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.
Hi Guys,
My Case is PP and still wating they get my package.
Is there still hope?
My status according Redbus2us website is (Waiting loterry)
Thanks
Anyone got receipt from Vigilant Technologies
Hi Saurabh,
Firstly Good job man! Thanks for answering the queries .
Currently my work location is out of India . My case was picked up in lottery , now if my H1b gets aprroved initially say like till dec 2017 , do I have to travel to US atleast once before dec 2017? If not will my H1b become void ? Or whats the validity of H1b before it becomes void before the first travel .
PS: By void I mean going through the lottery again.
Thanks,
AS
AS,
Even if you don’t travel during initial petition validity, you can still apply for transfer/extension in future. There are instances shared by others on this blog similar to this.
My Company has applied H1B for me. On April 29th i received call from HR saying urs was picked. After that i didnt get any update. I called my hr twice for receipt number. He told me will give you update in july or august and didnt give any mail confirmation. Ideally when will the employer notifies the employee reg H1b Status.
Thanks in Advance
Hi,
Even my employer told the same,from which company you have applied.
Jaggu Raj,
It is up to employer when to share the receipt number w/ you. It is b/w you and him.
Just FYI for people who are still waiting for H1B notifications,
I was talking to my employer and he said he got few receipt notices in June/July last year, he also mentioned that this year he has not got any notification after may 4th, but he is still hopeful to get few more before the closing of this year H1B.
October,
Sounds great!!.. Let me keep my fingers crossed!! 🙂
There is a USCIS system maintenance scheduled on 5th june.
What are they really doing during this maintenance, if anybody know?
Can we expect for some big number of h1b application approvals for AD/RP or any other cases after this maintenance? Anybody has any idea? Please share. 🙂
Thanks.
Hi Saurabhn
I m in Damn dilemma in choosing one of the below options.
I have been working on one of the Top IT service based companies and got the below offfers.Please suggest me one best.
– Accept the nomination for the L 1 B visa and travel to US.(I heard the Rehection rate is High)
– NON-US like Australia/UK.
Note: MY Intension is to save money
Pleaase suggest
Go to UK
Hi Samrat,
if it is L1 blanket – then change to L1 individual. Ask for it. L1 Ind has more hope than blanket. if not UK is best
Samrat,
You will have to talk to employer about your offered salary in each country. Then you can take an estimate of how much you can save. If US comes out as biggest saver, then try for L-1 and see it gets approved. If not, AU or UK would remain as the only option.
Hi Saurabh,
Thanks for the reply.I have cheked with them and I will be getting more in US than UK/AUS.
But my only concern is the Rejection rate.If my L1 B get Rejeced,will there be any effect on my future H1 B Application?Please suggest me.
Samrat,
L-1 denial would not impact future H-1 petitions.
Hi Friends,
Don’t believe Ardent Technologies INC, this is cheated consultancy for H1B. This consultancy having branches in India.
From India Subba Ancha(91-7702840596), From USA Jasti point of contact persons. Recently one incident happened, Recently some persons travelled to USA, in the board of entry immigration people are questioned about ardent and immigration team tried to call ardent technologies people but ardent not responded and those people again came back to india, and also whatever given documents those are fraud. So dont believe these stupid people.
Regarding the approval receipts from USCIS, I know all are now waiting to see status change. I request all RP/ Non-AD candidates to please update if anyone has received the approval. This will be the indication, that they have started to send the approval notice. Me too waiting for see the magic word “your case is approved”
If the start date on the LCA is prior to October 1, will it be a problem?
Not a problem. Mine was first week of Sept., got approved on 5/17 (Non-AD/PP/VT)
Wanted to share this with anyone in the same boat..
Petition transfer notification on 20th May. Today got the transfer receipt from attorney.
“Case moved to CAlifornia center for faster processing.”
My petition is AD/RP EAC16140XXXXX
Hi All,
Quick update. Got the transfer receipt from attorney last Friday. My petition has been moved to CSC. Receipt date is 30th of May and the reason for transfer mentioned is “Faster processing”.
