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.
Uffff….. Finally Approved.
EAC1614653XXX
“Case was received” to “Case was Approved”
I haven’t received any e-mail but when I checked in USCIS site, it shows approved. Applied through consultancy.
All the best to others.
Can you please tell another number of yours receipt?
can somebody post new Delhi October month appointment dates availability? I can see next available appointment is 3rd October which is too early but I am looking something like October end.
can somebody post new delhi october month appointment dates aEy.
my employer informed 2 days ago that my case has been approved and they have received an approval email from the attorney. But the status on the USCIS site still remains same as ‘Case was received’….is that possible ?
It is very well possible. wait for couple more days. Your status will b updated on uscis site.
Btw, whats your series number?
EAC16141****….it’s Regular processing
Is it premium processing ?
I got RFE two days back. I am not aware of my application number
How can you know your status without your application number? Is it a Joke?
How you know you got RFE?
No sir, It is not a joke. I have been informed so by my employer and was asked for some documents.Hope this clarifies.
At this processing rate, will most of us gets update from USCIS by end of OCTOBER?…
Any input will be highly appreciated!.
Yes. They are dong very fast.
I got RFE, yesterday.
When RFE processing starts? Once completing first round, they will start processing RFE cases???
Still wating for my status to change..
EAC1614550***
Nik,
Still waiting…..Mine is EAC161445XXXX
I’m also still waiting for the status update
Since May18th i’m seeing the same status “Case Was Transferred”.
Receipt Number EAC1614250***
HEARD THAT ONLY PREMIUM CATEGORY CANDIDATES CASES ARE GETTING PROCESSED,
I CAN’T AFFORD GO PREMIUM $1225
ONLY WAITING AND BE PATIENT IS OPTION
WHAT YOU SAY?
Yes, uscis is greedy for our money. They wont process your application unless you go premium else they will send RFE. Money maniacs these bodies are.
Not Sure, But after waiting for 6 months, I got RFE yesterday.
ACB,
Whats ur series number?
EAC1614756xxx
Hmm.. we are not going there to do social service.
All are after money. so start being pragmatic.
I think all h1b candiates more than are rich enough to afford 1k+
Then uscis should stop the nautanki and ask for more money initially why seek money is unfair methods? Increase fees and process in time, what bs process is this.
Dude, they kept releasing everything before hand. most importantly everyone knows that premium processing and AD cases are processed first and general cases take more than 4 months.
by the way there are articles on the processing here on this site.
general and premium is everywhere.
I have been waiting for my status. so i can understand your feeling. at the same time its no ones fault. thats how things work in a real world.
We got used online services so cant stand by waiting.
there are people talking about more RFEs during weekend so its better if they do not work at weekends and take holidays.
Hi ,
I am currently working in USA on L1B visa with employer A. I applied for H1B Visa regular processing from another employer B, the case status is ‘case was received’ .
I want to remain with employer A on L1 B visa.
I was planning to wait for H1b approval so that I can travel out of US and come back of Oct-1st or after CoS effective date.
Now it is unlikely that I’ll get approval tomorrow.
Can you please direct me, on what dates should I plan to go out of country and come back to remain on L1B .
What if I got out of country for just 1 day (1st oct ) and come back on 2nd oct.. will my CoS will be denied on H1B and I can continue on L1 ?
probably you can step out US till you get an update on your H1 and enter US with L1b after your h1 approved. If you get RFE well and good 🙂
That’s why L1 -> H1 cos is dangerous.
incase of H1 transfer, if you dont join the new company there is no issue. If it is L1 -> H1 cos if you dont change there is status issue. That is not fair at all. employees should have liberty to stay on current job on L1b.
Check with attorney if your COS can be cancelled at this stage.
Thanks for the reply.
Yes, that should work but I have no idea how long it’s gonna take for H1B status to update, could be 1 day or 1 month. It’s not fair for employee there should option to remain on L1 similar to H1 Transfers.
I think it is okay to go out and re-enter as soon as you get an update on H1. when you re-enter your status will be adjusted to L1 again.
