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H1B Visa 2017 News Updates, Fees , Lottery Predictions, LCA - Processing Times, FAQs.

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

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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. Looks like today was the day for AD/RP.

    As per my sources, will have NON-AD /REGULAR flooding in from next Monday – May 1st

    Reply

    • Honestly no hope for PP. My lawyer told me that they have completed PP. It has to be a miracle if anyone gets Receipt for PP from now on. Move on to your plan B

      Reply

    • Congrats! Mine is AD/RP/ VT.
      When was your check cashed? Mine was cashed last Wednesday. I am still waiting for receipt.

      Reply

      • Hello H1B Lottery,

        I am in a similar situation as you are. My petition is AD/RP/VT. The filing checks were en-cashed on Thursday, 21 April and the receipt number printed at the back of the checks was EAC16142538XX. I guess the receipt was generated on Wednesday, 20 April.

        I am assuming that my application was picked up in the lottery but haven’t received any receipt notice yet. Just wanted to know if you have received the receipt notice?

        Reply

  8. AD/RP/Vermont Selected

    *Only 1 fair application from the US Pharmaceutical employer
    *Got receipt notice today

    Good luck everyone !!

    Reply

  10. How soon can I transfer H1b?

    Applied from company A and B. Got receipt number from B (AD/RP/CA), no updated from A.

    If A didn’t get picked in the lottery can I transfer from B to -> A before Sep1?
    (As A is my primary company – I’m already working here on OPT and B is a consulting firm). Thanks

    Reply

    • This will be a question for your attorneys. But afaik, No. You need to wait until your approval and then file an LCA transfer. Im in the same boat.

      Reply

    • No, it will get rejected without payslips and proof of work at B. You can search it online for similar cases which got rejected

      Reply

      • Thank you for the reply..
        @3rdTimer I guess I’ll transfer after Oct, 2016.
        @Rav why it will get rejected? ppl filing from 2-3 or more different companies (its legal) and obviously they not currently working in all those companies. (ie. don’t have pay stub from every company they applying).

        Reply

  11. Hello Folks,
    Got my receipt number today from my employer. AD/RP/CA. This was my third and final attempt. I know what this means to everyone who has tried to make the best of their opportunities here. Words cannot explain the happiness I felt upon seeing the email. I sincerely hope every candidate who has applied genuinely gets through the lottery process.

    PS: No SEVIS update does not mean the end. I checked with my DSO and they said there is no change on my SEVIS. 25 minutes later, I get a receipt number!!!

    Reply

    • People can apply for multiple H1 but at one time you can have only 1 active H1 petition. This is true, for H1 transfer you need pay stubs.

      Reply

  13. Hey,

    I have a question if anyone can answer it I would appreciate it.

    I am still waiting in the lottery AD/PP/VT. My school just told me that the last update on my SEVIS was done on April 2,2016. What does this mean ?

    Thanks,

    Reply

    • RC

      Did you asked them what was the change ?

      If your application picks-up , the status will be changed to “cap-Gap ” or ” H1b pending ”

      I don’t think so , its related to ” H1B change ” as the lottery was made only on Apr 9th .

      Reply

  14. Hi Saurabh/kumar /anyfriend

    I had my h1b applied and approved in 2008
    but i never used it
    can i use under cap exempt now

    i have got new sponser

    Thanks

    Reply

    • Amit,

      Usually it should be done within 6 years, but some recent experiences have been shared where this has been done way beyond 6 year limit. So worth a try if employer is willing to invest the money.

      Reply

      • Hi Amit and Saurabh

        I am live example of getting approved of an age old petition of 2001-2003 recently under cap exempt. It was an approved petition along with VISA stamping but never travelled to US!

        I got approval recently on April 5 , so Yes there is nothing which states that approved petition older than 6 years is not considered.

        Reply

        • Uday,

          Actually the official document says that the petition needs to have been approved in past 6 years. You can read it here. Refer to the text Any alien who has already been counted within the 6 years prior to the
          approval of a petition described in subsection (c), toward the numerical
          limitations of paragraph (1)(A)shall not again be counted toward those
          limitations unless the alien would be eligible for a full 6 years of authorized
          admission at the time the petition is filed. Where multiple petitions are
          approved for 1 alien, that alien shall be counted only once.

