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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. My attorney asked my employer to write all the checks (all petition fees and PP fees) payable to his firm. He said that his firm will write checks and mail them to the USCIS. My application reached the USCIS on Apr 3 (according to FedEx tracking number). Hence, my employer did as suggested by the firm. Is this a common practice for big law firms ??

    BTW: I am still waiting under AD/PP/VT.

    Thanks.

    Reply
    • I believe that is a common practice.. Mine is same case, all checks have been made by law firm to USCIS, not by employer. They perhaps do this to ensure the checks are being issued correctly and there are no errors. They sent me a copy of my application packet and Fedex receipt of application. Mine reached on Apr. 1st in the afternoon. Still no update so I don’t think I made to through the lottery.

      Now waiting for return packet to be received. No hope and it seems people have started receiving returned application.

      Reply
    • Yep….that’s a common practice…especially with law firms who are more diligent and very careful not to mess up anything…

      Reply
  2. My employer sent check to attorney of $2,325. It should be to USCIS.
    The law firm cashed the check on April 2. I think they should not cash the check till got receipt number from USCIS.
    I asked my employer to call USCIS, but they called the law firm.
    No way to know anything.

    Reply
    • It must be USCIS not law firm. Once sent the check to USCIS how cum the law firm can encashi it? Did your package return??

      Reply
  3. 137 petitions are selected with in TCS so far..waiting for second list..its expected with in Thursday.. Contact FDFU for more details

    Reply
  4. guya would request to those who regulaly following this forum pls update if anyone gets his/ her lottery result this week

    Reply
  5. My Wife got mail from employer last month PP / NON AD that she selected . There was a mail from employer last week saying that they don’t have any updates whether granted or not !

    No still waiting ! what to do ? what to think ? any idea ? the PP cases ending today and last day.

    Please advise

    Reply
          • Mine is from same employer, really getting anxious… is there a way we can connect over phone / email ? share details …

          • Do you know how many of them got selected in splendtek?
            I dont think they’re tracking via check coz i was told they didn’t write names on the check to see who’s check got processed for who….

          • My friend who got selected last year said that they keep monitoring everyday if the checks are encashed. As soon as they find if they are encashed, they send out a mail informing the same.
            I am also waiting here, no update till now.

          • I spoke with Splendtek couple of days back and he told that they did not mention names on the cheque and told me that though there were few cheques that got encashaed, he had no clue for whom it’d be….
            Have you contacted them to know the current status.

  6. My consultant said that cheques for 2 people got deducted on Thursday with him ,but he canot know whose cheques got deducted …will it be so?….

    Reply
    • Who is your consultant? It can’t be the case. Each check will be given on the employee name and he should know whose check got deducted.Good luck

      Reply
  7. Guys, I want to ask my employer to call USCIS to find out my application.
    I saw a link for how to call USCIS to know whether you are picked in the lottery or not. Please anyone knows the link.
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Source: Happyschools

      “Thanks Selam for posting this comment on how to get H-1B Receipt Number by calling USCIS. But, not all the employer will be willing to do the steps described below.

      I called 1-800-375-5283 and chose 1(for English),
      Then 2(for check status of Application),
      Then 3 (for lost H1B recipt # ).
      It will take to a customer service. Tell them you applied H1-B and you haven’t got Recipt# yet. They will ask when you applied (it needs to be more than 30 days) and which service center.
      Then they will transfer you to some other line and the other person will ask you your name and some of the same question.
      Then they will tell you they can only give info to the employer.
      Tell them to wait and give your phone to your employer( or a representative of the company).
      They will ask your employer their name, Company name, address and federal tax ID #(same thing as Federal Employer ID # on your I-129 form).
      After that you can take the phone from your employer and you can ask for the H1B Recipt# if you application is already in the system they will give it to you.”

      Reply
  8. AD/PP/VT
    I haven’t received any receipt or rejection. The wait is too long.

    When can I/employer/attorney contact USCIS regarding to know more about.

    Someone had mentioned it was 30 or 60 days after the lottery.

    I don’t have any hope, but I would atleast like to know what the result is.

    Reply
  9. My friend works for a law firm in NYC. He received a returned package for RP ADV from VSC on 5/10.

    Reply
  10. My attorney stopped responding back to my mails about percentage of success, etc., I did not get any update from him for the past few weeks. He has a big firm and he could have given me some numbers like the ones mentioned below.

    I came to know about this site today. This firm (immigrationgirl) is doing a great job. Wish I had known them before. Keep it up.

    Quote May 5, 2014:
    “I’ll start with statistics for premium processing cases. By now, if you filed in premium processing and you did not receive an email notification, I hate to say it, but the chances are slim.

    California Service Center – All Premim Processing: We received receipt notices for 70% of the petitions filed
    Vermont Service Center – All Premium Processing: We received receipt notices for 73% of the petitions filed
    These numbers indicate that we should not expect to receive any more premium processing notices. Given the number of petitions filed, a receipt rate in the 70% range seems right on.

