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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. I received RFE on June 26th, i check with my consultancy several times, Only answer i am getting from them they will respond. I check in USCIS site within 90day’s needs to reply for RFE. By sept 24th 90days going to finish. My Consultancy yet to repsond on my case. Can somebody suggest how many days time left for responding RFE base on above information?

    Reply
    • hi just a thought but not sure…..may be they don’t have to requested documentation by the uscis. Push them hard to know the reason for rfe and how they are supporting it. All these desi guys plays a moid game with uscis………if you see they all will go with attorneys of indian origin……these attorneys are not capable to respond to rfe….beware…push them hard and *** them hard

      Reply
    • Here is the same situation, I received RFE on 13th Jul, since then I’m following with them and getting same reply ‘attorney will take care of it. don’t Worry’ ….
      Possibly we are from same consultancy…

      Reply
          • RFE was submitted on Aug 7th 2015. Got Approval on Sep 3rd 2015. WAC15141*****.

            You need any more info let me know 🙂

            And thanks btw

        • Hi Raghav,

          Please provide the details of your RFE response. I am also got RFE from EAC on Jun26th and my case manager responded on aug end it is received status from Sep 4th. Please let me know the following details so that ppl here can estimate time taken for RFE approvals

          1. was that a regular processing?
          2. When you responded to RFE
          3. Which center?
          4.What are all the docs submitted for the RFE?

          Reply
          • Answers for your question are as below Manju

            1. was that a regular processing?
            A: Yeah it was regular processing
            2. When you responded to RFE
            A: On Aug 7th 2015 response to RFE was filed.
            3. Which centre?
            A: WAC15141*****
            4.What are all the docs submitted for the RFE?
            A: Employee and Employer Relation (Manager) letter.
            My client does not provide client letter and SOW are renewed every 3 months (Quarterly). Hence Last 3 SOW’s and Current SOW (Totally 1 year details).

          • Hi Raghu ,

            Thanks for the info .I have also got RFE for employer-employee relation ship.I have submitted the manager letter and my project is renewed half yearly and from July-Dec client dint sign the SOW yet .Hence my project has submitted the last 3 Half yearly renewed SOW and manager letter .
            Is that docs enough for approval .

            Thanks & Regards

        • Hi Raghav,

          Mine also the same case like yours we dont have client letter or valid SOW to submit. Got RFE submitted only manager letter and waiting for approval. CTS.

          Reply
          • I had 1 valid SOW (current one from July-Sep 2015) and 3 past (expired) SOW since it was quarterly. Any ways all the best 🙂

  2. Hi
    i have 1 question

    i am working for Company X in India and have applied my H1B from Consultancy Y. Current Status is “Case Received” . My Consultant Y is saying that when i go for Visa stamping ,i should resign from my company X and join theirs and then go for stamping.

    but i am worried what if my visa gets denied ,they wont hire me for India.

    i want to know , is this H1B rule that you have to be employee of company ,which is applying your visa ,or you can continue to work for your old company and go for visa stamping through new company and joins it if your visa gets stamped

    Please help
    thanks
    Sac

    Reply
    • Hi,
      Do not resign the present company unless you are with your air tickets to fly. Anything can happen in between after approval and before visa.
      Don’t trust these desi consultancy guys they have half half knowledge…and they will put you in dangerous situation…..they will respond to any situation only if they are getting dollars out of it…….

      Reply
  3. still no further updates just case received. no rfe no approved …dont no whats going on. will there be any specific reasons they are not processing till now…or at this stage they simply going to rejected the petition.. any guess is worth waiting ?

    Reply
  4. My Employer says that the cheque has been debited , but haven’t received any receipt number so far.

    Have you come across any such cases ? , Any suggestions …

    I am a bit tensed to be without a receipt number till now …

    Reply
    • ask your petitinoer for receipt number..if really picked up they would have receive by this time becuase october 1 st is arriving…

      Reply
    • Well Lawyer is saying that cheque was cashed in may. He has immigration stamp on his bank statement that is proof that we were selected in lottery. But still we have not received receipt number.

