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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. Really lost hope now. Game is really over. waiting for return package. NON-AD / PP /VT

    Someone petition on white house page for allowing H1B applicants who were not selected in the FY2015 lottery temporary work authorization . This is the website:

    https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/allow-h1b-applicants-who-were-not-selected-fy2015-lottery-temporary-work-authorization/2VyMkNyr

    I really hope people who are not selected this year to sign this petition. We have jobs here but have to leave the country due to this ridiculous game!!

    Reply
    • not enough number so far. I don’t WH will do anything on it. The best way to do is to ask USCIS change the rules next year to prohibit multiple applications and give people who work in US priority to get h1b.

      Reply
  2. Today, my employer told my packet back 🙁 . He received it yesterday.
    I wish you all good luck with your plan A (in case of miracles) and plans B, C, D ….etc

    Reply
  3. Fu****g wait is so damn frustrating…Practically waiting for mail or call when employer will say your application is not selected in lottery because there is hardly any activity seen since last week of April….

    Reply
    • Who told u that mobility is on leave for 2 weeks. I came to know from mobility that they have not yet disclosed any results and all results will be disclosed on 15tg May.

      Reply
  4. Hi,

    Are the receipts are being generated today… please tell me… the wait is really hurting me a lot…..

    NON-AD / RP /VT

    Reply
    • some one posted in this forum around 1000 receipts are generated today…not sure how far it is true!!

      Reply
  5. Anyone applied through Smartplay Inc got reciept? HR says till now they didnt get info for anyone and mostly by month end they will be able to tell 🙁

    Reply
    • Hello Friends,

      I have been a silent reader/follower on this forum.
      Congrats to all who got selected in the lottery. Best luck for others who are still waiting for the results.
      My employer informed me that my application is picked in the lottery (NON AD/RP/ No receipt number).
      I see that approvals on AD/PP, AD/RP & Non AD/PP has started coming in.
      Do we have any approval on Non AD/RP yet?

      Thank You!

      Reply
  6. Hi,

    I received my receipt number.

    But while trying to track it using below link,it says that the receipt number is invalid.Did anyone face it..please help!!

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

    Reply
  7. Bloody hell!!!

    All worthless H4 people getting H-1B and they don’t know what to do with it.

    Even worthless AD guys got H-1B via consultancies. They have no idea how to use it to their best. Hope they plan well and advance their career rather than wasting it.

    Oh wait, what about dumb folks from MNCs (note – just dumb folks) who got H-1B just coz their company applied.
    Hope and wish you will make use of your H-1B wisely.

    The funny part is all these above category people are now busy with their plans to jump ship companies right away and apply for green card via consultancies.
    Great job guys…great job!!

    Wasted H-1B slots that could be wisely used by genuine people.

    This does not apply to H4 people who have a correct pathway to use their H-1B. I am not against them.

    Reply
    • May be dumb people needs luck where people like you can get a better job in better place.
      If you want to blame, you can blame people/consultancies who encourage multiple applications.

      Reply
      • @ AD :- It seems after some time u will blame GOD also for so Biased for some of H4/AD candidates.
        I can understand ur frustation for H4 or non AD candidate, but how come u blaming any AD guy for getting H1b.R u frm some of the Top university like Havards. If answer is no u are a piece of crap just blaming others.

        Reply
    • AD, go and talk to US President and change the rules. Don’t blabber something here and better give respect to others.

      Reply
    • Hey …..

      Cool man… this is all luck. even i have applied till now i did not get any new from my employer. If you are the lucky then you will get. This is not matter of skill set. Do you understand. be sportive. try next time …keep on try you will get definetely and i will also. 🙂

      Reply
    • Every industry needs a mix of talent. NON-AD/AD/SMART/DUMB. All types of ppl are required for a balance in any industry. if u have all AD smartest of smart folks in all companies then u will realise the pain. Having said that i completely agree that the system should be changed so the AD folks who spend lot of time and money to get a masters degree in US must be cap exempt and should not fall under lottery.

      Reply
    • “All worthless H4 people getting H-1B and they don’t know what to do with it”

      Mind your words before Posting Anything.

      Reply
    • Don’t be like a crazy man. Are you feeling you are the only wise person in the world? I too applied for H1B, but didn’t hear anything till now. It is just a luck. Everyone should be a sportive. God knows whom to give offers and whom to not to give it.

      Having knowledge is not good. One should have a good character and ethics.

      Reply
  8. Anyone who did not get receipt number tried calling USCIS to get an answer?
    When I called today they told me that the employer needs to call.. does anyone has experience with this?