          USCIS may have approved in your case, good for you but that’s not what has been said on USCIS site. So stop claiming that I am liar, that I am posting false information or that nowhere the official timeline is mentioned as 6 years.

          Reply

          • Wow CTFD!,

            Ohh I am calm and have ignored several of his past comments where he accused me for posting false information. It is my first and last comment to him on this topic.

    • You have time till May 11th. Do not loose your hope.
      For lottery RP and PP are same, after 13th PP Processing will begin.

      Reply

      • Hi Kumar,

        My employer said that “The USCIS will postpone the start of H1B Cap processing (premium included) until “no later than” Monday May 16, (05/16/16), while it performs initial intake.

        May I ask if you have any idea regarding this matter? Thank you!

        Reply

        • H1B Second Timer,

          Nothing has been postponed. The official start date for PP processing is May 12th, but they would continue to issue receipts and possible adjudicate PP petitions until that date. This date is published just to establish PP SLA timelines.

          Reply

    • Me too in the same boat.attorney webpage say PP receipts are largely completed and there may be very little chance. It is not easy to accept and not easy to forget about waiting for receipt. Last date is 11th May.

      Reply

  18. Opponents of the H1b claim that H1b should be banned as that creates a channel to bring in cheap labor to replace American workers. Proponents claim that H1b quota should be increased instead as the guest workers create more job opportunity for Americans, and employers certainly prefer Americans with the same skill set over guest workers because of various reasons. I believe both are correct in their own rights; the ambiguity here stems from the fact that they are talking about two different groups availing the H1b.

    Broadly, guest workers availing the H1b can be classified into the following groups (not including the cap exempt ones):

    1. Scientists and researchers at for-profit organizations (e.g., industrial research centers).

    2. Engineers/ technologists with an advanced degree from USA (M.S. / PhD.) and working for reputed MNCs (e.g., Google, Microsoft, Intel, Pfizer etc.) with very high salaries, some at legitimate startups.

    3. MBAs from reputed schools working for reputed MNCs with very high salaries (e.g., Wall Street guys).

    4. Advanced degree from lower grade US universities working for questionable consultancies.

    5. Undergrad from reputed US universities working for reputed MNCs with high salaries.

    6. Undergrad from lower grade US universities working for questionable consultancies.

    7. People who do not have advanced degree and come through “reputed” IT firms (e.g., infy, Wipro etc.)

    8. People who do not have advanced degree but have an outstanding UG record (e.g., Topper of IIT coming for Google)

    9. People who do not have an advanced degree and come through questionable consultancies.

    Now we may group the aforementioned classes as follows:

    A. Create more jobs, NOT cheap labor, does NOT replace American worker: 1, 2,3,5,8.

    B. Certainly cheap labor does NOT create jobs, displaces American workers: 4, 6, 9.

    C. Does NOT create jobs, possibly cheap labor (at least a lion’s share of them if not all), possibly displaces American workers: 7.

    Clearly group A achieves what was originally intended for H1bs, but unfortunately, they do not constitute more than 10% of the H1bs. Many of them have to return after the expiration of OPT due to this unfair game of chance when they could have actually championed the cause of H1b. I believe USCIS need to take a closer look at group B and C to allow for more people from Group A (and possibly ban group B completely). What needs to be done with group C is an open question, but clearly Group A needs to have higher priority over Group C. This can possibly be achieved by a point system instead of a lottery, where the point is assigned for each category such as degree, experience, contribution and the like. Only then this unfair game of chance could be stopped and the letter and spirit of H1b will be upheld.

    Reply

    • @SM

      Good points. I graduated from a good US university last year, got a high paying job in good mnc and have filed my H1B petition in PP/VT this year but sitting here disappointed in my office.