      Reply
      • Hi, i applied through a consultancy cum corporate firm and was told the same that cheque is cashed and we are contacting uscis for receipt. My husband and I were on same hope that we will get receipt by july 20th.However, when no update received till 27July i kept on calling my employer and after 3weeks i was told that my package was back.i am still waiting for money to be returned with v.less hope…

        Reply
  5. Still haven’t received any status after the May status of “Case received”. Everyone in my team has received a status RFE/Approved.
    Planning to convert my case to PP , even at my own cost. Anyone can tell me what is cost for converting to PP?

    This wait has gone way overboard now.

    Reply
  6. Hi Friends,

    OFC Appointment
    I attended H1B visa interview on 2nd at Mumbai consulate. I am a full time employee working in a Software engineering firm.

    OFC appointment was on 2nd September,2015 @ 11:30 AM. We reached at 9:30 AM and they checked DS-160 confirmation. I made some mistake in GIVEN NAME field so they ask me to correct it. Please Make sure your details on DS-160 matches exactly with the passport. Otherwise, you will be asked to correct it which will take you around 1 hour. There is a DS-160 service center (not official though) in the same building. OFC finished 10:30 AM.

    Visa Interview:
    Interview appointment was on XXX 3rd @ 1:30 PM. We reached at 12:30 PM and we were allowed inside the building at 1:30 PM. All the 1:30 PM slot applicants were allowed to sit in a waiting area.

    After security we were allowed to enter main building where actual interview took place. 1 to 2 I think they have lunch break. There are three queues for passport bar-code scanning and fingerprint.After that final queue to reach front of VO. According to your interview language and availability of counter they allow you to go particular counter.

    H1B Visa Interview Questions

    VO: Typing something and scanned my passport.
    Me: Smiled and staring at him. (We did not even wish as it was chaos everywhere. There were many F1 applicants shouting and convincing the VO at other counters)

    VO: Who is your current Employer?
    Me: XXXX, he asked again I repeated.

    VO: Who is you Employer in USA?
    Me: told

    VO: What is your role in Current Company.
    Me: Sr.SE
    VO: Describe in detail?
    ME: Told
    VO: What is your role in USA Company
    Me: Same
    VO: Who is you Client?
    Me: Told
    Finally Three golden word from VO
    VO: Your Application Approved… 🙂
    Me: Thank you

    He did not ask any documents only I-797. I was surprised.

    Reply
  7. 2 of my friends got their final approval on 4th Sept after RFE.

    case was picked up – 13th April
    RFE received – 1st July
    RFE acknowledged – 3rd Aug and 25th Aug
    Case approved – 4th Sept (Both)

    I am waiting for mine…all of our petitions are in Vermont Service Center.

    Reply
  8. Hi All,
    I received Request for additional evidence on 3rd September…..I am yet to receive the actual document. I am tensed for all reasons, because i applied with some internal project from an Indian consultancy established in 1997. I know most of you guys received RFE and responded positively and received approval. I would like to now what kind of RFE you guys received (requested documents). So that i can prepare myself and will follow up with attorney and check whether those guys are going in right track or not?. Guys help help………Today Early morning i visited Chilkur Balaji and made 108 rounds 🙂 just to hear good news….It is a long way to come till here and have to take the last stride to reach the destination with you guys help….. thanks in advance to all you posts the rfe reasons and documents requested.

    Reply
    • Om namo narayanaya namha.

      In most of the cases employers don’t reveal the RFE details with employees and they ask only missing documents but what are the final documents submitted to USCIS is only known to employers.
      Anyhow you can check below link for some reference http://redbus2us.com/common-h1b-rfe-reasons-employer-employee-relationship-qualifications-status/

      Reply
  9. Hi All,

    I had applied through an US agent for H1B this year, but didn’t hear anything till now. He said that he filed 42 cases and got only 6 selected in july – till waiting for more to be in lottery as every one who is filing will get approx 32% through. Now he is not answering / replying any more. Is there any way we can know he filed my case or not? B’coz he didn’t gave me receipt or any other docs showing my filing. Also please tell me whether there is any possibility of getting into lottery this year. If the file is not returned does it mean that the remaining got selected in lottery?