    Reply
  9. AD/RP

    I tried explaining what cap h1b and whats the reason for lottery and all to some of my friends in india, as we had a google hangout (was a casual talk)

    They were shocked to know such details and they were so happy for not coming here for Masters. Most advanced country which follows a primitive method to make a fairly easy process a complicated one.

    I am not blaming the people applying from other countries ,… esp india , they are using the facility as they have a right to , just like we had a right to do masters here. But my problem is with CIS , which is unable to realize the fact it is careers of thousands which go to drain each year as they did only 1 big crime in their entire life – ‘having hope on system here!!’

    I am not going to give up happiness for something which is not my fault… all AD’s we have great things ahead … keep your happiness and confidence with you 🙂

    Reply
    • True. Can`t agree more on this. Probably the only country who does not have special provision for AD holders. Other countries who give work permit after AD have special provision for skilled migrant with genuine full time job offer. Anyways I believe destiny has something good written for us 🙂

      Reply
        • 25th receipt date you got it today only? Then there is a hope it seems. I heard around 1000 receipts are on the way from Vermont still. God should help me out to be one of them….

          Reply
          • Hi,
            Could you please tell me from where you got information on–1000 receipts on way from VT still..
            If that’s the case there are still chances i believe..for people waiting under this category.!

            Thanks for Sharing.

          • Hmm, Hope this is reliable information…Please kindly share from where you got this information…

            Is this 1000 ones are “encahsed cheque” or “Just receipt at yet to encash”…

    • Congratulations!

      Would you know if the check that was sent with you application was already cashed when you received your notice. Mine hasn’t been cashed but I’m still trying to hold on to the little hope I have left.

      Thanks for your help!

      Reply
  10. Non-AD /PP
    RFE Date: May 7th
    RFE Replied: May 7th.

    No update still. Any idea on when can I expect change in my status?

    Reply
  11. Hi,
    I work in one of the top IT MNC’s in pune and My manager just called me and told I got selected in H1B Lottery.
    Then i called ODC and they told me they didnt get any info about my h1b.

    I am helpless and not sure whom I should beleive. Its painful 🙁

    Reply
  12. I am an AD/RP/EAC , I received my notice EAC1413651*** around the 20th of April. I am still not able to find my status on the USCIS website. Is there anyone else who is having the same problem.

    Reply
    • Hi,

      I had the same problem. My case number is EAC1413650xxx. I was not able to find my status until middle of last week, when my status just changed to decision – approved.
      So, just be patient.

      Reply
      • Thanks for your reply Adri. Congratulations for your approval. Hopefully i will be able to track my case soon.

        Reply
  13. Unfortunately, the company sent an email telling that three of us were not selected.

    Total: 7 employers
    Selected: 4 employers

    Reply
  14. Did anyone of Non-Ad/Premium Processing from Splendtek Inc got updates or receipts numbers ?

    I’m Non-Ad/RP, so far no updates from the HR or anyone.

    Reply
  15. Hi,

    This morning my HR told me that attorney lost hope as check also not cashed & almost all who got picked in lotto got their receipts. My employer is asking me to work for them through a consultancy from June 1st as my OPT ends my May31st. My current employer is not e-verified so I can’t apply for STEM extension through them. What if I get positive response after I changed to new employer, can I come back to this employer or no.? Can any of you answer me please..!!!

    Reply
  16. Hi Everyone,

    My husband applied for h1b and the company he is working for is a young nonprofit arts organization. We did premium processing but our lawyer still didn’t get rejection note or receipt. I know you all here are IT people and more likely to be granted h1b, but do you think or you know anyone who was sponsored by arts organization and got the visa? And do you think there is still hope even though we haven’t heard from anyone despite doing premium processing. Thank you for all your insights and wish you all best of luck! We are all in the same boat and I am sending prayers and thoughts of encouragement to everyone!

    Reply
    • If its non profit organization, then you are cap exempt. I dont think you need to depend on lottery, cross verify with your lawyer. H1B work visa is not alone for IT people, they use this visa the most. You have same amount of chance as IT if its skilled profession.

      Reply
      • Thank you for your response. Non profit is not cap exempt unfortunately! We thought we were, but this year i think is first time after after 2008 that there are more applicants than visas and we fell into lottery as well.

        Reply
  17. Hi guys,

    I still think we have to wait and do not lose our hope. If we wanted a quick response from USCIS we should have paid for Premium Processing. If they are still working on PP’s then we have to wait..I mean it’s now the 5th week.

    Reply
    • I am done with this craziness.
      I informed my employer about my concern and asked HR to call USCIS. I think i was not picked in the lottery. Just wait to get the package back.

      H4 will gThose H4 are talented and we are not. American government likes to bring a ton of indian here and their spouses.
      So we are not talented people.

      Yesterday I printed out the Canadian immigration form. Seriously think about it.

