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H1B Visa 2016 – FAQs – Lottery, Quota, Immigration Reform, News

Updated : November 25th, 2015

H1B Visa 2016 Filing Season Complete, Cap reached on April 7th, 2015.

Planning for next H1B season, Check out H1B Visa 2017 FAQs

As many of you know, H1B Visa 2015 quota was over in the first week and a whopping 172,500 H1B petitions were received in first week by USCIS.  H1B Lottery / random selection was held by USCIS to select 85,000 H1B petitions to fulfil the work permit cap. Many of the unlucky ones are already wondering about next year H1B Visa quota. Also, some of you are planning for H1B visa for next year, you also would be wondering regarding the same. This article addresses many of the common questions, it will be updated constantly, whenever any changes to info.  Bookmark this page !  To start with, firstly the news updates on this season, followed by many commonly asked questions.

Official & Unofficial USCIS News Updates Regarding H1B 2016 Season 

When will the H1B season for fiscal 2016 begin ?

USCIS will accept petitions for H1B Visa 2016 season starting from April 1st, 2015.  USCIS did a press release on March 12th outlining the details. Read summary of press release by USCIS on H1B 2016 .

Will there be lottery again for H1B Visa 2016 ? Predictions ?

We had lottery for FY 2015 and FY 2014. The total number of petitions filed for FY 14 were about 125,000 and for  FY 2015, there were about 172,500 petitions… As H1B Quota did not increase for FY 2016, and the demand does not seem to decrease, we would very likely have lottery for FY 2016.  Read H1B Visa 2016 Lottery Predictions, Dates, Results

What is the H1B Visa quota Cap Count ? Would there be any changes to H1B 2016 count ?

H1B Visa quota cap count is the total number of petitions that USCIS will accept for a fiscal year to provide temporary work permit for highly skilled workers.  For the 2016 fiscal year, the cap count is as below :

  • Regular H1B Quota : 65,000
  • H1B Masters Degree Quota ( only US Degrees) : 20,000
  • Out of the above, a total of 6,800 is usually set aside for Singapore and Chile citizens as part of the free trade agreement between them.

As per the press release in March 2015, the quota did not increase.  To give some background, as per the Obama executive action in Nov 2014, no changes were announced to the H1B Cap count. There was proposal in 2013 to increase H1B cap from 65,000 to 110,000 and Masters quota to increase from 20,000 to 25,000 did not go through as of March 2015. At least, for this FY 2016 season, the quota is fixed and it will be as above and no changes.

When should I start planning for H1B Visa 2016 ? What are the steps ?

It depends on your situation. Below are few scenarios and your plan.

  • If you are a student on F1 Visa in USA, you need to plan for your internship/ CPT or OPT employment  at a company that can sponsor your H1B Visa for FY 2016. In my view, you should start now to find something for the fall 2014 and continue that for next spring so that you can file for FY 2016
  • If you are in other country and planning for H1B, it is good to start your process around the end of this year 2014. It will give you enough time to find sponsors, search for job, etc.
  • If you are on H4, L1 or other visa in USA and planning for H1B for FY 2016, you also should consider looking around end of this year i.e. December 2014.

We have published step by step plan, you can read the article How to plan for H1B Visa 2016 ?Step by Step Guide 

Most asked Question – How do I Find H1B Sponsors for FY 2016 ?

This is a million dollar question !  One of the biggest challenges is to find a good sponsor that can offer you a job and wait for you to start work after 6 months of filing your petition.  You should review the detail article on How to find H1B Sponsors for FY 2015. Your first place of start is to find the H1B Sponsors in an area or by company. Use our H1B Visa Sponsors Database to search and filter. Read this article on details on how to search in our H1B Sponsor database. We keep the database updated as DOL publishes data. Do NOT share your email or phone number on our website as comments, there are many people do H1B Sponsorship fraud by requesting money using your contact info. RedBus2US.com never provides personal guidance on H1B sponsors or seeks money from anyone, we only display publicly available data on our H1B Sponsors Database page. We DO NOT sponsor H1Bs or guide anyone. Beware of H1B sponsorship Fraud ! 

