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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.

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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

  5. Guys,
    At last I also got the receipt. Lucky enough to get through the lottery. My heartiest wishes for everyone who are still waiting to hear good news from their attorney/employer.

    I got the receipt number from my attorney on 2nd May, but I’m not sure about the actual date of receipt generation. I was out of the town for 4 days and just now I saw the good news 🙂 . EAC-EAC1414652xxx. I think my application was accepted on 28th April, currently USCIS H1-B case status page is down so can’t say when actually they generated the receipt. Thanks a tonne to God and everyone one who are here in this forum.

    BTW, mine is a US based employer. I will be a direct hire for them. No small time consulting company. Thanks

    Reply

  7. Official news :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. U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in occupations that require highly specialized knowledge in fields such as science, engineering, and computer programming.

    Reply

  8. Hi,
    In H1B Tracker I could see good amount of cases where people mentioned that their application is pocked in lottery, but waiting for case number.

    My question here is AFAIK, USCIS intimates selected applications with case number. So where is the question of candidates got to know the status of lottery but not the case number?

    Reply

  12. dude that is absolutely fake news. I am also from tcs Chennai.i am regularly in touch with fdfu and usvisa teams.i got mail from usvisa team saying that they will reveals all the lottery results after 3rd week of may.so font believe such kind of fake news.

    Reply

  13. Today i got an email from my employer……………….
    Today morning we received few H1B receipts and your petition is not in that list.

    So I guess you are not selected in the lottery. Wish I had a better news.

    But it will be confirmed 100% after we recieve the petitions which are not selected in the lottery.

    I will update you if I hear anything else on your petition.

    thanks
    ………
    Does this mean, game is over now
    Mine is non ad/ rp/ca

    Reply

  18. Is thr ny hope left…i hve lost all my hope…i heard some of thm already got in ..and i dnt think if this is the case thy r nt holding the results..its jst tht im unlucky to get thru

    Reply

    • Boss not even a single person got the mail from FDFU..
      FDFU/RMG will reveal the lottery results by 3rd week of May.
      So don’t worry…Wait till 20th of this month.

      Reply

        • dude that is absolutely fake news. I am also from tcs Chennai.i am regularly in touch with fdfu and usvisa teams.i got mail from usvisa team saying that they will reveals all the lottery results after 3rd week of may.so font believe such kind of fake news.

          Reply

          • This news may be true..few of them got the results through their project managers ..we should get our results at least by end of this week…

  19. Someone from cts pune posted yesterday that he received
    Receipt yesterday from git team. Is it possible? Git team does not work on weekends

    Reply

  20. RQ\RP – I had received my receipt on April 15th, and finally got approved on May 2nd. I am currently in US and my company had filled COS from L1 to H1 for me. When will i get my new I-94, and when should i expect that to be updated online in DHS records – https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html

    Reply

  22. My case is AD/RP. I got my receipt less than 2 weeks ago but I found I have been approved. Amazing.

    Good luck to everybody!!

    Reply

  24. RG/RP/VT no news, no hope. 20 of my coworkers have not heard anything either, we are all RG. I think now E-2 and EB-5 might be the only options until we can get h1b next year. There are many companies that will file E-2, so there are still hopes!

    Reply

    • Non-AD/RP/VT
      @Otto,
      Wait till this week.Keep hope.
      I even not yet received my receipt number, but my cheque got encased.Lots of receipt would come this week,as uscis has generated so many receipt last week.

      Reply

  25. Oh my god…atlast got good news today
    Got picked…attorney called me…

    All the best to everyone who r waiting, still ther r hopes..
    Just believe in GOD, god will help u…
    Jai sriram,, Jai hanuman….

    Reply

  26. Saurabh,

    I have a critical situation here. My H-1b was approved with company ‘A’ with a start date of oct 1st, 2014. Another company wants to hire me & start working for them asap. my OPT is valid till oct 15, 2014. lawyer of new company is saying i have to wait until i go on to h-1b status before they apply for h-1b transfer. is it rue?

    thanks

    General Person

    Reply

    • Hey,
      another friend of mine was in the exact same position.
      Its not a problem. now that u have an approved h1b, u just need to apply for a change of company to uscis. Its a very common thing and nothing to worry about.
      Starting oct1st, u can work with the company B once the change of company is approved(which it will 100%).
      As for now, u can start working in company b too, since on OPT, all u need to do is just report to the college about the company change.

      Reply

      • M in the same boat. Is it possible for you to provide your friend’s attorney number. I’ll ask new employer to go by this attorney. thanks

        Reply

    • I have read the similar post on murthy forum and they have different opinion on this. I would suggest you to google around and talk to attorney.

      JJ

      Reply

    • If your case is pending, you still have 180 days to maintain status … No need to worry much … Concentrate on job/searching job …. i see many people wait more than 90 days to get approval….

      Reply

  28. Definitely there are more receipts to come in the next week. Though USCIS completed process of generation they are still in process of sending receipts left over. So we can hope till next weekend .Me too waiting NON-AD/RP/CA. So best of luck to all 🙂

    Reply

    • @SAISRI I have query, if we expect more receipts by next week, by this time at least the cheques should have been encashed right? Since they have already finished generating receipts.

      Reply

      • Not sure how the process of clearing check works. But as per me though they might submit check to banks on friday it might take till monday to get clear as well. So hope for the best .Hoping to hear something next week.Best of luck 🙂

        Reply

      • On Wednesday my employer told me my check is not en-cashed. On Friday he gave me receipt number. Not sure how it works.

        Reply

  32. Non-AD/RP/VT

    Hi all,
    My employer just said to me that my cheque got en cashed yesterday.
    So i guess m selected in lottery.
    Thank you God!!!!
    God please help others as well.

