If you were one of the unlucky ones not picked in whopping 233,000 H1B 2016 Lottery Applications , you might be already wondering when is the next H1B season going to start. Also, some of you may be studying in US and some working abroad and planning to work in US next year. This page will be constantly updated with the latest details and commonly asked questions around the next upcoming H1B Visa fiscal year of 2017 season news and updates.
[alert type=”warning” close=”false” heading=”H1B Visa Cap reached for FY 2017, Lottery Done “] On April 7th, H1B Cap for FY 2017 was reached. Lottery was done on April 9th. Read News Summary – Over 236,000 Petitions for FY2017 [/alert]
- H1B 2017 season start date ?
- H1B Cap for FY 2017- Regular ? Masters ?
- H1B 2017 Predictions? Lottery?
- H1B Lottery Myths ?
- How to plan for H1B FY 2017 ?
- How to find H1B Sponsors for FY 2017 ?
- What is H1B Fee ? Details
- Any impact of Comprehensive Immigration Reform(CIR) on H1B
- What is H1B LCA
- H1B 2017 Premium Processing
- H1B 2017 Case Tracker
- Latest News Update of H1B 2017
- When is the next H1B Season ?
- Sample H1B Reject Notices for FY 2017
When will the H1B visa 2017 season start ? Date ?
Short answer April 1st 2016. Typically, USCIS will start to accept petitions for the next fiscal year starting from April 1st of the previous fiscal year. USCIS fiscal year is from October 1st to September 30th. So, for H1B quota of fiscal year 2017, which starts from October 1st, 2017, USCIS would typically accept applications from April 1st, 2016. The H1B Visa 2016 season started on April 1st of 2015. Also, in the H1B Rejected Notices of 2016, USCIS mentioned that, the non-selected candidates can file H1B petitions for FY 2017 on or after April 1st, 2016.
USCIS announced on March 16th, 2016 that they will accept FY 2017 petitions from April 1st, 2016. Read Summary of USCIS press release FY 2017 .
Also, we have written an article summarizing on What to expect in H1B FY 2017 Season
What is H1B 2017 Cap ? What are the H1B 2017 Quota numbers ? Regular vs Masters ?
If you new to H1B, I suggest you read All about H1B Visa Cap- Regular vs Masters. In simple terms H1B cap is a congressional mandated maximum number of petitions that USCIS can accept in a year. As of now, below are the H1B cap number for fiscal year 2017. The below numbers are confirmed in press release by USCIS on Mar 16, 2016.
- Regular H1B Quota : 65,000
- H1B Master’s Degree Quota ( only US Master 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.
There have been many discussions around change in H1B cap numbers by Obama administration since 2013. The planned proposal was to increase the regular quota cap to 110,000 and Masters quota to 25,000. No changes for FY 2017, the above numbers of 65,000 and 20,000 are officially confirmed by USCIS in their press release.
What is H1B Visa 2017 Prediction? Will there be Lottery again for FY 2017
Update : USCIS Updated on April 12th, 2016 that they have received over 236,000 petitions for FY 2017 quota and the lottery was completed on April 9th.
Looking at the past trend of H1B season in the past three years, we could very likely have lottery for FY 2017. Last year for FY 2016 quota, there were 233,000 applications. We have done a detail analysis with the H4 Visa EAD rule in place considering the economy, students graduating, OPT news, etc. You should read article H1B Visa 2017 Lottery Prediction News, results, Date .
If H1B lottery, will there be any preference in lottery for Large companies ? Premium Processing
Well, no preference for anyone, all are treated equally, including premium processing. There are many such misconceptions about lottery process, we have compiled a list of such myths and criteria, you should read Myths of H1B Lottery, Criteria
When to plan for H1B visa 2017 Application ? How soon ? What should be the strategy ?
It is never too late to start planning for your H1B 2017 season. If you plan to work in US on H1B visa in the next coming fiscal year, below are some suggestions based on your situation.
- F1 Student in USA : If you are studying on F1 visa and about to graduate in next one year, you should seriously look at finding an internship or co-op at companies that can sponsor your H1B visa. You can search for H1B Sponsors in a particular area using our H1B Sponsors Search Tool and try to get an internship to work there on CPT or OPT after you graduate. This is a strategic move and will require sometime, so plan well.
- Professional from outside USA : If you are a working professional outside US, planning to work in US on H1B, your best bet is to find Multinational companies that have major US presence and secure a job there, so that you can position internally for applying to H1B visa, when the season starts. This is a very strategic decision, you need to carefully assess your options, speak to the company if such options exist and then only choose it.
- Other H4, L1 Visas : If you are on these visas, your best bet is to find companies just like I mentioned for F1 students that sponsor H1B visas and start interviewing and keeping the conversation going so that you can ask them to file H1B when the season starts.
We have put together a Step by Step Plan on How to apply for H1B 2017 Quota
How do I find a H1B Visa Sponsor – The most asked million dollar question ?
If you are student in the US, it is very straight forward, you find the list of H1B Sponsoring companies using the tool in an area as I mentioned above and get an internship in one of them so that they can sponsor your H1B visa. Unlike, if you are coming from outside US, it can be tricky. If you work for an Multinational company ( MNC), then they will have some internal process to pick the candidates and then process H1B visa for them…The other option that has been used and abused is the consulting companies route…Many a times, the H1B aspirants approach a body shop IT consulting company to file H1B for them and they apply for the same. It gets nasty with the body shop consulting companies. The comments on this H1B Companies Reviews article are quite eye opening. I advise, you beware of the consulting companies and avoid fraud. Also, WE as RedBus2US do NOT provide any guidance or assistance or sponsor anything. If someone claims that, it is pure fraud and they are trying to trick you, we are not responsible for that. Please be careful. Anyways, for various other options , You may read article How to find H1B 2017 Sponsors
What is the H1B visa 2017 filing fee ? Is it same or any changes ?
