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H1B Visa 2017 – News, Quota, Cap, Predictions, Lottery, FAQs

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]

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 

H1B Visa 2017 Premium Processing Time :

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.

Photo of author
Satheesh Kumar Ilu, commonly known as Kumar, is the founder of RedBus2US.com. He is an Immigration and Study Abroad expert. He holds an MS from the University of Houston–Clear Lake and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He studied, lived, and worked in the U.S. and Singapore for nearly two decades, and has traveled to over 25 countries.

   

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23,619 Comments

  1. Hi Saurabh,

    I got my Visa stamping approved yesterday along with my dependents,
    I have got mail saying my passport is ready for pick and also for my son.
    But when i track my Wife’s passport it still says “Your passport is still with the US Embassy/Consulate”

    What could be the reason for the delay ?

    Thanks

    Reply
      • @ XYZ_Hope!

        Chennai Embassy and my passport got ready for pickup on the same day in the evening for my kid as well, but for my wife it still says “passport is still with the Embassy”

        Reply
  2. Hi ,

    My H1B got approved .I will go for stamping next week.

    My husband and my kid will travel in H4.

    In VISA stamping interview ..

    1.What are the possible questions for H4 husband ..what do we need to answer…

    2.based on our answers in H4 questions….Is there any chance H4 validity will be given less than H1B stamping period

    3.Is it advisable to go together for stamping or seperately…as mine is inhouse project

    If anybody has experience on above ..please share the details….will be helpful for our interview…

    Reply
    • Hi H1B First timer,
      I went with myhusband and kid. I was for h1 and my husband and kid for h4. The VO just asked questions related to my h1(My company, client, salary and designation) and only one question to my husband about our marriage date. Nothing else. But be prepared for all questions.

      Mostly they will give the same stamping perod for both H1 and H4. I suggest you to go together to complete everything in two days. They give priority if anybody has kids with them.

      Reply
  3. I m on H1b and working as Database Administrator role .My approved petition has DBA role. Now i have to move to different project as computer systems analyst role. Can i change the role in new H1b Amendment ? Do i need to file new LCA with new role or Database Administrator itself?

    Thanks in advance .

    Reply
  4. Hi Sourabh,

    I have a stammering problem , should i mention before the interview with officer that i have this problem or else no ?
    please help me on this!!!

    Reply
    • I think, if you find difficulties while conversing with the Visa officer, you can tell him right then and there to excuse you as you have this problem.

      Hope this helps. Otherwise the visa interview is just a easy going process as long as you have everything in order. Just smile and take it on!

      Reply
  5. Hi All,My visa got approved today after long wait.

    What are the chances of h1b approval/rejection at the interview.Thanks in advance

    Reply
  6. After a long wait I received RFE today in EAC16143XXXXX series…..Waiting for the reasons……..

    Good luck everyone…

    Reply
  7. Help needed, As I am still waiting for Approval notice, However trying to keep online forn ready, on filling VISA Application form online at https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/updatedata
    There is a section regarding Petitioner.(all are mandatory fields)

    Petitioner’s name:
    Start Date:
    Receipt Number:
    Expiration Date:

    Could you help what needs to filled here?

    Reply
  8. Hi Saurabh,

    I have filed H1b from sponsored and got selected in lottery, But current status is RFE.
    In the mean time my employer processed L1A premium for me, Request you to address below questions,

    1) My H1b RFE have any impact on L1A or both will consider as completely differently
    2) How much time it will take to respond for L1A premium, As its been more than 15 days submitted documents- I didn’t received receipt number
    3) I hope I can choose any petition after approval

    Reply
  9. Hi, My case status got Approved yesterday. Series WAC16147***. RFE received on Jul 18th. RFE Response sent on Sept 1st. Case Approved on 24th Oct. RP. Thanks All for your support and valuable suggestions. All the best to the remaining few.

    Reply
    • Hi SAI,
      I am in same series WAC1614751*… Got RFE on July and sent RFE response on Aug 10th. Still waiting for response… 75 days over….. what is your next two digits in your series..

      Reply
  10. Thanks Saurabha and Team,
    After long wait my case got approved. (Case# EAC16148….)