What about Comprehensive Immigration Reform ( CIR) – H1B Visa Changes ? What are they ?

There have been some proposed changes to the H1B Visa program to cater to the demand in the  US economy as part of the Comprehensive Immigration reform. Below are some of the proposed changes.

  • H1B Cap to be increased from 65,000 to 110,000 per year.  Also have provisions to have it up to 180,000 in case of extreme demand.
  • Advanced degree from US cap quota to increase from 20,000 to 25,000
  • The Filing fee for H1B could go up to 10,000 USD
  • Additional H1B rules to avoid H1B Visa fraud by employers
  • Mandatory LCA posting for 30 days before it is certified.

These were proposed in 2013, but nothing has moved significantly and all the above are just proposed rules. We are not sure when they will be implemented. You can read  Summary of CIR – Immigration reform – H1B Visa and Green Card  to get an idea. The latest update is that Obama has taken executive action on Immigration in Nov  2014  and none of the below are included as part of that.  Stay tuned for updates.

H1B Visa 2016 Fees – Any changes ? How much does it cost ?

There are various components of the fee. The H1B Application filing fee could range anywhere from $1,600 USD to $4,400 depending on the size of the company. The attorney fee can range from $500 to $3000 depending on the attorney. If you apply for premium processing that is another $1,225. The fees has not changed in the past couple of years for FY 2014 and FY 2015. Unless USCIS revises fee based on immigration reform, it should be same. We will keep you all posted. For complete details of the fee by components and break up, read the article H1B Visa  Fees and Who Pays for What ?

H4 Visa EAD rule impact on H1B Visa 2016 Season ?

As you know, certain H4 visa holders are now eligible for EAD. The H4 Visa EAD Rule Passed earlier in 2015 and is effective from May 26, 2015.  USCIS will start accepting applications for EAD from those eligible H4 visa holders starting from May 26th. The question is that will that have an impact on number of H1B petitions for this fiscal year  ?  It very likely will have certain impact on the number of H1B applications that are filed for this year 2016 quota. Many of the H4 holders, who would now be eligible for EAD, may not apply for H1B visa, just because it gives them more flexibility to work and more choices to work as well. We would have to wait and see, how much of an impact that would have, but it is very straightforward and no brainer for eligible H4 visa holder to avoid the H1B processing.

H1B visa Premium Processing Changes to H1B Visa 2016 quota ? 

USCIS updated in their press release that the premium processing will be accepted for FY 2016 quota and they will only begin that “no later than May 11, 2015”. What it means for the petitioners is that the official 15 day premium processing clock starts from May 11th, 2015 and their petition could be adjudicated within 15 days from May 11th, which would be May 26th, 2015.  USCIS can process them earlier as well, but their new timeline is just indication for setting the right expectations to meet the stipulated time frame for premium processing.

Track H1B Visa 2016 Cap Count updates ?

As in previous years, we have created a page, where would track the cap count updates for FY 2016. You may check out  H1B visa 2016 Cap Count Tracker.

While you wait, you can check out April 1st – USCIS H1B Visa 2016 Season Starts Today, When to expect Lottery ?

H1B Lottery Completed – Official Tweet and Press Release 

H1B Cap Reached – Official USCIS Tweet and Link to Press release :


Any other questions ?

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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28,610 Comments

    • 4th list is seemingly out but the account managers are hiding the information for the same old purpose ;employee retention,motivation etc etc
      Ideally they should update each employee so that he/she could take career course accordingly

      Reply
    • Still no result … FDFU is not sharing any updates … chennai visa team ask not to follow up …. ISU RMG Head not replying to emails …account managers not updating the status …

      not sure whom to check now 🙁

      Reply
    • I think list is not fully available yet. It might take as long as end of July for Visa team to respond. And then depends on your manager.

      Reply
      • This is not script.

        Dear Associate,

        Your H1B application status is Awaiting for Lottery system based on the report received on 26-June-15.

        As you would know these reports are sent to us sporadically as and when we receive the data from USCIS we would communicate the same to you.

        Request to not to follow up on your H1B status since we would definitely share the status update (Selected/Not Selected/Awaiting for Lottery Results) to you once we receive the next update.

