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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.

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. Finally got the email from Fragomen yesterday (May 1 in Japan time) stating that they received the USCIS receipt for the H-1B petition filed on my behalf. Mine was RQ/RP/VT and the number is EAC14141*****.
    My status in USCIS site shows “Initial Review” as of May 2.

    Life is like a journey, sometimes have a good time, and sometime have a bad time, but at the end, everything will be okay if one is strong enough and never gives up the dream. All the best for you.

    Reply
  2. Hi All
    SRJRJJR….Hurray done at last….Thank GOD…..

    Today (5/01/2014) I got call from my employer at 11.33pm.He told me these words.”Good News Your case got picked up and later after that he said one more good news your case even got approved.”I am very happy I did not have words at that time. I almost thought lite I will not get this time but miracles happen.

    This happened just becoz of my Mom & Dad’s blessing.
    Guys who all are waiting keep hope miracles do happen.Have faith in god.

    My Case details:
    NON AD/ PP
    EAC1413651xxx
    VT center emailed my employer on 05/01/2014 03.48pm.

    At one point I thought if I don’t get its ok any AD guy should get it in my place.
    I will still pray for all the AD guys who are still waiting, Keep hopes.
    All guys who are not through this year I pray you all get it at any cost next time by hook or crook.

    I applied last year but my case was not picked up. I am on H4.This year god made it.

    I wish USCIS can increase the Quota for H1b filings by next year.
    I will pray even for this.
    Time is such a thing that it will test everyone.
    Just wait for good time to come. Everyone will get it.

    I just joined this forum last week. Thanks one and all.
    ALL THE BEST.

    Reply
  3. Received receipt on 1st May for Non AD- Regular Processing Texas.
    Thanks for all Information ! and Good Luck to Everybody !!

    Reply
  4. i am really getting nervous now..with every passing day and no receipt from my attorney, i am not sure if i should still keep my hope or not..my opt stem expires on may 19th and attorney is not responding at all..and no change in sevis record either…any AD/RP/CA folks still waiting like me?

    Reply
  5. It is the receipt acceptance date. What i have read in this forum is- 130 is the base for 10 April, keep increasing by 1 except for non-working day. By this logic 145 should be application generated on 26April.

    May the luck smile all on the genuine cases!

    Reply
  6. Hi,

    Received email on 28th April of being selected in lottery. RP/Non-AD/VER EAC141435XXXX…

    Good luck to those waiting for receipt…

    Reply
  7. I think mine is CA, though not sure. For last few days, I’m not seeing much posts here saying receipts received from CA center. Anyone has any idea whats going on with CA center…Are they done with receipts or planning to do a bulk release? I’m Non-AD/RP, only one petition filed by my Employer (not consultancy).

    Reply
  8. Any estimates of when we can expect the non-AD/Reg/CA receipts to come in.
    Saw few with 141/142/145 today. It looks the ones remaining should be mostly 145 series?

    Give me patience…!

    Reply
  9. Hi Guys

    I have still not received any emails or any information about receipt number.How long we can wait that for the same ???

    Reply
  10. My approval came today. Non AD, PP, Vermont processing center. Best of luck to all of you. I know what this means. I did not get thru lottery last year..

    Reply
  11. Year 2013 is full of failures for me. I got handy opportunities but filthy politics and for $$ billings, none of my managers released me to puruse those opportunities.

    Luckily, one consultant filed my H1. However, I still didn’t get confirmation about my selection. Consultants are very professional and transparent in information flow but I am unable to control my nerves.. Mine non-AD/RP/NOT SURE where it is filed. Attorney is from FL – Does it mean it is filed in Vermont centre?

    I am hoping that 2014 would bring windfall of success for me.

    Reply
  12. by god grace .. we finally got great news.. All the best who are waiting for receipt..
    Received date – Today
    Last Name Start with – J
    First Name start with – P

    Reply
      • I haven’t received receipt .. I got confirmation from employer.. i will share receipt number once i will get…. All the best to you guys…. Still lots of approval on the way….

        Reply
    • Congrats dude. Please type in the Receipt # without last 4 digits. It will be helpful for us to determine the current series…

      Thanks

      Reply
    • Can you please share the notice date along with receipt # leaving last 4 digits. And, congratulations, gud luck for approval!

      Reply
  13. Hi guys last year I was rejected in lottery…..yesterday i got confirmation mail from my company that m selected this year …..god bless everyone…..

    Reply
  14. I am still waiting under AD/PP/VT category.

    IMHO, there is very little hope for us (AD/PP) to get a receipt. We need to move on. We need to actively work on our backup plan (applying other visa or moving to other country or home country).