It changed slightly this year with the Omnibus Bill passed in December 2015, that will increase the H1B filing fee by $4000 for FY 2017, until 2025 for certain companies that have over 50 employees and have more than 50% of their employees as H1B or L1 visa holders in USA. Check USCIS Guidelines on H1B Fee increase. Depending on the size of the company, the H1B filing fee can vary anywhere from $1,600 USD to $7,400 USD + Attorney Fee. There are various fees components that make up this number range, for more details Read Summary of H1B Filing Fee 2017 – Who pays for What ? . Below is a high level summary. Also, one key change is that, there was $2000 USD additional filing fee as per Public Law 111-230, this law expired on Sep 30, 2015 and that is not included anymore.
| H1B Fee Component | Fee in USD |
| Base filing fee | $325 |
| AICWA Fee | $750 or $1,500 |
| Fraud prevent & detection fee | $500 |
| Fee based on Public Law 114-113 ( if applicable) | $4000 |
| Premium processing fee (Optional) | $1,225 |
| Immigration Attorney Fee | Varies from $500 to $3000 |
What about Comprehensive Immigration Reform(CIR) and Obama Executive Actions for H1B 2017 Quota Increase ?
There has been many articles and discussions since 2013 around immigration reform by President Obama and changes around and some like below have been discussed in the last couple of years, nothing moved significantly.
- 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 ( Part of this came up as the fee increase in Omnibus Bill )
- Additional H1B rules to avoid H1B Visa fraud by employers
- Mandatory LCA posting for 30 days before it is certified.
The current status on all of the above are basically “No updates”, there are no set deadlines for any of them and none of these are happening for FY 2017. You may read Summary of CIR Changes to H1B . Officially as per press release on March 16, 2016, the H1B cap is confirmed to be 65,000 for regular and 20,000 for masters…hence, no changes.
What is LCA for H1B Visa ? Processing times ?
LCA is a form that has to be filed with US Dept of Labor and get it certified before filing H1B petition with USCIS. It has to be sent along with H1B Package to USCIS. It has all the relevant information about the job position like wage, location, title, etc. It takes about 7 working days for processing of the LCA by US Dept of Labor (DOL). You can read complete details at Why is LCA Needed for H1B – Processing Time, Salary
USCIS Updated in their original press release on March 16, 2016 that the premium processing will begin no later than May 16, 2016. But, on April 22nd, they updated that the premium processing for FY 2017 will begin on May 12th, 2016. What it means is that the official 15 calendar day SLA for premium processing petitions will be starting from 12th. USCIS may process the petitions early as well, but officially their clock starts on that day.
H1B 2017 Case Tracker :
Did you apply for FY 2017 ? We have put together a tracker along with good graphs for analysis. It is completely anonymous as we do not capture your case number or any personal information. It is community contributed data, the more you add, the better for everyone, including You !
[prompt type=”left” title=”Track your H1B Case” message=” Anonymously Track your H1B Case – Share and Get updated from Community.” button_text=”H1B 2017 Case Tracker” href=”https://redbus2us.com/trackers/h1b-visa-tracker/”]
Most Recent News of FY 2017 H1B
Below is the most recent news regarding H1B 2017 season. You can check the updates page as indicated below for the full history and details.
- July 8th, 2016 ( Official ) : USCIS released a press note today indicating that they have completed returning all the petitions that were not selected in the H1B lottery for FY 2017. Read More details here
- May 2nd, 2016 ( Official Update ) : USCIS updated that data entry is complete for selected petitions in lottery. if you were selected, you should receive receipt notices in 2 to three weeks. If not, the chances are very slim to get selected. You should look at your plan B. Read H1B Data Entry Complete Article for full details
- April 22nd, 2016 : (Official Update) USCIS Updated that they will start premium processing from May 12th, instead of May 16th.
- April 12th, 2016 – 6:30 PM EST : Official Update : USCIS released a press note that H1B lottery was completed on April 9th and they received over 236,000 petitions for FY 2017 quota. Read Press Release Summary
- April 12th, 2016 – 11:50 AM CST ( Unofficial Update ) : It is reported on blog by attorney ( immigrationgirl ) that they have received about 40 email receipts of Premium Processing. What it means is that USCIS has already conducted lottery. We will keep you posted with updates. If I am not wrong, they are just drafting the press release now.
[prompt type=”left” title=”H1B 2017 – Latest News Updates” message=” Most recent and complete history of all latest breaking news updates from Official sources like USCIS and Unofficial sources for FY 2017 Season.” button_text=”Latest H1B 2017 News” href=”https://redbus2us.com/h1b-visa-2017-cap-count-updates-tracker-news/”]
When is the next H1B Season ?
The next H1B season starts on April 1st, 2017. Wondering about your next chance for H1B and various details about the next H1B season, check out H1B Visa 2018 FAQs
Sample H1B Reject Notices for FY 2017 ?
USCIS has started to mail out the reject notices for FY 2017 petitions that were not picked in lottery. It says that the start date for next year H1B season is April 1, 2017. You can check out the Sample Reject Notice for FY 2017, Details
We have many more FAQs around H1B Visa 2017. We will continue to keep updating the page with latest news and updates regarding FY 2017. Bookmark this page and keep checking for updates.
