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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. Finally the wait is over!!!. My Petition is picked in the Lottery for NON AD/RP category. The reciept was sent to my attorney from Vermont..Waiting for more updates & process!.

    Good luck to all & don’t lose hope!!

    Reply
  2. Finally got my receipt. RQ/RP/CA. US Bachelor’s degree, working for the biggest semiconductor company. Pretty much everyone I know got picked. Hang in there guys, best of luck to all.

    Reply
    • but these receipts says “On April 28, 2014, we received this CRI89 PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS OF PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS RECEIVED, and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case.”

      Are you sure these are H1b Applications

      Reply
  3. Please let me know- does this status means the application has been approved.

    AD…PP..Vermont..Case Staus:
    Post Decision Activity
    On April 28, 2014, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER.

    Reply
    • That means u r unlucky dude. They are gonna deny your petition and return your package.

      Cheer up dude. Jus kidding. U have been thru and gear up for new life for atleast 3 yrs.

      Reply
    • How come man that they approved on 28th first day itself every one who applied AD/VT saying that they are not even able to track their application online even though they got picked in lottery.If you dont can you please let us know from when your able to see your status online or just today right away u have seen the decision

      Reply
    • Why the hell we have to go through this guys….I am not against non-AD guys..
      but this is just insane…insane…how a lottery is deciding the tide of my life..
      Still got $30k loans to pay back and other personal things which deals with even more stuff….it’s not fair…it’s not fair!!

      It’s high time there should be a sensible immigration reform!!

      Not sure when this agony ends….. 🙁 🙁

      Reply
  4. I saw a post in other forum (other language) that he got the package back.
    Is there other people here who also got the package back already???

    Reply
  5. I received my receipt number today… NON AD/RP/California center/WAC-14-143-XXXX, Received date – 04/10 Notice date – 04/23. All Glory to the Lord. Keeping others in prayers…

    Reply
    • Glory to the Lord, either anyone got approved or rejected. We will be directed to different way. There are many solutions.

      Reply
  6. been lurking on this since april 10 until i received my receipt from uscis today 4/28. Mine is Non-AD/RP, California Svc Center Rec Date 4/10, Notice Date 4/22. Thank you so much Lord. God Bless for those who are still waiting…

    Reply
  7. On April 23, 2014, your Alien Registration Number was changed relating to your I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER.

    I got the receipt what does this mean?

    Reply
  8. All,
    I have been following the post almost every 15 minutes, since last two weeks. I am glad to share that my employer called me an hour before and sent me email notifying that I got through the Lottery.
    All the best !

    Reply
    • On April 23, 2014, your Alien Registration Number was changed relating to your I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. Please check our website at www.uscis.gov for further updates on your case. Please wait until the end of normal processing time before calling customer service at 1-800-375-5283 for live assistance

      What does this mean?

      Reply
  9. I got my receipt 10 days back but still in the USCIS case status , I cant see my case. Is there anyone out there who has the same problem??

    Reply
  10. Mine is PP/Non Ad. Got an RFE just now…not sure what it is yet. Will they fax the RFE to attorney if it is premium processing?or it will be mail only?

    Reply
    • Do you what was wrong with your application ? did you or your attorney attach all the required documents ? Did they fill the LCA with your name ?

      Reply
    • RFE for PP cases will be faxed to Employer/Attorney (whichever fax number that is provided on I-907.) In your case, faxed RFE should already have been rec’d.
      USCIS is using RFE to buy more time (so it doesn’t have to refund the PP fee), as it obviously doesn’t have enuf officers to finish adjudicating all PP H-1s within 15 days – there are a huge # of them this year. In fact, USCIS was using the same tactic last year already.

      Reply
      • Thats true…. My employer who filed the petition is top US based firm..still USCIS simply asks for evidence…I have 10 years of experience and currently working on L1 for 4 years in US….

        Reply
  11. Probably it’s the most weird thing i guess…

    My employer called me few days back and said my cheque was encashed,i was under the impression that i got my H1B picked in the lottery.But today my employer called me again and he said one of his employees who was filed alon with me that guy got two receipts and i didn’t get mine.Employer is in the process of contacting USCIS,don’t know what is happening really

    Reply
  12. Probably it’s the most weird thing i guess…

    My employer called me few days back and said my cheque was encashed,i was under the impression that i got my H1B picked in the lottery.But today my employer called me again and he said one of his employees who was filed alon with me that guy got two receipts and i didn’t get mine.Employer is in the process of contacting USCIS,don’t know what is happening really

    Reply
  13. I applied on AD/RP/VT. Still no news regarding the pick up or the receipt number. Does this means its game over for me???

    Reply
    • I sincerely hope that your anxious wait gets rewarded with a receipt number soon..As a fellow AD/RP member who got my receipt late last week, I can understand your frustration and pain at how unfair this can seem..Good Luck!