    Some say that USCIS has a wait-list. Even if this is true, people selected from the wait-list category may not get their receipt in the next few days. It may take several weeks. The theory is USCIS rejects (less percentage compared to RFE) few selected petitions and issues RFE to few other selected petitions. A petitioner who gets a RFE has 90 days (correct me, if I am wrong) to respond. Once, the USCIS gets a response from the petitioner (who got RFE), they make a decision. Hence, we are talking about 3-4 months delay. Hence, the “wait-list” people can get receipt between May-Aug 2014.

    Some may be in their home country by the time they get a receipt. Assuming your job is still vacant, you can also always come back by getting a visa. Some potential problems are (a) some may have to sell their stuff by taking a huge loss (b) some valuable items cannot be bought/brought back after selling (c) some may have to leave the country without paying loans/credit cards and their credit score could take a huge hit (d) others.

    Reply
    • Dont goto india….my advice based on personal experience…..u will hardly get an opportunity for ur qualification….any the peers will discriminate like anything….choose canada or australia….the later is best option….

      Reply
      • Planning to Australia is a crap guys, I am an Australian Permanent Resident(equivalent of US green Card) but of no use of it, try Canada. Exposure to US would come handy there, not in Australia

        Reply
        • I’m with you regarding Ausi. I also hold PR and moved to Melbourne last May, still couldn’t find a job (Java developer with 7+ years exp). I worked in US till last March and had to leave because my spouse’s L1 project ended. Believe me , once you got used to US life style you wouldn’t like it here. Try any other country, but not Ausi unless you have arranged employment.

          Reply
  15. Thank god!!!…..i feel i am very lucky!!!…i almost decided that i wont get through the lottery!!!….this is my first time!!!

    My employer informed that they got my receipt today, i am so happy……

    I wish good luck to all of you guys!!!….this forum is awesome!!!

    NON-AD/RP/VT

    Reply
  16. Hi Saurabh,

    My Name in I797C Receipt Notice is incorrect. What should i do now? Should i wait for the Decision and act accordingly or is there a way to correct the name at this stage? Please advise.

    Reply
    • I think you can speak with your employer/Lawyer and take their advice how to proceed further to make changes.Once again this is my suggestion.

      Reply
    • If you read the receipt, it is clearly mentioned to check the details and call 800-375-5283 if there is any incorrect information.

      Reply
  17. Hi guys!

    Regular Fee, Bachelor Degree here.
    I applied 10 h1b and my lawyer called I just got my 7th recipe today! I’m still weighting on other tree hopefully can sell to my friends.
    Hopefully the interview is too hard, because I have many job deceptions.
    Good luck and bless to all you guys! After hard work in bachelor university my dream of coming to American is true! 🙂 this lottery made me nervous!

    Reply
    • Wow! Srini,
      Congrats on your 7th recipe and good luck with weighing the remaining tree!
      Please update us on the remaining cases too!

      Reply
    • 7th receipt?? really?? This is not fair for those who are waiting to receive just one receipt and that too after going through all the hardships of masters/phd in renowned US universities. And on top of it you want to sell those receipts!!!! Show some empathy dude!!!!

      Reply
    • Dude !!
      Please try to spell out a single decent sentence before u step into an “american dream” ! and 10 receipts ?
      Do u realize that there are Advanced degree graduates from Stanford/purdue packing their bags? Shame on u..

      Reply
    • Sorry guys if I angry some of the people. Many students and teachers study hard, and I did too. I took me 5 years and 3 more classrooms to graduate bachelor degrease I will update on my cases! Bless me and you guys luck! My lawyer told me to apply ten consiltant companies so did I!

      Reply
          • Dude whole the India’s GDP is barely worth around $ 25 !

            Your parents should have had a city or something to be able to pay $ 25K for dumb like you to come to US ! 😀

          • Mikeab wtf dude … Indian GDP worth $25 … What country you belong to if your countries GDP is so good why the hell you even trying to land a h1b visa

      • ” If I angry some of the people”
        ” I took me 5 years and 3 more CLASSROOMS”
        “Bless me and you guys luck ”

        Dude, I love to see you in America. When you arrived just Email me. I will come and pick you up at the airport. We will go directly to D.C. and I will donate you to the library of congress. They probably put you in a good place in the library and just use your English as a reference to correct all the English grammars.

        By the way what did you do with your CLASSROOMS ??? Do you plan to take them with yourself in the airplane ??? 😀 😀 😀
        🙂 🙂

        Reply
    • Im guessing, he is just another joker .
      Spending 10k + $ ? and getting 7 approved ?. USCIS should probably book him under a fraud case.
      Or as i said, might be another joker feeding off people’s anxiousness here. Sadist!

      Reply
      • Easy boys. He is just toying around here. The way he framed those sentences seems to be like he intentional used incorrect grammar.