        Request your cooperation and patience in this.

        Reply
  1. Does the reject notice contain the applicant’s name? As this is the only way to figure out that my employer had really applied in the first place.

    Reply
    • Congrats i’m in the same series EAC151435xxxx. Case is still in received status. Hoping to get the approval soon.

      Reply
    • Is this the first time your status getting changed from “Filed with USCIS” or you got lottery status earlier?

      Reply
  2. is anyone from IBM got there rejection back.
    I want to confirm, whether IBM visa Team is holding rejection in there bucket for managing attrition or even USCIS not send any notification to IBM regarding rejection of IBM applicants.

    Reply
  3. Hi Team,
    Applied for H1b VISA 2016. My employer said, I got the lottory and given case number. When I track the status it is showing “Case was Received”, But no where mentioned my name. So how can I assure whether the case number is mine or some others. I saw rejection letter in your portal, that was very clear all details exists in the letter. So similarly How the lottory accepted letter.

    Please help me to get some assurance.
    Thanks,
    Nag

    Reply
  4. Got e-mail 3 hours ago from my attorney saying my petition was not selected. The reject notice was attached with the e-mail. AD/RP/CA

    Reply
  5. Many say that if client letter is not produced then it can lead to RFE. But since no one can work before October, I cant understand how can any client/company give client letter/offer letter 1 year or about 10 months prior to the actually joining date of the employee. Can some one clarify if I am missing any detail here.

    Reply
      • Every one has who apply through MNC’s… so that was not my question. My question was how USCIS expects offer letter/client letter to be given as much as 6-10 months prior to joining date.

        Reply
      • Every one has who applied through MNC’s have client letter…even I have… so that was not my question. My question was how USCIS expects offer letter/client letter to be given as much as 6-10 months prior to joining date.

        Reply
        • if you have it, shut up and give it to them…Who are you to challenge their requirements? If you have technical difficulties in giving it up, stay in India itself..

          Reply
          • This forum is to get questions clarified and not for people like you who LiCk their DiC* or do anything to get visa.

          • There is a list of requirements set by USCIS/Govt for any visa. If you want to understand the reason behind requirements, you can dig into senate/house proceedings on how the law was made OR you can give the documents and get it.

          • @sun
            Yea. If you have any problems or want to challenge the requirements, go ahead and do it. THEY SERIOUSLY DONT CARE ON WHAT A BROWN H1B GUY WANTS TO KNOW!!

          • I am assuming that you were selected. If you are really bold enough, do ask your question (why there is a need for client letter?) to visa officer in embassy. He will help you for sure. I also have a question. Can you please ask him why there is a number of 65000 to h1b? why can’t it be 66000?

          • Let go the color, the language of your reply tells a lot about the culture you are from. Anyways, do ask VO why the no is fixed at 65000 and 66000 and i will appreciate it if you can tell the reason.

        • Ohh.. so now a racist tells me how to talk. Remember you started first. If you did not like my question the I did not like the way you responded. So you started first.

          Reply
    • Somebody here told that 8kmiles going to release results on June 30 . And money return back process will initiate only after August middle from their side .

      Reply
      • Well, so the truth about 8kmiles is slowly coming out.. You guys pay them money for filing H1B.
        8k miles is the exact distance between India and the US and these guys seem to be making fun of you people.
        And now there will be someone replying to my post saying, 8k miles is a reputed company with its stocks publicly listed!!
        If they are truly reputed company, why on earth do the get money from people for filing H1B?

        Reply
  6. Is any one from Capgemini Financial Services USA got Approval of Visa

    My status from last 2 month same Name Was Updated
    On April 27, 2015, we updated your name for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WACXXXXXXXX

    I can see other all Receipt Number updated

    Reply
  7. Hi All,

    I would like to share my experience on my H1 VISA

    My in a 2013 application and got stamped Last week only. here is my journey, I’m
    posting this to let every one know , that once picked its 99% that u will have visa in hand.