Cheers,
ZK
Hi,
I am currently working for Employer A in India and my H1B application(selected in lottery) is being applied through a consultancy in US.
Will I be required to quit from my current org before appearing to the Visa interview?
If yes, will I need the current employer’s relieving letter for the same?
No
H1B,
You are not required to resign from current employer when appearing for H-1B interview.
Thank you Saurabh !!
Hi,
I got this status “Receive Receipt Notice from USCIS and email copy to client.
on May 10 2016 and also the receipt number EAC161******** is generated.
What could be the status?
Regards,
Ravi
Ravi,
Are you seeing this on USCIS site or your employer/attorney portal? If latter, then you should contact them and sort it out.
Hi Saurabh,
i checked it in https://global.inszoom.com website.
Ravi,
So this is specific to your employer or attorney. You should ask them what it means. To me it looks like they (attorney) received the receipt and emailed it to the client (employer). Going forward you can follow receipt status online on USCIS site.
Hi Saurabh,
My application got picked up in the lottery this year. My employer has filed a petition with Client A details but most likely if my petition gets RFE by that time I won’t be working for Client A. So if my employer responds to RFE with Client B details, is that fine? Do we need to get new LCA approved first before responding to RFE?
Thanks
Akshay,
I don’t think it is possible. I haven’t heard any success stories where LCA and I-129 was amended while the petition is still being processed. Amendments can be filed on approved petitions, not pending ones.
Did you talk to your attorney about this?
Saurabh,
Thanks for the reply. Actually, I work for big MNC so I don’t have attorney contact. Immigration team will handle it. Most likely, my application will receive employer-employee RFE as provided SOW of Client A is expiring soon. If by the time my company responds to RFE, they might not be having another valid SOW of Client A. Can they provide other valid details of Client B? What will be the solution in that case?
Thanks,
Akshay
Akshay,
One option would be to get a new client in the same MSA for which LCA was filed. For example, if it was filed for San Francisco, then any other client in the Bay Area would work. However, if you want to change to a client in New York City, then that may not be possible as it warrants LCA change.
Saurabh,
Thanks for the help. My original LCA is filed for Tonawanda, NY. I think, LCA has to change if the address is not within 10 miles.
Can’t my attorney tell USCIS what happened with the client which was mentioned in initial I-129 form by providing a letter & new LCA with valid SOW of a new client? Is there any way to get I-129 approved if we were not able to provide valid SOW for the client which was mentioned in initial I-129. I believe this will be most common situation for most of the MNCs but the immigration team is not that trustworthy, last year for my friend similar scenario happened employer was not able to provide SOW for client which was mentioned in initial I-129 & immigration team responded to RFE with new client’s SOW but eventually, petition got denied. But luckily for his petition got approved in MTR. That’s why I am bit worried? Any help or guidance will be highly appreciable.
Thanks,
Akshay
Akshay,
I have already expressed my opinion on this. It is not up to your attorney how to respond to change of client/location.
Thanks, Saurabh.
One final word, please. So if my employer won’t be able to respond RFE for the original address which was mentioned in initial I-129 form & attorney responds with new client details then, how much chance I have ?
Thanks,
Akshay
Akshay,
I would have to make a wild guess here – 30% success chance. However, if the attorney frames the response correctly and reviewing officer agrees, it may increase.
Thanks for the reply Saurabh. As per your advice I had a word with Immigration team, they said they will look for another client in same MSA so that it will be in compliance with filed LCA. Also, they said that, even if they don’t find any other client in same MSA then, they can respond RFE with new client’s SOW as they have already approved LCA for new client’s location prior to the filing of H1B this year. Will that work?
Thanks,
Akshay
Akshay,
It could go either way. However, if you are not able to find a new client in same MSA, the best option is to file it for a client at different location and then hope for the best (like your attorney suggested).
On H1b, do we get tax exemption when your dependents are staying with you in the US ?
If yes, than what percentage for each dependent ?
Yes, you can get exemption on dependents but don’t expect too much. There are different rules for each states so it depends on which state you gonna move in. Also it matters when your spouse is working and not working, in both the cases there are different rules. Better you google it for the the specific state you are planning to move.