      Reply
  18. AD/RP

    April 16: Receipt generated
    April 23: Receipt received
    May 7: Approved
    May 13: Original approved documents received (last year this was the same date I got rejection letter)

    EAC1413654XXX

    Gud luck to all….

    Reply
    • Hi Navi, congrats. Can you tell us the first of the Xs. Mine is 543xx and I still don`t see any update on USCIS, not even an initial review.

      Reply
    • Navi:
      1)Are you PP or RP?
      2) What status did you see on May-7? “Decision” or “Post Decision” and what status do you have now on uscis web site?

      Reply
  19. People around me got receipt number 2 weeks back.. But I am still waiting waiting waiting for a miracle to happen.. Please God…

    Reply
  20. 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.

    Reply
  21. EAC – Vermont Service Center
    WAC – California Service Center
    LIN – Nebraska Service Center (Lincoln, Nebraska)
    SRC – Texas Service Center

    14 :- year
    Three digit day eg. 147 :- Working day (exclusind holiday and sunday)
    Five Digit ?:- Running number of rceipt

    ———————-

    24 Apr
    WAC1414750001
    WAC1414751776

    ——————-

    23 Apr
    EAC1414650001
    EAC1414655312

    24 Apr
    EAC1414755313
    EAC1414755324

    25 Apr
    EAC1414855325
    EAC1414855454

    ———————
    23 Apr
    SRC1414750001
    SRC1414750351

    24 Apr
    SRC1414850352
    SRC1414850369

    25 Apr
    SRC1414950370
    SRC1414950520

    26 and 27 Apr – Sat and Sun

    28 Apr
    SRC1415050521
    SRC1415050609

    —————
    LIN is contributed by RK, but I guess date can be wrong.

    Apr 23rd
    LIN1414650001
    LIN1414650660

    Apr 29th
    LIN1414750661
    LIN1414750662

    May 1st
    LIN1414850663
    LIN1414850786

    Reply
  22. hi folks ,

    i have been following this website and it was traumatic when i was not getting any update from my employer . Finally i made through the CAP 🙂 as informed by my employer yesterday.

    But i have not been shared with receipt number yet. I pray for all of the deserving candidates who are still waiting to get through.

    Reply
  23. AD/RP/CA

    Notice date: Apr 15,
    Receipt Date: Apr 21,
    Status changed to RFE: May12
    RFE mail: May 10

    really worried, can anyone comment what are the chances of approval from RFE stage? Anyone else got any response after replying to RFE?

    Reply
    • Requested/Required for Evidence(RFE).

      USCIS has found something not likely good with your application/petition.
      They are requesting for evidence to produce some related documents/justification for the USCIS doubts…

      If you are good with those info your petition will be approved, or else denial.

      Reply
    • I am from regular quota/ PP. I also received RFE on 2nd May & employer’s attorney already replied on 7th May. They asked about my detail job description and the team i will be managing.
      Don’t be panicked without seeing what they asked for. Just wait for the mail and i am sure your employer’s attorney should be able to answer on time with due documents. If you have all the documents they asked for, then you shouldn’t be worried.
      Cheers.

      Reply
  24. Premium Processing Approvals done until yesterday right ?
    April 28th to May 12th ? As per USCIS 15 days ?

    or still they are doing it ?

    Reply
    • Did you got the Approval.. ?
      I mean if they were doing it till yesterday then your case is PP so you would have got the Approval.. if you didnt got any Approval then probably its still going on….

      Reply
      • My Friend Applied ,
        He did not got any response from employer .
        I am not sure . But yes he did not got yet !

        Message from employer is – we will let you know when we have the information and waiting for the mail confirmation and documentation from USCIS

        Reply
      • We got an alert from USCIS(get alert from USCIS to mail if you have account created with it).

        They gonna do this one more week.

        Reply
          • this is message from uscis there is no announcement like they will continue till 22 may

            USCIS H-1B Premium Processing to Begin April 28

            On April 28, 2014, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin premium processing for H-1B petitions subject to the fiscal year 2015 cap, including H-1B petitions seeking an exemption from the fiscal year cap for individuals who have earned a U.S. master’s degree or higher. USCIS first announced that we would begin premium processing for H-1B cap cases no later than April 28 in a news release on March 25. USCIS provides premium processing service for certain employment-based petitions and guarantees a 15-calendar-day processing time.

          • http://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-begin-premium-processing-h-1b-cap-subject-petitions-april-28-2014

          • This is announcement in official site…

            We tweet the alerts in twitter and to the one who has registered with us..

            We won’t post all the announcements in USCIS official website.

            Check Twitter/FB for USCIS

          • We heard some news like this that they gonna continue with one more week.

            Any way check all your status in case status online and come to know exact status.