    Now for the regular processing:

    California Service Center – Regular Processing – Masters quota: We received receipt notices for 76% of the petitions filed
    Vermont Service Center – Regular Processing – Masters quota: We received receipt notices for 74% of the petitions filed

    While there is still some chance that receipts could be on the way for non-premium master’s cap cases, the chances are low. Given the receipt rate mentioned above for premium processing cases, the receipt rate for non-premium master’s cap cases are right in line and we may have seen the last of these receipts.

    California Service Center – Regular Processing – Bachelors quota: We received receipt notices for 33% of the petitions filed
    Vermont Service Center – Regular Processing – Bachelors quota: We received receipt notices for 15% of the petitions filed

    Based on these numbers, we can definitely expect to continue seeing bachelor’s cap receipts in regular processing. Vermont continues to be a day or two behind California as far as sending receipts. On a side note, RFEs for premium processing cases are on their way. We had a nice stack waiting at the fax machine this morning.”

    ***UPDATE 5/6/14, WE NOW HAVE RECEIPTS FOR 48% OF THE PETITIONS FILED AT VSC – REGULAR PROCESSING – BACHELORS QUOTA, STILL EXPECTING MORE***

    ***UPDATE 5/7/14, no new receipt notices were delivered today. Also, we still have not received any rejected petitions back in the mail*****

    ***UPDATE 5/9/14, no rejected petitions yet. Still reviewing today’s mail to see how many new receipts came in, there was a lot of it.*****

    Reply
  11. My attorney stopped responding back to my mails about percentage of success, etc., I did not get any update from him for the past few weeks. He has a big firm and he could have given me some numbers like the ones mentioned below.

    I came to know about this site today (http://immigrationgirl.com/hday-receipt-notice-stats/). This firm (immigrationgirl) is doing a great job. Wish I had known them before. Keep it up.

    Quote May 5, 2014:
    “I’ll start with statistics for premium processing cases. By now, if you filed in premium processing and you did not receive an email notification, I hate to say it, but the chances are slim.

    California Service Center – All Premim Processing: We received receipt notices for 70% of the petitions filed
    Vermont Service Center – All Premium Processing: We received receipt notices for 73% of the petitions filed
    These numbers indicate that we should not expect to receive any more premium processing notices. Given the number of petitions filed, a receipt rate in the 70% range seems right on.

    Now for the regular processing:

    California Service Center – Regular Processing – Masters quota: We received receipt notices for 76% of the petitions filed
    Vermont Service Center – Regular Processing – Masters quota: We received receipt notices for 74% of the petitions filed

    While there is still some chance that receipts could be on the way for non-premium master’s cap cases, the chances are low. Given the receipt rate mentioned above for premium processing cases, the receipt rate for non-premium master’s cap cases are right in line and we may have seen the last of these receipts.

    California Service Center – Regular Processing – Bachelors quota: We received receipt notices for 33% of the petitions filed
    Vermont Service Center – Regular Processing – Bachelors quota: We received receipt notices for 15% of the petitions filed

    Based on these numbers, we can definitely expect to continue seeing bachelor’s cap receipts in regular processing. Vermont continues to be a day or two behind California as far as sending receipts. On a side note, RFEs for premium processing cases are on their way. We had a nice stack waiting at the fax machine this morning.”

    ***UPDATE 5/6/14, WE NOW HAVE RECEIPTS FOR 48% OF THE PETITIONS FILED AT VSC – REGULAR PROCESSING – BACHELORS QUOTA, STILL EXPECTING MORE***

    ***UPDATE 5/7/14, no new receipt notices were delivered today. Also, we still have not received any rejected petitions back in the mail*****

    ***UPDATE 5/9/14, no rejected petitions yet. Still reviewing today’s mail to see how many new receipts came in, there was a lot of it.*****

    Reply
  12. Hello Guys, I have been following this thread since long time. I would say still hopes are on. Have faith in God.

    I got my receipt number last Friday. My HR forwarded me today.
    When I check my status online it says Initial review. The message below says “We have mailed you notice on how we are processing your case”.

    For everyone whoever got selected in lottery the same message is displayed or for waiting list or some other category we will get this kind of message.

    Good Luck!

    Reply
  13. Friends, did anybody talk/write to OOC regarding the lottery results? How many ppl have got the confirmation so far ? can we expect so more this week, or the game is over? I raised service connect, bu no response yet. Pls share if you have any details. thanks

    Reply
  14. Hi Friends,

    How long would it take to complete Initial review and to get Decision? Please let me know i am very tensed.

    Reply
    • For Regular Processing no time limit.. it may take 2-3 months or more also.
      For Premium Processing by May 22, 2014 or max May end.

      Reply
  15. Any idea that USCIS has already finished notifying all selected lottery result? Or it has still some selected lottery result to be sent.

    Reply
    • Data Entry is done.. So all receipts would have been sent last week.
      How ever we can expect very few this week. If the cheque is not encashed
      until now, then assume that the person is almost out of the game and can wait
      for packet return

      Reply
  16. Hi Friends,

    CTS chennai – one guy got receipt number today morning.so still chances are there.Pray god!!!!

    Reply
  17. Any updates from Wipro on H1 lottery, has anyone today got any update?? ….is all out or anything still pending is there any hope left ??

    Reply

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