H1B-2017,
You would have to complete W4 form which would tell employer how much taxes to withhold. Like other poster mentioned, you can claim them as dependents for tax purpose. The federal deduction would remain the same irrespective of where you live, but the state tax deduction would vary w/ state.
There are online calculators available to give an estimate take home salary based on income, dependents and state of residence.
Anybody got receipt/update today from GIMS?
Hi , Yes few of them received same update as we received 2 weeks back. But I didn’t receive the mail this time. Not sure what’s happening.
This is just intimation mail…i too received this mail sometime back. Not sure why is wipro delaying the results if at all they are yet to be declared. .anyways start thinking of Plan B
Tell me what plan b u will have to think about……working in same wipro for another year and sucking manager’s balls and feeding him drinks and applying h1 next year again……….Stupid fellows…because of this Indian mnc’s h1b’s fees are increasing.
Lol…
Plan B from MNC guys… seriously… ???
Does anyone has any update from persistent systems
Not yet .. it seems will get it by 15th June
Wat abt infy. Game on or over ?
Dont know yaar….Peoples are saying to wait till second week end of June month. So wait till the time…anyway do not have any other option to …:(
One of mah frnd was saying in chennai his frnd recevied file on dis thursday. So u also wait. Aggggrrr m done wid dis waiting game. Let move on now ?
Don’t know yaar….Peoples are saying to wait till second week end of June month. So wait till the time…anyway do not have any other option to …:(
Hi Saurabh,
Can we directly follow up with USCIS for approval/RFE of our case?
By what time maximum cases get approved?
Thanks,
Sachin
You cannot, by August.
Grekroja,
Roja jaaneman toohee mera dil
H1b_must_to_get,
Only employer and their authorized representative can call USCIS to follow-up. Even when following-up, they wouldn’t provide anything more meaningful than what is available online as your case status message.
Hello,
I got my receipt no 4 days back from my Employer and it starting with WAC-16-145-*****
When I tried to check my receipt number online case status through USCIS, getting the validation error as shown below
“My Case Status does not recognize the receipt number entered. Please check your receipt number and try again. If you need further assistance, please call the National
Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.”
Can anyone help me on this issue.
NOTE:I have already removed the “-” like WAC16145***** and checked but still getting validation error,
Man_My,
Ask your employer/attorney to contact USCIS and get this sorted out.
Hmmm Saurabh 😕
Man_My,
Remove the “-” from your receipt number and then try checking only with the alphabets followed by numerical, no special characters are allowed
Dear Admin
Requested to respond on this
Dear ZooZ,
I have already responded to all 3 posts you have raised. If you have a specific question, post it instead of asking me to just respond.
I assume you are saying that these receipts were issued recently and proves your theory that receipts are still being generated.
In case of user “Kris”, he doesn’t mention that receipt number was received now. He says that he is seeing receipt number change message online.
In case of user “Man_My”, the receipt number is WAC16145… I didn’t do the math, but I am confident that day 145 is still prior to the date of data entry completion announcement. So looks like there was postal delay, or someone sat on the receipt holding it.
In case of user “AnonApplicant”, we don’t know what the receipt number is. Again, it could be a case like “Man_My”, and more deduction can be made once the receipt number is known.
BTW, did you follow-up w/ your employer about his theory? He had shared 5 receipts w/ you. Did you ask him if he is the employer for any of them or if he is just cherry picking random receipts online and using non-sensical knowledge to show that they are cap-subjected.
Did you pay any money to your employer for H-1B? I am not questioning your ethics here, but just trying to gauge employer’s interest in misguiding you.
Dear Admin
Yes I paid.but that is genuine consultancy only.why I am saying this means my self and my 4 friends applied,2 got receipts out of our 5.
1 got package returned with covering letter yesterday approximately 4 pm -5 pm USA timings
Ok any how thank you for your inputs
If they are a genuine company, they should not have demanded any money. What you did is completely unethical and I wish you get caught in the subsequent stages. Bad luck!