            If not approved they might got RFE.

          • Check your status online in case status..

            If they promise 15 day processing time definitely…they have either approve it or deny it right?

            If not approved you might got RFE.Check USCIS is doing his work properly..

  25. Ticket format-
    EAC/WAC- Service Center No
    14- Year
    146 – Working day of USCIS
    ———————-
    My Analysis of below tickets when checked using binary search:-

    23 Apr
    EAC1414650001
    EAC1414655312

    24 Apr
    EAC1414755313
    EAC1414755324

    25 Apr
    EAC1414855325
    EAC1414855454

    No ticket found for EAC1414855455 for next four days it means lottey is over..

    Reply
    • I agree with your analysis and comment.
      Last week most of the snail mails have reached to employer/attorney 🙁
      This week we cannot except much…but a return packet…

      Reply
    • As per your analysis, there were only 5454 applications selected in Vermont center. As everyone know there are 4 processing centers “Vermont, Nebraska, Texas and California”. No.of jurisdiction for Vermont and Nebraska are more when compared to Texas and California. Therefore chances are there for majority of the applications to be filled in these to service centers. In that case 5454 applications selected in Vermont is not the final count as per my analysis.

      Regards,
      Reliable Source

      Reply
      • I am on just halfway to it…

        24 Apr
        WAC1414750001
        WAC1414751776

        You can also try this method to find out how many counts are generated.

        Reply
        • Receipt numbers generated only on 24th Apr in WAC series. Which concludes only 1776 applications were generated from WAC so far.

          Reply
    • In LIN below are the statistics

      Apr 23rd
      LIN1414650001
      LIN1414650660

      Apr 29th
      LIN1414750661
      LIN1414750662

      May 1st
      LIN1414850663
      LIN1414850786

      Only 786 receipts were generated in LIN

      Reply
      • Mr RK,

        Most of the people know about this.. and we gave this update every end of day up to May1.

        They are done with sending receipts in all categories..(very few has to reach attorneys…very very few).

        Most of MNC’s are revealing the results(so don’t think that if you got a receipt from your employer it means USCIS has send that that day itself).

        PP receipts approval process also almost completed(you can give one more week).

        I heard few of RP receipts also getting approved.

        Reply
      • Thanks RK,

        EAC – Vermont Service Center
        WAC – California Service Center
        LIN – Nebraska Service Center (Lincoln, Nebraska)
        SRC – Texas Service Center

        14 :- year
        Three digit day eg. 147 :- Working day (exclusind holiday and sunday)
        Five Digit ?:- Running number of rceipt

        ———————-
        24 Apr
        WAC1414750001
        WAC1414751776
        ——————-
        23 Apr
        EAC1414650001
        EAC1414655312

        24 Apr
        EAC1414755313
        EAC1414755324

        25 Apr
        EAC1414855325
        EAC1414855454
        ———————
        23 Apr
        SRC1414750001
        SRC1414750351

        24 Apr
        SRC1414850352
        SRC1414850369

        25 Apr
        SRC1414950370
        SRC1414950520

        26 and 27 Apr – Sat and Sun

        28 Apr
        SRC1415050521
        SRC1415050609

        29 Apr
        SRC1415150610

        for SRC… day cont is still coming

        Reply
    • In SRC – Texas below are the statistics

      29th Apr
      SRC1414650001
      SRC1414651021

      Only 1021 receipt numbers were generated.

      Reply
    • Therefore,

      From Vermont (EAC)- 5454
      From Texas (SRC)- 1021
      From California (WAC)-1776
      From Nebraska (LIN) – 786

      In total 9037 receipt numbers were generated across location. There should be some other logic in generating the receipt numbers.

      Reply
      • Arey Bhai…

        You want the logic of receipts generations?

        The way you did now that is correct ok.

        WAC/EAC for service center.
        14-the Year.
        132,133,134…..145,146,….150,151… these are fiscal days..
        5 is the standard number..
        last 4 digits…starts with 0001 as the day starts.. and goes incremental all the way..

        USCIS clearly stated that they are done with generating and updating case number in to system(check USCIS official twitter site)

        Reply
    • Hi Interesting,

      Each Working day also will start with 50001 series

      Below is the last receipt number of EAC – Vermont service center

      EAC1415651286

      Reply
    • Bro, Yes HCL is informing verbally as of now.. whosoever is contacting them. They have not made officially yet to anyone. As per them 450 got selected around 1400 so lets wait for another week or 10 days time…however its only 20-30 % chances to get the good news..

      Thanks

      Reply
  26. Called Bangalore FDFU and they confirmed my name is there into the listed as selected but so far haven’t got any confirmation email yet. Does anyone know when we are expecting an office email from them?

    Reply

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