    Reply

  33. Hey hi,

    Exactly the same story here.

    I used to work for a very good company back in India. I left my 5 years job and came here. And now my career depends on a lottery!

    huh!

    Reply

    • I came here leaving my 8 years of experience.I got mine today,So check with your employer wether check is cleared. hope everything should go good for you!! All the best

      Reply

  35. Hi All,

    I got married last year and came to US last year July , I quit my job of 5 yrs in IT so that I can stay with my hubby. I applied for h1b this yr from a consultancy , but no results yet , It’s very frustrating to sit at home for more then 10 months now. I hope something miracle happens or else my career will be ruined. 🙁

    Reply

    • Well, its “soo” frustrating to sit at home? Why dont u atleast go an enroll into a master’s degree. Its totally unethical to go via consultants. They modify ur resume and sell a “false” you to the company. the screwd up consultancies are responsible for such a h1b lottery. In short, people who choose short cuts “h4 to h1” or “infy tcs, etc etc” are all the ones abusing the system !!

      Reply

  36. NON AD/RP/VT… waiting still with some hope….

    Guys lets keep our hopes until next week…. Miracles may happen.
    And if the result doesn’t favours…. lets accept it…
    i would say i made some good acquaintance during this H1 b hunt in this forum… 🙂
    Thanks to Redbus2US… i wish everyone of you good luck… 🙂

    Reply

    • Still having hope that my receipt is on the way… All the best to those waiting also… Anything can happen… Let’s hope for the best 🙂

      Reply

          • Definitely there are more receipts to come in the next week. Though USCIS completed process of generation they are still in process of sending receipts left over. So we can hope till next weekend .Me too waiting NON-AD/RP/CA. So best of luck to all 🙂

          • Thank you everyone, I am waiting very patiently also.
            I am a non- AD/RP/CA applicant.

            still waiting to hear the good news soon.

  39. Hello all,

    Got my receipt yesterday! I’m so relieved! Keep the hope alive everyone and know that God has a plan for all of us!

    My case number is EAC 14144—–

    Reply

  43. Guys

    Got the good news from my HR saying my cheque got encashed today. just waiting for the receipt #.Mine is Non AD/RP/Vermont and applied for the first time.

    keep hopes Alive who r waiting for..

    Reply

    • kindly post your masked receipt number, once you receive it. it will light some hope for the waiting ones… just wanted to know the day on which the receipt got generated…. congrats again

      Reply

      • Thank you so much..well my cheque got encashed on Satuarday..3 rd May…will update you with receipt initials..

        But dont loose the hopes..

        Reply

  44. any hopes for AD/Regular processing ???

    My employers check has not been cashed nor did he receive and receipt ///

    Reply

    • 1. I start to think about how to let attorney tell my employer that it is beyond anyone’s control for not picking in the lottery.
      My employer doesn’t know anything about h1b quota and lottery. They hired 1 foreigner back to 2006.
      2. I use CPT to work now, I have to think about how to talk with the employer and keep the job using CPT.

      What is your plan?

      Reply

      • I already spoke to my employer … and they are ready to help in case I have to go back to School to maintain my F1 Status … problem is all universities nearby will not allow CPT from day 1 … so I will have to wait for 6 months before they authorize CPT and by then I will lose my job …

        Other option I have is apply for H-4 but again being on H-4 will not be able to work so will be a waste of time/money/effort ..

        I am in a bad situation right now … and its all because of this friggin lottery system … I kept hearing people talking about how broken the US immigration system is … but today it is when I am experiencing it …

        It sucks … for them its just valid point by doing a random computer based lottery but for us its our lives and career that are being played with …

        Reply

        • I feel your pain.
          I actually graduated in 2012 and got a job right after graduation. That employer talked with me about h1b sponsorship during the salary negotiation and cut my salary for the reason of sponsoring work visa. Then after i signed the offer, he called me said his attorney said I could apply for visa in 2013. However due to the change of my direct boss, i lost my job in Jan. 2013. After i lost job Jan. 2013, I didn’t find a job to sponsor my visa before my OPT expires in April 2013. So i had to go back to school to register the classes to maintain the status.
          I was too naive to trust that employer to agree to postphone the h1b application for 1 year. At the beginning of 2013, I lost my job. After i lost my job, my car was wrecked. Remember, in 2012, there was no lottery. If that company applied for visa for me, i definitely had gotten h1b. I was a hard lesson I learned. I was depressed, stressed out, it was a terrible nightmare.

          I registered classes in Fall last year and paid the tuition to sit in the classes and waited for 2 semesters to get CPT now to work.
          I actually found the current employer in Feb. The company is willing for me till May to start to work full time because it is a new position, they need to buy special computer, and search for suitable softwares ,and I have some special skills they need. The employer applied h1b for me and is eager to want to start to work for them as early as possible.

          We all went through a lot.

          I know I can continue to use CPT to work for them after Summer. I don’t know how my employer is gonna to react the situation.

          Reply

  50. You are rational. People who lost lottery just think about using the same dirty trick that those Indian consulting company did to use 10 employers to apply for h1b next year. It will mess up things.
    I really think we still have chance to take actions to get something out here not just passively.

    Reply

    • Why only desi consultant..What about ppl with L1 and L2 applying for H1b they already have working visa but they still apply for H1B

      Reply

      • Those consulting company apply 1 person using 10 different company names.
        And a lot of them are not in America and without a real job.
        L1 at least have a job in America and they don’t apply 1 person using 10 different companies.
        I know the system sucks, they should that those don’t have a work visa to have a work visa first and if there is quota left , then give to those consulting company and L1.

        Reply

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