Response to Genuine?
Dont cry man.How long you will cry on other that much long you will not get.
Stop crying on other ,Start smile on others then you will see the positive result in your life
Next one more thing there is nothing wrong approaching a consultancy. There is no difference between MNC or Consultancy, everybody should through the Lottery only.
If you allowed me to make harsh comment like who are working for MNC are slaves and also they will always depend on MNC for Onsite opportunity .For On Site opportunities so called white color labor like you begging,pleasing and blackmailing MNC employer for Processing Onsite opportunity with out ethics.If they dint process Onsite you will start blackmail that I will put a paper with out loyal to your employer and ethics
Thanks Saurabh for your input!!
what’s mean for “So looks like there was postal delay, or someone sat on the receipt holding it.” said by you ??
Man_My,
Usually the receipts once mailed by USCIS, should be received within 1-2 weeks. However, in your case you just received the receipt number from employer and the number is for a series prior to data entry completion notice.
This means, either the notice mail was delayed in transit or your employer received it timely but didn’t inform you until now.
Did the status message issue got sorted out?
I am also facing same issue, am not able to see status online. My receipt number start with WAC16145….. Do u have any update
My employer has sent me the 13 digit receipt number and now I can see the status on USCIS as “my Receipt Notice Was Changed”. On May 24, 2016, we made a change to your receipt notice for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EACXXXXXXXXXX. We mailed you a notice describing how we are processing your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.
Can anyone shed some light over here whether the case has been approved or getting into RFE? I could see the difference of writing when a case has been received and a case status has changed… Please help as I am curious to know what next!!!
When did you receive the receipt number? What date?
3 days back..
Saurabh, could you please help me with the above question??
Hi Kris,
Just to be sure, you received the Receipt Number three days ago? Is it not the approval, but the “first step” receipt?
What is your case? AD/Non-AD – PP/RP?
Thanks a lot!
Kris,
I am not aware of this status message. My guess would be they made a change to the issued receipt notice. This could be a trivial change like typo correction or may be change in address.
You would know more when employer receives the updated receipt notice. You say that you received receipt number 3 days ago. How did employer come to know about the receipt number?
Employer got an email with a 2 page PDF document. And when I put the 13 digit receipt init, it shows the status as “my receipt notice was changed.
Kris,
Do you see any issues in the receipt notice that was sent to you – like typos etc? If not, it is better to wait for employer to receive updated receipt notice or they can call USCIS to clarify.
My Guess is this is NOID, as the case do not have proper evidence or it might br RFE…whihc is not a good news either…
Please make sure your employer do respond with proper inputs intime.
This is by my self experience.
Regards
Harish
Dear Admin
Requested to respond on this
Kris, some of the petitions were moved from Vermont to California processing center due to workload. It could be that also. Don’t worry it will be fine.
My company Immigration team sent details to my BU on the list of the H1b selcted candidated on May 29th.My name was not in the list.Not sure if there will be any further addition to it.I have not recieved any email so far.
Hi Saurabh,
My case was picked in the lottery and my current status is “case is received”. I need some clarification on RFE. my current project is SOW signed until the year. is there any chance to get my case to RFE on this situation ? what is eligibility norms for Validity period of project?
Kumar,
It is officer’s discretion. At times, they update the petition for only limited time like 1 year if the project is ending in less than a year. If the employer is reputed, then they can approve it for 3 years even though submitted project is ending earlier.
Thanks Saurabh. if I get 1 year, is it possible to extend H1B? If yes, how long? In what case, will it extend?
Kumar,
Yes, it can be extended in future. You can continue to get extensions until you have spent 6 years inside US on H-1. Further extensions are possible if your green card processing has satisfied certain conditions.
Hi Saurabh,
1. I have a Btech in ECE, while my application is for an IT job.
Will that result in an RFE. I have read about RFE’s for Civil Btech and IT job application
2.I see below status, I think this is RP petition approved early.
they started sending out approvals for RP as well Or will RP/AD are processed earlier when compared to RP/Non-AD
Case Was Approved
On May 25, 2016, we approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC161425XXXX. We will mail your approval notice. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.