As per my experience and knowledge, You will automatically moved to H1B once your case has been approved, otherwise you need to withdraw your H1B to continue with L1B. This CoS process is automated, In my case i have filled my H1B application with an old/previous I-94 but when i got approval notice it is updated with my latest I-94. I am not understanding why you want to continue with L1B though it has limitations. If your L1B visa is expiring, please file an extension so you can continue stay in US for another 240 days/approval decision which is coming first. My case was my L1B Visa got expired on first week of August, so i have filled my L1B extension in Jul, Now i got my H1B approved and my latest I-94 updated with I-797 so CoS and i can continue stay in US.
Hai,
Thanks, my L1B is valid till end of 2017.
I need to go India in November for 3 weeks and my H1B employer doesn’t have client (project) for me to work on. While coming back I will be needing client letter etc. for stamping (if I get the appropriate stamping dates) which he can’t provide.
Even if he somehow finds the new client it will be very tough to get 3 weeks vacation in beginning.
I can go out of US now and come back on L1B, if this can causes CoS denial.
But what dates should I plan ?
Travel happily on L1 and come back. Don’t do anything (COS) until you comeback. Once you are back, apply COS.
Gaurav,
To invalidate COS, just leave US now and return after Oct 1. Your COS would be invalidated and you can remain and work on your existing L-1.
Thanks Saurabh.
My case is still in received status, will it be fine if I go out of US (Mexico ) on 3rd Oct (any day before approval) and return on 4th/5th Oct on L1B ?
This will make my new CoS invalid , no matter when it gets approved, am I understanding it right ?
What docs should I carry to prove/show my L1B status if H1 gets approved in between my travel dates ?
Gauarv,
Yes, you can leave now and return in couple of days on L-1B. COS would be abandoned in this case. You should carry L-1 employer’s verification letter, recent payslips and L-1 documents like I-129 and/or 797 to return to US.
Hi
I am planning for H1B stamping in India. Kolkata has less waiting time. Please let me know whether Kolkata consulate is good for stamping or not.
Thanks
Raja,
There is nothing like good or bad consulate.
Hello all, anyone apploed for premium recently any idea how much time its taking now?
even i am thinking the same but even if you apply its waste because if have to attend visa interview in india the only dates available are from feb mid anywhere in india so its better to wait until mid october and go to premium
usually premiym takes 15-20 days
Hi Saurabh,
I received RFE and my RFE detail is :
If the beneficiary is qualified to perform the duties and undertake the responsibilities of the position offered through a combination of education and experience, please submit an evaluation from an official who has the authority to grant college-level credit for training and/or experience in the specialty at an accredited college or university, which has a program for granting such credit based on an individual’s training and/or work experience.
With the evaluation, the official must include a letter from the dean or provost of the official’s affiliated educational institution, stating that the evaluating official has the authority to grant college-level credit for training and/or experience. The dean or provost must also state in the letter
whether the affiliated educational institution has a program for granting credit based on an individual’s training and/or work experience.
USCIS may determine that the equivalent of the degree required by the specialty occupation has been acquired through a combination of education, specialized training, and work experience in areas related to the specialty and that the alien has achieved.recognition of expertise in the specialty occupation as a result of such training and experience. For purposes of determining equivalency to a baccalaureate degree in the specialty, three years of specialized training and/or work experience must
be demonstrated for each year of college level training the alien lacks. For equivalence to an advanced (or Masters) degree, the alien must have a baccalaureate degree followed by at least five years of experience in the specialty. If required by a specialty, the alien must hold a Doctorate degree or its foreign equivalent. The following must be clearly demonstrated:
1) The beneficiary’s training and/or work experience included the theoretical and practical application of specialized knowledge required by the specialty;
2) The claimed experience was gained while working with peers, supervisors, and/or
subordinates who have a degree or equivalent in the specialty; and
3) The beneficiary has recognition of expertise in the specialty evidenced by at least one type of documentation such as:
A) Recognition of expertise in the specialty occupation by at least two recognized authorities in the same specialty occupation;
B) Membership in a recognized foreign or United States association or society in the
specialty occupation
C) Published material by or about the alien in professional publications, trade journals,
or major newspapers;
D) Licensure or registration to practice the specialty occupation in a foreign country; or
E) Achievements which a recognized authority has determined to be significant contributions to the field of the specialty occupation.
My employer is asking me to send the Experience letter mentioned with my skills and duties from previous employer. TCS(my previous employer) doesn’t provide Experience letter with skills, What can I do in this case? Also, Is it what really I am asked for? RFE detail clearly mentions something to “submit evaluation”. But, my employer has not mentioned any of this.
