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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

  1. “CIS issued a press release last Friday evening, informing that the agency completed data entry of all H-1-cap selected cases earlier that day. As of today, we are no longer receiving new H-1B cap receipts, and our bank records indicate that the checks submitted with your petition have not been cashed. Based on this, your petition was probably not selected in this year’s H-1B Lottery, however we will know with certainty only in the coming few weeks, as we receive rejected petitions back from CIS.

    I will contact you as we receive the H-1B petition back, and will send you a copy of the rejection notification, for your records.”

    I just got this from our immigration counselor. RQ/RP/VT

    Reply

    • While you should start working on plan B, it’s also not so surprising to receive an approval or receipt later because yours is rp. good luck!

      Reply

    • Only the employer can know whether the check is cleared or not? How can immigration consular knows about the check?

      Reply

  4. I gave check to my employer on his name, all these days he did not en-cash my check, but he en-cashed it on Tuesday May 6th . when i spoke to him last Friday, he told me that USCIS has not en-cashed any check’s submitted by him. don’t know why he en-cashed my check after all these days. does this mean that my application is picked up in lottery?

    Reply

    • U still need to pay the attorney fees dude !.
      Whether u get selected in the lottery or not. he still did all the paper work and submitted it to USCIS right?

      Its like going to a doctor to get a medicine for your flu. Whether the flu goes away or not, u still pay the doctor for his diagnosis right?

      Reply

  5. AD/RP

    If anyone has got rejection please post. Bez irrespective of category, rejections start only after all receipts are received . I dont think ppl started receiving rejections

    Reply

    • Its really frustrating.. 🙁 They might have holding it back for some concrete reasons. But it only kept us restless till now.

      Reply

    • ad/pp dont worry!!!!! im ad/rp and today at 9 am my case jumped from initial review to post decision activity. im sure yours will too. a friend of mine actually never got a receipt number and all of the sudden he got his acceptance package in the mail. he did PP.

      Reply

  14. Hi Syntellers

    Whats the updates from Syntel…

    I know 1 guy in Chennai got the receipt, how many of your known got the receipt and from which location.

    Reply

  16. Hi Guys,

    I am so sad to inform that my petition was not picked in Lottery in this Year as well as in Last Year Also :-(.

    My Hearty Congrats to all the people who are selected in Lottery & All the Best for the Waiting people.

    Thanks,

    Reply

  18. I got the receipt today. I have been following this site from the beginning.
    Thanks for all the information & update.
    My Receipt No :- WAC141455****
    They are still releasing the receipts so keep your hopes guys.

    Reply

  19. Below is what i could make out , from the recent user comments –

    Non AD Non PP category :

    a. For large MNC applicants, you have time till may 30th (as commn has to flow between uscis >attorney > onsite processing team > you).

    Reason for delay – from attorney, it may be dealt in bulk

    b. For small consultancies / orgns, hopes may diminish after 15th May.

    PP category :

    Very little chance after May 15th (as USCIS must have already done their bit, if at all, it gets delayed, it may be due to slowness at your consultant / attorney)

    Those who claim they got in June last Yr :

    Thats because, you were waitlisted and got through as part of reconciliation.
    Its a very small number though.

    Reply

    • Yes, i think, your analysis is right. I am RP/non-AD and asked to wait until next 2 weeks, but the chances are very low…my emplr called USCIS and they said, almost all receipts for my emplr are sent…mine isnt in it 🙁
      started thinking of another options…

      Reply

    • No. I believe we might have lost in lottery, if so they won’t reveal to us until end of May so that it won’t effect appraisal.

      Reply

  21. Look at this
    http://www.dhs.gov/news/2014/05/06/dhs-announces-proposals-attract-and-retain-highly-skilled-immigrants

    H4 peoples!!!! we still have a option this year!!!! Keep up our hopes!!!

    Reply

  24. People who did masters in this country are not getting their H1bs picked up. They are the people who learn the standards here and because of people who just want to earn money and companies TCS, Cognizant and infosys wants cheap labour from other countries pay these people very less and bring down the wage rates in this country.

    I think there should be a more easier way for masters students to get their H1bs and Green cards approved.

    Reply

    • Yes. Masters should be decoupled with H1b. At the end of the masters degree all foreign students should be sent back to their home countries if they don’t get a job offer in an American Company with more than 100 employees.

      They should be made to work only in the area of their Masters and should not be allowed to take up IT jobs if they do not study IT.

