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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

  1. Friends…. my case got approved today EAC1514453***. patience is the key for those who are still awaiting for approval. God is great.

    Reply
  2. Do these USCIS ppl have any deadline for first level of scrutiny. It’s been close to 4 months now. Do they have any hard stop???

    Reply
  3. lucky people who got petition approved , Please share me for how many yrs you got an approval ..
    I keep hearing for most of them they are getting approval for 1yrs..
    Does this approval would be based on our H1 file ?

    Reply
  4. Finally my case got approved.WAC1514152***
    Case received- 13th April
    Case approved-13th august

    Thanks all for your valuable comments and all the best to those waiting for their cases to get approved.

    Reply
  5. On 11 August – TCS Chennai FDFU has got another List , did anybody got any updates from them or VTS updates ? Please share..

    Reply
    • Satya,

      Relax, Nobody is spoiling india’s reputation.

      Everybody wants the same thing – USD salary. What you are doing is no different from what people in TCS or CTS or INFY do. We are all employees. Just because you belong to a different employer, this does not give you the right to abuse / harass others people.

      Reply
    • Satya,

      What makes you think that you work with a better employer. Nothing makes CTS, TCS and INFY a worst employer. There are good and bad with each employer and each employer will suit some employees and will be hated by some. Do you really think that your company has not misused the VISA provisions. Do you really think that no other person is available in US for the position that you are coming here for.

      Be considerate for others. Everyone comes here with an ambition and for better life. Does not mean that whomsoever who comes here are greedy and lost the love of our mother country. I am in US does not mean that I do not love India.

      I still do my best to support the nation in what ever ways I could. Because I am in US I could support the education of few poor people in India. Because I was not in India I created one job position for others to take. There are lots of positives. Lets stop criticizing and start with some constructive discussions please

      Reply
      • Hay dude,

        Send me 1k$ , I will help the poor till my visa is approved- you won’t man – everyone has their own expectations- don’t try to motivate here
        You already in US and people being frustrated here- you tried your best to motivate- not sure when you left the country- 🙂
        please let us know stats on Visa approval if you have any 🙂

        Reply
    • These companies are the reason why Indians have earned a bad reputation. The primary skill needed to get an onsite project is the efficiency to lick manager’s balls.

      Reply
  6. Finally day came.H1 approved. receipt no. WAC1514152***.Thank you everyone for all your valuable comments.
    Case received date-13th April
    Case approved date-13th August

    All the best to everyone waiting for their approvals.

    Reply
  7. Hi,

    Anyone from NIIT Tech got any updates ?? I have been told my name has been shortlisted in lottery but no updates on petition 🙁

    Reply
  8. Hi,

    do we have any other site to check the approval status other than the below one. https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/mycasestatus.do

    Reply
  9. As per my research since 2 months i’d like to simply say _ WAC is in rocket speed now…..all the best folks…….

    Reply
    • Ppl who got approval, do we need to chk the USCIS website every time or as soon as the status is changed a email is sent to your registered email address..

      Reply
  10. Hi,

    I am still waiting for the lottery result while seeing other to get approval and rejection mails in TCS.

    Today I have sent mail to Pune FDFU and got response “your petition is pending with USCIS”. How is this possible as USCIS has announced that the process of selection and rejection is completed in July itself.

    I have lost all my hopes now, but still I deserve to know my result be it rejected or selected.

    Reply
    • This info may help you. As per my understanding you petition got Approved and soon will be receiving a confirmation mail. For all people who got not selected their status got updated in VTS.

      Reply
      • Not all people got updated in Visa Tracker till now. If it was the case that the petition was selected, there should have been a communication from FDFu or USCIS atleast till now..

        Reply
    • @TCS-Awaiting – Did PUNE FDFU say..still Awaiting Lottery Results or did they say your Petition is pending with USICS, I believe Petition pending is next level after Selection in the Lottery , Please get it clarified from PUNE FDFU

      Reply
      • Hi All,

        Thanks for the comments and help. Yes I am ITA and today morning I received call from my manager that my name is in the new selection list.

        I am more than happy.

        Good luck to others and I hope for all awaiting status become selected and yes there should be proper communication from FDFU or DM.

