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H1B Visa 2015 – Frequently Asked Questions – Updates

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. Hello friends,

    Pls help clarify my query. Applied in Non AD RP quota. My application was submitted on the 1st April… I just checked with my employer and he said he din receive mine but he already received 2 applications of others. Is probability of my application getting thru less? Will they be sending the receipts based on employer? Certainly worried 🙁 … have already lost a yr..

    Reply
  2. Does anyone know if Tech Mahindra files premium or non premium.. and has anyone heard about receipts from groupheads in any of the location?

    Reply
  3. When i am checking my status with the receipt number , its showing “on 18th april your Alien Registration Number was changed relating to your I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. ” , but other receipt number showing , on 10th april , we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case.

    Is there anything wrong with my status ? as the status message is different .

    Reply
    • Do you have an alien number by any chance?
      If not also, don’t worry about that status message. Believe me, last time when I applied for L1 extension, I had the same message till I got the approval decision and I didn’t had any Alien number too. I asked my immigration team and they contacted USCIS, they said just to ignore the message and my case is in processing status.

      Reply
  4. If somebody has list of small consulting firms in US who files h1b pls share.
    looks like next year, shouldn’t rely on your employer only 🙁

    Reply
    • Do not do that mistake of applying mutiple petition, this would not increase your chance a lot …….but there are chances of getting screwed in the interview, may result in denial if not well supported like you should have an AD or PhD, many years of experience etc.

      After all its luck..

      Reply
  5. Guys….my attorney is BALGLOBAL…and they said that the Non-AD/RP does not started yet….and it will start after 28th April by post ….so we can hope to get our receipt by 1st week of may month…..just figures crossed.

    Reply
  6. USCIS is down ….. Seems they are doing an bulk upload of Receipts….
    Message says : “Server is currently unavailable or down for maintenance”
    Lets Keep up our hopes everyone…
    Non AD/ regular here

    Reply
    • I am AD/RP/VT too. Did you ask your lawyer about it? My attorney didn’t answer my email. Where are you located at? I am in down south.
      I am kind of feeling hopeless.

      Reply
      • Didnt speak to my attorney. My employer mentioned that it might take time since if mine didnt get pick in Masters quota then it might get pick in regular cap and it may take some time.

        Reply
          • I don’t any uni will offer CPT from day 1. I am using CPT in May. I waited for 2 semesters to get CPT. they said it is the rule. Also they will only grant you to work for 20 hours during fall and spring. In summer CPT is full time.

        • i asked the law firm about how many people in the same category got receipts. No reply. So I have no clue at all. Feel so angry that your attorney will not reply your email. I don’t think my employer knows about the quota and lottery. I am the only person they filed for h1b. I am on F1B now.

          Reply
  7. Any idea what is the name of the lawyer firm for IBM? Is there any other way to get update other than INS-Zoom? Anyone from IBM received the receipt for non-AD/RP/VT?

    Reply
  8. USCIS server is down for maintenance. Seems like there are working updating the all the records with receipt numbers issued and updating the status as well. Keep up the hope guys!!

    Reply
  9. Hi all,

    Till now no receipt number has generated fro Non-AD/RP…..I don’t know wh y the ppl are telling lie and saying that they have got their reveipt.

    From 28th onwards they will start dispatching the same via post mail….please note there will no email intimation for Non-AD/RP.

    Reply
    • How long is your OPT valid till?

      At this point don’t expect too much..

      have you talked to your boss/HR about alternate options?

      I have learnt a couple of things:

      1) Dont buy a car
      2) Dont sign a long lease
      3) Save as much as possible
      4) Start working on plan B in February.

      I did exactly opposite of the above!

      Reply
  10. Any Updates from TCS FDFU??.. I have heard that some GL’s have already shared the information with the associates

    Reply
  11. guys..I am supposing that all the 85000 receipt numbers would be disclosed before april 28th..the day PP starts as per uscis. I suppose this because ethically all employers should be given equal opportunity to process their petitions by PP from april 28th.please correct my understanding.

    Reply
      • As on april 10 news in uscis, it said lottery is done.It means 85000 are ready to be receipted.Once receipts are ready , they would share with attorney/employer.In these 85000 , some go for premium processing & others normal processing as per the urgency of employer.uscis also said from april 28, pp starts.i just thought if at all employer wants to do a pp, it should have receipt number ready with it. please correct my understanding

        Reply
  12. My employer is a very small company with just 9 employees. Im the only one for whom petition is filed. Do you think I’ve more or less chance?

    Reply
    • Got receipt number…not mail.. I checked in fragomen site…I seen receipt number and description is .. received receipt from uscis ….

      Reply
        • I’m from hyderabad capgemini..for us frogomen is d third party who is looking into h1 process. We regestered fragomen when initiated…there we can see the updates..and I got the receipt number from fragomen site…. cg immigration team is not in part here…

          Reply
  13. Has anybody got any updates from wipro pune, as i’m tired of this wait now. Cannot concentrate on anything. Just keep on checking this site every 5 mnts like a physcho…. :-!