    >2013 application
    >RFE 1 reg education , mine is a 3Y degree from india : MAY 2013
    >RFE 2 reg the petitioner : AUG 2013
    >VISA APPFOVED : NOV 2013
    >VISA INTERVIEW INDIA : DEC 2013
    >221 G BLUE for client letter : DEC 2013
    >DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED FOR 221 G : FEB 2014
    >221 G BLUE again 4 proj,clinetletter,contract,tax docs : APR 2014
    >CASE GOT TRANSFERED FOR CHN CONSL-US CONSL : MAY 2014
    >US CONSL CONTACTED & SENT LETTER TO PETITIONER & PETITIONER REPLIED :
    >US CONSL REAFFRM AND SENT CASE BACK TO CHN CONSL : FEB 2015
    >I HVE SENT A MAIL TO USVISADOCS FOR NEXT PROCESS : MAR 2015
    >221 G BLUE ASKING TO SUB PROJ,CLIENT,TAX,CONTRACT,JOB : APR 2015
    >DOCS SUBMITTED FOR 221G : MAY 2015
    >REQUESTED PASSPORTS : JUNE 2ND 2015 SUBMITED(3 PASSPORTS)
    >PASSPORTS STAMPED & RETURNED : JUNE 24 2015

    APPLIED FROM CONSULTANT IN 2008 DID NOT PICK IN LOT
    APPLIED BY MY COMPANY IN 2014 DID NOT PICK IN LOT
    APPLIED BY MY COMPANY IN 2015 DID NOT PICK IN LOT

    APPLIED IN 2013 THE ABOVE CASE FROM OUTSIDE WHICH TOOK 2 YEARS BECAUSE OF DOCUMENTS,PLZ GO WITH ALL PROPER DOCS
    WHEN GOING FOR INTERVIEW

    BE PATIENT & JUST WAIT, I HOPE EVERYONE WHOM GOT PICKED IN LOT WILL GET STAMPED.

    QUESTION : MY VISA STAMPED FOR ONLY 1 YEAR UNTIL SEP 2015, HOW MUCH TIME IS REQUIRED FOR RENEWAL
    IF I GO IN JAN , IS THE TIME SUFFICIENT FOR RENEWAL

    Reply
  8. Hopes, Frustration,etc etc came to an end… Got my package yday
    This is 2nd attempt.. :-((((( Non-ad/RP..
    All the best to all whoever waiting for receipt and approvals

    Reply
  9. if a person is woking in U.S.A and he is married to a canadian girl who
    is a citizen of canada but the boy who belongs to india is working on work permit what would be his status.

    Reply
  10. I am wondering why those petitions which have receipt dates after April 2015 (e.g. receipt date of June 2015) got their cases approved while those cases which have receipt dates of April 2015 are still waiting for approval.

    What’s going on?

    Reply
    • Documents verification is going on. In layman terms,…Its like all students may write exams on same day but correction of papers happens one-by-one. So that is going-on.

      Reply
  11. Hello All,
    A simple math I was running looking at the data from immigration girl blog that she received 61% rejection till date and all the receipts that should come.
    27.4% success rate – 233K/85K. Lets take it 30% as Singapore quota, masters quota etc. 30% average chance of success.

    Taking immigration girl data as a sample point, so out of 100
    30 got receipt
    43 rejection so far
    27 left which is approx 63 K application.

    There are lot of people who are not aware of whats happening, for giant IT companies the data might not be shared either due to delay in different level of communication or they want to retain staff for longer period.

    For smaller companies or if you are dealing directly with lawyers you can find out whether your check has been cashed or not. If yes your receipt you should be with you or on the way. For rest I am not sure what’s going on.

    Some body mentioned they got receipt on 17 June with check en-cashed on 10th June. Any idea whats going on…

    Reply
    • USCIS may be taking care of the duplicity created by multiple filings by not counting each beneficiary 2 or 3 times, so that exactly 85,000 people get selected and any un-used visas from last years are utilized, which is the essence of the executive order.
      It could be they are keeping the lottery selected waitlist as 60K so that the duplicity by multiple filings will be nullified.

      Reply
      • Nice theory, I would really love to believe it and hope it comes true.. Fingers crossed. I have a feeling next week will get a lot of things straight in terms of rejection… I think they are pouring at the moment…

        Reply
  12. Hi Guys,

    We are all waiting since April 2015, Yes this long wait time kills our patience level. we have 19K + comments so far !