        Reply
        • Congrats.
          All folks who got selected, again got email. And plenty of non selected. Mine is still awaiting.. How come your manager got the list?
          Am at siruseri and these fdfu are still playing around.

          Reply
  11. Hi All,

    Anyone recently attended H1B interview in Chennai. Could you share your interview experience, it would be very much helpful for me. I scheduled my appointment on Sep 10th.

    Reply
  12. Yahoo! Just got my visa stamped!
    Thanks everybody from this forum for updates and support. I wish everybody who still waiting for approvals get it fast and without RFEs. Who are got their RFEs, I really wish you guys to get approvals as fast as lightning!
    Good luck everybody!

    Reply
    • I think that interview scheme will be depend on the job segment in US and also maybe some difference depends of country where you’ll go to consulate, my interview were in Moscow, Russia, and Job segment is automotive.
      Here is my experience:
      Dates:
      I scheduled my interview on the 3th day after I filled my DS-160 form. But the closest date that was available for interview was on the next day after DS-160 filling.
      Interview:
      My interview was really short, about maybe 3 or 5 minutes, here is the list of questions:
      Q: Hello, are you going to work in US?
      Q: In what company you going to work?
      Q: How did you find this job?
      Q: What you will do in this company?
      Q: Will you work for a client?
      Q: What will be your annual salary?
      Questions to my wife:
      Q: Do you have job in Russia?
      Q: What is your education?
      Questions to both of us:
      Q: Do you have a kids?

      That’s it.

      Reply
  13. Hi Guys,
    I got RAE on 30th July and my consultancy said that details will be shared once attorney get mail from USCIS.
    Can any one tell me what is the difference between RFE and RAE? Reasons are same or differ for both? And chances of approval?

    Thank you

    Reply
  14. My case was approved!
    WAC15146532XX
    R/P
    NON/AD
    NO RFE
    Received Date: 13 Apr 2015
    Notice Date: 28 Apr 2015
    Approve Date: 12 Aug 2015
    Thanks for everyone!
    Good look for all those are waiting for approval!
    All the Best!

    Reply
  15. My Experience – HYDERABAD

    My Visa got approved way back in Oct 2014, my h1 was applied in April 2014. So after a long wait for 10 months gone to the interview. I am not going onsite, but I was going through a consultant.

    VAC – Finger Prints ( 6th August 2015 )

    My scheduled time was 12:30pm, but i went an hour early, but they are only going to send 15 mins prior to your time.

    They need your

    – Passport
    – DS 160 Confirmation page
    – Visa Appointment letter

    But in case, just take all the docs with you. Keep those 3 in your hand.

    After you go in

    – First they take your passport and keep a barcode sticker on its back
    – Then, the security check and they give the token number
    – Then, you go IN and wait for your number which can be seen on screen with counter number.

    They take those 3 above mentioned docs and ask basic questions

    They asked me

    -What is your fullname ?
    -What is your purpose of visit ?
    -When is your interview date ?
    -Where is your interview place ?

    Then they take your fingerprints and your foto (with their camera)

    They will give all your 3 docs with the DS 160 confirmation page stamped with date.

    Interview ( 11th August 2015 )

    I was actually tensed from a week prior to my interview date. I was tensed as I did not have a Client Letter and Project description. I only had an Agreement between Employer and Vendor stating their Client. Rest , I had the basic documentation like I 129, I 797 original, LCA, Letter from my employer to the consulate, Work and Edu Docs.

    Here they will let you IN 1 hour prior to your appointment time. My appointment time was at 12, I went by 11 and stood in the line. They check the DS 160 confirmation page, Visa appointment letter and passport outside, so keep those 3 in hand.

    When I went in and sat down, I saw so many pi***d off faces, there were so many rejections that day, that added up to my tension like fuel in the fire, but I stayed strong that I will definitely get an approval.

    The junior officers there will give the Rights of employees pamphlet to the h1 and h4 applicants, you have to take it.

    Then I was given my counter number card (not token) . If it says counter number 10 then, there will be 3-4 other applicants standing in front of you at your counter. My VO was like 27 or 28 and so cute 🙂 I have seen my VO rejecting 2 tourist,1 student and 1 B1 applicant, approved 1 B1 and 1 Student who were standing before me. I was like OMG. Then my time came 😀

    I did not have client letter and project desc letter and prayed god she should not ask any kind of docs and ask just few questions, but just took out all the docs, in case if she asks I have to give it quickly .