    Reply
  14. when is the last day for receiving receipts for NON AD/ Regular Processing/ VT?
    My Employer Filed for some 30 candidates. All are regular/Non AD. And 5 got their receipt.
    Really tensed.
    @SaiSri -what do you think mate?

    Reply
  15. If USCIS has to start processing of PP petitions from tomorrow, then a majority of receipts would be sent by today.
    Among the already selected petitions, if some got rejected due to incorrect filing, etc., then the other petitions which didn’t make through the first time will be considered in their place.
    So, people need not worry till their applications are sent back as rejected.
    Well, if rejected, we can always look forward to other options, to each his/her own.. 🙂

    Reply
  16. Thought the link may be useful_

    http://www.happyschools.com/options-opt-expiring-no-h1b-visa/?awt_l=IxcGM&awt_m=3hT81pBKjr5u29d

    Reply
  17. When is your F1 expiration date?
    Mine is May and the lawyer said I can’t ask for COS and I need to leave the country and get the stamp!

    Reply
  18. I checked my SEVIS status and it is showing as “Pending”. My petition was not filed in AD category. Does it mean I am picked in the lottery?

    Reply
      • I am not on my OPT, but I had applied for COS from F1 to H1 in non AD category. Thats why I was wondering if Pending means selected in the lottery.

        Reply
          • I filed in RP. I read somewhere in this forum that we can check SEVIS status if we had applied for COS from F1 to H1. I have not yet got my receipt number from my employer.

          • COS of F1 to H1B does not reflect on your SEVIS. What reflects on your SEVIS is the extension of your OPT under CAP-GAP. For example if your OPT ends on 1st of July and your H1B get selected in lotto then the expiration date of your OPT (shown in your SEVIS records) will be extended to Oct 1st.
            Better talk with you DSO regarding the details of such “pending” to make sure what that is.

          • @Question

            If you dont have OPT then SEVIS will only show your SEVIS status as pending.

            Your SEVIS status will change from f1 to H1B once your application got approved.

            That means if you have some status change in SEVIS then you can assume it as good news, but I will also suggest to check from your lawyer/Employer about any notice from USCIS.

            Good Luck…

          • Thanks for the information! One more thing, SEVIS status has changed to “Pending” on 25th i.e. yesterday, until then it was showing as “Active”. So not sure..

        • You definitely made H1B lottery. Actually I received my H1B receipt on 12 th April and called my school DSO to check my SEVIS record because my opt is in initial review during past two and half month. Please call your DSO again and ask your pending receipt number. It should be from either Vermont or California. Good luck!

          Reply
  19. Cool, I am wonder, there is no ENGLISH language test (IELTS/GRE/TOEFL) going on here, by the way i did my Masters here…. Thanks Man for correcting my grammar….

    Reply
  20. Let’s say I get the H1B approved and my wife comes with H4 visa. After 6 years, I either get my green card or go back to my home country. If I get my green card and stay in US, will my wife be able to stay in US or she’ll need to go back and wait for her green card (which probably will take several years)? Thank you in advance!

    Reply
  21. Hey, My employer informed me in the morning that the funds deducted from account on behalf of me. I haven’t get any receipt.

    Is that mean i got through lottery.? Bit confused… Comments are appreciated… Thanks folks….

    Reply
    • No info as yet for Syntel folks…. did you hear anyone from Syntel got the receipt number ?

      All petitions are Non Ad/RP from Syntel.

      Reply
  22. Is anyone able to track the EAC receipt no’s from the week of 14th April , I am still not able to do it , its been 10 days since I got the number , I am hoping after the downtime for “My Case Status” which is supposed to happen tomorrow as per the latest USCIS alert , we would be able to see the
    updates.

    Reply
    • Have some patience bud…..there are folks still waiting to hear about their lottery…

      can’t you hold your horses for few more days…???!!!

      Reply
    • AD/PP/CA….Looking at the comments and considering the fact that USCIS is going to start processing Premium applications starting the 28th, I do not think we have any hopes left.. However, optimistically speaking, I am assuming we could still hold on to our hopes as long as we do not get any rejection emails / mails..

      My mental state 10 days before lottery and 10 days after lottery…

      Before: Man, I must be doing a really good job here..The efforts I sowed in for my Masters have reaped its best of fruits .. For, after my yearly review, I was totally being accoladed and being recommended for a promotion.. My company applied for my H1..I was ELATED……………

      After: 10 days gone by with the time and the chances of being selected trickling down the narrowest of the funnels..Totally Bogged down… Thinking of other options… Raking my brains, checking my mobile and emails constantly waiting for a streak of luck to bestow its light on me…I am HOPING……….I feel like a gambler at the Casino… !!!!!!

      Reply
      • Ditto! AD/PP/CA & still waiting..

        Working at a really innovative/profitable company & doing a great job there doesn’t matter! Which, to me, sounds like a joke – a very sad joke…

        But guess what can be worse! This is my second attempt at H1 and both times i got kicked in the butt by the lottery system.. And what is more hilarious – I think of all the people who tell me that either things happen for the best OR who say there are people with worse problems – All i want to do is give them a nice tight slap 🙂

        Reply

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