Please help me on how to respond on this RFE. Thanks!!
Didn’t you submit education evaluation certificate ? It’s a process which matches to our Indian study what we have done with same course running in USA and equivalent with our course. In USA, there are many firms who takes money and verifies all these details for us and providing a certificate with the legal signature and stamp which says the equivalency between Indian course and USA course.
Those firm needs transcripts which we can get from our own university.
Hope this may help !
Thanks for your response. I think I did not send any such document while h1b filing. I am hearing this for the first time. So, is that what to do now? If yes, how to do? What about the work experience thing my employer now is asking for?
H1B RFE. Help me,
USCIS wants to ascertain that you are qualified for the position. To be qualified:
1. You need to have equivalent of 4 years of US Bachelors degree. Typically when you have done education from outside US, it is better to include education evaluation document from one of the accrediting agencies. You submit your degrees, marksheets etc to them and they issue a letter stating what’s the US equivalent.
2. You need to have skills required for the offered position. This is demonstrated through experience letters, training certificates etc. If the old employer is not willing to issue such an experience letter, then may be include the general work exp letter from them and detailed letters from old manages and colleagues. They can issue it on personal stationary or employer stationary and include their own contact information.
Would you mind letting us know your education qualification?
@H1B RFE. Help me,
Would you mind letting us know your education qualification?
Hello,
I received a similar RFE lasy year and trust me, talk to trustforte corporation, they can handle it easily. They charged me 495USD but done good job. After seeing my RFE, trust forte told it’s little complicated since they ak the resume of the evaluator and a confirmation from dean that evaluator is qualified to evaluate.
along with this, get all the revised experience letters from your current and previous employers in india . Experience letters should be in detail, like mentioning about your skill sets, peer qualifications, what you learnt etc.
after submitting all these i recieved approval in 4 working days 🙂
@h1b aspire
Would you mind letting us know your education qualification and total work experience at the time you got the RFE?
@H1B RFE. Help me,
Please let us know your education qualification and total work experience.
Any one here from GSS infotech??
Got RFE yesterday.
Two cases Same degree almost same experience same employer but two different processing centers. Yesterday Vermont one gets approved California one gets rfe. What to make out of it two things its just time buying tactics or different officers interpret the same document differently. Sad after waiting for six months
Wow, I can see the better speed of process for Vermont Center yesterday.
It is 717 and it seems approval percentage is very high.
If the same speed continue, will be finished in next two weeks.
Hi,
Can you pls tell from where you get this 717 count !!
You can check in below link
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pMsGtKC6sGS2uj4JL3JX5IYytzU5jJO_qJ-UJKXiCr4/htmlview?pli=1#
Approval rate is high but it will take atleast November first/second week for most people to get approval/rfe notices.
Wipro_Finally_Approved…
Finally got approval email yesterday.. All d best to those who are awaiting… 🙂
Congratulations.. what’s your serial number??
Hi,
Has anyone received approval after RFE without upgrading to premium?
Thanks.
When did you got RFE . What was the reason?
Hello Admin,
I have received RFE query asking to provide additional details.
– Right to control letter from manager
What are the chances for approval for above query if we provide proper response.
Thanks,
Sam
You will get approval don’t worry….this is regular document USCIS ask for!
After long wait i got RFE today. Disappointed now. What might be the reason for RFE.
How much time does it take to clear RFE?
My Series is EAC161475XXXX
Can you please tell further 2 more number in series?
why there is no update for 29th Sep in H1B Cases Statistic doc..
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pMsGtKC6sGS2uj4JL3JX5IYytzU5jJO_qJ-UJKXiCr4/htmlview?pli=1#
Hope, it’s not because, they have handled huge amount of cases yesterday.
Just joking 🙂
EAC16149xxxxx
“Case transferred to other Service Center on May 20”. looks like a wait with loads of patient and positive hope!
You get this status change today?
Hi Saurabh,
Can you please clarify below Query?
If we know the case number is it possible to get receipt number ?
Case Number I-200-16067-596655 to H1B receipt number?
Kishore,
Did you raise a SR to get the receipt number, or did the employer received the SR to get the receipt number?
Kishore,
Ok, just saw your other post. This is the LCA number and not the USCIS receipt number. You cannot get the receipt number from this LCA number.
Hi All,
My status got changed from “Case was received” to RFE, today. Any folks whose petition got approved?