My petition starts with EAC 1614351*** and status is still “Case Was Transferred And A New Office Has Jurisdiction”. Anyone in this series whose petiton got approved or status changed? Mine is RP.Till what time I can wait before going for PP
Same series and same status, and waiting for update.
Same series same status any idea where it ha been transferred to
Hi,
Mine also same series EAC1614355*** status still in Case received. Waiting for approval.
Hi sunitha,
I’m from eac1614355***
Waiting… Will it be processed by Sept 30th? RP …
Regards,
Sri
Hi Sri,
Hopefully we should am also waiting for the same. Thanks for replying, let’s hope for the best. All the very best.
My petition starts with EAC1614354XXX….still in ‘Case Received’ status…
Thanks redbus team for all the support and guidance. Finally a ray of light received today after the long long wait and relentless case check in USCIS website daily more than dozen times. My petition EAC161475xxxx is approved when moved to premium.
Sept 12 : Premium application reached VT.
Sept 13. Case Approved.
Don’t worry guys. Praying for All the cases to be approved soon.
My series EAC1614550#
Hardly any momvent… Out of 500 pending cases only 4-5cases daily rewied by USSC.
I not sure my petition get reviwed this year considering the speed.
Pls through some light
Max you will get update by OCTOBER END!.
STAY CALM!
Thanks Jack,
Hello Admin,
can you pls make a articles on waiting time for H1b comparing the current year process with historical data.
Anyone Renewed Passport in Mexico ?
Dear All,
Have you ever seen more than 4 consecutive RFE’s? like XXX34, XXX35, XXX36, XXX37….
Are all filled by a same employer?
No different employer.
Anyone applied through Divensi or Azimetry consultancy. Did you get any update on your status.
Yes. I have applied through Divensi.
My Case is still in status – Case Was Received. It’s WAC16144XXXXX
I do not have any further update on it. Do u have any update?
Pls share your email id.
btw for me status got changed to below:
Notice Explaining USCIS’ Actions Was Mailed
Have you received any updates? . Please email me my email id is mandar5986@gmail.com.
Hi,
Yes. I have applied through azimetry.
my email id is mandar5986@gmail.com
Hi…Whats your case status ???
My case status also got changed to –
Notice Explaining USCIS’ Actions was Mailed.
Don’t know what does this mean!
Hi I have filed through Divensi. Status is still ‘Case was received’. Can you please share your email mine is anup.kv at rediffmail dot com
All,
Does case id change from EAC to WAC if the application is transferred from Vermont to California? Thx.
H1B-T/F,
Based upon the data shared by other members, receipt number is not changed. The applicants were still able to track the progress (to approval) using the old receipt number.
Hi Saurabh,
Thanks for all the info.
I have a question in this context. I have been given a receipt number by my employer – “Exxxx”. The case status is “Case transferred” from months.
I did this — Since my case is transferred, In my receipt number, I have replaced “E” with “W”, and here there status is Approved on July 9th with “Wxxxx”
Is it common to have same numbers with different series? (E / W). Please clarify.
Thanks,
Suresh
Suresh,
They are different receipts belonging to different people. You cannot just replace E with W.
Think about it – lot of petitions didn’t get transferred. But you can find same EAC and WAC numbers.
Dear all,
My application ID: EAC161435**** has been transferred to California processing center.
Now, will my ID change to WAC161435**** or it will continue to be processed under EAC161435****?
Thanks and regards,
H1BVizag
No it stays the same.
Thx buddy.
Hello . Sunitha & H1bVizag. My case got approved . Thanks for all the support. All the best for everyone.
Has anyone noticed the reduction in Wait time in Kolkata consulate? It is showing 1 day waiting time while previously it was 120 days
Hi Saurabh/Kumar,
My H1B petition filed by a consulting company got approved 3 weeks ago and am waiting to book a slot for the visa interview. In the meantime I informed my current employer (an US MNC) about my intention to quit, they offered to get my H1B transferred if I get the I797.
Is it safe to go for a transfer at this stage ? Are there any risks ? Would you suggest I get the visa stamped with the consulting company and later ask my current employer to file a non-cap petition. Kindly provide your inputs. Thank you
If I were you , I wouldn’t tell my employer that I will quit …I would suggest you to work for sponsored employer for sometime before you take your wings…
All the best
Vinay,
Both options are available – get visa stamped through current H-1 employer and then ask Indian employer to file cap-exempt petition for you; or have Indian employer file cap-exempt petition for you and then appear for stamping.
Do you have confidence that your current H-1 employer will be able to provide documents required for stamping (like client/project letter) or is Indian employer the safer bet?
Thats my worry, not sure how good the H1B consulting company is with their documents. The same wont be an issue with my current employer who is a large US based MNC.
Thanks for the inputs, Saurabh.
Read immigration girl blog. She says that the probability of getting approved on transfer seems to be bad…
Best of luck
EAC14751* approved after upgrading to premium processing cos it was transferred to the California center and there were no updates for so long(plus personal reasons).
Just FYI after applying for PP the status got updated to received application for PP and then it changed to case received. Not sure how the status tracker works – if its looking for any status change or for specific status updates like approved/rejected/rfe. Still, its a great tool to track the progress.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pMsGtKC6sGS2uj4JL3JX5IYytzU5jJO_qJ-UJKXiCr4/htmlview?pli=1#
My series EAC1614852*** any one waiting in this series. No updates and still waiting…Thanks
Yes, I’m also waiting.
