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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

  2. I got my dependent’s Case number for I-539 application which was filed along with H1B visa 2015 petition, however i haven’t received my case number.
    Is my petition selected in the lottery or not? Anybody knows?

    Reply

    • AJ-Syntel,

      We have the same problem. Even my son’s dependent -I539 has come to me.But I have not received mine. I have a small doubt. What is that showing in your
      I-539 in the Notice Type – Class Requested section? Please share it.

      Reply

        • Obviously you are selected in lottery. If you are not selected, then won’t send you H-4 notice. Look at the old posts. Ppl get their dependent notice first and then their H1 notice. It may take some time for you to get the H1 notice but you will get it. Goodluck

          Reply

    • Same thing happened to me.

      I got my wife’s receipt on May 26 in my mail to my home address.
      I got my receipt number from my employer on May 12.

      Don’t worry. Looks like you are through this painful lottery.

      Congrats!!!

      Reply

        • In the receipt notice it doesn’t say anything like that.
          It will say that its for form I 539 for change of status and fee of $290 which is for the dependent.

          Reply

  3. Hi friends,
    Please help me out from below doubts…

    1) My employer informed on last Thursday to me like my check got cleared from bank but so far I haven’t got received the receipt number do you think my chance here is 100 % to get a receipt number.
    2) I am in NZ since 15 months, should I carry police clearance report ?
    3) H1B Approval letter means still candidates need to attend the interview in the immigration office.
    Thanks!

    Reply

    • If your check is encashed, you are through lottery. You to have wait for your receipt number. It may take anywhere from 4-15 days for your case number depending on the snail mail. You don’t need Police clearance certificate unless otherwise requested. Yes if you are outside US, you need to get stamping to enter US. If you are in US, you need to get stamping when you leave US and re enter. Hope this helps.

      Reply

  5. Here is the information obtained from Immigrationgirl. I don’t think she will reveal sample size.

    – The numbers seems right for the AD category. My attorney said that it was about 90% success last year and he predicted about 80% this year. I too believed that it would be about 80% success for AD (FY2015).
    – We all know that the success rate for non-AD would be about 40%.
    – I think those who applied directly through company/company attorney would have received receipts by this time. There is no hope now. We just need to wait for returned package (just like hitting a final nail in the coffin)
    – Those who applied through MNC could wait for few more days. I heard that MNC’s generally delay communicating the information to the employees.

    BTW: I am assuming that the number of AD applications were 25,000-35,000. Hence, 20% unluckiest means 5000-7000. I am one of those unluckiest ones (5000-7000) who applied under AD/PP/VT category and haven’t received a receipt yet. Philosophically speaking, to be really unlucky, one is sufficient to be kicked out. Here we are talking about 5000-7000. Right now, I am actively working on Plan B (other visa), C (other job) and D (going home).

    ————————
    Source: Immigrationgirl
    ****Update 5/13/14, here is where we stand today: no new receipts, no rejections. The percentage of our selected cases are as follows:

    Vermont, Premium, Masters cap: 80% of cases were selected
    California, Premium, Masters cap: 86% of cases were selected
    Vermont, Regular, Masters cap: 75% of cases were selected
    California, Regular, Masters cap: 75% of cases were selected
    Vermont, Premium, Bachelors cap: 38% of cases were selected
    California, Premium, Bachelors cap: 33% of cases were selected
    Vermont, Regular, Bachelors cap: 48% of cases were selected
    California, Regular, Bachelors: 33% of cases were selected

    The discrepancy between Premium and Regular receipts for masters cap cases may indicate that more regular processing receipts could be on the way. Fingers crossed!
    ——————-

    Reply

      • Ok.. so its just some information from the offices of one immigration attorney ..doest mean its true for all ..after all how many of the 85000 petitions would these particular lawyers would have applied for.. its a small sample.

        Reply

      • Ok.. so its just information from one particular immigration attorney.. still they must have applied for a few thousands of applications of 85000 at most.. so its still a small sample

        Reply

  9. Anyone received receipt # today ?? cpl of my frnds are really worried… I am worried for them too. Your response will be really appreciated.

    Reply

    • This is update I got it from my consultant:
      Results for regular lottery have started to come but not all are out as yet. We can expect to get results till end of this month or till early June.

      Reply

  11. This is my second year of wait, i work in a MNC and most of team mates got the reciept(RQ/RP/Vermont).

    I hope everything is over now. Waiting for my package again.

    Reply

  12. Few of them got mail that they have been selected in the lottery and rest of the popele still awaited,HR asked us to wait 2 to 3 weeks to get complete update…any hope?

    Reply

  15. I talked to a senior immigration manager at IBM and this is what she said –

    If you haven’t received an email alerting you that your receipt has been received, then it hasn’t come in yet. We continue to have receipts stream in daily. We do not yet know when USCIS will stop sending receipts for Cap Cases. The receipt will come straight to our receipts and approvals desk, who should notify you same day that it has come in.