    Admin who is maintaining this blog , Please throws us some insights on whats happening with USCIS or any attorney please update H1B Visa seekers on the latest updates on timely matter This would defnitely help us

    Thanks
    Arvind

    Reply
    • Arvind, Unfortunately, there is no other option other than waiting. USCIS takes their own time and there is NO definitive time limit they promise unless you file under premium processing. Also, it has been historically the same way over the years and I can only say that it is a very painful wait. It can be very frustrating waiting for the rejection letters, but thats how it is unfortunately…

      Reply
      • Hello Kumar,
        One more question from you, may be you can answer? Historically what has been the chances of getting a receipt in/after June when the check has not been cashed till today.
        The big law firms Murthy and Immigration girls have said they don’t expect anything after Mid May..and that has been the case soo far..
        But there were some blogs for last year where people were still waiting till August/Sept for receipt or rejection. But no one confirmed there rejection or receipt…

        Thank You

        Karan

        Reply
        • Karan, What you heard maybe right for the most cases. The chances are very low…but, you never know, until the reject notice is received . The simple reason is that, historically, USCIS will select X number of petitions in lottery considering rejections rate, etc. So, maybe those people who were kept as buffer may hear…USCIS does not tell anything officially, they have mentioned once in past press release few years ago…I have personally not seen many post that they received receipt after June end on the Blog…but you never know…

          Reply
      • Hi kumar, mine is non ad/pp/vt… Receipt notice received on April 20 th… No status change for past two
        Months.. Any idea what might be the reason???

        Reply
        • Jee, Unless yours is Premium processing, there is no SLA from USCIS. Nothing to worry, just have to wait ! it can take few weeks to few months…

          Reply
          • Jee, I suggest you check with your employer or attorney on this. USCIS has SLA of 15 calendar days for premium processing. You may also try to call USCIS to understand the delay.

  13. PP/Non Adv/ CA case applied 1st april 2015! No response what so ever to date. Attorney says that he doesn’t know anything until he gets something from USCIS. This sucks! is he playing games with me?
    Checks have not been cashed yet!!! how long to wait?
    Somebody wrote on this blog that same situation as mine and he got approval email directly 3 days back!!!!!

    Why ? how long we have to wait!!!! what was the purpose of Premium Processing! sucks big time

    Reply
    • Premium Processing won’t help to improve your changes of picking up in lottery. once if PP application is picked, it will be processed(either approval or denial) within 15 days.
      Looks like your petition was never picked up in lottery. And your Attorney is right he will not know your application’s fate until he receives either receipt number or rejection package.
      Good luck next time bro….:)

      Reply
      • H1b got picked in Regular Processing and got RFE. Employer answered the RFE and also send a premium processing check for my application.

        Here are the status I see from Day 1

        April 13 – May 13 – “Case Was Received”
        May 14 – June 14 – “Request for Additional Evidence Notice Was Mailed”
        June 15 – “We received your request for premium-processing of your Form I-129….”
        June 15 – “Response To USCIS’ Request For Evidence Was Received”
        June 16 – “Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was Emailed”
        June 26 – “Case Was Approved”

        Advance Degree and my receipt number is EAC151405****

        Thanks
        AG

        Reply
  14. Hi all.
    just because i am curious i checked a case number that is after mine, they say his is approved, and mine is still showing that it is only received.does that mean mine is not approved? because i heard that they check it by number order.

    Reply
  15. Hi, I filed under Premium processing but haven’t received anything yet! Don’t I suppose to receive yes/no within 15 days from April 27th?

    Reply
  16. check out this discussion & comments who still wait for H1B receipts!!

    link to discussion – zdnet.com/article/are-indian-h-1b-workers-a-threat-to-american-techies/

    Reply
  17. NAD/RP/VT:: I got my case approved.
    Got receipt number on 23th Apr and approved on 25th June.

    “On June 25, 2015, we approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC15143*****. We will mail your approval notice.”