EAC1614750*** only 192 approved so far in 999s 🙁
Can we schedule for the Visa stamping in the country of residence or it should be done from the US consulates in India?
Hi Sanjana,
IF you was on H4 and your H1b was filed with COS, you don’t need stamping. But if you are from H4 to H1b(w/o cos) or new H1B, you need to get the stamping from your country of residence.
If its H1b extension and your visa is expired, you could get it from any country’s US consulate.
As far as I know, COS can be done in US. But stamping in your passport has to be done in India only. Apply COS, stay in US, plan your India trip and get it stamped.
All the best.
Sanjana,
If your country of residence is different from home country (India), then you become a TCN (Third Country National). You will have to check with the US embassy in that country to ask their policy on TCN. Usually you are allowed to attend the interview there as long as you are in that country for a long term. So if you there are as a student or worker, you may be eligible; but if you are there as a tourist, then probably not.
Any Body from HTC global services got approvals or any updates.
No, not yet. Did you talk to them?
Hello H1B_2017 & H1B_Waiting ,
Thanks for your reply , at last i found someone from HTC 🙂
Can you share your contact details..we can get in touch that could be helpful.
“Any Body” ? Dude get your basics in English right !! Pity you aspire to work and live in the US.
Hey you Moron , Don’t act too smart its just the typo error.
Yes It will be real pity if i start learn English from you . Behave like a professional , this kind of language is uncalled for in the public forum like this.
H1B_Waiting,
RIP English…in *the* Forum? It should br in *a* forum..if i start *learn* english? it should be ..if i start learning …real idiot
Try to find out few more , i’ll throw some peanuts on to your face you stupid . where did you learn your butler English .
Your employer should really worry about you for sponsoring H1B for Idiots like you.
Hey anyone got updates / approval from GSS Infotech
@H1b waiting Pune,can you email me at wisebadfreak@gmail.com
I have also applied from GSS and got RFE.
Mine is a transferred case form VT to California.
Has any one of got status changed today ????????
Seems no comments as such for today, yesterday we saw lots of approval comments.
Please guys share your experience, this really boost our confidence, waiting for last 5 month
looking at same status daily makes us hopeless. 🙁
don’t worry man, even in big MNCs like infosys also, some people case status is still shown as “Case Received”, not moved to Approval yet.
Do not wry man… It will be approved, once you are picked in lottery there are 99 % chance that it will get approved… It is jst a matter of time… ?
Sixth sigma?
No one knows the approval percentage, but my hunch is it would be somewhere btw 70-80.
Hi Saurabh,
I am on H4 visa currently in USA. My H1B was picked up in lottery this year and went to RFE recently. My husband has changed his employer in august and i didnot apply for h4 along with him. My current H4 visa was stamped on my passport and it expires on September 30th.
1. Is it legal to stay after october 1st in USA since h4 is expired on september 30th?
2. My employer is asking to submit H4 extension just in case if h1 doesnot come in favour. Is there any risk with this?
3. Will my h4 extension make my h1b void?
4. will they override latest received petition or latest approved petition with older one( in my case h1b is older and h4 extension is new)
Please help me on this. Will be waiting for your reply
As per my employer — if H1 is applied with COS, you still can stay beyond the expiry of current H4, until the final decision on H1 is taken…
If it is not in favor you may have to go out of US with in 7days, but can come back after H4 stamping…
Have to check make sure it is correct 🙂
Thanks for your reply. yes my petition was applied with COS. But my employer suggested to apply for h4 extension just in case if h1b doesnot come in our favour. But i am worried to apply h4 extension as we cannot predict which one will be approved first. And i received RFE in august and they are planning to respond by september.
I would suggest to go for premium processing. Its costly but you will have peace of mind. Trust me. God forbid, if H1b doesn’t come in favor, you have to go to india for H4 stamping which would be costlier than paying for premium.
Since my husband’s H1 was in premium and its approved already, i dont think we have premium facility only for h4 application. Are you sure that h4 petition can be done in premium? when i researched, most of people say, there is nothing like premium for h4. if applied together(h1 and h4) and if h1 is premium then h4 would also be considered premium.
Priya, through which employer your H1 was filed? I need to plan H1 for FY17 for my husband.
contact me arshi1327 at gmail dot com
I assume you applied H1 as COS. IMO, You must be ok if all goes well… (if your H1B gets approved). It is also a knife edge situation. If you tried through some infamous desi consultancy, you must have tried using PP to speedup. Especially when your old I94 expires in 30 Sept and you haven’t applied extension (for safer side).
Now best might be is to wait till end of this month for any result (RFE or approval). Approval is good and safe. But if you get RFE (unfortunately), it is better to apply H4 in PP and then response to the RFE for safer side.
IMO, Applying H4 now using regular may have some side effects. If you file H4 in normal and if it gets approved after H1 approval, your H1 status might gets changed to H4. In this case you will get a new I94 based on your H4 (and your H1 I94 will be abandoned). So you will not get SSN and cant work.
If you file H4 in PP and if your H4 is approved before H1B, you will be safe. But It all depends on the timing… (you never know when your H1B will be processed).
Best of luck…
Thanks for your reply. Yes i have COS applied along with h1b. And it went to RFE in august and my employer are planning to respond this month.
I am in dilemma whether to go for H4 extension or not.
Is it better idea to leave USA in October and wait for either H1B or H4 approval and then come back to USA with stamped visa?
But it might risk H1B stamping, and this is my 3rd attempt.
Can you please suggest me ways if i have to leave USA, which is best method to do.