EAC16146****
Really worried about the risk involved in RFE.
nothing to worry. RFE means little more time for approval in most cases. ask your employer to respond without delay.
When did this case status change happen?….During india time?..around 6 PM?
Yes. In between 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM IST.
Hi, I also received RFE today.
What is the reason for RFE
My case is still “Case was received” 🙁
Hi Saurabh and Team,
As of today my status has been changed from Case was received to Name was updated, can you please advise what this status means…..
Thanks a lot for all your help.
This is one of the confusing status….this means ur case is being worked upon!.
Hi Jack,
Thanks for your reply.
What can i expect next? Thanks
Approved.
Hi Anvesh,
Thanks for your great reply. Hopefully it will be approved.
My case has been in “Name was updated” status for 4 months, so I’m not very sure that someone is really working on mine.
Hi Guilia,
Thanks for your reply. Let’s hope for the best.
Hi Jack,
Thanks for your response.
Hoping for the best with fingers crossed 🙂 thanks once again.
Hi, I found the below details in this site.
https://www.worktheme.com/tracker/#/welcome site.
It shows,
EAC:
Received -11269 Approved-39648 RFE-7022 Other-23170 Transferred-1821
Total – 82,000+
WAC:
Received-4653 Approved-38483 RFE-6636 Other-19312 Transferred-52
Total – 70,000+
Both centres approved is 78,000 +
can any body explain how this count is possible.? How many case will be approved for this year.
the data is not only of I-129 applications. they get other applications too.
And I hope that you know the H1B count is 65k (Non-Adv Degree) + 20k (AdvDegree) = 85k
I can see company wise how many H1B got approved in the following link:
http://stats.trackitt.com/home/search/type/basic/status/CERTIFIED/case_type/LCA/from_date/06-30-2016/to_date/09-29-2016/
But case number shows I-200-09314-289466 like this. How to co-relate to H1B file number ?
Numbers include all category applications, not just H1Bs.
EAC161445XXXX Series is the slowest series.
Anyone get approval / RFE recently?
i am in same series, this is the only series in this 2 weeks which got highest approvals,may be ur fate is in unlucky situation.every 2 days this is getting 10-12 approvals ,one day it even got 25 approvals.
Waiting patiently!
I feel Vermont center approval rate was lot better than Californian center for EAC numbers. Looks like more than 50% transferred cases result with RFE.
Hi
I am planning for stamping in India. Kolkata has less waiting time. Please let me know whether Kolkata consulate is good for stamping or not.
Thanks
Flying to USA tomorrow with new hopes in the life. Got approved in June. VISA interview was held a couple of weeks back. Interview was less than minute.
Congrats Bro.
Congrats..!! can you please share your interview experience ? In which consulate your interview was done ?
Thanks,
Ram
Congrats!!!!
Can you please share the list of documents carried and interview questions .
congrats. Please share list of question if you get some time from your packing:P
Have a nice journey.
Case was transferred to California today got rfe similar cases from my company which were being processed at Vermont got approved. I think rfe is just a delaying tactics aa California is still processing petitions from 15 dec 2015 where Vermont is at 11 april. Dunno y they transferred me from Vermont its long wait again
09/28/2016
Your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, was transferred to another USCIS office.
05/18/2016
We received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and we are working on your case. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you.
Anyone faced the same condition?
Your petition is transferred i was too transferred on 20th may
It got transferred again, first on 05/18/2016 and again on 09/28/2016.
yeah mine too..
transferred again with status as initial review.
My H1 was approved with COS from H4. I have H4 extension pending with USCIS. How to withdraw H4 extension application. What are the steps and documents?
Could you please share us when your H1B petition got approved..and your case receipt number few digits….
ABC,
Write a letter to USCIS asking to withdraw H-4 extension petition. Also include copy of your H-4 extension receipt. Send through certified mail.
I am with B1 Visa right now, and my H1B status is still ‘case is received’. If my H1b is approved on Oct 1, then can I start to work? Or I have to wait until the COS is approved… Thank you
Since i am aware If your H1B is approved, your COS is approved. If you are in USA already, you can legally start working from Oct 1. If you are outside of the USA, then you have to get your passport stamped with your approved H1B visa and then you can travel anytime.
Hope this may help !