        Gud one Srini!!! Your effort to lighten up everyone’s mood is highly appreciated

        Reply
    • You fuc**** piece of s**t!!!
      How dare you apply 10 TEN petitions!!!!!!!!!!!?????

      I’m just dazed. No words for you.

      Reply
    • you reminds me some of dumb guys who didnt even qualify for Bsc and Bcom and wasted you dad’s extra income and seat on engineering college and did 5-6 year engineering.
      do you even realize what this visa even mean to a person who actually deserve this?

      Reply
    • Wow! Come down you guys!

      Lawyer say me to join 10 companies. Nobody say you can only put one golden coin in a can. 10 companies get ten golden coins.

      I am not smart test human in the world. But I do have a dream too. American party is crazy just like a wacume cleaner. Because other case, only the deserved people will give h1b and no opportunity for many people like me.

      Smart people can always go back home county and make county better than stay here and make goggle richer.

      I will come here and learn american culture and business and work for 3 years then party too then go back to run my father company, creating more jobs for home citizenship.

      But good luck to all people anyways. I hope for no lottery and we win our dream.

      Reply
      • ….. do 1 thing unn receipts ke batti banao… rest u knw what u have to do .. seriously joking ….
        Anyways Thanks Srini… for refreshing our minds…

        Reply
    • Waooo!!!

      This guy is making all the engg grads proud with his more than **flawless** Englissssshh….
      I hope u grow up soon…Better stay happy with all ur receipts and stay away from this Forum,otherwise ppl won’t mind saying more words in ur praise…
      PS:UR Grammar enlightened my mood thanks!!

      Reply
  18. Hi,

    How do you people find out that EAC centre or WAC centre generated ‘X’ amount of receipts today. How do you check it on USCIS site.
    Entering a fake number and incrementing the number.
    I want to know how you can we find out the receipts generated uptil now ?

    Reply
  19. Still can’t track my status, EAC14133507##, although other receipt#’s are trackable. Anybody in the same boat?

    Reply
  20. I did an analysis of 2000 receipts between EAC14131xxxxx and EAC14133xxxxx. I picked 2000 premium processing cases between these 3 days at random and started tracking them since 28th April. Here is the breakdown so far:

    H1b CAP Cases adjugated (approval/RFE) – 39%
    H1b CAP Cases adjugated (rejected) – Less than 1%
    H1b CAP Cases with A number change – ~ 13 %
    H1b CAP Cases in pending (ACCEPTANCE STATE) – 57%

    in the 39% approval caterogy (780 cases)

    184 approved/RFE on 28 th April
    172 approved/RFE on 29th April
    293 approved/RFE on 30th April
    131 approved/RFE on 1st May (so far)

    If you are concerned that your case is still in acceptance, there is no reason to worry. Today was day 4 of 15. 39% in my sample pool were processed in 4 days. Assuming this sample represents then entire PP pool, bulk of the approvals/RFEs/rejections are still pending.

    SO STOP WORRYING ABOUT YOUR CASE!

    (Above analysis only performed for PP cases)

    Reply
      • Change in alien registration number statuses – its usually assigned to H1b cases where the beneficiarie’s alien registration number was generated or changed. If you have an OPT EAD card – it will be listed as A-XXX-XXX-XXX.

        Reply
        • Ohh thanks. Even I have a STEM EAD card, so I guess mine will also change.
          But what does this number change do ?

          Reply
          • But I am a normal h1b applicant for the first time for Non ad and rp.. but how come my status is also saying #alirn number changed#.. anything to be worried?

    • Thank you for your job, It is just amazing…

      However, If you see, 39% + 1% + 57% + 13% is 110%, so, please could you check and update it again?

      Thank you…

      Reply
    • My case got RFE today. My question is how long it will take to go to decision status? Do you have any idea? My was premium processing.

      Reply
    • Thank you for your job, It is just amazing…

      However, If you see, 39% + 1% + 57% + 13% is 110%, so, please could you check and update it again?

      Thank you…

      Reply
      • Good catch …

        The category “H1b CAP Cases with A number change – ~ 13 %” is ~ 3 %

        Thank you for spotting the error.

        Reply
  21. Guys,

    Please hang on…I just called my employer to check whether is there any update on lottery status.. He told that the processing of sending receipts/check clearance is too slow when compared to last year. So hope for the best. I’m also waiting (RQ/RP/CA)too…… Good Luck..and pray for the best to happen.

    Reply
  22. I have not heard anything yet from my employer/ SEVIS record- no change. My University said there will be a preliminary Cap-gap extension issued until 1st June since that is the allowance provided by USCIS.
    Does that mean USCIS will be sending either a receipt/ rejection package back before 1st June.
    If not is it legal to stay until some decision is given?
    Please help.
    I am a physical therapist and do not fall under STEM extension.