If I were you, I will apply H4 extension in PP ASAP before even responding to H1B RFE. And then respond H1B RFE in normal (so it can take another couple of months to get decision).
Here you will get H4 approval first with new I94. Then you can stay in US without any status issues.
Then, if the decision of H1B is approved, since it is applied as COS, you will get another updated I94 for H1B and you can also work with that. Worst case, you still can live with H4 extension and try next year. This is just my opinion.
Best of luck
Thanks for your reply. But i dont think we have premium processing for H4. Is there any best approach if i leave USA in October?
@Priya, Your Employer name please?
Hi Priya
I am having de same scenario now… Can u pls email me to jee.h42h1b@gmail.com… We ll discuss more on this. Thanks
Priya,
1. Yes, you can stay up to 240 days or H-1 denial notice, whichever comes earlier. This is b/c your H-1 COS was filed while H-4 hadn’t expired.
2,3,4. No risk but could add additional layer of work. There is something called Last Action Rule which says that the petition approved later would determine your eventual status.
So if H-1 COS is approved and then H-4 extension is approved, your status will become H-4. Your H-1 will become kind of dormant, and you will have to file another COS to H-1 or enter US on H-1. You can withdraw H-4 extension soon after H-1 COS is approved to avoid this scenario.
If H-1 COS is approved after H-4 extension has been approved, then your eventual status would be H-1 and no further action is required.
Thanks Saurabh for your reply.
Is there any best approach if i leave USA in October
1. If i apply for H4 extension from India and come back to USA with H4 stamped and then apply COS if H1b gets approved?
2. While i apply for H4 extension from India, will the same Last Action rule apply?
3. Or I just need to wait for my H1b or make it premium after going to India and come back with H1B stamped?
what is the best case that i can do, if i am leaving USA? Please suggest.
Thanks,
Priya
Priya,
1. If you are in India no H-4 extension is needed. You can simply appear for H-4 visa stamping. Once you enter US on H-4, apply for COS
2. N/A as H-4 extension cannot be applied while you are outside US
3. That is also an option. I don’t know about your H-4 visa stamp expiration date. So you may be eligible for H-4 dropbox and can return to US soon after. However H-1 stamping dates are delayed and you may have to stay in India for a while if appearing for H-1 stamping.
Hi All,
Need help.
I applied H1B thorough connvertex technology for this year i.e. 2017.
At the end of April, they said to me that I got selected in lottery but when i asked about the receipt number, they were denying to share the receipt number due to some security issue.
I am contentiously in touch with them but till now I did not get approval of H1B. they are saying same line that none of connvertex petition is approved for this year. will update you once we get any update.
So can any other facing same situation for connvertex or any other company ?
Also please guide me on below queries ?
How can I know that is my petition selected in lottery without having receipt no?
If selected then what max time to get visa approval?
Thanks,
Without receipt no, I doubt you can do anything. Also not sharing because of security concerns look fishy to me. I have seen fraud consultants using this trick as an excuse. Please double check if this is the genuine consultant.
H1bFirst Year,
Are you sure your petition has been selected? Ask the company to send a copy of receipt notice. If they cannot share it due to “security concerns”, ask them to use white/blank ink over the receipt number and then share it w/ you. It should still have employer name and your information.
Such a Long Wait man!!!!
Im aware checking my approval status every single day wont help..but still i do it out of curiousity..Hope it gets approved soon..and all of us deserve to live a good life in States..Best of luck all those who are waiting..Hope for the Best..Jai mata di
Did any one from IBM got approvals? I heard recently from my Manager that there is a delay in processing for IBM ..
may be managers has given bribe to Uscis employees to slow down the process..
Dude its not depends on company .. its for all members
Nothing to do with the company.
I am from IBM_NCR and almost all my colleagues have got RFE/Approvals by now.
You would get it soon.
Delay can not be beyond oct 1.
Nothing like that man…my case is approved on 29 th July.
Hello Friends!!
Any one is waiting in My series WAC1614250+++. I am waiting from the last 5 months. Still my case status is showing received, no updates. I completed my Post Graduation (MCA: PSG Coimbatore with 90%+) and having 6+ years IT experience in Java/ J2EE/ Web-Services etc.I have applied through CTS and the Project is Walmart USA(California) . Still now no updates. Could you please let me know any one is waiting in the same series and let me know when we can get the updates. Its really very frustration on every day.
Thanks
Patience is the key. Most people will get updates by END OF MONTH!.
STAY CALM!
@ H1BFirst_Waiting_Approval
Do you know if you have attached the SOW and Onsite manager letter in your
I-129 petition which is filed? If you don’t have any idea then from your H1b nomination app download the filed PDF and check for this, most of the people in CTS get RFE for these 2 only. If it had been attached in your petition then approval should be confirmed, if not they might ask you for it by giving RFE.
Almost all the RFE’s get approved for CTS. Above all it depends on the officer who reviews your case. Lets hope for good luck!!! I believe you should get your approval within Sept end surely. Be positive and stay relaxed till then 🙂
All the best
I CAN SEE EAC16143* & EAC16147 IS GETTING UPDATES…..THIS MEANS EAC161445* MIGHT BE AROUND THE CORNER!..
FINGER CROSSED!
even i can see the worktheme chart that eac16143 is decreasing it means eac161445 is coming soon.
Mine is EAC1614352***. Still i can see only “Case Was Received” 🙁
I am waiting too… it is frustrating. …… I think it will be really useful if more and more people update their H1b status in the website. .. All the best to you all…..
i have applied my visa with a small con. company it got selected lottery
waiting for response(current status:Case was received), now can transfer to any other company like MNC or any other consultancy before it got approve
You can try but it will surely get rejected. In nutshell you will loose opportunity to work in USA. This is my personal advice, Rest is your intelligence!
