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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

  3. AD/PP – Screwd last year. Reapplied this year. Picked on 04/11. On “Acceptance” since 04/17. Approved on 05/07. Good luck to all out there

    Reply

  4. Got picked up in the lottery!!! Thanks to God and to everyone out here!
    Receipt# – EAC14148*****
    I can see my case status in USCIS website.

    All the best!!!!

    Reply

  7. Just received lottery confirmation email from my employer. Not details yet though. Been a silent watcher of this site. Breaking the silence with this news. Don’t loose hopes .. it may be so that your employer is sitting on your case and doing his ground work before forwarding it to you. Best Luck!

    Reply

    • What is the date the receipt was issued. Please help. Just wondering if USCIS is sending out any receipts after the Friday email sent out to the lawyers about finishing preliminary data entry

      Reply

  8. Hello all,
    I have been following this blog all this time. Thank you very much for giving us the opportunity to follow the visa process. In my case, neither my employer nor the lawyer know about the lottery and even after me letting them know they still think it’s first come first serve. So I’ve been all this time facing this horrible process on my own and still don’t have any news.
    I have a question that maybe some of you will know how to answer. I’m on my 3rd year of J1 visa. Is there any possibility of getting a renewal of that J1 visa if I don’t get the H1B? Or would I have to change job in order to do that?

    Thank you and good luck to everyone!

    Reply

  9. I came to know from my employer that my check got converted to Cash,
    is it means that my H1B Application got picked up in lottery?please suggest
    but till now i have not received any formal communication.
    Mine is Regular processing

    Reply

    • Holy cow…check got converted to cash…how is that even possible??!!!

      Stop doing magic man.

      Anyways, congratulations…you are through the lottery…

      Reply

    • Yes u r selected. Congratulations!!!
      Sometimes its take 3 to 4 or more business days to get the receipt via mail.
      So don’t worry.

      Reply

  11. It was a great day my friends…I was a silent spectator and today I wanna share a great news that my H1B application(Non-AD/RP/VT) is picked up in the lottery.

    It is purely JESUS who gave me this gift…though it is impossible with anyone…it is possible through JESUS! Because he is the living GOD.

    Please done give up hope n believe in JESUS coz he is a glorious hope!!!

    I still haven’t received my application number from my employer …will keep you posted once I receive it.

    Reply

  12. I came to know from my employer that my check got converted to Cash,is it means that my Application got picked up in lottery?please suggest
    but till now i have received any formal communication.

    Reply

  13. Any regular premium process. Candidates got ? Approval ?

    I see all AD/PP are getting

    When. Regular PP would get ? Is it started ?

    Reply

  14. I freaking got picked up in the freaking lottery finally… WAC14145*****.. Been here on L1 for 5 years and I was unlucky in the lottery last year.. I don’t know when the 145th day is.. But looks like my company has been holding up the receipts to send them together next week..

    I was not positive at all this year since my chances were worse than last year.. I had my alternate plans to go back to India and start my own business.. And I was confident about that.. Now have to drop that plan and get back to being a “typical” techie and follow the cattle group to find a consultant to sponsor green card.. Nothing offensive, just saying that there are always other options on worst case..

    Just be confident and keep your alternate plans ready.. You will do better..

    By the way, I got to tell this.. Kudos to all those that submitted multiple applications thru diff consultants and making my life complicated.. 🙂

    Reply

    • How will you get labor & I140 in 1 yr time? Because you already here for last 5 yrs & you have only one year left to get remaining process to done…..It will be helpful for me as well as I am also in same boat

      Reply

      • Not 5 years completed yet.. Still have few more months.. I might just leave to India now to save time for the 6 years thing..

        Reply

  17. Unfortunately I did my masters from a university which degree doesnt come under master’s quota.. Now I have applied in Regular quota and didnt get a update from USCIS..
    Does anyone in this forum fall in this category who recieved an update?

    Are there any chances still or the game is over? Any thoughts??

    Reply

  18. Does anyone know that anyone received returned package?
    We are all here wondering. If they are done with data entry last week, then they should sent out the returned packages too.
    No waiting needed.