      Once they go out of the country, they must come back and join the H1B Regular quota.

      Also, all CPT’s should be banned for any AD holder who applies for H1B and does not get picked up in the lottery.

      Reply

        • Hi Mates,

          Don’t hurt anybody’s emotions… each and everybody in this forum are waiting for H1B and we know how it hurts when not selected…

          For AD they will think we are taking back their visa and vise versa..

          Its not easy for both of us to get through… lets try to help each other else ignore the comments if you don;t like theirs..

          Reply

    • Stop posting shit

      For every H-1B petition filed with the USCIS, there must be included a Labor Condition Application (LCA) (not to be confused with the labor certification), certified by the U.S. Department of Labor. The LCA is designed to ensure that the wage offered to the non-immigrant worker meets or exceeds the “prevailing wage” in the area of employment.

      Reply

  26. I am Non AD/Regular processing CA. I have been anxiously waiting the past month to find out if I have been selected in the lottery. I spoke with my lawyer this morning, and she advised me at this point of the “game”, it is around 80% chance that my application was not selected in the lottery. I know nothing is confirmed, but I have been advised to look at the alternative options.

    I love in MI and I am now looking into doing my MBA. Does anyone have any information on colleges that offer CPT or internships in the first semester of being enrolled?

    Reply

    • I waited for 2 semesters to get CPT. That is the normal way.

      Last year there is a so called Visa school told me they can give me CPT right away. I didn’t take it even though at that time I got a very good paid job and needed CPT, because I am afraid it will cause the problem later on.

      I registered in a normal university and took 2 semesters classes and got granted CPT this week and started to work for my employer this week using CPT. I am waiting for my receipt, but it seems hopeless.

      Reply

      • CPT is usually granted based on the course, it has to meet the requirements of USCIS. It is not something colleges or universities can grant on their own. you have to check and see if a program has CPT provision or not. it doesn’t matter if its from 1st sem or after 2nd sem. Some programs are designed such a way that it meets the criteria of CPT from day one but that requires on to take up full time courses and maintain on campus attendance. Talk to your adviser for more info.

        Reply

        • Yes. I meet all the requirements. It follows the rule.
          Most of school start to issue CPT after one academic year and you have a job offer with official HeadLetter of the employer, then fill out the forms and International Office check it and issue new I-20 for CPT.
          Summer is Full-Time. Fall and Spring only 20hours per week.

          Reply

  27. Got approved today.
    VSC
    EAC141345xxxx

    I got receipt on 14th but was not able to see the case status at all.
    When i checked it today, I saw straight post decision activity saying my petition has been approved.

    Good luck to all.

    Reply

  28. We already applied with them.So we cant do anything except seeing whats going on.
    But this type of situation is really horrible.

    Reply

        • Splendtex guys are not telling the truth, just simply asking us to wait and not giving proper timely updates.

          Reply

          • No idea, I guess most of them have received it by now. Because from EAC(VT) many has got it.

          • Guys,
            Anybody from Splendtek? I strongly doubt whether they really filed my applcn this year.. How do I find it?

          • Guys I have also applied through splendtek. Y’day got a mail from HR that my cheque amount has been deducted. So, don’t lose you hope. Good luck !

      • Guys,
        Anybody from Splendtek? I strongly doubt whether they really filed my applcn this year.. How do I find it?

        Reply

        • Don’t loose hope. I applied through splendtek. Got confirmation from HR yesterday that my processing cheque got encashed. Asked me to wait 4-5 days for receipt number.
          non-ad/reg
          All the best !!

          Reply

    • Last year i applied through them and got to know on May 21st that file is returned…for now still waiting 2nd try and no luck till now

      Reply

      • Canada.
        I think most of us are skilled workers. The problem is they need you to provide the work experience with company headletter. It is hard for you to ask your current employer or former employers to do this. Even if you have pay stub or W-2 to prove it.

        Reply

        • so it is applying for Canada visa as a permanent resident? Sorry did not have the time to read the whole thing because i am at work.

          Reply

          • I’m planning to apply for it. But i’m having hard time in getting my marksheet and degree evaluated by Canadian authority. They need the marksheet and degree either sent to them directly by my board of examiner, or attested by controller of examiner.

            I’m currently in USA and completed my Secondary education from ICSE/ISC Board from Delhi, India and Completed my engg from UPTU, Lucknow.

            Can you please tell me that what process you followed to get the marksheets from the board or controller of examiner?

            I’ll appreciate your response.