No, once you get the approval, you can try to change the petitioner. New company will file a H1B under cap exempt.
Is this possible even after approval? My understanding is you’ll be considered cap-exempt upon getting a visa stamp or landing in USA.
My petition status is RFE currently. Our company lost the project for which the H1B was filled. Is it possible to process the RFE petition through some other company under cap exempt ?? Please suggest.
H1B_RFE_Query,
Another company cannot take over this pending petition. Only the current employer can drive it to approval.
Grk,
It cannot be transferred until it has been approved first. Once approved, another employer can file a cap-exempt petition for you.
@Saurabh,
That means my case status should be “Case Was Approved” then it is possible to transfer to other company right?
GRK,
That is correct.
Hello Team,
My series EAC1614850*** any one waiting in this series. I am from IBM ,anyone still waiting…Thanks
Hi Raju,
Mine also same series EAC16148***** still waiting for the update
Hello friends!!
This huge waiting time this year for stamping is very unusual. Last year my friends got stamping dates within max 10 days whenever they applied between Aug to Feb.
On an avg, the waiting time is 100 calendar days in all locations.
Working days = 65 days (approx, considering holidays)
So if they process 100 applications per day, for 5 embassy in India:-
65*100*5= 32500
That’s half of the total h1b visa. Now not so many people have got approved and all of them don’t belong to India.
In mid of Aug, for kolkata , the waiting time was 2 days, in a week it jumped to 120 days. Its impossible that so many people applied for interview in a week.
My gut feeling says, they are intentionally delaying the process keeping in mind the us elections.In case Trump comes to power, they will reject many h1b in interview for sure
What do u say guys?????
Hey, Consulate process all kind of visa like L1, B1, tourist visa’s, student visa. So dont assume they are there to only process your h1b visa.
May be they are waiting for Trump to come and do some changes.
Obviously he can’t change law. But his team can make or instruct the consulate and port of entry to handle things in different way…
Best of luck.
Changing the law as soon as he comes to power is very ambitious. The bill has to pass. Its a long drawn process. They cannot alter whats happened. All the cases have to get processed. Rejecting in interview n all is something very subjective. Depends on many things but not Trumps Victory for sure . . 🙂
I have few questions related to L1B to H1B COS.
Some desi consultancy applied for me and it is still in received status
1. If it is approved somewhere in oct/november, Should i stop working on L1B on the same day?
2. Can i get some grace period(approximately 2 weeks time untill my lawyer receive the I-797 & I-94 by mail ) At-least to give 1 or 2 weeks notice time to my current employer
3. If I want to void COS, can I cross SanDiego-Tijuana mexican border and get new I-94?.
4. Will this affect my current H1B approval?
5. Is there any other possibilities to change from COS to Consular processing?
If your COS H1B petition gets approved, it becomes active on October 1 or later depends on approval notice. And your old L1B becomes VOID. That means you can’t work for your L1B employer from that day and doing that makes you illegal.
Since it is COS, you can cross the border and come back with new I94 on old L1B and that will help. You must do before October 1.
It must not affect your H1B but makes your COS abandoned.
IMO, there is no way to convert from COS to consular notice.
Best of luck
Thank you H1B_helper.
Assume if it is approved on oct 15, Will the approval notice will have start date as oct 15th or later date for L1B to H1B COS?
If H1B is approved with consular processing, L1B to H1B COS is enough to start work with employer who filed H1B or Need to be stamped from consulate?
Prabh,
After Oct 1, the actual approval date will be the COS effective date. This holds true for all COS petitions.
If H-1 is approved with consular processing, then either separate COS to H-1 needs to be approved, or you should enter US on stamped H-1 visa.
Hi Saurabh,
To void L1 to H1b COS, i am planning to get new I-94 before H1B approval.
Is there any change of getting RFE on this?
If it is approved with L1 to H1b COS before Sept 30 and if i want to continue on L1, I have to exit US on sept 30 and return after Oct 1st. Which I-94(L1 or H1B) we need to surrender at the time of exit? Is it safe procedure?
Prabh,
The I-94 attached to COS approval will have same number as current one, just a different annotation (H-1) and expiration date. Also, when you enter US no paper I-94 is issued, and so submission of I-94 at airline counter no longer happens.
Leave US by Sep 30th and return to US after Oct 1.
Saurabh,
For the same situation above, if COS is approved when I am in India/other country , Can I come back to US on L1 visa and continue working on L1 visa?
Is there any problem at POE?
prabhanjana nallani,
If you leave US while the petition is pending, then COS should be abandoned. Irrespective of whether COS is approved or not, the visa you show at PoE when entering would determine your status inside US. I don’t see any issues at PoE due to the fact that you would also have an approved H-1 petition.
Not even single application approved so far after RFE???
“Case Was Transferred And A New Office Has Jurisdiction” – Did anyone receive approval from this status.
LeoTolstoy,
There were few who shared their approvals back in Aug.
Finally Approved… Party sharty time…..Vry 1 invited?
Whats your series number ?
On September 12, 2016, we approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC1614650172.
Congrats!!!!
Mine is EAC1614756XXXX, still waiting
Congrats to you! My number EAC1614451143 , Unfortunately still waiting…
Is it rfe case?if yes when docs submitted
its not RFE
Guys,
People who have already attended their h1 visa stamping interview for this year, Please share us your experience. It will guide all of us.