Hi,
Currently im USA with L1B with company A and Company B applied to H1B COS and still it is in received stage.
If it is approved in somewhere in October/November, I have to give 2 week notice to Company A before leaving, If I continue 2 week with company A after H1 approval (in case H1 effective date is from a approval day), What are the issue may i will face in stamping time.
Or
Any one is in same situation and faced any issue
Thanks
From the date of approval, you are supposed to work for company B (that applied your H1B COS). You cant ask for 2 weeks time. You need to be on payroll of Company B from the start of H1B COS.
If you applied consular notice, you can join any time. But you need to get visa stamped.
I am also on same situation. I am planning to cancell COS by getting new I-94(visit any country and re-enter with L1B visa).
We need to apply for COS again when we want to move from L1 to H1
Thanks H1b Helper.
Prabh,
My case I do not want to go out of the country as my L1 is expiring in Nov end.
Just I want to move H1 once its approved, but i have to give 2 week notice and then leave. If i did same, I want to know what are the issue i will face in future immigration like Stamping time or extension time.
Its been 6 months my case is in “T/F, new office has jurisdiction” status. And legally all H1Bs can work from first of October 2016! What a pitiable processing procedure of USCIS. Indian Govt offices are way better than this. They at least stick to deadlines. USCIS is earning huge money from H1Bs, why dont they open enough processing centers and try to clear the cases ASAP.
Lottery, Processing, Approvals, Consulate Stamping, POE (what BS process is this)
SICK!!
Wow… no one in USCIS invited you to apply. USCIS never said that they will finish processing before Oct 1. If you feel sick, why cant you spend $1225 out of your pocket for premium processing. Lot of people did that. Negativity never helps.
My consultancy applied L1B to H1B COS and still it is in initial stage.
If it is approved in somewhere in October and If I am in India/3rd country, Can I come in on L1B visa and continue working on L1B?
Any problem at POE?
If you in the US, you can apply COS from L1 to H1 and continue to stay.
If you in India, and H1B approved, get it stamped and and fly. Don’t take chances.
You cannot get H1B stamped in any other country except India for the first time.
You cannot have both the visas L1 and H1. There could be an issues in POE.
Prabh,
Yes, leave US while H-1 petition is still pending. You can then return on L-1 and continue to stay on L-1. Your H-1 will be processed as consular processing and not COS.
Hi Sourabh,
Am planning to send my mother-in-law (who doesn’t know English) on B2 Visitor visa as support to my wife (Who is on H1-B valid till Sept 2018) during pregnency. Due to my job engagement am currently resident of Abudhabi. What are the possible questions she might face during visa stamping time in India and also at the port of entry?
(I heard that we should not say the daughter pregnency time period support for house hold work as it is making less employment to the labours in USA.)
You don’t have to talk about pregnancy anywhere. Just say visiting daughter-in-law. Simple.
Just mention that your mother-in-law is coming to visit her daughter(your wife). Also she would like to visit near by places of USA where your wife lives.
HI,
Someone help me with this situation. i am on my OPT and have applied for H1B from my employer ,when i was working with a Client A . H1b is approved and its effective from OCT 1. About three months back i have changed the client to a different location with the same employer. Do i have to make amendment only after OCT 1st ? or i should have done it before only. Please let me know. what are my options now?
If you changed client in different location, you might need to apply new LCA and an amendment. Without that, for new location, your work is literally illegal and you are risking yourself with deportation chances (if found).
can we go for amendment, even before the H1B is still not in effect ?
SREE,
Your employer can file new LCA and amendment now as the petition is already approved. As long as the amendment is pending, you can start working at the new location.
Need help from Sourabh/Folks on this forum-
My petition was selected in the lottery and approved. Due to personal reason, I am not ready to travel US for next 1 1/2 year. But employer was saying that he will revoke the petition in that case. Is it possible that employer can revoke h1b approved petition? Will he get any refund of visa fee in that case? BTW, stamping is not yet done
Please clarify,
he wont get any money eventhough if he does he wont pay you.
employer has all rights to revoke the h1 visa, even if you are in US.
Why revoke?. get it stamped after 1.5yrs and then travel. It will be still valid. Try to explain your employer. Once approved no fees return I guess.
H1bHYD,
Like others said, no money is refunded. See if you can get at least the approval notice. This would help in getting a cap-exempt petition through another employer in future.
