-day response time does NOT apply to applications not selected in the lottery.
Your rejected package may very well come back before May 12, or a few weeks or even a month after May 12. My attorney has confirmed that in previous years, some applicants had to wait until end of may or even mid-June before receiving their rejected packages.
@usgrad – can you ask your manager for an internal transfer to a foreign division? Most large companies are very accommodating/understanding when it comes to issues like H-1B transfers.
@ Mueller: My current status is good till Aug first week. My options are (a) apply for a different visa (b) check out the possibility of working overseas (c) apply to a H1B cap exempt organization.
I think internal transfer within the same company would be the easiest and safest option. No need to deal with USCIS. All you need is HR/Manager approval.
Red Cross, United Nations, or even your university could possibly sponsor you. I have a friend who worked at our university’s endowment fund as a financial analyst, and he was able to get H-1B cap exemption because of that.
The trick is to find the right type of job within the next 3 months for you…
I said that we (AD/PP) can retain hope until Apr 25 and some hope until May 12 (provided we don’t get our application back). From Apr 28 onward it is wise to look out for other options. If we get H1B in the mean time, it is not going to hurt.
Anyone heard anything from Fragomen yesterday or today?
NO… waiting to hear from them
i am also fragomen …. No updates from thier side… do they delay ?
By when USCIS would seen the applications. Any cut off date ??
Would send*
EAC1413554167
USCIS Started approvals today also.
Any body got approvals today from Vermont?
No..still in acceptance status…
Got to know one of my colleague got this his receipt today…
Did he got email from Immigration team of CTS?
Did he get *
Yes & we are from Chennai.. Not sure if its WAC or EAC… Pls share if you get to know guys receiving in Pune..
I guess your friend’s application is processed at California.
You can find out your processing center based on the state for which your VISA is raised. You can google to get the more details.
For me, the receipt is sent to Vermont.
Anyone hear from microsoft?
Hi All,
Congrats to those who got the receipt numbers. My doubt is if anyone knows that when USCIS dispatch receipts of selected petitions in a lottery do they dispatch in any order or its just random. For eg. couple of my colleagues received receipts yesterday from CA center (RQ/RP/Non AD) and my solicitor said he has not yet received mine. I want to know if people employed in the same company get receipts together or there may be delay in some people receipts given they all have applied in same adjudication center. Any comments would be helpful.
I have heard that they just send them out on an individual basis and not by company. People from the same company can wait days or weeks in between to ear back. It’s not an indication of anything.
Non- AD/RP/Vermont
Anyone applied through Marc&Taylor , John dorer attorney?
EAC1413554167
USCIS Started approvals today also.
Any body got approvals today from Vermont?
I know my case number ,how will I check my case number is selected or not ?.
Anybody recvd any updates from wipro????
Did anyone receive any updates on Non-AD / Regular processing /Vermont yet?
Hi,
I just got call from my employer that my check has been en cashed.
Thx
Advanced Degree / Regular Processing / Vermont (employer located in Maine)
Still waiting 🙁 Anyone else? Good luck!
Has anybody heard anything from IBM.
Did anyone receive any updates on Non-AD / Regular processing /Vermont yet?