Thanks in advance.
Is there any one who has filed their visa via Mavrick Group (Mavrick, X-EDE IT SOLUTIONS LLC, ITForce & Makdi).
If yes what is the current status of your application. Please update.
Thanks!
Yes, I have filed.
Hey can you share your email id and few digits of your receipt no. Thanks!
my email id is softdazzle@gmail.com, sharfe your contact details in mail I will call you.
Mailed you!
Finally after checking my status every single day for more than 4 months, my case has been approved. Series – EAC1614355***. Got approved on 12th Sept directly after the status was ‘received’. All the best for the rest who are still waiting for their approvals. Thank you Saurabh and other admin(s) for making this amazing forum which helps us a lot.
Congrats!!!!
Are you APPLIED THROUGH MNC or small consultancy in US
How does it matter?
Through MNC.
Hi congrats on approval my series also eac1614355*** still waiting hoping to get approved soon.
Hi all!
I would like to know how much time it generally takes for a H4 to be able to work in the US? I understand that a H4 can work if his H1B spouse has filed a greencard application through its employer but generally how much time does it take in total before the h4 spouse can work? Thank you!
Below is my opinion. Let us assume that you already have H1B and your spouse H4. It starts with Employer filing GC for you.
File PERM. This includes Employer/Employee’s initiation, document collection, verification and filing. Like 4 to 7 months (I am not sure whether you can do premium here).
File I140 (after PERM approved). Like 15 days in Premium (you pay PP fees). Normal will be like 5 to 7 months.
File H4 EAD (after 140 approved). Like 15 days in Premium. Normal will be like 5 to 7 months..
So, you are looking like little more than 1 ½ years in all normal case. 1 ¼ year in I140 PP and ¾ years for all PP.
A few corrections:
No PP for Labor — btw, since the past couple years, labor takes over 6 months from filing. Add a few more months, from the time employer initiates green card process (atleast 5 months), before Labor filed.
After 140 is approved, H4 EAD SLA is 90 days.
Hi Friends\saurabh
Please help me ASAP.
i got 12 pages of RFE,and it contains Lease agreement of the client company for both lessor and lessee.federal Govt licenses.(and Around 30 documents from both client and my company which i appilied)
Please help me whether these kind of RFE will Approve?
Thanks in Advance…
Depends on what USCIS requested in RFE… IMO, Providing anything more is not necessary. Too many information is also not good because, it might rise more questions. Stick to what is asked.Usually in normal case, your response will go to the same officer who requested it.
If you go for PP, it might go to a different officer who will be new to your case with new opinion and new situation… and that could have some side effect…
any one from MRCC got approvals?
Any folks in Wipro got the “…still under adjudication” email. This is the only update after the Selection in Lottery email.
hi, any one from Astir IT Solutions waiting for approval or already approved/rfe/denied?
I did dude.
hey Shiva! whats your status, my case hasn’t moved..still at ‘case was received’
Hi Saurabh,
Case was approved on Jul 25 2016.
When I ask approval form them, they told me that we have not received original copy.
so far 46 days crossed.
all are telling that after approved within a two week of time attorney will get approved documents.
would like to know for this year, how many days will it take to reach documents once approved?.
Thanks
Kaka
H1B_2017
60 days is the deadline to send the approval letter, but usually they send it within a weeks time. So please get in touch with your Attorney/Employer whoever applied for you and check with them right away.
H1B_2017,
They should contact USCIS ASAP and follow-up. SLA is 30 days.
Hi Folks,
I work for a top MNC in India, I have got my VISA stamping interview scheduled. Will the Visa officer ask for my client letter which i cant get due to policy constraints. I am just wondering will the VO ask for client letter even if we work in a big MNC. I heard from my colleagues that they wont ask for client letter if you are working in a reputed IT company. Is it true ? Let me know your thoughts.
Thank you!!
which consulate you get interview and what dates are available ?
@Waiting
Chennai consulate and the date is in Jan 2017. This year its already full.
Thanks
To be honest, it does not matter who you are working for, small or big employer. If the VO suspects your case, then they can ask you for any document. If you have it on you, they would review it and make a decision. If you dont have it, and they absolutely want to see the doc, then they would give you a 221(g).
So dont worry about it. Client letters are not always distributed to employees, so you should be fine.
Good luck for your interview!
@ Vishal,
Thanks for your reply, I also agree and feel the same. It doesn’t matter to VO
which company we belong to. Hope all goes fine.
Thanks again
I attended the interview on last friday, I am also from TOP MNC, they did not ask for any Client letter. But I have MSA document with me(which I used when filing H1b Visa)
@ Shank
Thanks for your reply. Feeling relieved when you say they didn’t ask for you 🙂
I have also got the valid SOW and MSA with me and hope i can show it as proof if they ask for client letter. Hope they don’t ask 🙂
Thanks
@Sun,
Any one of the document, either Client letter or MSA or Sow is enough
@ shank
In this case I can manage with SOW or MSA which I can get. Thanks a lot for ur response.
Thanks
Need Help..!!
My wife is working.
Do I need any “Leave Approval” type of document from her office before we go for our stamping?
Since, my date of arrival in the US is not confirmed so I am not sure, so it would be difficult for my wife to give specific dates in her office .
@ Help H4
Yes, that would be really handy to have any kind of document stating that she will be on leave from so and so date.. they will ask her if she is working and if you are saying yes then they might ask her do you know H4 cant work at US and whats your plan for the current Indian job. I am not saying they will surely ask but its better to have some proof about her long leave so that you can avoid their doubt. So stay safe.