    Me : Good afternoon Mam
    VO : Good afternoon

    VO : Whom are you working for ?
    Me : I am working for XXX company in India.

    She got confused and asked

    VO : Who sponsored ?
    Me : I said XXX, this is another company that has sponsored me.This is the first time I am going to US

    VO : So, are you changing your company ?
    Me : Yes mam, exactly.

    She was typing and I guess she was checking info reg my employer

    VO : Where are you going to work ?
    Me : XXX

    VO : Whats your pay ?
    Me : XXX

    VO : What is your position ?
    Me : Sorry mam, Didn’t get you

    VO : Position ?
    Me : You mean the designation ?

    VO : Yes
    Me : I am a XXX

    VO : Are you going to resign the present job ?
    Me : Yes mam

    VO said me to place the right hand four fingers on that machine

    VO : What is your highest qualification ?
    Me : XXX

    VO : Are you married ?
    Me : No mam

    Thats it 🙂

    VO : Ok, your visa is Approved sir
    Then I was like dancing inside 😛

    VO : Is this the first time you are going to US ?
    Me : Yes mam.

    VO : Ok have a pleasant stay

    VO : Do you have the rights for employees pamphlet ?
    Me : Yes mam I do.

    Me : Thank you so much mam, Have a good day and left the counter in joy 🙂

    Interview lasted for 2 minutes, She dint ask me any docs, mine was the least time compared to other applicants in my counter.

    TIPS

    As everyone here as mentioned, whatever you say, say it CONFIDENTLY
    Dress well ( no need of suit )
    Clean shave and make yourself appear neat
    SMILE on your face is a must as that will make a first impression.
    Greet them like Good morning or afternoon
    Don’t get scared they are not devils 😛 ..You can ask them twice if you did not understand

    Finally its your luck. I went to the consulate thinking I wont make it, but I did 🙂

    Passport Collection ( 12th August 2015 )

    You can track your passport online in http://ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-passporttrack.asp
    by typing in your passport number.

    When it is ready, you will get an email from UStraveldocs that they have sent your passport from consulate to VAC.

    I got it in a day.

    While collecting your passport, take your DS 160 confirmation page which got stamped on the Fingerprints day along with any of your original id proof like Voter card, driving license, Aadhar card along with a xerox copy. They will take the Xerox copy when you collect your passport.

    Hope this helps. Thanks a lot to this blog, it helped me a lot.
    GOODLUCK TO EVERYONE 🙂

    Reply
  16. I’m just wondering all the applications selected in lottery but no further updates are the excess pickups by USCIS considering the denials and withdrawls due to RFE……..
    So these will be approved only when there are enough denials\withdrawls to reduce actual approved applications to within cap count.

    Reply
    • may be urs is picked up for wait list. This year they are taking their own sweet time for all the aplications. Not just h1b other category as well. work force needs to be increased otherwise they have to outsource to Countries like India for processing h1b applications. So TCS/WIPRO/Infy companies can bid and take that project and mis use the immigration rules.

      Reply
  17. Got picked in the lottery, received a notice on April 13th for the same. AD_RP. No updates yet. I have to go to India next month around Sept 14th. so I can’t wait anymore coz I need to book a visa consulate appointment for H1B stamping in India.
    So I applied for Premium Processing on 08/11. Not sure when I’m gonna hear the good news or any news from USCIS :/ 🙁

    Reply
    • Hi sajid, I was in the same boat just like you…
      received a notice on April 13th NO AD_RP.
      My case was approved last friday, so you may receive the approvas at any time! Good look!

      Reply
    • I am also in the same situation as you are. Got picked in the lottery, received a notice on April 13th for the same. AD / RP. No updates and the same status as CASE WAS RECIEVED from then. I have to go to India in October. Its frustrating..
      I want to apply for premium processing but many of my friends say premium is like inviting a RFE on case. So just remaining silent and keeping fingers crossed… Looking at the approvals these days Hope my approval also will come soon.. !