      I completely agree that the H1B system is broke but I am not sure how much we can blame graduate/under-graduate students from low level US universities exploiting this by working for cheap consultancies. Whether cheap or hi-fi, they have also come to the US after spending so much money and make a life of their own which they might not be able to do in India because of so much competition. I know many people who graduate from good universities here but they still have to go to a consultancy cos they are not able to land into good MBC’s like you and me. In that case those cheap consultancies serve as a savior for the dreams of so many people. You and me would have also landed there if we want to make a life here and not just go back empty handed on not getting a job in a good mnc.

      The real problem I feel are the Indian mnc’s filing so many petitions when hardly 10% of those folks will travel to US for an assignment. Filing multiple petitions should also be curbed somehow – I see so many people here and in different forums who have multiple petitions picked and eventually they are going to use 1. USCIS really needs to take a look at the menace they have created with their approach. I hope everyone gets it eventually but what hurts me the most is the wastage because of companies like Infy, CTS, Wipro etc. filing useless petitions and petitions going wasted because of multiple filings/selections.

      All the best to all !!!!

      Reply

      • @H1Aspirant: Agreed. And that’s why I feel rather than just one criteria (like AD ) a point system will serve better. You add up points for degree, salary, experience etc. And multiple and unused petition absolutely has to stop. I know one friend of mine who got is UG from one of the pristine IITs (AIR<300), left a job opportunity with huge salary to pursue PhD., got PhD. from one of the top Unis and then was doing a job in the bay area (150k+). This is his last chance. I just can't stand the thought that people like him may have to go back while the "IT people", who openly claim that they are not good at physics/maths (and sort of take pride in the fact that they are earning more than low paid grad students even when we are studying so much), can not speak English properly and paint "glorious" pictures of their US life back in India, will get to stay.

        I wish all the the best for all the deserving candidates, AD or non-AD.

        Reply

        • what makes you think that they cant speak proper English and are not good at what core subjects ,physics/maths etc.Good luck to your friend but please dnt blame all “It people” for his chances,true there are many nonsense applications from I.T firms ,consultants but please don’t give open ideas on things nobody can change,its a business .a foreign student taking up a position in U.S.A is equally damaging as an foreign “I.T” worker.How does it help americans,well it doesnt.And you studying so much isn’t for them to happy about it,its for them to attract for students to get fees.Maybe the next president will do away with the H1b together,that will stop anyone without “high” degrees into the US.who knows ,they are already against it.Good luck to all.

          Reply

          • “… are not good at what core subjects ,physics/maths etc.”

            — Their very comments, such as, “are bhai tumlog kitna padhte ho, mujhe to itna physics bageda nahi ata, phir bhi to hum logo ko US mein naukri mil gaya”

            “…a foreign student taking up a position in U.S.A is equally damaging as an foreign “I.T” worker”

            — No it is not. There are lots of technology fields where you would see very few American PhDs. Companies would love to hire American PhDs. in those fields if available as they can readily work on export controlled stuff. For foreign hires, the companies need to wait for their permanent residency which stalls / delays a lot of projects for them.

            “… Maybe the next president will do away with the H1b together,that will stop anyone without “high” degrees into the US.who knows”

            — I sincerely hope so. At least I (and I know I speak for many when I say this) would like to see higher degrees doing appropriate jobs are given higher preference.

        • Umm anyway even if deleted ,the above comment isn’t quite alright,its a fault with the system because they allow it ,not with groups.Just cannot blame someone for another’s less chances.Thers nothing we can change.

          Reply

        • Foreign hiring isn’t good for any country.period.
          and “Their very comments, such as, “are bhai tumlog kitna padhte ho, mujhe to itna physics bageda nahi ata, phir bhi to hum logo ko US mein naukri mil gaya”-dnt know hwich ignorant person said this to you.must be outta his mind.every person isnt a phd dear.but that dsnt mean they behave like a fool.

          Reply

  19. My lawyer in Californian has just gotten my receipt in postal mail. Mine was AD/RP in California center. Good luck my friends who are still waiting. I fell you all

    Reply

  21. I applied with 3 applications- 1 from
    my employer and 2 from consultancy. I got receipt from one of the consultancy. How can I transfer it to my employer?