Thanks
Thanks for your response.
Now if my wife applies for 6 months Leave of absence from her office, do we need to change her duration of stay in the DS160 form ??
I don’t think it is required to change in DS160 that accurately. If you are giving a tentative date that should be fine. If the VO asks her about her work then generally you can produce the leave of absence letter for his reference and she can say that she will prolong the vacation extending her leave. Mostly VO might just ask if she is working and he might tell you can’t work in h4. That’s all they generally say. These documents are for our safety if incase they ask for proof.
Thanks
Help H4,
I assume she is working in India or her home country. No leave letter is required. The VO may ask what she plans to do in US, the answer to which is NO WORK.
Hi All,
I applied H1B thorough connvertex technology for this year i.e. 2017.
At the end of April, they said to me that I got selected in lottery but when i asked about the receipt number, they were denying to share the receipt number due to some security issue.
I am contentiously in touch with them but till now I did not get approval of H1B. they are saying same line that none of connvertex petition is approved for this year. will update you once we get any update.
So can any other facing same situation for connvertex or any other company ?
Also please guide me on below queries ?
How can I know that is my petition selected in lottery ?
If selected then what max time to get visa approval?
Thanks,
USCIS case tracking site is down since morning. I don’t see any
scheduled down now . Any body have information on this? Or is there any other way to check?
Yes USCIS site is down since morning.
Hi Yes, USCIS site is down since morning.
My series EAC1614355*** any one waiting in this series. I am from CG anyone from CG still waiting…Thanks
Yeah, same series but transferred
Hi Case transferred,
Oh okay…..hopefully we will get good news soon….all the very best
Hi Sunitha,
I am also from CG My series EAC1614353*** I am also waiting for status.
Hi loknath,
Okay thanks for replying back. Today I checked with mobility they told no option just wait for status change. Let’s wait and hope for the best. If you get any updates please let me know and I will also do the same. All the very best.
Hi Loknath,
Can you please let me know if you got any status change and did you contact mobility, did they give you any information? thanks in advance.
Hi Saurabh,
I received 221g for my H1b last year from employer A and it is still pending after document submission. Now my current employer B is filing L1A individual. During the documentation, employer B asked whether I have any previous US visa denials. Is the 221g, a visa refusal OR visa denial? Should I mention it as a denial to my current employer and new L1A petition.
Please help.
Thanks and Regards,
Nikhil
ideally it should be denial…experts can comment more
Oh okay. If so what should I mention as ‘reason for denial’, since consulate didn’t mention anything and just updated me that they need additional time before a final decision is made.
Not necessarily it is a rejection… but, take a look at this.
http://redbus2us.com/the-beast-called-221g-process-faqs/
Thank GM and Rota.
Request Saurabh/Kumar to comment/share thoughts.
It is not denial. It is like kid of RFE only. Through 221g, Visa officer need further documents to prove ur case is genuine or not. It is kind of a 2nd phase of your h1b visa application. So since you have pending 221g and until and unless your employer responds, your h1b is in pending state. You don’t need to mention for refusal or denial.
Nikhil,
You should response Yes in DS-160 form if 221g was issued. As for reasons, answer to the best of your knowledge. The consulate already knows the reason.
USCIS case tracking site is down since morning. I don’t this is scheduled down . Any idea?
My receipt no is EAC17146***** and waiting for approval since April 11. Anybody waiting in this series?.
sorry my receipt no is EAC16146***** and waiting for approval. Anybody waiting in this series?.
Same Series and still waiting…
Me too waiting
Any news about Value consulting or business pointers.
I applied through them and got picked in lottery but they are not ready to give me the receipt number.
When I asked them couple of times, they are not at all receiving my call and not even from any other numbers.
Are they blacklisted now or abscond or anybody know any news about them.
Ohh shit, you applied from Value consulting..
In 2013, i refered to them, its a cheated company. Be careful. I know how I handled them to get my money return. THey have office in Mumbai and all the business they run from Mumbai based office.
Be careful from them and handle with care while dealing with them
Hi Raj,
Currently none of their numbers are working. Could you please give me any of their number if you have?
I know that they are keeping fake names like Sean Taylor, Nathan. But unfortunately I had to apply with them and got picked in lottery (that’s what they say) but not giving the receipt number.
Do one thing, give me your email id and also let me know that with whom you are doing communication and at which email id you are doing mail trail with them. This is not the site to do that type of chit chat. Better, We will talk indvidually.
ugandarsmit@gmail.com is my mail id.
I was communicating with Sean Taylor and his mail id is sean.taylor@valconusa.com
RFE …. EAC1614852***
Hi All,
My query has been asked many times but none of the post has a definite ans.
I work for employer A and my work location will be client location B. Both employer and client are in the same city just a street apart.
I checked my LCA and it has work location as address of client B.
In Ds 160 what should I enter in field Intended Work location. I asked my employer A and he said enter address of A in US and not the client address.
This is very confusing for me as I am filling this form for the 1st time.
Can senior folks please guide me.
Hi,
I have an approved h1b petition valid till sep 2017 (fy 2017 cap)
My employer has a long term agreement with the client which would even go on till 2023.
But due to my personal reasons i would be able to travel only by next year end (nov-dec 2017).
With the apporaval dates of my h1b petition valid till sep 2017, what should i do so that i would be able to travel by next year end. Please advise. Thanks.
Cts,
The employer needs to apply for a cap-exempt petition to get an extended petition. Once you have received that (and corresponding visa stamp), you can enter even after Sep 2017.