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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. Iam not able to track case status EAC ************ i got my receipt on April 11th but its allready 18 days past i dont know whats wrong with Vermont Center.If they dont update if we dont know whats going on i think its time for all of us to call USCIS and ask about this issue so that they will know how important it is

    Reply

    • Same here… It is in acceptance from long long time got my receipt on Apr 10th…I don’t know when they are going to start processing? Did anybody get approval notice? if yes how USCIS communicated with you?

      Reply

      • The USCIS site has been posting since long that Premium Processing will begin on April 28 (today). Why are people on here so surprised/worried/tensed/sad if you cannot track or have your case stuck in one stage until now? If after this week you still hear nothing then it’s understandable

        Reply

      • PP/VT– are you able to track and see as acceptance when enter my receipt EAC************* i dont even see acceptance what wrong with USCIS Vermont

        Reply

    • Only OPT .. as you will have CPT while you are still enrolled in full time classes … so there will be no instance by which you might end up being out of status while in CPT

      Reply

    • Today is when they are suppose to start processing H1bs. You need to be patient and wait for atleast another 15 days before they process. With the Vermont Service center tracking system not functioning properly, you may not even see the approval/RFE/denial online.

      Reply

  11. Advanced Degree / Regular Processing / Vermont

    Still waiting. Hoping today is the day. Anyone else? Thank you and good luck!

    Reply

        • I guess people here are still hoping that the receipts for the Masters candidates selected under regular quota will be received today.
          I know atleast 10 people who applied for an H1b this year. All Masters. The funny part is that all 10 of them got their receipts. So I think, USCIS has already sent all the receipts for Masters, irrespective of whether they were picked under Masters Cap or the Regular Quota. The reason that I say this is beacause the odds of all 10 of them getting the receipts under Masters cap is very low. But once you include all the results of the second lottery for Masters candidates, the probability goes up siginificantly. So for 10 out of 10 people to get their receipts, I think 80% probability of each candidate would make more sense than a mere 50-60% (probability of being picked in Masters cap).

          I hope I am wrong!

          Reply

          • Yes, I am not sure. However, all the probability calculations are only speculations since we don’t know how many AD petitions were filed vs. non-AD. We won’t know for sure until we get a receipt or the petition back in the mail. So I will continue to hope for the best.

  15. Is there still some hope for me? My employer only filed PP/AD applications and all the applicants have already received their confirmation.
    I am currently working in the Europe branch of my company and am eligible for L1b as well.

    When should I give up and start working on plan B i.e. L1.

    Plz advice.

    Reply

    • Please have some patience. Unless your employer confirms that your packet has been returned to them, you have fair chance like anyone else. Till that time just keep calm. Once it is confirmed that you are not selected then you go for L1.

      Reply

  18. A friend who went through this last year said that people still kept receiving receipts even after the date when USCIS said they would start processing applications. So until you get that package back, it’s not over yet!!

    Reply

        • People working in other companies are updating that they received. I think our company also might have started receiving receipt numbers. But delaying to update AIMS.

          Reply

          • Last year in Infy, many of the “selected” folks got by May 2nd week and “rejected” ones started coming in June. So, lets wait and see…

  21. Hi guys,
    I just got an email from our company HR with the H1B filing receipt attached.
    Receipt#: WAC-14-139-515XX
    California Service Center

    I want know how can I track the progress using this receipt# ?

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply

  22. Hi Saurabh,

    I have a valid visa till sep 2015 issued in year 2012 from a indian MNC .Last year I have visited my client location for around 9 months and willing to switch my H1B job over there but due to some personal reason I have to come back to india now my employer is willing to send me back in January next year which means I would have only 9 months of visa validity available but I want to go to USA well before that but at the same time I would like to come back after 2-3 year back to india to work in some MNC here and I know if I will switch my job my current MNC is not going to hire me in any case.

    My question to you is that if I will get an offer from USA how will I be able to convince my employer to give me my experience letter without servicing the 2 months bond period as I heared that experience letter is a must to get a job in indian MNC(just to let you know that my current employer is the first employer I ave started working with and I have got a work ex of around 4.3 year with him till date )

    Reply

      • Hi every one,

        I have been going through this blag for couple of days, though I am not involved
        in the process. With the knowledge I gained through the inputs contributed by all of you , I have made a small workup and found that the following are the last numbers generated at WAC and EAC:
        WAC1414652075
        EAC1414655312

        This means that there is no processing on 27th and on 28th.
        You may check in the USCIS website.
        Best of luck to all of you.
        SMK

        Reply

  29. guys guys guys….!! who ever is waiting for non AD/RP/REGULAR quota either california or vermont please keep cool…Bcoz until may 2nd week the rejected petitions will not be sent . So, we can expect our receipts in the mean time….
    I know how nerve wrecking this period is..!!cos i am also in the same boat.. the Only thing we can do is hope and pray…

    Reply

  30. USCIS process starts today for premium applicants. So can we see the few approvals today ? or it will just start today and takes time to approval it? How it was happened last year. Any idea please?