    Reply
  18. Got RFE for end client letter, BRM letter,SOW e.t.c. I don’t have client letter. Will it be a problem if I submit all other docs except client letter ?? Will they approve my H1b ?? I am confused..

    Reply
  19. Did anyone hear from HTC Global Services on H1b results.

    Have they announced the H1B lottery results yet, I have tried mailing them but there is no response to any of the mails.

    I guess its waste of time now in reaching them and expecting H1B at this moment of time as rejections are been rolled out and I don’t see any new petition getting picked.

    Reply
    • Htc h1b results already announced. . Last week few of them got mail reg that. Pls check with immigration dept or your hr..

      Reply
      • I am trying to reach the recruiter who processed my profile,
        he neither responds to the mail nor receives the call I make.

        I don’t get if it’s rejected just say it why act like this , I am not pointing a gun at hr that I will shot you if you say no 😉 😛

        Reply
  20. For Infosions,
    I called GI team today. They said wait till 15th july. Not received any updated of lottery result. They said last week they have received couple of selected list.
    But now chances are very very very less for us. This is my second time rejection. For My wife’s also same status.

    Reply
    • Hey buddy,

      Do not believe, in Infy GI Team, They are not constant in their words, Every time you call they will say we got some selected receipts last week, Ur status is not known till now, Last week one lady from GI informed that they got rejection receipts as well, But do you know any one personally in Infy, who received selected or rejection receipts after June first week. No one got selected receipts in my project, out of 5 people filed.

      Reply
      • I totally agree…GI team is not consistent in their replies. Once dey told me dat total 2500 receipts received till now and after few days dey said dey don’t have exact number of receipts received till date…Sometimes dey say dey don’t have recived any rejections till now sometimes dey wl say few rejections have been recived…

        Reply
  21. What is a client letter? I don’t work for any client but for the company who hired me. Can someone explain the need of such letters?

    Reply
    • You are an in-house employee.

      If your employer places you in his client location with his payroll (e.g. a TCSer can work @Microsoft office address). In that case, you need client letter. In this case, verification will be done @ 2 places, mostly via phone.

      Reply
  22. I have a theory for all who are waiting for H1B receipt.
    Remember Obama’s executive action says “continue and enhance its work with the Department of State to ensure that all immigrant visas authorized by Congress are issued to eligible individuals when there is sufficient demand for such visas work with the Department of State to improve the system for determining when immigrant visas are available to applicants during the fiscal year … and carefully consider other regulatory or policy changes to better assist and provide stability to the beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant visa petitions”.
    According to immigration girl, only 20% of not-selected petitions have been returned. That leaves 80% for waiting. 233,000 petitions minus 85000 quota equals to 155,000. 80% of 155,000=124,000 waiting for either receipt or return. USCIS completed data entry about 2 months ago. USCIS never held this many petitions unreturned until the end of June. Don’t you guys see something positively wrong here.
    This is what I think happening behind the scene : USCIS started working on improving the current H1 system, which includes noticing the multiple filing phenomenon (just like it worked and amended H4 EADs). Based on the circumstances, USCIS has the power to work internally to tweak the system (for improvisation) without crossing the annual quota, which is a law. It may have conducted another round of lottery and returning only those who did not get selected in the 2nd round. They cannot announce it, because people will demand for that every year. If this is true, we will see receipts and decisions will start coming together, and after few months a regulation on multiple filings.

    Reply
      • Connect all the dots.
        1. Executive Action by Obama.
        2. USCIS cannot take light on president’s order.
        3. USCIS has this habit of giving circumstantial exception to few cases, eg. Devayani case, Trivalley students.
        4. Still over 100,000 petitions were not returned, which never happened before.
        5. I have seen in this blog a couple of people got receipts yesterday.
        6. I noticed in this blog some of the one time applicants got their packet back.
        7. I cam across in this blog someone got receipt and approval together.

        Reply
          • 1. Multiple petitions by same employer are counted as one by law.
            2. Multiple petitions through different employers are counted differently by law.
            3. Yes, We do not know how many falls under the 2nd category. According to confessions in this blog and immigration girl, although the number of beneficiaries are about same as the quota, it is the multiple filings that caused 233K submissions.