    Reply

      • Don’t do it, you will get denied and what you are trying to do is fraud, do not get marked in your file. Quit and find another job

        Reply

    • You should start working for the consultancy and after October 1 you can make transfer. Check IG blog and consult with a lawyer. Don’t rely your fate on this envious people.

      Reply

  23. I am not sure it’s a stupid question or not as I am new to this era!

    I got receipts for both mine H1b and Spouse’s H4 applications. What does it mean? I see they are not confirmation of Visa yet! Can anyone educate me? Thanks!

    Reply

    • GoodLuckEveryone,

      You were selected in the lottery. Create an account on USCIS site and add both receipts and sign-up for email notifications. You can then track its progress there.

      I assume you are in US. So if COS is approved, then you will be on H-1 from Oct 1 or whatever COS effective date this. Your COS was applied, correct?

      Reply

      • Thank you so much, Saurabh for your quick response. Yes, we are in the USA as Canadian Citizens. My company hired a lawyer company and they are doing it. I believe COS have been applied. Thanks again.

        Reply

  24. Hello everyone ,

    Today I came to know from my school that my SEVIS status got updated to CAP-GAP and I was requested to apply for CAP -GAP I20 .

    Mine is AD/RP/VT

    God-is-Good all the time !!!

    Have hopes and please don’t get stressed out .

    Thanks

    Reply

      • CAP-GAP

        My DSO and employer saying that my H1 got picked in lottery .

        AD/RP

        Few of my friends have the same thing happened last year , that their SEVIS got updated to “Cap-Gap” and few days frm then they got their receipt number and check en-cashed.

        Reply

      • CAP-GAP?,

        Folks on F-1 whose OPT or F-1 is expiring prior to Oct 1 are eligible for cap-gap if their petition is selected in the lottery. This allows them to stay and work in US even after F-1/OPT expires.

        If you are not currently on F-1, then it doesn’t impact you.

        Reply

        • Saurabh

          My Question is :

          Our SEVIS will change to “Cap-Gap” only if our H1 gets selected in lottery, right ?

          Last week when I checked with my school DSO, she said , my SEVIS is still showing as post completion OPT ending on May 31st, 2016

          But today she checked and said , the status is ” Cap-Gap” and I was asked to apply for “Cap-Gap” I20 asap.

          So, is it confirmed now , that my H1b got picked in lottery or do I still need to wait for my receipt number for confirmation on this. ?

          Please reply me .

          Thanks

          Reply

          • God-is-Good,

            Yes, you have made through the lottery. You should still submit copy of 797C to DSO as soon as you receive it, so that they can apply cap-gap for you and extend status until Sep 30.

          • Saurabh

            Thanks for your info . I am so happy now .

            I donno how long it will takes place to get those 797C forms .

  25. Many people are saying it is all over (even for regular processing) or that they must not have a chance since other employees of the same company already got selected. I’m here to tell you, it isn’t officially over until the returned package comes back in the mail. That normally happens in June and even into July. That being said, if you haven’t heard anything by around May 15th, then chances are not that good. In other words, we still have a good three weeks to go so it is way too early to call it quits. And, just because others in your company already got selected, that has no impact on the chances of you being selected. It is completely random and is not based one bit on the company or how many others applied from the same company. Receipts are not sent out together for one company.

    Reply

  26. AD/RP/VT is 35% according to Immigration Girl. There is still hope as the number I assume wud go to 53% (same as AD/PP/VT). Although, chances are dropping with each passing day 🙁 !

    Reply

  29. Any Regular processing, Non Advance degree results ?
    When can we expect Selection or Rejection results for regulars.