    Great Thanks in Advance,
    Stephen

    Reply
    • Check if they had filed LCA for your application. You can search for company name and lca to match your post and location. That does not guarantee you it has been filed. At least you know something from employer.

      Reply
    • Stephen, you cannot know unless he shares some information about your case. if it was filed and not selected, the employer would have got a rejection notice, you should ask for that. This year quota is over, you need to apply for next year quota only.

      Reply
    • Who s d consultancy or employer…it has been learned on visiting various blogs that many consultancy faking that chek was cashed bt no receipt received so as to avoid returning security deposit for time being and some are saying that they will inform and further delay returning petition amount after they start earning from their approved petitions..
      P.s. This s just a ideas and experiences from ppl not selected in past years or fake consultancy. Plz confirm ur employer so that all who are facing same issue from this employer can discuss what can be done next

      Reply
  10. Can we pre-pone our slot with Consulate…Like, if I have a slot for Oct 20th, then can I pre-pone if the slots are available….If Yes, then do I need to pay any extra amount for pre-poning or postponing

    Reply
      • Thanks Sundar. And also, one last question….I see earliest available date for slots changing (especially for Chennai Consulate)…sometime it shows Nov, some times Sep….Does it change because someone cancels or postpones or prepones…or USCIC open few slots at one time and then few slots after some days ? Hope I am clear with my question…please clarify.

        Reply
        • Consulate opens slot periodically I guess. Bcs when I checked sometimes it showed more thant 100 available appointments for a day. So I don’t think it is bcs of appointment cancellation.

          Reply
  11. case was picked up – 12th may
    RFE received – 12th June
    RFE Responded – 24th june
    RFE acknowledged – 25th june
    still waiting for approval…
    how long does it take?
    has anyone got approval email from wipro?

    Reply
  12. Why WAC is too slow.. 🙁

    13 April – Lottery
    6- Jun – RFE
    24th Jul – Response Received

    Its almost 45 days… 🙁
    How long more it will take????

    Reply
      • Yes earlier I have raised a request in RMS and they told petition is approved but yet to receive a hard copy. After that no communication. So did they told you they have received the hard copy of your petition for USCIS?

        Reply
  13. Hi Friends,

    Can anyone answer my question

    What should be my next step ??? … Which document my employer will receive from USCIS ???

    My H1B status says,

    Case Was Approved
    On July 9, 2015, we approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC*******. We will mail your approval notice. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

    Any help or comment would be highly appreciated…

    Thanks

    Reply
        • Well, your employer would get the Approval notice and he should give the original to you, so that you can use it for visa stamping when you travel out of US. It would also have an updated I-94 indicating your H1B status validity.

          Reply
          • Thanks Kumar,

            So it means, my employer will receive I 797 Approval Notice, which I can keep it for travel or in case of H1B transfer ? Correct ?

          • Yes. It will not help you get back in the country, you will need to get H1B stamped in your passport using this approval notice to re-enter USA.

          • Kumar, do you recommend to get H1B stamping from Canada, Mexico or any other country ?

            I have not been back to my home country for last 8 years, is H1B stamping criteria going to be tough for me ?

          • Well, it is hard to tell…some had success in these countries and some had bad experiences…In fact, it does not really make any difference, where you go for stamping…Just go by your gut feel. It is hard to say. If you feel that stamping in these countries is easier from logistics perspective, go for it…

  14. Now the earliest slot available for Chennai Consulate has come down to Sep 28th from Nov 23rd. Not sure why so much of volatility…may be dues to cancellations/postponements I guess,..

    Reply
    • Guys,

      Any consulate slots are not only for H1B, Consulate daily slots is for all kind of visa like B1, L1, H4, E1, E2, F1 etc…. Usually H1B candidates will not go for rescheduling. other kind of visa people reschedule their appointment due to some or other reason. So keep check appointment availability and schedule if any near date is available. if you r ready with all your documents.