    Reply

  19. Please go through the link
    http://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/safetysecurity/articles/pages/2015-h1b-petitions-rejected-uscis-lottery.aspx

    Reply

  20. Great article today in the Atlanta Business Chronicle http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/print-edition/2014/05/02/georgia-employers-just-can-t-get-enough-foreign.html

    Reply

  23. I am still not received any info. Till what date we can wait before we go back to Attorney and ask the status.

    Reply

    • Planning for Rejection

      Employers should begin assessing alternative options while waiting to see whether a particular case was accepted for processing. Alternative visa options include:

      For Canadian and Mexican professionals, TN visas under the North American Free Trade Agreement.
      For infra-company transferees, L-1 visas. If an organization has foreign operations, this visa permits employees to transfer to the U.S.-affiliated company in a similar position if they have worked abroad for the foreign parent, subsidiary or affiliate continuously for at least a year within the preceding three years as an executive or manager or in a specialized-knowledge capacity.
      If the employer is enrolled in E-Verify and the individual has a degree in a science, technology, engineering or math field, the 17-month optional practical training (OPT) extension.
      For those who may qualify under extraordinary ability criteria, the O-1 visa.
      For nationals of Australia, the E-3 visa.
      For nationals of Chile or Singapore, the H-1B1 visa.
      For essential employees if the company and foreign national share the same nationality, the E-2 visa.
      For those in F-1 status, continue with F-1 studies and look at internship opportunities under curricular practical training (CPT).
      For individuals entering a structured training program, the H-3 visa.
      For individuals who can be categorized as an exchange visitor, the J-1 visa.

      Waiting Game

      Until the receipt notice or rejection package is received by a petitioning employer, it is not possible to know whether any particular case has been accepted for processing. Storch said that employers should plan on waiting for quite some time. “In many cases, it may even be a month or two before they get word on whether their case was selected or rejected in the lottery. After that, processing could take several more months, and some cases might not be processed before the October 1 start date for most H-1B employees.”

      Reply

  25. AD-PP-CA approved yesterday. Almost gave up the hope because the attorney never received the receipt. So keep up the faith!

    Reply

    • Wow,congrates dude…that’s something great news that still there is a hope.
      I am AD/RP/CA…..

      Reply

      • I believe there is a chance for RP too… My attorney told me this happens from time to time, although I still don’t understand how this could happen 🙂

        Reply

    • Did you receive your approval notice yesterday or notice that your application is picked up in the lottery yesterday?

      Reply

  26. AD/PP/VT, case approved!

    Notice date April 11 2014
    Approval date may 7 2014

    This site is wonderful. Saurabh, Kumar and team- wonderful job.
    Good luck to everyone. Don’t lose faith.

    Reply

      • Yes KRK was in acceptance till this morning. Went to post decision activity where they mailed the notice. Surprising part was they just mailed the notice and didn’t email the lawyer which is the case with premium.

        I am sure yours will convert soon. ! Good luck.

        Reply

  28. Tcs guys please try 2 check with visa cell or your visa onsite spoc. They might reveal you the results as they got the results already. Best of luck all!!

    Reply

  31. Hello everyone. News for H4 dependents:

    http://m.timesofindia.com/world/us/US-to-let-some-H-1B-workers-spouses-work/articleshow/34758548.cms

    Any idea…. how long will it take for this bill to get implemented ??

    Reply

  33. ur application got selected in the lottery…Based on the information,we received it from USCIS…We will send you the receipts soon once we get it from USCIS….Thanks for being patient and looking into Blogs and such resources…..

    Does this mean got selected in lottery?

    Reply

  35. My question is why aren’t MNCs like Infy, TCS, Wipro aren’t using L-1 visas??!!!!

    Why are they hogging H-1B’s?

    Can someone throw some light on this?

    Reply

    • Okey…so i have not applied for H1 or anything was just looking for my friend’s h1 related answers and found this comment….