    All the best my dear Friends who are still waiting for the status. !!! 🙂

    Reply
  11. Which is a good country to migrate ? US or Canada..
    How much is the chance for getting green card in US?

    Btw, i am still in the RFE for client letter 🙂

    Reply
  12. Looking at the recent comments it appears that the Case from Vermont center is getting processed faster. Saw lot of EAC series getting direct approvals / approvals post RFE. Has anyone for California Center received Approval post RFE response submission. Can this delay be attributed to upcoming US elections?

    Reply
  13. My Passport will expire on 20-09-2019. While stamping will I get a 3 years validity or I will be getting less than that, as my passport expiry is less than 3 years from today.

    Reply
    • Hey,
      Please dont get scare, you will get visa for 3 years, when you move to new passport at that time of expiration, your visa stamp will be maintained in Old passport. And you must carry both the passport while travel.

      Reply
  14. Thanks Saurabh and everyone.
    Today ours h1b and h4 visa approved at New Delhi Embassy.

    Questions to H1 :
    Which company, designation, US salary, have you been to US before, Which state and client.

    Questions to H4 :
    Are your working, where do you work, whats your designation and what will you do in US?

    Thanks,

    Reply
    • Hi ..can you please clarify on H4 questions and detailed answers ..because ..I am also in same boat…

      I am applying H4 for my husband …But worried on the questions like

      1.Are you working ..or resigned your current job
      2.You cant work in US in H4 and what you will do in US…

      Reply
      • Hi, they didnot ask even a single document.

        On being asked
        1) Are you working: yes i am working.
        2) what you do in US : my husband simply said i will not leave my job here, will join her there for sometime and support her. After that i will be back to India to resume my job with my organisation, in return the VO said that makes sense.?

        Reply
  15. Hi,
    My H1B petition was processed from Company “A” and was approved in 2013.It expired in Dec ‘2015. I do not have a VISA stamped for this petition and therefore, I have never traveled to the U.S. I left Company “A” in Jul ‘2014 and joined new company “B”.
    Now the current status of my H1B petition is ‘Revoked’. Below are the details mentioned for my receipt number.
    ” On September 16, 2014, we revoked the approval of your case, Receipt Number xxxxxx, and mailed you a revocation notice. It explains the reasons for our action. Please follow the instructions in the notice and submit any requested materials. If you do not receive your revocation notice by September 30, 2014, please go to www.uscis.gov/e-request to request a copy of the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.”

    Can my H1B go through cap-exempt? then is it possible to get the sponsorers

    Reply
  16. Got RFE on 6th Oct and my employer is preparing to reply for that. Meanwhile I got the below two updates within a few mins from USCIS.

    “On October 20 2016, post office has returned your document to us. We will hold the document for 180 days. Please go to our website and request to resend the document before April 19 2017. If not we will destroy your document and you need file a new i129 form with fees”

    Just in a 15mins gap again the case status was changed to
    “We mailed your document for your form i129 non immigrant worker. If you do not receive it by November 20 2016, please go to website and request to resend the document.”

    Kumar and shaurab could you please clarify me on tis.

    Reply
  17. Case: WAC161475****
    Case Approved after RFE , processed in PP
    Case Received : April 11
    RFE: SEP 19
    RFE RESPONSE with PP Submitted : OCT 14th
    RFE Reason : MSA
    Case Approved finally
    All the best everyone!

    Reply
  18. After a long and excruciating wait, the case finally went from Received to Approved on 20th October. My company is a small but genuine startup. Regular processing, Vermont centre. Series was EAC1614354***. All the very best to everyone over here. Don’t lose hope. The process is slow but it’s definitely moving.

    Reply
  19. Case approved Finally..EAC1614850*** non ad /rp/direct approval on 24th oct..After a long wait of more than anxious 6 months..Thanks to all in here and specially Saurabh for encouraging folks like us not to be impatient..

    Reply
  20. I applied H1 when i was in India…
    But due to some family urgency last month i travel to USA.Today , my case approved, do i need to travel back to India and get the stamping done ? or Can i apply for COS without traveling to India.