Appreciate your response
Thanks
H1b_First Timer,
1. If you have submitted information about you qualify for the offered position, then no issues. If the officer is not satisfied, they would issue RFE.
2. You don’t know if this is cap-exempt or cap-subject petition. Cap exempt petitions would have same message after their approval.
That clarifies, Thanks Saurabh.
I was notified today that my petition was picked in the lottery (non AD/RP). I work for a small company and I was the only H1B applicant from my company this year. I still don’t have the receipt number, so if you’re like me and haven’t heard back, I guess you have to wait a bit more.
Same boat here! Nice to hear that you have an update, I was losing hopes.
AnonApplicant,
Congrats. I would be very interested in knowing what the online status for your receipt it. Can you please share that when you get the receipt number.
How did employer come to know about the selection?
The lawyer (not in-house) told HR and HR told me. I’m not 100% sure how the lawyer found out, though it could be that he saw the check cashed or something.
AnonApplicant,
Do share back the online status when you receive your receipt number. This **may** be one of those cases where receipt was delayed in transit, or lawyer/employer sat on it to delay; or you may be a lucky fellow whose receipt was issued after data entry was completed. We would know more when you receive the receipt number.
Hi Saurabh,
I would like to ask you something… maybe you have experience on this subject.
I already heard people saying there will be no more receipts. That hope is lost for those not selected in lottery.
Otherwise, I also heard people saying that, every time a selected person is later rejected (due documentation, “bad” employer, withdraw, etc) gives a new “seat” for “waiting people”. Is it true?
Let`s suppose that, from 85000 seats, 5000 is rejected for any reason. Will these 5000 seats be just lost? Will they not be replaced for new candidates?
Thanks a lot.
Just to Know,
Several years ago (before cap used to be reached on first day), USCIS would add those rejected slots to next year’s cap. There was one notification in 2008 that USCIS has kept aside wait listed applications to make-up for those who will be rejected. In addition, 65K is never the quota for H-1B as around 6K are kept aside for Singapore and Chilean citizens (H-1B1).
Given the fact there was no clear notification in recent times, I suspect they keep aside some extra petitions to make-up for the ones that would rejected. I don’t remember anyone receiving wait list notification in previous years, so I think they are notified along w/ regular receipts and not specifically marked as “wait listed”.
As there is no clear guidance from USCIS, this is based on my experience, and may be correct or not.
I finally have my receipt number, which is EAC******3511.
On the status page: “On May 25, 2016, we approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC******3511, and emailed you an approval notice. “
AnonApplicant,
Actually, can you share the first few digits of the receipt number as they stand for receipt notification date. EAC-16-XXX … If you can please tell what those Xs are.
Congrats on the approval. As it is already approved, maybe the employer held on to the receipt number until he knew the eventual fate (approval). It was approved on 25th May and you were notified about the receipt on Jun 2.
Hi AnonApplicant.
If you can reply, I would appreciate.
Please, just to be clear to me, did you receive the “first”notification? I mean, the Receipt Number, not the approval yet?
If yes, it can give a lot of hope to many people who are still waiting for the receipt yet…
Thanks a lot.
I received my first notification through HR on June 2nd. No word before then.
I don’t know the details on how the attorney found out since I don’t communicate with him directly. I was told that my application was “picked out of the lottery,” and when I asked for a receipt number for a new I-20, HR didn’t have it yet.
Hi AnonApplicant,
Thank you for you reply… and congrats for your selection.
We will be waiting for your receipt no. confirmation to understand your case.
Regards,
Hi Saurabh,
Thanks a lot for your reply.
As far as I can see, a few people (really few, but better than none) are being notified these days, I think there is some hope.
I really don’t think there is a “Wait List”, but as you said, they keep some files aside to be used in case of rejections/withdraws/etc. This is what it looks like…
Once rejection letter was not delivered, let’s keep faith.
Once again, thank you for your reply.