    Reply

    • I too heard the same news from the Immigration team as well as the Case manager. But I really doubt whether they are waiting for our rejection packages, to give us a confirmation that we are not selected.

      So I left all my hopes and is waiting for this mail.

      Sorry if it’s demotivating. But we should be prepared for both.

      Reply

    • Hi Ibmer,
      I have also not received any update till now,none from my team received updates as well, cross checked with some other project mates but did not hear much from them. I got similar update from immigration team. As of now i am passing on days…….awaiting to hear positive news…

      Reply

      • Same news for my attorney too,that It is almost done and i am out of this game.

        No hope at all!!!! Only waiting for the confirmation of bad news!!!

        Reply

  16. I didnt get any updated regarding my h1b case, I called to my consultant and he said that it’s a time taking process. Wait till august.

    I am not feeling sleepy since many days. Every-time i am checked my mail id.

    Reply

    • I got a receipt on 5th May. but few of my friends got todays also and few are waiting…cts is not telling the exact status…wt they are saying from your side

      Reply

    • Check out this link

      http://redbus2us.com/received-h1b-2014-receipt-number-with-eac-wac-what-next-check-status/

      Reply

    • check below:-

      The first three characters indicate the filing center of the H1B petition. It would be one of the below:

      EAC – Vermont Service Center (old name: Eastern Adjudication Center).
      WAC – California Service Center (old name: Western Adjudication Center).
      Sample format: EAC- XX—XXX—XXXXX
      The second two characters indicate the filing year. It does not indicate the Fiscal year number. It is the actual year the petition was filed.

      For H1B Visa 2015 Fiscal year, it would be 14 as you are filing in year 2014.
      Sample Format : EAC – 14 – XXX—XXXXX
      The next three characters indicate the computer working day of the USCIS fiscal year. It starts from October 1st of the fiscal year. So, for this fiscal year starting from October 1st of 2013, it would be 001 for Oct 1st, it increments for each working day and does NOT include Weekends and Holiday. This day corresponds to the day your H1B Case was receipted by USCIS, it does NOT indicate when they received your petition or filed.

      If your case was receipted on April 10th, it would be 130.
      Sample format : EAC – 14 – 130 – XXXXX
      The next five characters indicate the case number that was assigned to your case on a particular day. For H1B Visa cases, it would typically start with a 5. USCIS typically assigns case numbers for all types of cases processed on a particular day. That’s the reason, we mentioned in article Misconceptions of H1B Processing, that you should not get confused with the case number increments saying that so many H1B cases were processed on a particular day.

      Sample format : EAC – 14 – 30 – 51344

      Reply

    • EAC = Eastern Application Center
      WAC = Western Application Center
      SRC = Southern Resource Center
      LIN = Nebraska Service Center

      These are all your VISA processing centers

      Reply

    • Don’t want to disappoint anyone. While I am…
      Below is the email communication received from my employer…
      @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
      Hi ,Got your emails, I was waiting to see if any checks clear on Monday night. Unfortunately, none of the pending checks have cleared. Looks like, I am sorry to say that your case along with the other one has not made the lottery. Anything happening from now on will be pure luck.
      @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

      Reply

  25. Hi All,

    Any hope for Non-AD/premium processing now.?

    I have an offer from a leading MNC from U.S and my consultants told me that they neither received receipts nor my cheque is been encashed. They told me initially that USCIS will do an initial screening of applications before they put in for lottery and will select those applications for top companies in their respective fields since they give a lot of revenue for U.S. Is it true?

    Is there any chance that PP applications can also be in waiting list because premium processing has to be finished within 15 calendar days?

    Reply

  27. Hi Syntellers

    Any latest on Syntel H1B…. Are people still getting the confirmation.

    I know 5 folks who got confirmation till now.

    Best of luck.

    Reply

  29. today i was informed by employer that i was selected in lottery

    my employer told that he received the notice few days back.
    EAC14142****

    Reply

  30. https://www.facebook.com/uscis

    Updated on May 2nd :

    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. U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in occupations that require highly specialized knowledge in fields such as science, engineering, and computer programming.

    Still having HOPE in this hopeless situation 🙁

    Reply

  31. AD/PP/CA case still in “initial review”. FT job. mechanical engg. working with automotive supplier. PP should be done in 15 calender days. today is 16th.

    Called hr. they said they will contact lawyer.

    Reply

  32. I got a RFE and I need to submit my pay stubs and all the W-2s that I have for my OPT.

    I did an unpaid internship with a faculty member for 3 months. What should I do ? I do not have a W-2 for that?

    Will you guys please help me over this ? My attorney said that I need to ask him to write me a letter with my job duration and duties. Would that be enough ?

    AD-RP-CA and this is the only chance that I have for H1-B 🙁

    Thanks

    Reply

    • What you are doing is not right dude.
      U cannot do unpaid on OPT.
      u took this unpaid to extend ur OPT right?.
      its not the right thing to do ethically. so yea, USCIS might have caught this now..(good) . u will have to show the paystubs atleast if not W2(if u have not filed ur taxes) for OPT.