          • My friend, why so much pessimism. They say ” Hope for the best, but be open to accept the worst”.
            Yes, we will wait and see. Please provide any explanation if you have to justify the dots 3 thru last.

          • I can connect dots 1 through 7 if you want.
            1. Executive action by the president, he can only pass the action. But for any immigration bill to be approved, it has to be approved by Congress. President does not have the power.
            2. USCIS cannot take light on President’s order but a president’s order is not enough to increase H1b’s or make changes in the program. It is in the hands of Congress.
            3. Circumstantial exception in case of diplomats and huge scandals or lawsuits. H1 applicants are nothing.
            4. Over a 100,000 petitions are not yet returned which never happened before, because this time we have a whopping 230,000 applications for a total of 85,000 vacancies which has also never happened before. USCIS uses USPS to send the packets back. They get delayed.
            5. People will still get receipts till July. That is common every year. They are the lucky 1% who are in the buffered waitlist to replace the rejected applications.
            6. Many one time, two time and three time applicants also got their applications back.
            7. Those kind of things happen. But it will definitely be less than 0.01% of the cases.

          • I think I was not clear.
            1. Executive Action means president can act with out the need of bills, but under law.
            2. I did not say the quota has been increased. I agree an immigration bill is required for that. All I said was USCIS may be taking care of the duplicity created by multiple filings by not counting each beneficiary 2 or 3 times, so that exactly 85,000 people get selected and/or any un-used visas from last years are utilized, which is the essence of executive order.
            3. Trivalley students on F1 visa are nothing as well, but they were eventually permitted to continue their status. A circumstantial exception.
            4. This time they received just 50K more petitions compared to last year. I think handling 50K more is nothing for USCIS.
            5. If you are agreeing about wait list, you are agreeing my theory, its just that this time they are keeping the lottery selected waitlist as 100K so that the duplicity by multiple filings will be nullified.
            6. The inference I am making that only some of the petitions are coming back, not all unselected ones, which suggests a random pattern.
            7. Your 0.01% is a theory as well.

    • Thanks Hopeful Theory. I agree with your insight which gives encouragement to people like me though this is just a theory which might be true or not. I am happy with your positive approach despite of the negativity of the lottery system.

      Reply
  23. Alot of RP cases are getting apprived since mid June, keep you hopes high guys!

    EAC1514854*** Case Was Approved Friday, June 19, 2015
    EAC1514854*** Case Was Approved Monday, June 22, 2015
    EAC1514854*** Case Was Approved Monday, June 1, 2015
    EAC1514854*** Case Was Approved Wednesday, June 24, 2015
    EAC1514854*** Case Was Approved Tuesday, June 23, 2015
    EAC1514854*** Case Was Approved Tuesday, June 23, 2015
    EAC1514854*** Case Was Approved Wednesday, June 17, 2015
    EAC1514854*** Case Was Approved Sunday, May 31, 2015
    EAC1514854*** Case Was Approved Wednesday, May 6, 2015
    EAC1514854*** Case Was Approved Sunday, June 21, 2015
    EAC1514854*** Case Was Approved Monday, May 4, 2015
    EAC1514854*** Case Was Approved Monday, June 15, 2015
    EAC1514854*** Case Was Approved Monday, June 15, 2015

    Reply
  24. I got to know from my employer that my check is en-cashed and by that reference they communicated that my name is in H1 lottery. However no email about receipt number or any further notice. Many people also got the emails about receipt.

    My Question is there a chance of rejection even after check is en cashed.

    Are some people still receiving the receipts numbers from USCIS?

    Reply
  25. I checked my status and it says On June 23, 2015, we approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EACXXXX . What does it imply?

    Reply
  26. Infosys guys….Any hopes to receive receipt no now.
    GI vale wait karo bol rahe hai abhi bhi………….

    Any one got receipt no after 20th Jun?

    Reply
  27. Hello – Has anybody received any receipt in the last couple of days? Almost the end of june and I havent received the receipt or rejection package. Makes me wonder what they are processing with my rejection package 🙂 What are the possiblities at this point?

    Reply

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