      Reply
      • Nope, you can check for H1B specific slots, thats what I did…The info I gave was for H1B on that particular day. Today, H1B slots available for Chennai Consulate is Nov 12th (earliest available date)

        Reply
  15. I just mailed out my RFE docs. What if they process it beyond Oct 1st? My cap-gap will be expired on Sep 30, do i have to leave US by then?

    Reply
    • Don’t worry..It will take another 10-15 days after submitting. Now the process is faster. But for safe side try to convert it PP so that you can get the result with in the time frame.

      Reply
    • Unless you’re in Premium Processing (which I don’t think you are), your case is very likely to go beyond October 1. I have been waiting since June 16th (when received my RFE response), and I also know of one case where it’s been pending since RFE response was received on May 29th. Expect 2-3 months of wait, or move to premium processing.

      Reply
  16. Finally……….I got approval!
    My employer upgraded my case to Premium in Mid-July.
    Received RFE in July end.
    Responded to RFE in August and got approval after 3 days of RFE response.
    Thank God.
    Good Luck to all who are waiting for approval.

    Reply
    • How many days it took for your employer to upgrade your case from normal to premium. And also, since it is approved now, when are you expecting soft copy of your approval.

      I am also in similar state. Mine is so bad that it is still in ‘Case Recieved’ state and my employer is saying it will take several days to upgrade normal to Premium.

      waiting for your inputs

      Reply
      • It does not take time on part of USCIS. Once they get request they process to upgrade immediately. My employer did the same for me as well. Once they sent the request they upgraded it immediately and the case status on USCIS reflected the same.

        Reply
        • Once it is upgraded to premium, what difference will be see as an employee….I mean, will there be any change in the receipt number or any change in the status ? Someone told that if it is RFE then status will change to “Case Received” after upgrading to Premium.

          But in that case I will not know whether mine is upgraded or not since mine is still in “Case Received” from April 28th…

          Anyone change we see in our case to know it got upgraded ?

          Reply
          • If you have your receipt number then you can the USCIS case status website. Though the status will say “Your Case Status: Initial Review “. But if you read below that, it will mention the following: “On XXX XX 2015, we received your request for premium-processing of your Form I129,……”

            That will confirm that USCIS have received premium premium processing request.

  17. Guys,

    I have RFE for US project. Can anyone please share your experience with the same RFE if you are approved after the RFE response?

    Reply
      • Because this guy has full faith on his God. So no matter whether he goes through Fall or Rise, he believes in his God.
        And further never play with some ones emotion..Else u could suffer..

        Reply
        • I also believe in God, ofcourse an agnostic…I did not intend to play with his emotions, sorry if he felt that way. You were good with your first statement….but the next statement, you dont try to pass on judgements like Talibaan or ISIS about what is going to happen …. then you are depriving God of his duty and I guess God hates that most as he likes everyone to do their duty sincerely and leave rest to him.

          Reply
      • I worship Lord Venkateswara. So, he is great for me but he may not be great for you. it depends on our choice. just like, why we have chosen US instead we could have chosen China, Taiwan…..Please no more comments on this as I have told you earlier its individual choice.

        Reply
    • I am not sensitive, I am sensible…and advising you to be same …. like you telling what God might do and not do… like some of our fake babas 🙂

      Reply
  18. I work for MNC. My client wants me to travel in the first week of Oct. In my account about 16 cases got picked in loterry and out of them I am only one left out with ‘Case Received’ status even till Yesterday. Isn’t that funny….I was tense till couple of days back…but now I really feel funny at my fortune…This is a CRAZY WORLD….and thats the best and interesting part of it 🙂 🙂

    Reply
  19. First available date for H1B stamping as of now is Nov 12th (Chennai consulate…..my god,…this is crazy.. This seems to be bigger hit than BAAHUBALI 🙂

    Reply
  20. Hi All,
    I received Request for additional evidence on 3rd September…..I am yet to receive the actual document. I am tensed for all reasons, because i applied with some internal project from an Indian consultancy established in 1997. I know most of you guys received RFE and responded positively and received approval. I would like to now what kind of RFE you guys received (requested documents). So that i can prepare myself and will follow up with attorney and check whether those guys are going in right track or not?. Guys help help………Today Early morning i visited Chilkur Balaji and made 108 rounds 🙂 just to hear good news….It is a long way to come till here and have to take the last stride to reach the destination with you guys help….. thanks in advance to all you posts the rfe reasons and documents requested.