      Reply
    • ADMIN/KUMAR. can you please delete the above post.. I accidentally posted my application number :'( Please delete the post. thanks

      Reply
      • Chill!! No bad will happen. Except checking the status, people other than you have got nothing to do with your receipt number.

        Reply
  18. I’m frustrated enough with waiting for approval status that now I’m checking this page every couple of hours and then also feeling like posting irrelevant answers to all the queries here…!! LOL
    Series: EAC15147……RP…..Non_AD

    Reply
  19. Hi,
    Thanks to this forum. through my consultant recently received h1b petition number and through USCIS site came to know that it got approved.. Just want to know is there any way to check whether given petition number is mine or not..as consultant is not sharing any information…. thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • Employer will get the I797 form after lottery selection. Ask him to share the copy of it, which includes all details like your name, employer details, fee paid, receipt number & received date…..
      Unfortunately, there is no other way to assert it…!!

      Reply
  20. hi, is anyway to track the lottery results, my employer said my application is not picked in the lottery, i wanted to track really they have processed or not

    Reply
  21. Hi Kumar,

    I have been filed H1B from an India based MNC. Unfortunately, i recieved an RFE requesting for Client Letter & SOW/MSA.

    I have submitted MSA however i do not have a Client Letter. So my company is providing there own invite letter on there letter head.

    Now that i understand every H1B case is subjected to the person adjudicating it , i would like to know based on your past experience how much percentage of these petitions would go through.

    A rough figure may help to calm my nerves 🙂

    Reply
    • Same is the case with me. I also got RFE and my employer submitted MSA and BRM letter instead of SOW and client letter.
      My employer told me that chances are less to approve.
      Just waiting for response.
      🙁

      Reply
    • Unfortunately, it is very hard to say and there are no stats as such. Every case is different and we cannot generalize. Hope all works out.

      Reply
  22. My petition was approved on june 29th but my employers havent received the approval copy, iam curious to know how long it will take to get the copy after approval.

    Any comments?

    Reply
  23. My Petition got approved on 28th July, I came to know from USCIS website, but, I haven’t received any email confirmation regarding this till now from USCIS or from my company. Also, not sure by when my petition will arrive to my employer.

    Any idea how much time it takes for this??

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Usually it will take 2 week @ IBM once they get update from USCIS, they will ask u to submit acknowledgement (LCA) document inorder to get I-797

      Reply
  24. Hi Guys,

    I received RFE notice on July first week with the deadline to submit the response by July end. I have forwarded all the documents requested except Client Letter by July 20th. Since i am not provided with Petition number. I am waiting for response/update from VISA Team on RFE submission.

    Did anyone got H1B petition//case number from VISA team?? Are they really disclosing the petition number to the applicant??

    Reply
    • Who gave the deadline to you ? This deadline must be from your employer, because USCIS will recommend the employers to respond to RFE at the earliest………but usually the deadlines will be October for the applications processed before that…!!

      Reply
  25. I got my approval on 11th Aug finally after a long wait. Thanks to this forum for all the support. Hope everyone still waiting, gets your approval soon.

    Reply
  26. Kumar,

    I have a question for you. Kindly answer.
    I am on L1 visa and my H1 change of status is approved. Can I take a break between L1 job and H1 new job? What will be my status then?

    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Well, I do not think, it is recommended as will not hold a valid status, if you take break and stay in the country. You can always leave the country and come back on H1B status, it will not have any impact in such case. You need to hold a valid status in US at any point of time.

      Reply
  27. Hi,

    For H1 Petition, when will we get receipt number ?
    will we get immediately by filing the petition it self ?
    or after petition picked up in lottery ?

    Please clarify me on this. It’s very important to know.

    Reply
  28. My receipt no. starts with EAC1514******. I received RFE and my employer responded back. The status got changed on USCIS website on 7th august. Fingers crossed and Waiting for the decision 🙂

    Reply
  29. Hi Guys,

    My Petition was file under Premium CAP EXEMPT and got the receipt mail on Aug 4th, 2015 with Case ID EAC152185****. Still waiting for the response from USCIS. Anyone in the same boat?

    Reply
  30. Anyone from wipro got RFE and latter it approved ??
    What docs you have shared .
    I got RTC RFE and wont have client letterhead.
    so my RFE has been responded and waiting for Approval.