    Reply
    • Do not take advice from here, Its better if you take advice from International Program Services dept.(IPS) of your school.

      FYI… You can stay here in US until you hear something from USCIS 100% legally. If your petition gets selected/rejected you have to notify your school if you are leaving US and if you are changing your status you dont need to inform your school

      Reply
    • hey my OPT expires on may 19th too…i am still waiting…i hope we get our receipts at least tomorrow!!! this wait is just killing me!!

      Reply
  23. My application was approved today. I remember last year this time I was refreshing this page every minute. Ended up being on the wrong side of the lottery. I hope everyone deserving gets there receipt followed by approval.

    AD/PP/CA

    Reply
  24. Yet to get receipt – NonAD/RP/VT.
    Can I still hope to get one? Or are we done with all receipts from VT??
    Suggestions pls…

    Reply
    • VT is still generating receipts. I got my receipt yesterday for PP/VT. It was generated on April 25, 2014 so there are still chances.

      Reply
  25. Hi guys, to whom has a case number as EAC-14-136-xxxxx, can you track your case in the USCIS status check? Thank you.

    Reply
  26. All those folks who are waiting for their receipt number, I know the wait is tiring, intimidating and painful for us. I think we guys should wait until the USCIS starts sending the rejected packets. We should not loose hope until then. In addition to 85K petitions, USCIS also selects few petitions in lottery that they keep it in waiting queue as they keep in account of few application that they think are multiple petitions and might get withdrawn.
    I am saying it because some !@#$% people send multiple petitions from different employer or I should say CONSULTANCIES to improve their chances. Out of these !@#$% people some people get two or more petitions selected in lottery.Out of these, some of them withdraw their extra petitions, which in turn improves our chances.

    Lets wait and see. GOD is with us.
    “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed on an equal or greater benefit.” — Napoleon Hill

    Reply
  27. To all those who are still waiting for their receipt numbers, i would like to share my experience. I received my receipt number a couple of weeks ago. But should i be happy for that?

    I applied under RP LAST YEAR. I was so courious and used to refresh my email, uscis.gov and redbus2us every 5min. I did that for 30straight days until i received an email from employer stating that i was not selected in the lottery. I am engineer working for a very reputable employer with a very decent pay. I have had my reasons to blame the MNC’s from india, not the employees though. People in this fourm have a misconception that all the rejected applications will be replaced by the ones in the SO-CALLED waiting list. But there isnt any such waiting list. Every fake application by MNC’s, Consulting firms in India, and the ones in US who in reality have no jobs to offer in the United States screwed-up my chances last year.

    Even after being selected in the lottery this year, i am still not happy. Because i just have to wait until the 1st oct to be eligible to work as my opt expired.

    To all those who are still waiting to hear a response and who got a job offer from an employer in the US, please sit tight. Good news should be on your way.

    Reply
    • Hi, you can work even your OPT expired. There is a CAP-GAP extension.
      “USCIS has addressed the “cap-gap” of employment authorization between OPT ending on or after April 1 but not lasting till the October 1 start date by extending the authorized period of employment for all F-1 students who have a properly filed H-1B petition and change of status request pending with USCIS. If USCIS approves the H-1B petition, the student is given a work extension that enables him/her to remain in the United States until the requested start date indicated on the H-1B petition, technically October 1, 2010.”

      Reply
  28. Finally got the receipt number today. EAC 14 144 XXXXX.
    Notice date April 25,2014.

    Even the attorney said that they were losing hope and so was I.
    In fact, I received the H4 notice today for my spouse even before the attorney informed about the selection.

    So to all those who are PP/RP please do not lose hope. Better late than never.

    Good Luck!!!

    Reply
  29. I have to clear one thing here: SEVIS record doesn’t always reflect your H1 case status. One of my friend already receive the approved notice but his SEVIS record still unchanged.

    Reply
    • I was wondering VT and CA have different procedures of uploading receipt no. either to USCIS website or SEVIS record. Did anyone report sevis was changed when he/she got the receipt recently? Especially for VT.

      Reply
  30. I just received an email from my employer that my H1B got approved!!!
    I am happy but also confused as the status in tracker still shows no case found for my receipt number.I am non AD/PP/VT and H4 to H1.

    Just wanted others to know that employers are getting emails even before getting updated in the status in USCIS website.

    Reply
  31. AD/ PP/ VSC

    H1B got approved. with Premium processing, I got selected few days back. Today the status got changed to post decision activity. So happy and relieved.

    Thank you all for the info and all the best who are still waiting.

    Reply

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