    Reply
    • Hi all,
      Thanks!! to all of you in advance……your postings might help others as well who are still waiting to respond to their rfe…..

      Reply
    • You wont know the reason unless there is some document required from your side. Mostly its employee employer relationship (right to control) or education qualification or experience related

      Reply
      • in my case i guess employer-employee relationship won’t be valid i guess, since it’s an in house project. Thoughts? education validation and experience, as i already have my previous h1 which i used only one year, already approved with the same education validation and experience validation…..But you might be right, since i didn’t submit reliving letter/experience letter for one the company which i worked(since i do not have the experience letter). Tanks VK i have seen you actively responding to most of the questions posted by members. Appreciate it….

        Reply
  21. That was a happy morning…
    Case Was Approved
    RP | Non AD | Chennai | EAC
    History :
    04/13/2015 – Received I129
    05/20/2015 – Requested to update name
    05/21/2015 – Name was Updated
    07/16/2015 – RFE
    08/03/2015 – Response Received for RFE
    09/03/2015 – Case was Approved.
    This forum was a great way for H1B aspirants to engage and sweat out the anxious waits……
    Thank you Kumar.
    Please post if you need any details….

    Reply
    • Congratulations….
      Can you please let us know the following,
      Was your case premium?
      What’s the RFE about?
      are in India or US?
      are you AD holder?

      Reply
  22. My case was put to RFE on June 9th but yesterday i.e, sept 3rd the status on uscis had been updated as we received ur response!! But as per my employer, he said it was sent in the 2nd week of June itself.
    Can somebody tell me how much time it would take for reaching next stage according to analysis?

    Reply
  23. I got an email from Chennai Visa team today informing me that my case has received RFE.
    It was the first update after I applied for H1b.
    For others, they first got updated by their managers that their case is picked up in a lottery and subsequently they got emails and then few of them received RFE. But surprisingly, I received an email about RFE as a first intimation !!

    Reply
  24. Advanced Degree/Regular Processing/Vermont
    EAC151385****
    Case received: 13th April
    RFE sent: 20th May (Additional evidence required. Qualification – MS Engineering / Job – IT Consultant)
    RFE response received: 28th July (Degree evaluation report for both bachelors and masters submitted)
    Case Approved: 3rd September

    Reply
      • Haven’t tracked any other case apart from mine. But I believe the approvals starts flowing in from 5th week onwards till 8th week. Some even earlier. I was not going to check my status until 2 weeks from now, but could not resist last night and saw my approval. Hope you get some news soon.

        Reply
  25. Please let me know the status of all the H1B will be changed to “RFE” or “Approved” or “Denied before 01 October 2015 ?
    (Or)
    USCIS processing time of H1B will go beyond 01 October 2015 ?
    Hope that after RFE will go beyond 01 October 2015

    Reply
  26. My Case got RFE on August 10th,But till now my employer haven’t received my RFE details.
    Can I know how many days it usually takes?

    Reply
  27. Is the below site genuine. This site gives us information about the slots available for visa stamping.

    cgifederal.secure.force.com

    Seems to be USCIS official site…Do any of you know about it ?

    Reply
  28. Hi, Our check was en cashed in first week of may. We are still waiting for receipt number. Is there anyone who is waiting for receipt number? lawyer has only immigration stamp on his bank statement which shows that check was cashed by immigration.

    Reply
    • Who s d consultancy or employer…it has been learned on visiting various blogs that many consultancy faking that chek was cashed bt no receipt received so as to avoid returning security deposit for time being and some are saying that they will inform and further delay returning petition amount after they start earning from their approved petitions..
      P.s. This s just a ideas and experiences from ppl not selected in past years or fake consultancy

      Reply
  29. H1B filed Regular Processing (Master’s degree Category).