    Reply
  21. Infy guys, anyone received approval notice from GICS? or anyone got their interview scheduled? Mine approved on Oct 10th (checked in USCIS site) not any update from GICS so far

    Reply
  22. hi saurav,
    actuall I got rfe for 1-SOW. which is renewing in every 3 months.this october it is expiring.now from october 1st week my status is showing “we received your response to our Request for Evidence for your Form I-129”.so in this case MSA will help ya again new SOW ‘ll apply.please help.

    Reply
    • From what you have mentioned, you seem to have already responded to the RFE…. so what are you worried about now? I am assuming you replied to the RFE with a SOW which had not expired.
      When you reply to an RFE, with a short term SOW, its advisable to include the MSA and/or client letter which states the association they have with you/your vendor regarding the continuous renewal of you short term contract.

      Reply
      • Vishal,
        thax for ur suggestion & remarks.on the same way we’ve also submitted the MSA and/or client letter .let us watch……

        Reply
  23. Hi, Can the lca location be changed during rfe. I have to work for a new client as the previous client doesnot have the position open anymore. Will it cause a problem during visa approval considering my employer is willing to file the rfe under premium processing

    Reply
    • Your employer will need to file an amendment on the LCA, to change the location. Also, please make sure to respond the the RFE with all other docs they ve asked for, alongwith the new LCA. You could also provide the reason for changing the LCA location/Client.

      Reply
      • LCA-RFE,

        Changing LCA is not recommended while the petition is still pending. New LCA implies new I-129 which cannot be done until the petition has been approved first.

        Reply
        • Hi Saurabh
          Thanks for your reply, in my case the initial client doesn’t have an open position anymore. Do you see a problem if we have file for an lca for a new client in different location. They are ready to provide the relevant documents for approval.

          Reply
  24. Hi All,

    My case got rfe on August 12th . The employer said last date for response is Nov 6 . Still the employer has not responded still 2 weeks left . My doubt is whether response should be on or before the date mentioned by uscics , means mail can be sent on Nov 6 also ?

    Thanks

    Reply
  25. Hi Saurabh/All,

    My Case is still in ‘Case Received’ status and have been waiting for long time for approval and stamping and now i decided to return US as I have already H4 visa and traveled to US 4 months back (now in India)
    So My questions are:

    1. As I am planning to travel now with my H4 visa, will I have any problem at immigration when my H1 case is either in Received /Approved / RFE?
    2. Incase if travel when Case in approved or RFE status,what kind of questions will I have to face at port of entry regarding my H1 and will officer get to know on my H1 info?
    3. Can i apply COS after going to US ?

    Any help will be appreciated!

    Reply
    • Ash,

      1. No impact
      2. I don’t think they would ask about pending H-1. They would be concerned about the H-4 and spouse’s H-1
      3. Yes, you can apply for COS after H-1 has been approved.

      Reply
      • Thanks Saurabh. This info is very going to help me alot!

        But incase, if they ask about my currrent H1 (which might be in received/approved/RFE at that point),What would be the best way to answer those question? Can you pls let me know.

        Reply
  26. Anyone from Diaspark got update? It’s past October and last time, I didn’t see anyone here getting any kind of update from them.

    Reply
  27. Hi All,

    I got RFE by July end and I submitted the requested docs by August 9th. Then after waiting for 2.5 months my H1B visa status cahned to Approved status.

    Reply
      • Thank you. I am already on the payroll of U.S based employer in the regional office outside U.S.A my H1B is approved. In application form (DS- 160), the present employer and the employer i am going for is same except the country adresses. PLease help what questions may asked and what docs i should carry.

        Reply
  28. Hi Guys,

    Our company has filed Motion To Reconsideration on beginning of September but still we didn’t get any response from USCIS.

    How long will it take for USCIS to response in average ? (worst case is 6 months correct me if I am wrong).

    If the USCIS response is favour of me then will they approve it immediately or do I need to wait for it once again?

    Kindly someone share their knowledge.

    Reply
    • StillHaveHope,

      Why do you think the worst case is 6 months? I remember seeing cases that were delated more than 6 months. One of the recent cases was processed in 4 months.

      Reply
  29. My case status is as below:

    On September 2, 2016, we received your response to our Request for Evidence for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.