Hi all, my case approved today. Eac161465**** series
Hi
Congrats.. When did u get the message
Around 6 PM IST
Me and all my friends moved to premium today, since our cases were transferred we decided its going to another month and may be more in case get an RFE.
Hi Suresh
you applied through MNC or consultancy ..
Dude you know that there are people who work for neither of them right ?
Legit companies applies for their employees too.
Well I don’t blame you because you haven’t been out of your well yet and seen the rest of the world.
Dude .. not sure whats your problem when the question is not to you.. anyways I am working for a product company since 6 yrs ..stood top of my class in one of the best institutions and have seen fair share of the world out of my well..my intention in the question was did this ‘legit’ company applied premium processing for more than one employee at once ?? . which is not so often scenario..
MNC. its friends (not colleagues ) from different companies and different cities.
not exactly yesterday, a few days apart.
Can I book the interview in a location other than the one mentioned in the application. Currently residing in Dubai but was in chennai while initially applying. Please suggest.
yes you can,ask your employer, and also they will ask you reason for other consulate interview it should be legit
Sanjana,
You would be aTCN (third country national) when applying in Dubai. If you are in UAE for long term then it may still work out. Better would be contact US embassy there and ask them about it.
At processing rate, majority of people should get update on their application by OCTOBER END for sure.
Hope so .. will they process at the same rate after Oct 1st ..any ideas ?
I don’t think processing rate changes. It would be the same.
Fingers crossed!
hmm .. patience is the key now
US elections results might effect the processing speed and the results of the remaining pending cases also. 🙁
Thanks Redbus2us team and all the admins here… Have been a silent spectator since April here. This site helped a lot on all the queries.
Received approval on 15th august and Just now booked interview slot at Mumbai consulate for 1st November.
Hope all goes better at interview. Will update next time after the interview
When you said just now booked means when did you book? And how did you find November Date? I am struggling since last 10-15 days to find a date in December.
@ABC,
keep checking the slots in all indian consulates daily morning, definitely u will find a slot in November or some time in October also.
Hi shank,
Can you please tell me where to check this and let me if can see these dates only after paying visa fee?
Nag
Cheers ! Good Luck !
Hey Congrats on your approval, how did you manage to book the appointment on Nov 1 as the site shows 130 days wait time?
Thanks
Go on the portal where you book the appointment not the website which shows days. Right now 5th October date is available 😛
Good News. EAC processed 522 applications y’day. hope to see status change(And it should be approved)
God Bless
ya.. zero transferred cases 🙁
Is there any way, How many of them got approved and RFE (I mean yesterday’s count)?
Which all series?…across all!
From where did you get this information?
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pMsGtKC6sGS2uj4JL3JX5IYytzU5jJO_qJ-UJKXiCr4/edit#gid=237954566
How to understand this sheet.? 🙁
for example we have the number EAC1614652000:
ticket number is devided into these parts
EAC/WAC : vermont / cali stations
16 : year
146: day
2000 : number
1) there are 2 sheets in there WAC and EAC look at the left bottom corner
2) lets take an example your ticket is EAC16146525000 then you look at EAC tab -> the day column is the 146 from our ticket number and you see the change in there.
Hi “Wipro_H1”, I am also working with wipro and waiting for H1B approval. Are you sure that wipro application belongs to EAC?
Its less compared to yesterday. 🙁
H1B_IBM,
Anyone from IBM upgraded to Premium after submitting the RFE response??
Did anyone applied h1b from sprucetech consultancy and got approval ?
http://www.myvisajobs.com/Visa-Sponsor/Spruce-Technology/784631_Review.htm
Every time i talk about consultancies, people here shut my mouth so i stopped completely.
Paying for H1 is itself risky. So if money is gone don’t cry. You took this risk knowingly.
Need help from Sourabh/Folks on this forum!
I have received RFE for Employer-Employee relationship and availability of specialty occupation. We are filing below set of documents in response. Any feedback from Sourabh/Folks on this forum will be helpful in building case.
Documents planned to file for RFE:-
1) Employment letter
2) Job duties
3) Organization chart explaining role and other employees involved
4) Client letter – attested by client on my roles & responsibilities
Unfortunately my organization is not willing to share SOW/MSA due to confidentiality. Hence in Employment letter, it is clearly stated that “SOW/Work order/MSA cannot be shared due to confidentially” and attested by Director of organization. Will this be a problem? Also please suggest/advise if any additional document need to be filed in response to RFE
Missed to add: These documents are suggested by Attorney
H1bslaughteragain,
I think it looks fine. However, a lot depends upon the actual letter which your attorney sends to USCIS and the officer’s review of these documents.