      Reply

      • No I took 3 months to write a paper and publish it in a journal. And I can do unpaid internship according to DSO and what I found online. Here is a good example:

        http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs71.pdf

        this is for profit and the same thing dose exists for “non-profit” which is my school.

        Reply

      • No I took 3 months to write a paper and publish it in a journal. And I can do unpaid internship according to DSO and what I found online. Here is a good example:

        google this “DOL unpaid internship” and then the first pdf file that appears explain everything.

        this is for profit and the same thing dose exists for “non-profit” which is my school.

        Reply

          • Do you mean when I was submitting my application on April 1st ?

            No I do not think so. My lawyer did not say anything about that.

            I have pay stubs for my current job but they also asked for all the W-2s that I had during my OPT. I do not have anything for my unpaid internship so instead I guess I need to submit a letter or something like that !

          • I asked my advisor to write me a letter and my DSO said that they will write another supporting letter to verify what my supervisor (i.e. faculty member) says since I already informed DSO while ago regarding my research project with.

            She said everything is fone but I read lots of stuff regarding this kind of RFE and I’m kinda afraid of it.

      • I believe that volunteer/unpaid internship work during OPT is allowed as long as it is related to the area of study and atleast 20 hrs/week. You should get a letter stating this and the duration of work. Correct me if I am wrong.

        Reply

    • W-2 does not have any details about the duration of the job. You can submit one W-2 and say that is all you made while working for the entire duration of OPT. But Since they are asking for W-2 you can submit the W-2’s you have, no need to worry about the unpaid internship duration. Submitting the letter from your professor should suffice.

      Reply

  34. ****Update 5/13/14, here is where we stand today: no new receipts, no rejections. The percentage of our selected cases are as follows:

    Vermont, Premium, Masters cap: 80% of cases were selected

    California, Premium, Masters cap: 86% of cases were selected

    Vermont, Regular, Masters cap: 75% of cases were selected

    California, Regular, Masters cap: 75% of cases were selected

    Vermont, Premium, Bachelors cap: 38% of cases were selected

    California, Premium, Bachelors cap: 33% of cases were selected

    Vermont, Regular, Bachelors cap: 48% of cases were selected

    Californnia, Regular, Bachelors: 33% of cases were selected

    The discrepancy between Premium and Regular receipts for masters cap cases may indicate that more regular processing receipts could be on the way. Fingers crossed!

    *****Update 5/12/14, no rejected petitions received yet. Very few receipts have come in over the last few days. *********

    ***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:
    Today’s mail

    Today’s mail

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

    Reply

  35. I agree AD folks should not go through this lottery.

    Not all ADs are deserving. Half of ADs do Masters just for the heck of it.
    They join cheap universities just do they can claim H-1B in AD category.
    I have seen lot of H4s doing the same thing.

    Hope all deserving candidates are through the lottery.
    Even if not, they are capable of surviving this crisis.

    At the end of the day, all non-genuine people will have to pay for their actions…

    Reply

  37. USCIS said they may be issuing Premium Processing H-1 receipts till 21 May and non PP till 30 May or so.

    From Twitter: @immigrationcom

    Reply

    • Twitter @immigrationcom is NOT a valid/legal USCIS source.

      The one who cited is an attorney who owns that Twitter account (@immigrationcom). He said that he called and got this information. @ Check this….!!!

      Reply

  40. Can i lose hope for non AD/RP/VT ???? one of my friend got receipt number last week…this tension killing me 🙁

    Reply

    • Vsk, I understand your pain. Me carrying the same pressure, I guess I need to take this just ‘normal’ and return back to my daily routine.
      My employer comment ‘all is over’. Except the return package.

      Reply

  44. “i applied via three employers… (one via infy, the other two via consultancies in usa). i got picked up with infy and one consultancy. i am confuse as what if i go through infy or consultant. which will be more better to get green card fastly…help me”

    This was one of the comments from other forum. I was shocked. No words at all.
    Why would this guy waste a precious slot when other people are pulling their hair as what to do next…..

    Reply

  46. My check has cleared from my BANK account by USCIS on 5th May, But till not received any status on receipt number from my Employer..

    Reply

      • well, applied in nonAD/RP. May be a masters program !!! for plan B

        Details:
        Your petition, supporting documents and fee are being returned to you. Your petition was returned for the following reason:

        USCIS received sufficient numbers of H-1B petitions to reach the numerical limitation for FY2015 prior to receiving your petition.

        Reply

        • I am US IT recruiter working in some a company from last 2years they filed h1 for 2 guys this year one is me and othr is my mate… he got selected last week…am much worried and losing hopes day by day…. only God have to show grace on me 🙁 …. and my plan B is continue in same organization @Got package back

          Reply

  49. When you guys were giving up hope, on H1B Visa 2015 receipt numbers, here’s come a refreshing update straight from USCIS

    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

    • @unlucky guy:
      Twitter @immigrationcom is NOT a valid/legal USCIS source.

      The one who cited is an attorney who owns that Twitter account (@immigrationcom). He said that he called and got this information.

      Reply

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