    Reply

  32. Praying for the genuine candidates-you will win; Zeroing my sympathy for the manipulators and multiple petitioners.

    Reply

    • I work in Manhattan and m planning to pack my bags and go back home as my OPT expires in July. I am done with all this hassle…

      Reply

      • Same here… AD/PP/VT and still waiting. Didn’t see anyone posting PP news today.. No update in SEVIS, no checks encashed. Don’t know who to blame – USCIS or my luck…

        Reply

    • I called my lawyer and she said no update on my case and immediately after 5 mins I received her email with receipt. She had told me if you do not receive any update in next 2 weeks then consider you are not selected in lottery. From today morning its a flood of AD/RP so I believe you should get by today or tomorrow. Also, what I noticed is my friends in other company got together, till noon no news in my company and suddenly we 3 of us got the email from lawyer. I don’t how genuine it is but its just my observation receipts for a particular company come in group I guess

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  40. Just received the golden email from my lawyer. From today morning there are flood of AD/RP receipts. I hope you all get through this. Do mean to hurt anyone’s sentiments but my prayers are with you guys I know what we are going through

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    • Correcting my post….. Just received the golden email from my lawyer. From today morning there are flood of AD/RP receipts. I hope you all get through this. Do not mean to hurt anyone’s sentiments but my prayers are with you guys I know what we are going through (I think I still need to settle my emotions :P)

      Reply

  41. First timer here.. Non-AD/RP. My employed just told me that all the checks got cashed out today. Is this a good sign? Does that mean my application got selected? Thanks!!

    Reply

  43. Hi saurabh/Kumar
    I have two offers from two different employer one which I am currently working and other was a new company which is direct hire both are not related to each other and none of them are consultancies, Now my H1b got picked for both companies !!! What should I do? Should I wait till applications got approved and choose one company after approval? When should I revoke 1 application which I am not choosing and what are the chances to get RFE? Please Advice, I am confused .

    PS :- I applied for last two years with single application but didn’t got through lottery due to my experience I got the direct hire from different employers and thought of taking chance of both in my last attempt.

    Reply

    • First timer here.. Non-AD/RP. My employed just told me that all the checks got cashed out today. Is this a good sign? Does that mean my application got selected? Thanks!!

      Reply

      • @ Dangali,

        Hey i know i feel very bad for that , i know how it hurts if not selected i really don’t wanna do that but for the last two times i didn’t get selected and by god grace i got two genuine offers because of the experience and i never expected two will be picked.:(

        Reply

    • Non AD/RP.. Hoping to get it tomorrow. If not tomorrow, day after tomorrow……Game is always in our hand. Take it easy friends, we don’t lose food without H1B. Frustrations should be in limit. Pray god and leave it for him. This is lottery you can’t do anything.

      Reply

    • Confused state,

      If the employers are really not related to each other, then there shouldn’t be any RFE related to same. Still something to watch out.

      Other than that, you can let both petitions process and in case both get approved, you can decide which one is a batter offer. Also, withdrawing can be done only by employer and not you.

      Reply

      • Thanks Saurabh for your quick response, So i will wait till i get approvals and choose with best offer and let the other employer to withdraw it am i right or once i get approved i cannot with draw the application..?

        Reply

        • Confused state,

          You cannot withdraw the petition. Once you have decided to go w/ A, then you can let B know that you don’t want to join them. B would withdraw the petition as they would have no use for it. Even if they don’t withdraw, it doesn’t make a difference.

          Reply

  44. My lawyer said that we can wait until the second week of May to see. I am Non pp AD. One of my co-worker already received her email from lawyer last Thursday. The receipt date said she was picked on 4/11/2016. Does that mean she got picked with RD?

    Reply

  46. Sevis updates showing up for AD if you get picked in lottery…
    Better way is to check from DSO if no help from lawyer or Employer after April 30th

    Reply

  47. Both mine and my sisters SEVIS shows changes of status pending (we asked our school today).
    Both the petitions were AD/RP/CA.

    Reply

    • H1b program got sucked in, genuine applicants try and fall several times in lottery. Convenient applicants get advantage of many petitions and throw away other chances. Bad applicant paid money to apply for h1b from consulting and hanging around without jobs, also take away others chance in lottery. Shame on program and sadness for us to wait forever with this ridiculous things, we acknowledge the hidden side but still hope luck !!!

      Reply

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