          • I directly went to Anna University , Chennai and recieved in a week.. I think , In your case, you must aknowledge your friend or relative and they can it on behalf of you.

          • You have to get attestation only for Degree and consolidated marksheets from Controller of Examination….Not for secondary…

  32. USCIS said they may be issuing Premium Processing H-1 receipts till 21 May and non PP till 30 May or so. via Twitter @immigrationcom

    Reply

      • AD/RP
        we never know, till the packet comes back there is chance. I read in some blogs there is an estimated 3-5% applications in waitlist , thats is big number.

        Reply

      • We don’t know what is going on with AD?
        Total AD number is unknown. And some AD file multiple application with consultant?
        The biggest harm is this kind of consulting companies messed up things.

        Reply

    • Count me in … do you guys have Stem extension … mine expires in June and still have not heard back from my employer or school regarding Sevis update … super worried and nervous … was very hard to find the job and now after all this hard work I will have to quit if I did not made it through the lottery … it s**ks

      Reply

  34. Got it guys!!!
    WAC-14-136-50XXX
    AD/RP/CA

    Receipt Notice April 15th
    Approval Date May 7th

    I could track it since April 17th.

    Good luck to the ones waiting receipts and the ones waiting approval. It went from initial review to post decision activity.

    Reply

  36. USCIS said they may be issuing Premium Processing H-1 receipts till 21 May and non PP till 30 May or so. via Twitter @immigrationcom

    So keep the hopes up

    Reply

  39. Hi All,

    The lawyer informed that the check for my husband’s petition was cleared on 1st May, but he didn’t receive the receipt yet. Is that the case with anyone else? Does anyone have any clue?

    Thanks,
    AJ

    Reply

    • Please don’t waste everyone’s time to asking silly question. at least 1000 times mentioned here that if your check cleared means you selected. Now Its all up to your employer whether when he will share with you.

      But you got selected that’s for sure.

      Reply

        • Thanks Sean/Please Read other Comments!!

          I really appreciate your comments, why I was worrying because it has been a week, the employer didn’t get the receipt yet. Anyways, i hope to get it soon.

          Thanks to all for providing the valuable information on this forum. Its a great support for all the waiting aspirants.

          Good Luck to everyone!!

          Reply

  40. I didn’t get any update from my employer yet……Please let me know still have a hopes to get the application

    Reply

  42. Hello,
    I have faith in God.

    I have not received any update from my HR and I have heard from my HR saying that “my application not showed in lottery may be by this week it all will finish”. Can I still have Hopes….

    Reply

  43. Finally the wait time is over for NON-AD/RP/CA.

    Employer just informed me that my petition is selected in lottery. Recipe No. is WAC141425XXXX.

    Thanks to all who encouraged to handle the waiting time.

    Reply

  44. hello All,

    Can someone please let know, what is next step after. I recieved email from HR team on 29th that my petition is selected. I recived EAS number EAC141395XXXX. what is next step?

    Thanks

    Reply

    • Check your case status using below link

      https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/Dashboard/CaseStatus.do

      If your status is “Approved”, that’s all dude…. Go and party…. Next bottle neck is your Visa Interview. Few applications will get rejected in Visa Interview.

      Reply

    • Go and do party. Now nothing needs to be done. USCIS will work on your case and will let u know the results.

      Reply

    • Book the one way ticket to USA. ASAP Rate will be go high in later date as lots of Non AD from India got selected over on Advance.

      Reply

  46. Hi friends,

    My employer confirmed that I picked in lottery. From here is there any rejections/denied will happen by any chance.

    Reply

    • Nope. You have good hope about 99%. Just make out which stamping interview. one of my friend got rejected in stamping interview

      Reply

        • Thambi, where are you from…You have got selected….IN USCIS there are about 8 status for H1B application and you are in #1. But as I already told you the possibility for high risk is just less than 5 %…So enjoy now….Go and pray Anjaneya and put garland of VADA to Anjaneyer… Keep praying God…..
          The sincere effort, steely determination will take you to greater heights….May God bless you my child…

          Reply

  49. Guys,

    Is there any chance still exists for me? Mine is RP and Non AD @ CA.
    No information till now. Loosing hope.

    Reply

    • I dont think so,I have applied RP and i spoke to my consultant they said it is almost done 90%,If you still get u would be the lucky one.USCICS will be returning the applications by 3rdweek of may.If you applied thru a consultancy your cheque could have got encashed by now.I lost the hope even she said to wait till 3rd week of may.

      Reply

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