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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

  4. Hi All,

    First of all congrates to all who have selected. And is there any update on Regular Quota/Regular Processing. I heard from couple of friends that in lottery uscis draw the lottery based upon categorizing of exp and depend upon respective niche skills profiles. They are not fool that they will select 4-5 years .net/java/php etc resource over to 10-12 years exp from ERP like SAP/People Soft/Oracle app etc..or from other niche technology. So its not random lottery. I know around 15-20 peoples who got selected and they had 8-14 years exp since 2013…Whats your thoughts on this ?

    Reply

    • We are not sure whats the criteria for the lottery , but . I have seen my friends spouse get through H1 last year …She had about an year of Exp in testing… So not sure but you might also be right….

      Reply

    • @indyarules,

      My observation is exactly opposite to yours.I know many people who had around 3-8 years of experience with usual JAVA/J2EE experience who got selected , and at least three 10+ years guys getting rejected in the lottery.

      I don’t think they even look at years of experience and technology.

      Reply

    • I doubt they had time to review each applicant’s petition for that. I’m hoping they will somehow prioritize on change of status cases versus consular ones. This is just my hope, not a fact. For change of status people, US has become our home, we have car, rentals, everything here – for new comers, US is not a home, but a dream. I understand them, we all were like them at some point – but it’s horrible that people with jobs and life here are subject to this random lottery.

      Reply

      • Receipts will not be sent over the weekend… So chill out and lets all get back to the Forum on Monday…Probably we should get to know the results of ALL PP Regular by Mon or max by Tuesday…..Depends again with the number of PPL applied for PP and how many have been selected out of it… Unless Someone from USCIS gets here and answers we will be speculating …

        Reply

  7. I just want to update for my H1b application. My attorney just sent me an email from USCIS about receipt number. My application under Master cap and Premium Processing.

    Reply

  8. Today, many petitioners (AD PP) received emails from the USCIS with receipt numbers. Does it mean that their petitions were (A) selected and are under review or (B) selected and approved ? I think it is “A”. Am I right or wrong ?

    Reply

        • P3,
          It is possible that receipt numbers will take sometime to show-up. Their online status system hasn’t been 100% accurate in the past. So if you have received the receipt number, it will eventually show-up online in few days.

          Reply

      • Thanks Saurabh.

        Those who I applied for FY 2015 H1B under AD PP shouldn’t lose hope today, since it would take few more days to inform all selected AD PP petitioners. Few lucky ones got emails today. Others (selected ones) will get emails next week. Am I right ?

        Does PP ensure that (A) the petitioners will get receipt numbers informing that they were selected in the lottery and (B) the petitioners will know whether their case got approved or RFE or rejected; within 15 days from Apr 28 (Apr 11-May 12) ?

        TIA.

        Reply

  10. Anyone who applied general quota premium processing….will Premium Processing checks withdrawn? or if not when they will deduct from bank….please help me for this qustion…thanks in advance

    Reply

  15. Im just giving info. I went through all this last year. I got my receipt number on April 23. Mine was Regular quota and Regular processing. In general, USCIS sends AD-PP receipt numbers, then RQ-PP receipt numbers. After that AD-regular and RQ-regular processing. This is not exact order, but most of the applications are in this order.

    Before getting your receipt number, you can check SEVIS status (for AD and F2), or ask your lawyer to see if the check is withdrawn from their account; But these are possible approaches and not same for all.

    I know how it feels. Hope for the best.. Good luck

    Reply

  19. Fragomen Attorney is the company lawyer, Received NIV Receipt number – Does this mean that it was selected in lottery?

    FYI – AD PP

    Reply

  20. I read here before about the SEVIS change when you are selected in the lottery. Is that true ? If so how long usually does it take for the SEVIS to get affected by winning the lottery (if you are NOT PP) ? any idea?

    Reply

    • SEVIS change is for ones who are eligible for CAP GAP as far as I have understood. Their SEVIS gets adjusted to 30th Sept if they are selected in lottery. This change occurs within one week after you are selected.

      Reply

  24. Congrats to the people who got their receipt # and thanks for updating here..

    Good to see the continuos update and please keep us updated guys

    Reply

  25. This is making me crazy. I am not desperate. It’s just that the wait is too much in regular processing. Fingers crossed. Please keep us updated guys…

    Reply

  27. Saurabh,

    Can you comment on this?
    http://www.siliconindia.com/immigration/viewpoint/Spouses-of-H1B-US-Visa-Holders-to-be-Now-Employed–vid-48.html

    Does the law for the h4 spouses passed?

    Thansk

    Reply

    • H1b Spouse,
      It has not passed yet. White House has suggested it and it still needs to be implemented. Only then will we know what the exact details are – whether it is a blanket work authorization for all H-4 visa holders or selective H-4 visa holders (like spouse has worked in US for 6+ years or have I-140 filed etc).