Regards,
Dear Admin
Requested to respond on this
Nebraska Service Center to Accept Certain H-1B Petitions
On July 1, 2016, the Nebraska Service Center (NSC) will begin accepting Form I-129 for H-1B and H-1B1 (Chile/Singapore Free Trade) petitions if the petitioner requests a “Continuation of previously approved employment without change with the same employer”.
Can you shed some light on what has this got to do with H1B 2017 CAP?
Nothing 🙂
Hi,
Can anybody tell me that if under H1B cap category all 65,000 receipt numbers have been circulated already?
My employer didn’t hear anything from USCIS. Is there anyway for them to contact USCIS office to know the status of the case or track the case without a receipt number online?
For regular when is the last day to receive the receipt number?
Also, by when they will start returning the packages?
Thanks in advance!
The data entry has been completed on May 2th, in 60 days after that date – so after July 1st – your employer can query USCIS about the status of the petition, if at that point neither receipt nor rejection has been received.
I wanted to know if is not recommended call the 1-800 number to get an update from the representative. I had called them on 16th and then on today. But of-course the status was nothing different than the one in the site.
I also got a notion that they did not like people calling them. I wanted to know if there is any effect in processing of the H1 if we called them to check on the status.
Steve Saad,
They won’t provide any more meaningful update than what’s already there online. What kind of updates are you looking for?
Thanks for your reply Saurabh. I was wanting to know if there was more than what was mentioned online. To be specific about the timelines as my case was picked on April 11 which was a little early than most of the others.
Also the representative mentioned that he can give me an update if I can get my employer on call with me (which I could not at that moment). So i thought there must be some update which is not updated online. How long does it take for the USCIS to update online after processing?
as advised by my attorney (I’m hired for one of the biggest tech com in US), I shouldn’t directly contact USCIS regarding any matters related to my case. I understand that we are just beneficiaries, and USCIS has the right not to provide us any info – but the employer or the attorney (for the employer).
So I have been following up with my attorney for any questions they have. I know I’m lucky because they’ve been very prompt, for some it’s not the case and thus you will need these sites to get the answers. But one keyword: patience, if you’re selected, USCIS is required to provide an update. 🙂
Steve Saad,
Yes, the officer may be ready to provide more information if employer/attorney calls as they are the petitions and petitioner’s representative. In my experience, they usually limit the information to what’s available online. RP cases would see movement soon and would continue through Oct. Some unlucky ones will remain pending even after Oct.
Hello All,
Has anyone received approval for Non-AD/RP petition ?
Would be great to know if they started processing Non-AD/RP 🙂
All the best guys!! Lets wait until some good news come in!!
Yup, eagerly waiting.
All the best!!!
Any one got approved for Non-AD/RP ?
Hi saurabh,
Please clarify.
My h1b is picked up in lottery from org A.
My spouse is working in org B and she has not initiated any h1b process.
How can my spouse be eligible to work in US is there any dependant visa that can allow her to work.
P.s. I am totally new to understand different types of us visas except h1b.
On which visa your spouse is working in USA for orgB?
H1bspouse,
The dependent spouse needs own H-1 in order to work. The spouse is on H-4, then EAD is needed which can be issued only when H-1 holder’s I-140 has been approved, or H-1 holder is in 7th year of H-1. So getting EAD would take at least 2 years this way.
Finally got updates from TCS FDFU. I’m not in that list. 🙁 Total 4 got selected out of 10 from my account. I also got a chance to check the status directly with FDFU team. As per them, they are expecting one more list after two or three weeks. But I am not sure…
How did you contact FDFU directly.. looks like we’re in a same boat.
Please let me know if there’s a way.
Where is your base location? Please contact FDFU team in your branch. Mine is Kochi.
even i checked my FDFU they say still awaiting lottery result.. do we have any more chance.. or the lists are over?
Even I too have the same reply from FDFU team.I have verified with my manager.Still results are not yet released in TCS for many accounts.Will reveal in some time.Dont worry..!!
1) What is the tax rate in Boston ?
2) On H1b, do we get tax exemption when your dependents are staying with you in the US ?
If yes, than what percentage for each dependent ?