Thanks for the reply Saurabh! I ageee, have to wait and see
Hi Saurabh,
It has passed two months since USCIS received RFE response but no status update after that. Should I ask our immigration team to contact USCIS or wait for some time?
Thanks
Missed to add: These documents are suggested by Attorney
H1brfe,
There is no SLA and the delay is still normal. Even if the attorney follows-up, there is a good chance that he would get no meaningful feedback from USCIS.
Hi
I had L1B, both visa and I94 expired by 20 July.
I applied L1B Extension on 20 May and Got RFE, responded back by 20 August and waiting for L1B Extension result.
I have applied new H1b (With COS same employer). H1 also got RFE, asking for “Specifically, the RFE is requesting additional evidence to establish that the Beneficiary has been, and will continue to be in valid nonimmigrant status up until the requested start date of employment”.
1) Do we need to wait for L1B Extension approval to respond H1B RFE? Do we need any additional document required for H1B RFE?
2) I need to travel to back in India around November. Plan to ask employer to convert one of the Visa to premium. Which one will be better option L1 Ext or H1B?
3) Usually how long it will take to get the result for L1 RFE and H1 RFE (regular mode)?
Please advice
Thanks
Jana
You should have done L1B extension in premium.
Hope you know that you are in a tricky situation. If L1B is denied, your stay will become illegal and could end up in H1B denial.
Check with an experienced immigration lawyer. Respond to H1B RFE before L1B result might not be recommended.
Best of luck.
Also all extensions are taking more than 9 months. I did my L1B in premium with no RFE.
Best option would be to convert L1B extension to premium and respond to H1B RFE based on its outcome.
Thanks to this great forum, and I want to encourage the folks still waiting not to lose hope. If everything is in place, things will work out very good for you.
Finally we got the approval, some bullets below:
a) Non-AD\RP\VT – EAC16149****** and we had been waiting for almost 5 months.
b) Petition upgraded to Premium processing on Monday and We got the approval today (Tuesday) within a day and was fast.
Case details:
The case was a watertight case and I would have been surprised if there was an RFE, as from experience the following are things I think merited my case:
a) MTech in Software Systems from one of the top 3 Tech Schools in India, with very high GPA of 9.54\10. >> Education Related RFE stopped right here, as job field and education are same.
b) >11 years of core experience with the largest database company in the world, back in India.
c) Pay significantly higher than the median for the occupation specified in the Occupational Outlook HandBook, and specified in the petition.
d) Full Time Employee of the company in US >> “Employer Employee Relation” RFE stopped right here
e) Company is not H1B dependent as well. >> Employer related RFEs scotched right here.
Congratulations.. Good luck for stamping & PoE.
R u frm BITS Pilani :’)
My H1B got approved and i am planning for visa interview. Since i am already in USA, i have got I 797C and I 797A upon visa approval. Do i need to care about I 129 ? If so, how i can get it ?
Thanks in advance.
I 129 ( that is your petition) is with your employer, you need to carry it for stamping
ABC,
It is not a mandatory document but a good to have during stamping. See if the employe will be willing to share it w/ you.
1004 applications approved till time today. Check if your application is in the list:
http://stats.trackitt.com/home/lca/
H1BVizag,
I have checked as given the above link by using my LCA and its Certified by 3 years. Can you please let me know why my case is still showing case was received from last 6 months. More over I have applied very big MNC and the approval rate is highest than other MNC which is mentioned in the link.
http://stats.trackitt.com/
Thanks
This is not my link. I found that while searching for status. Pls directly mail to trackit on this. Thanks and all the best.
The case number mentioned there is like I-200-16022-05xxxx. My case is EAC161495xxxx. How do I search?
This approval is for H1B LCA not for H1B pettition.
Does this list gives you approved cases list?
FYI — These stats are only for PERM or LABOR….
LABOR is what your employer already completed before starting your H1 or GC process.. and PERM is the first stage for GC. Unless LABOR is approved, the next stage (H1 or GC) cannot be started.
Do not expect to cross verify your H1B status with these stats.