    – Case Picked up in Lottery : April 13, 2015
    – Case Approved : August 28, 2015.

    I read somewhere that you should be able to receive the approval notice in around 10 business days, but I will appreciate if people in this forums can share their experiences.

    Thanks,

    Reply
  30. Why people dont disclose their complete case number ? Is it a blindly followed rule ?

    Because, I dont see any risk in disclosing the receipt number. Let me know if I am missing any logic here on why people dont disclose the receipt number. Thanks,

    Reply
    • It is similar as to revealing your complete identity on a public forum. Especially since your entire profile is linked to that petition number. Something similar to revealing your passport number. You would want to protect your privacy.

      Reply
      • By knowing my receipt number will anyone know my complete identity ? I really doubt. I dont even think they can know my name through my receipt number.

        Reply
          • This will never happen..
            If someone really wanna complain on someone, they can give any number just by changing last 2/3 digits of their receipt number…

    • Well that is an interesting question, but what will you get from the receipt numbers……..except unprovable random guesses……Nobody knows how USCIS works……ha ha ha …..!!

      Reply
      • Correct…thats what my question was,..”what will anyone get from receipt number…..so why hide that”.

        Fine I dont think this question of mine is worth any more threads 🙂 …. so lets leave it here 🙂

        I just asked to understand if I am missing any logic in this…

        Reply
    • People are just paranoid. If they had an option, they wouldn’t even keep their Facebook profile names public. Anyway, knowing their case number is irrelevant. It’s just useless.

      Reply
    • Why would you want to know someone else’s case number? You ask people questions on a forum or share your thoughts, and others do the same. If you ask them about their experiences/case, they can share whatever they feel is appropriate. They have ZERO obligation to share details they feel are private.

      Reply
      • Boss…I did not ask anyones receipt number….I am just asking what is the reason behind not mentioning it. What will I do even if they tell me their receipt number.

        have patience to understand the question.

        Reply
  31. On September 3, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC1514350364, and emailed you a receipt notice. It is being processed at our Vermont Service Center location. The notice describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

    means???????

    Reply
  32. For the friends who had already attended the VISA interview, Is the Client letter mandatory, if not what other supporting documents can suffice the requirements. I was told that client letter cannot be provided by the petitioner.

    Reply
    • Hi,

      Client letter is required if you are going to work at client place. If you are working at your petitioner/employer location then not required. Project description/Itinerary of service letter and offer letter should be fine. Officer checks for how strongly Employee-Employer relationship is established. Please look at my previous post which i posted yesterday about my conversation with Visa Officer. Even me too not having client letter. Hope that helps you.

      Reply
  33. Anyone from Accenture got the petition approval mail ? RMS team is saying petition approved but hard copy still not received for all cases….not sure really they have not received or intentionally they are delaying !!!!!

    Reply
  34. Any one went through the “employee employer relationship” & “Speciality work availability for the h1b period” RFE and got their petition approved ?? Please let me know what did you guys do?
    email me ganesh.sit at gmail.

    Reply
  35. Anyone who have converted/upgraded case to Premium, can I know how many days it took for conversion ?

    And also, do you get a new receipt number once the upgrade to premium is done or same old receipt number will be used for tracking?

    Thanks.

    Reply
    • @ Sun197895 — My case was in CASE RECEIVED status since April 13th… No updates from USCIS.. Thinking to convert to premium this week, let me know if you did it. EAC15139XXXXX

      Reply
      • My employer said he initiated but he is saying it will take several days to get it upgraded to PP. Not sure whether to believe or not but dont have any other option.

        Reply
  36. Finally Wait is over,Got petition approved..No RFE,Direct approval
    Receipt Notice:13th April 2015
    Petition Approved on : 11 Aug 2015
    Approved Petition Received on:- 03-Sep-15(mail notification on approval)

    Good luck guys…

    Reply

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