Don’t you think it is too early to discuss this?
Hi Guys,
My employer said that the cheque got en cashed on last week of April. When I checked with employer regarding the receipt number, He said he didn’t received yet. Is it normal?
I mean aren’t the receipts are supposed to be out by this time?
Cached but no receipt,
Ask the employer to look at the back side of the cashed check. It should have the receipt number over there. Another reason is that the employer is lying.
Hi Saurabh,
My case is also same, Cheque cashed on Apr 22nd but no receipt notice reached employer yet, Employer shared Cheque’s front and Back images.
My name is there in front side along with the petitioner name (employer) and fee details, I can see a receipt number on the back side but unfortunately one or two digits are unreadable.
EAC161@3***** is the one which is printed on the back side of the cheque.
Somehow I figured out the receipt number is EAC161435****, based on date number after Oct 1st as my cheque was encashed either on Apr 21st or 22nd, Please correct me if I am wrong.
Shall I call USCIS 1800* to verify whether the receipt number is generated in my name or not? Do they provide this information.?
Employer is keep on telling that they are following up USCIS, but no improvement at all.
Any guidance on this from your end?
Thanks
H1b_Apr_22
you have no right to call them, if you lie to them you’re the company representative, it could potentially affect the adjudication.
Ask your employer/attorney to follow up because it could be the case that the receipt couldn’t be delivered or wrong delivery address (we’re human, we make mistakes) – usually if the receipt hasn’t reached by 11th May, the attorney/employer could contact them (USCIS) and they have to answer 🙂
@Common_Sense
Thanks for your input.
I feel the same, but My employer is not sharing any information with me. I haven’t have any updates so far and not sure how they are following up USCIS.
Do you have any information about how long USCIS takes to responding to such kind of inquiries from attorneys? Hardly a week I guess, but its been >20 days since May 11 th.
Thanks
H1B_Apr22
H1b_Apr_22,
As suggested by others, employer/attorney should call USCIS and get this sorted out. At times USCIS may be real slow in responding, so employer may be telling the truth about hitting roadblock.
Cheque en cashed in last week of April, got receipt today. All the Best.
Any updated from CTS GM team?? Did anyone get mail after May 2nd week?
No Update from GM after May 2nd Week. Still hope ?
Nope.. just curiosity to know if selected or rejected.
Any updated from CTS?? Did anyone get mail after May 2nd week?
@CTS, AFter May 1st week, not hearing anything about receipt number around…
guys do you think this was filed as Premium? I’ve check this on Uscis site.
Case Was Received
On April 11, 2016, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC16143XXXXX, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your receipt notice by May 11, 2016, please call Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.
TIA
If you are still getting this message there is a high possibility of the application being under normal processing. 16th May was the cut-off date for USCIS to reply to PP applications.
Hope you hear something sooner rather than later ! Good luck
I am not exactly sure but it doesn’t look like PP. Reason is, mine was also PP and when my case got picked up, it has different status than this one. The heading was something like “Case was received and email has been sent” . Also in the below paragraph this wasn’t mentioned like “if you do not receive your receipt notice by {date} …..” I think they are mentioning this thing only in RP cases because in PP they might be sending out receipt and receipt number first.
NOTE: This is my assumption based on the different status i have seen. Take it as a suggestion only, also take second opinion as well.
Thanks FlintOff and ABC for the info, I was asking this because some of my batch who got selected said we were process as PP. But also in my opinion its not. Thanks
Can some one mail to corporate about this frustrating H1B process .. its really very dead slow in knowing the status in TCS .
No response from fdfu or visa team .
Why dont you do yourself?
Accenture, Wipro, Infy guys… Please keep the forum relevant by having your discussion offline. Don’t you guys have internal forum or something. It getting cluttered here. People who come here for useful information are getting lost in the WEB of your personal chatter.
Please understand.
What’s your problem?? We will discuss whatever we want to know which is related to this topic.
No It is not related to the topic. You are not discussing any thing related to USCIS updates nor any experiences of VISA stampings and RFE’s
Your discussions are totally irrelevant to this forum .