      Reply

      • same here AD/PP still waiting as of Friday night. I just emailed my attorney and they said that they have not had any case receipts thus far.

        Reply

  30. Congrats to those “really really lucky” people. 😛

    I don’t think that the USCIS can process and email 20,000 AD PP applicants in one day. I am expecting few days to complete this process. Someone estimated that it is about 2500 petitions/day/center.

    Some people who paid for Premium Processing are “really really lucky” to be selected in the lottery and got notified on day 1. There are some other people who will be “really lucky” to be selected in the lottery and will be notified next week. There are definitely few more people who will be “lucky” to be selected in the lottery and will be notified soon. Unfortunately, there will be some “unlucky” people, who will not get selected in the lottery and will need to find some other option.

    Most of us (Premium Processing) who haven’t received any email today know that we are not “really really lucky”. I think we will be “really really happy” as long as we don’t fall into the “unlucky” category.

    Good luck !

    Reply

    • still waiting here as well. I think it’s going to be slower for those of us with corporate immigration attorneys… because they need to first receive the receipts and then send them separately to their clients manually. Extra layer of inefficiency…

      Reply

  32. USCIS has begun issuing H1B Receipts for FY 2015, we have confirmed information from various Employers.
    Employers have received receipts for cases that were filed under Premium processing program, most of them were US Masters Quota.

    If you have filed under Premium processing, please check with you Employer. Please like us on facebook to get live updates as we are closely monitoring the situation.

    Reply

  36. Is there information from any one who applied to the Vermont center through PP, non-AD quota, having received any notification from USCIS?

    Reply

  37. am also Non-AD – PP /Vermont , waiting .. since its Friday EOD shortly .. can expect from Monday .. The wait continues … Today most of the receipts were for AD PP.

    Reply

  42. Got my receipt AD/PP/CSC….. Was unlucky in the lottery last year…… This was truly an agonizing wait for me. I sincerely pray that everyone gets their soon…..

    Reply

    • Email your intl school advisor to check any updates in your SEVIS. Also, it might take time for SEVIS to be updated for all applications.

      If you dont find anything in thr. follow up after a week. and so on.

      Reply

      • Hi, what is the relation of sevis update with getting selected in lottery. Does it show on sevis record if you are selected in lottery?? Sorry i dont know about this. I asked them yesterday they said record active. Thats it.

        Reply

        • Hey Amit,

          The last date of work authorization would be extended to Sept 30 if its picked up. Thats my understanding. However, I have read that it takes time for updates to come on SEVIS. I am still in the grey area for a proprt deduction. May be you can check yours.

          NM

          Reply

  45. Congrats for people who already got thr receipts.

    AD People who have not – Pls update when you get your SEVIS updated.

    I am looking to help some of my friends here. I just saw an email from a friend about PP AD receipt been sent by USCIS at 844 in the morning.

    Reply

      • I have checked with my friends and none of theirs SEVIS is updated. People pls update when you get yours done. It will help others.

        Luckily I have been through this pain last year and got my Visa

        Reply

          • Sorry. Those are 2 diff things.

            1. 1 friend got a email about this AD PP application being picked. Offcourse he did not check his sevis.

            2. Others who did no receive any update (regular + pp) sevis is not yet updated.

      • Also, it takes alteast some time for your SEVIS to be updated. If it is not updated DO NOT PANIC. It might take some time.

        Reply

          • NM,

            Your assumption is wrong. SEVIS will not show 30Sept as last date of work auth. If you got selected in lottery it will change to “change in process” or somthing like that. ( I do not recollect eaxctly) After your H1-B approved, you can see the 30Sept as last date of your work auth.

            Thanks.

          • Okay. But there was no change on my SEVIS yesterday. Do you know if the change in SEVIS happens immediately if you are picked up in lottery. Just want to know what I did yesterday was a correct approach ?

          • NM,
            It is better to check with those who have already received their receipt numbers. If their SEVIS status has not changed yet, then that would clarify your doubt.

  48. Anyone with a AD/RP/CA (Advanced Degree/Regular Processing/California Service Center) received a receipt yet ??
    If you have received the receipt please help us by sharing your news. Being informed solves a lot of problems and helps taking further decisions.

    Reply

    • I believe they are sending out receipts first for the PP processing via E-Mail… Probably once this is done which should have by now , they will start sending the receipts for regular process.

      The wait continuessssss…………..

      Reply

      • These Amricans are lazy ! Everything is in a Database and the only thing that they have to do is just a click and print the stuff! USPS is also waiting in front of door to take the packages and will deliver everything in 2.5 business days !

        Reply

        • Dont’ abuse americans mate, you are dying to stay in their country and calling them lazy. They have made this country a place where immigrants can come , flourish, prosper and lead the world. I am sure you are from India. One thing you can learn from americans is to appreciate things and favours, if u don’t , don’t stay here.

          Reply

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