    Reply

  31. Hello moderator/participants
    Firstly, appreciate your ways of helping people in this forum. I have been following many threads out of curiosity just to understand what’s going on with the lottery receipts etc.
    I have seen many advanced degree holders filed under premium processing and also under regular processing, received their lottery receipts as early as the week of the lottery and as late as last week. With the Premium processing starting off from 28th April (today being 27th -late), are there any chances of receiving lottery receipts after 28th April for applicants under premium processing. Can there still be any hope for applicants who filed under premium processing?
    Since you proactively follow the process in helping h1b applicants, do you have any stats from last year that shows the receipts received for premium processing applicants (Advanced degree/non advance degree) as later as after April 28th? Your timely response will help many h1b aspirants.

    Reply

  37. My wife just received call from the employer. Check en-cashed. My wife was unlucky last year, but we got it right on time this year. All the best to all you. This has been a great forum for the updates. thanks.

    Reply

  38. God,
    Please show some mercy on us and let my Husband have some luck. We took a decision risking our careers and lives and please don’t let fall us from here.

    Reply

  39. One question on many people who’s not selected is “will USCIS process petitions after today”, and the answer is probably yes.
    if there are any rejections, then USCIS will need other petitions to fill the quota.
    So try not to get stressed up till you get the application back as rejected.
    It would also be good if USCIS starts sending the rejected applications soon as pressure on people will come down once it start coming..

    Reply

  42. Just got the receipt for H4 for my wife. Non -AD/Regular/ Vermont.
    Receipt Date: April 10th
    Got unlucky last year but got it this year. Good Luck Guys. Hope for the best.

    Reply

  44. Does anyone from vermont center has a problem finding the case status in uscis website? It has been 18 days since the received date that I could not find my case status.

    Reply

    • What date is the receipt generated.
      Was it generated on 10th and you got yesterday from you lawyer?
      How was it delivered? email or mail?

      Thanks.

      Reply

    • now this is something interesting…we tout PP’s are done and now we got this..Congrats mate…Does this give the PP’s some hope ? as the USCIS is supposed to started processing from Tomorrow – 28th…..

      Reply

    • Congrats !

      Please give the following info:
      What date was the receipt generated ?
      Was it generated on 10th and you got yesterday from you lawyer?
      How was it delivered? email or mail?

      Reply

  48. Jeez guys when can Vermont receipt nos be trackable. The maintenance is over and still.the same. This has now started giving me creeps.

    Reply

  50. AD/PP/CA

    hey people, I’m really concerned about my current situation which I want you folks to give me some ideas about.
    After checking with my lawyer and employer, they both have NOT received anything from USCIS regarding my status change to H1B. Then I decided to call my school’s DSO and it appears that there is an auto extension on my OPT till September 30, 2014 along with a receipt number. I also checked that receipt number from USCIS case status website and its on ‘Acceptance’ level.
    On the other hand my lawyer is such a bad news teller that she keeps saying if we do NOT hear nothing back from the USCIS by April 28, 2014 then you’re considered as not picked. I’m so confused because of this frustrating situation.
    Do you think I’m picked from the lottery? or I should start packing my stuff and whoop my ass towards my country?

    Reply

    • Can you lawyer check you status if you provide him/her your sevis number? (Not sure how this works)

      Tell her that you school has told you that your stay has been extended..

      I can only imagine what you are going through… It must be worse than waiting for the receipt..

      Reply

      • Yes, I told her the dso’s response on my sevis change and she doesn’t believe until we receive an official response from the Uscis because she says she does not have any experience with sevis whatsoever.
        And believe me its worse than pohrely waiting on the receipt number. This uncertainty keeps me down and having sleepless nights!

        Reply

      • I already told her about the receipt number but she doesn’t wanna believe until she gets the receipt notice directly from the USCIS.
        If she was able to check my SEVIS record, she would have asked me to provide her my SEVIS number in the first place so I guess she can not check it.
        I will make her call USCIS directly today and verify the receipt number that I got from the school then I’ll 100% make sure that it’s really my receipt number

        Reply

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