    I requested my employer to convert to PP, and they have send the docs on 17-Oct. If USCIS had got my PP check, would there be a status change happening indicating the conversion? Is there any way to know whether my check has reached USCIS and they started PP?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • GV,

      There should be a change but at times it is not updated immediately. Ask the employer to follow-up w/ USCIS if the status doesn’t change.

      Reply
  30. Hi Saurabh,

    I got selected in H1B 2017. I received RFE on Oct 6. My status changed from “Request for additional evidence mailed” to “Document Was Mailed ” on Oct 21.

    Is this status something to be worried about. What does this status means.

    Reply
  31. Hi Saurabh,

    I got selected in H1B 2017. I received RFE on Oct 6. My status changed from “Request for additional evidence mailed” to “Document Was Wailed” on Oct 21.

    Is this status something to be worried about. What does this status means.

    Reply
  32. Hi all! I am already on the payroll of U.S based employer in the regional office outside U.S.A my H1B is approved. In application form (DS- 160), the present employer and the employer i am going for is same except the country adresses. PLease help what questions may asked and what docs i should carry. Sunita

    Reply
  33. hello all!!!
    are you caught up in the middle of your visa process and the embassy keeps turning
    you down and rejecting your proposal? then
    contact this good immigration officer via visaclick900@gmail.com.

    i hope he helps you the way he did mine, greetings!!!

    Reply
  34. Hi Saurabh/Experts

    Need some clarification on below case

    My H1B got Approved on 20 Oct 2016 with Employer A.But due to some family issues cannot travel to US atleast for 2 to 3 years and m looking to change the employer to B.Now want to clarify.I am planning not to get it stamped.?

    1)As i will leave employer A, can they revoke by approved petition?
    2)If yes then what is the impact on my h1 status,can i use the same petition for filing cap exempt for next 6 years with other employers?
    3)If yes do i need to collect any docs or info from current employer (Reciept number i have)

    Thanks

    Reply
    • If you are out of US, you don’t have any ‘status’. What you have is an approved H1B petition by employer A. You will need a H1B visa to travel and work for that employer. You cannot work for any other employer with that.

      If you change to new employer B, they need to file another cap exempt H1B petition aka transfer. As you already got an approved H1B petition, you are cap exempt for next 6 years, meaning, no need for lottery.

      If you quit employer A, obviously he will report USCIS that and revoke the petition.

      Reply
    • Hi H1approved,

      You can do H1 transfer( Cap Exempt) if you have a soft copy of i797 approval notice(please note it is not that initial receipt, all you need the approval notice). many companies will not provide i797 approval notice until you go for stamping.

      So my suggestion is get it stamped even if you don’t want to travel also. You never know when your plans go upside down. So if you have any chance for go for stamping, get it done.

      Reply
      • employers can revoke your petition, but it doesn’t matter. If you have already approved i797 notice, you can file h1 cap exempt within 6 years. But get it stamped.
        Many consultancies look for stamped h1b visa when they do H1 -Capexempt.

        Reply
  35. Finally Approved!
    Case number WAC1614351xxx RP
    11 of April – case was received
    3rd of September – got RFE (Speciality occupation)
    14th of October – answer on RFE have been reviewed
    21st of October – case was approved
    Good luck everyone who is still waiting! 🙂

    Reply
  36. Saurabh,
    I got a RFE yesterday.

    How much time USCIS takes once RFE documents are submitted ??.

    I know there is no fix time to get a response from USCIS, but from your past experience you may suggest.

    Reply
  37. After 6 months of long wait received RFE. Submitted the required documents on 18th October, but attorney yet to submit the document to USCIS.

    Company : TCS
    Case # : EAC1614350***

    RFE Documents :

    1. End Client Letter
    2. BRM Letter
    3. SOW
    4. Current Pay structure
    5. Org chart

    Can anyone tell me the wait time for this entire process now? And what are the chances of approval for this kind of RFE?

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  38. Still untouched cases are lot ie Case was received status . What is the last date for USCIS to atleast give first update of these pending cases . shall we consider Worst case if it will be at march 31 2017 ? or beyond that also ?

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  39. TCS – H1-B. After 6 months of wait, finally got H1-B approved. My Series is EAC-16-143-****.Thanks everybody on the forum and Good lk to evrybody…

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