      For L1…there are few critera that needs to meet
      L1A is managment executive visa, typical given to Delivey managers and above in some cases project managers but lot of rejections

      L1B Specialized skills, very dificult to get as needs to provide lot of things inclusing why you and not any other person in organization again required minimum 7 years of experience…so folks who have less experience they dont have choice but ask for H1B

      Reply

    • L1B visas are mainly for a specialized skills in proprietary tools/products of that oorganization. This type of visa more suitable for product based companies such as IBM, Oracle, Microsoft etc…. But Infy, TCS, Wipro, Accenture are service based companies. Here they need an experienced resources who can manage projects. They will send only 2-3 % of creamy layer. Ex: TCS is having more than 300k employees but they are applying around 3-5k which is less than 2%

      Reply

        • No one specifies their numbers. ….We can find it from other forums…..It will be similar to last year….. In those companies it is very much important for employees to be on 1-2%. First they need to be selected by their company & then they need to be lucky to be picked up in lottery, need attorney stamping…..

          Reply

      • Nobody said that you dumb a**

        If someone can explain in detail why there are so many H-1B’s from Infy,TCS etc. instead of L-1. It will help a lot of people understand what you guys are going through.

        Grow up!!!

        Reply

        • I believe these companies apply for more h1bs than what they need since they know it’s a lottery thereby increasing the number of applications every year. I am thinking there will be 200k applications next year not because there will be more Ad guys. I think it’s unfair coz it’s hurting guys like us. Sadly, we don’t have any choice.

          Reply

  40. Any one please let know ** RP EAC14146XXXXX status received on April28.
    status shows initial review.. and how many days it will take to get the approval..

    Reply

  41. hi mine is RP EAC14146XXXXX received status on May1st. now it showing initial review.. what is the next step.. and how many days it will take to get the approval..

    Reply

  42. EAC14136XXXX…until a minute ago..my status was “case not found” but now it went to “Post-Decision Activity” and it is approved. My is AD/RP and did not expect it happen so soon….

    so guys whose status displays as “case not found” need not to worry….

    Gud luck to all…

    Reply

  47. I almost lost hope for this year. Mine was from H4 to H1B.
    Gusy, for H4 VISA holders, there is still a hope ie; US immigration reform bill that will grant Employment Authorization to H4 visa holders who have the required skills and are highly educated and qualified. Just pray and fight for the bill to pass. All the best 🙂

    Reply

    • Same is the case with me..but there would be some restrictions even if that bill was passed..this sort of tension is too frustating…these people might have released the results of everyone on the day when lottery is done..

      Reply

  48. Last year I was not selected in the lottery. So the old consultant applied for me again. This year I applied for 2. All 3 are RQ/RP.

    2 Petitions were filed at WAC and the old employer filed at EAC. Now luckly all got selected. Interestingly all 3 receipts were generated on same day – 14 143 XXXX.

    Lucky me… now I have 3 doors open…!!

    Reply

    • People like you should be reported to USCIS for abusing the system. You are taking up places for deserving people. You are nowhere going to get with your career.

      Reply

  49. Hi,

    RG/RP/VT here.
    I applied 2 petitions. I have just got my 2nd receipt from the VT center.

    Do I have to choose which company to work for? Or I can work for both companies using 2 h1bs? My IT work is mostly remote, so double income is definitely feasible.

    Please help me guys.

    Reply

    • Congrats buddy. Like you applied for 2 reciepts , work for both the companies without one knowing about another. Oh is it illegal ? Why are you bothered anyways 😛

      Reply

    • 2 H1B visas ??? are you Ok ??? First , applying through 2 companies is not good one.

      By god grace , you will get RFE

      Reply

    • Not sure if you’ve posted this to just criticize some people or really in that situation but here is the answer:

      You can’t work on 2 H1B’s. You’ve to choose one before you start working in Oct.

      Reply

    • Congrats for getting receipt for one H1B.
      You can legally work for only one employer on one H1B.

      So if you get two receipt than you have to decide which one to go for.

      Reply

  50. NAD-RP-Dunno which processing center-

    Anyone from Hexaware heard anything,

    Last I checked with them they said they will only update by may 30th. Why do they act so pricey?Anyways they have only handful of employees to update 🙂

    I am so tired of waiting that I cant concentrate on my work anymore. (I lost the urge anyways from the time lottery was announced)

    Reply

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