      Reply
  14. Hi Guys

    I just came to know that to qualify for Advance Degree Quota your university must have Non Profit organization means there is so many university in US that has for profit organization and their degree didn’t let you qualify for Advance Degree Quota.

    What if you file under Advance Quota with for profit organization degree did usicis transfer your application to general quota or what?

    Is there anyone familiar with this rules and have more information please share here.

    Reply
    • I don’t think there is any such rule..

      If you graduated from an accredited US university with masters, you are eligible for AD.

      If you are working for a non-profit organization, such as a university, or some non-profit company, you are cap exempt. You don’t have have bother about AD quota or regular quota. You can apply for h1b anytime.

      Reply
      • I got to know this from lawyer today. I think accredited must have some relationship with non profit and for profit University.

        I could be wroung.

        Reply
      • Most of the universities are accredited but it should be non-profit or public university to qualify under AD quota, for-profit and private are not eligible, USCIS will outright reject such descrepency petitions.

        Reply
  15. Non-AD/ RP/ VT
    Finally got my receipt number. Second time applying. My attorney just emailed me that I was picked in the lottery. The number is EAC-14-143-5****
    I was running out of OPT, back up plan was masters here.

    I’ve been following this forum for a while now. Everyone who has not gotten it so far keep your spirits up. God bless, Jai Hanuman.

    Reply
  16. You guys probably about to Hear the weirdest h1b case ever.

    Alright, so my lawyer nor the employer heard anything back from the Uscis and I talked to my dso and they said there is a cap gap extension applied to my sevis.
    Then I asked my lawyer call the premium processing department directly to ask why we have not received the receipt number yet and the guy said yes the case was approved then it seems like it was voided due to the reason I unknown. There is absolutely not a duplicate entry for sure. My lawyer says there might be a human error causing this issue and they will hopefully fix it.otherwise I’m screwed for no reason !

    Reply
  17. Today I received by mail my Wife’s H4 i797C with a receipt number, which I can track online, Non AD/RP/VT, receipt date: April 24.

    From what I’ve read here and online, this means my H1 petition was selected in the lottery, is this a 100% guaranteed?. I’ve asked my employer but they have not received the H1 receipt yet.

    Thanks.

    Reply
  18. Hi Guys,

    I am a silent follower of the posts in this website, finally got selected in the lottery.
    My details
    AD/RP/EAC – 14-136-5****

    Received Date – 05/10/2104
    Notice Date – 05/16/2014.

    All the best for rest of you guys.

    Reply
  19. Hi,

    I applied in Non-AD/Regular Processing but my employer didn’t receive any update from USCIS. Should I keep some hope or is it over?

    I was not selected last year also so I am very much worried. Any pointer will be very helpful.

    Thank you so much.

    Reply
    • Yes..You can keep the hope alive. As per my understanding you should be getting the receipts by end of this week if you are selected. I am being optimistic, sailing the same boat as like u.

      Reply
    • Yes..keep the hope alive . My employer received the receipt today and he said he has not received any other non ad reg receipts yet except mine..so lots of hopes!! All the best

      Reply
  20. Just received my receipt number NA-RP – California. The receipt was mailed to my employeer and lawyer.
    Received date – April 10th
    Notice Date – April 23
    I have been following this blog since last year. Fincally I can share my good news. My advice for all those waiting is its not easy but hang it there. Start working on a plan B. Hopefully u wont have to use it but it helps a lot if you figure out what you want to do if you didnt get it. I was in the same boat last year but this year i got lucky. The worst part is its all up to luck. No matter what just remember its not the end of the world, u will come out of this stronger.
    Signing off now.

    Reply
    • Probably – Done
      Hate to say … But i belv PP is all done.
      Even i am int he same boat mate… But cant help, thats the reality

      Reply
  21. My case was not trackable for more than a week (notice day Apr 15th). But now I can track it and it’s in the RFE (it became available today). So just keep checking yours. Hopefully it can go through… non-AD/PP/VT – EAC-14-135-5****.

    Reply
  22. A few min back, I got an email from the attorney indicating I am picked up in the lottery. Mine is Non-AD/RP/CA. This forum has been really helpful during the agonizing wait. Thanks and good luck to all!

    Reply
  23. To all those Got picked in the lottery, PP/VT and got your receipt number but not able to see your status online, please find the below reply from the Immigration officer from Vermont –
    “Due to the extremely high number of cases involved with the “ H1B cap” our online status system has not been able to keep up with all the activities involved with case adjudication. Your petition EAC-14-133-5xxxx is now in the “Pending “ status and is currently with an adjudicating officer. Unfortunately, we cannot say with certainty, when the online status tool will be functioning properly.”

    Reply
  24. AD/Regular processing … did one one in this category receive receipts today .. please share along with first 5 numbers of your receipt number … Thanks.

    Reply
  25. Non-AD/PP.. havent got the receipt number yet but got to know from my employer that the check has been encashed. Does this mean my petition got picked in the lottery???

    Reply

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