    Reply
    • my employer also submitted RFE on 16th June and waiting for approval… I hope they haven’t started RFE response for normal process.. Soon we will hear good news..

      Reply
    • If it is Regular processing, there will be very few applications which would have approved now after an RFE, because there are still decent number of regular applications with received status.

      Reply
  31. how long it will take to approve my case ? EAC151430***** 🙁 Everyone got approved status on my row.apart from me 🙁 ….Anyone waiting on same boat ?

    Reply
  32. I see most of the WAC series got apporval, with some case without any status updated.

    Anyone watiting for approval, can confirm did they had multiple applications filed?

    I had 2 application(Both the applications are from a valid company, and i have not paid any money- so i belive this is genuine), 1 application picked in lottery and i m waiting for status change from 3 months.

    Just a though so wanted to confirm, is it because i had 2 application. its taking time for approval.

    Reply
  33. My case got approved on 16th July but employer haven’t received approval notice hard copy yet.

    Any clue how long it takes to receive approval notice thru mail from the date of approval ?

    Reply
  34. Hello,

    I’m a Master’s student here in USA. I have completed all my course work in 2013 May but was stuck with my Research Project since then. I have worked on CPT and OPT for 1 and half year. This year my employer filed for my H1-B under Master’s quota and got approved. But my problem is, I did not complete my master’s yet. I still need to complete 1 credit in order to get my Master’s degree.

    So can anyone let me know how does it effect in future? I still have my OPT Extension till next year October (2016). What should I do now? Should I cancel my H1 or do something else. Please advise me.

    Reply
    • PSK, Did your employer file it as Change of Status ? If so, your status changes to H1B on Oct 1st. Did your employer file it under Master’s quota ? How close are you to completion of Masters Research project ? Cancelling H1B is not the best idea as you will lose the H1B and you may again have to go through lottery and you may not be lucky every time. The best thing to do is to accept H1B and work on H1B and complete Masters on the side as it is just one credit. Speak to your DSO on this and get their advice.

      Reply
  35. On June 18, 2015, we approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC15147×××××. We will mail your approval notice. Please follow the instructions in the notice.
    Is there any one with this series. Also can anyone update about this?

    Reply
    • Yes, I’m in the same series……..but waiting for approval.
      What is there to update? It is clearly mentioned that it is approved. Check with employer if he received the documents and ask him to forward them to you for stamping.
      Don’t be so dumb ASS-oooo!!

      Reply
  36. Is anyone waiting for status update with receipt number “WAC15142521**”? I am waiting from last 3 months, no change.

    Reply
    • Me too.. WAC1514626*** waiting from Apr 13th.
      It’s been 3 months. Frustrating to wait !!. Many of my friends with WAC series got approved long back only..
      Anybody waiting with WAC1514626*** series

      Reply
    • Me too.. WAC1514252*** waiting from Apr 13th.
      It’s been 3 months. Frustrating to wait !!. Many of my friends with WAC series got approved long back only..
      Anybody waiting with WAC1514252*** series

      Reply
  37. On August 10, 2015, we suspended processing of your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC1514450***, because we need more information from you.

    Reply
  38. Hi,

    How many of you are still awaiting lottery result/selection updates from your employer. Its gonna be almost a month since USCIS made an announcement about return applications. Please comment +1 for this, so that we all can atleast know what percentage of ppl are still left out without any response.. Also pls post here the response your employer had from USCIS on ur applic status. It really helps the last few pathetic souls waiting to know atleast something Positive or negative which gives them a sigh of relief.

    Reply
    • +1 (Awaiting with frustration)
      No update yet. The internal team says that we are yet to receive the packages back, which should have been back even if it has to travel by waterways… The status in the internal portal says – Awaiting UCSIS response. They are not saying if it has been rejected even.
      Not sure, if something is on the way to be updated.

      Why can’t they just say it.

      Reply
  39. Hi,

    Did anybody’s Visa Tracker for H1B filled got updated saying not selected in lottery. ? If so can you please share your location.

    Reply
    • Its still awaiting lottery only ITA guys.. Howmany ITA from TCS ..This is due to attrition rate in US .. If my guess is correct they didn’t even file ours … Just showing off to retain us …

      Reply

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