Thanks for brining up, it will definitely helps in maintaining the forum health…
Everyone has the freedom to write here. Mind your own business.
I totaly agree with you. I got frustrated many times upon reading all these guys irrelevant stuff here for hours literally.
Get lost you little sh*t… this forum is not your property and you are no king of King’s landing … So get lost Ser NoBodyGivesSh*t
And it is not your property or you are not King of King’s landing either to ask other people to get lost or get off of it.
Remove the ‘-‘ from receipt number and enter like this WAC16145xxxx
@SKM,
I have already removed the “-” and checked but still getting validation error,
any idea ??
I got an update yesterday from Accenture PMSD @3PM that my petition has been picked up in lottery
How did RMS updated you? they never reveal any updates, until your approval is received.
I finally got mine approved, it was really fast. I received the notice two weeks after the draft, and three days ago I was notified my H1B was approved.
@ Teslaman, Congratulations!!! Is your PP/RP AD/Non AD???
Is it ad/regular/pp?
KPIT_UPDATE
Anyone from KPIT got any updates??
All selected beneficiaries are already notified towards the end of April & early May. If you have not heard yet, chances are almost nil.
I have a question..what lists are you talking about? Rejection lists? Where do we see that? Don’t they just send the rejected applications to the attorney and then we are inform? Sorry, just a bit confused here..and are some people getting their acceptance letters in June as well? Still trying to have some hope. Thank you!
Sally,
The rejection notices may be sent out anytime now and would continue through July. People are also talking about their own company specific lists which is not applicable to rest of the folks.
Hi Saurabh,
Thank you for replying. So in regards to my initial question..are acceptance letters still being sent out in addition to rejections? I know that sometimes they say there are outliers and a few acceptances may be sent out..what are your thoughts on this? Thank you.
Sally,
USCIS already announced a month ago that data entry has been completed. So selection notices should have been received by now. New ones aren’t being sent out.
If you haven’t received any hints about selection (receipt notice, cash check etc), then unfortunately you can expect the worst.
Hi Saurabh,
Thanks for replying..I asked because I see a few people commenting saying they have just received receipt notice in the mail via their attorney..so this gave me some hope seeing that a few people are just finding out or did I misunderstand? Thank you!
Sally,
I can recollect 2 instances – one has receipt number of WAC16145, which looks like was issued prior to data entry completion announcement. So it could be a result of postal delay or someone holding on to it. The other one hasn’t shared receipt number yet and just got notified about it from HR. We would know if it is like 1st one once online status is known.
I consider these as outliers (like you mentioned earlier), but I don’t see mass receipts being issued.
will there be another lot released before June end in accenture?
No
Any updates from IBM
Hi
Any idea when NON-AD/RP approval will happen? I see some of AD/RP are getting approved.
very few.. most of them are still waiting in the queue.
Most RFE-less approvals and initial RFEs should be sent before the end of the summer – that’s how it was last year
Any one applied through ‘newsigmagroup’ consultancy and got any update?
Any update in HCL when will result out ?
Its already out last week..Check with your DU head…he is having final list of selected candidates….
Results are out a week back .. if you did not receive any communication then u were not in the list
Is their going to be another list? Are you sure the list has come out for HCL cause i did not receive any communication from them on this. :/
I am in the US, are people in India being intimated first?
there is no communication yet offficially, as far my knowledge. Yes, DU head have verbally confirmed it for some people.
thanks…
When do we expect to have the list communicated to us by HCL? Its already first week of June.
I’m Non-AD/PP, haven’t heard anything at all, lawyer says they did not hear anything either regarding my application.
Are they waiting for the rejection notice before they tell me I did not get selected? because I’m not sure if there’s still hope left.. I mean is there?
And when can I expect the rejection notice to get to the lawyer?
Thanks!
no hope right now,you should get your reject notice in the middle of June.
Is there hope?,
I don’t think there is any hope left. Rejection notices may start arriving anytime now and would continue through July.
HI, Mine is PP but no result yet but saying “case was transferred to another center…”
anyone else in this situation?
should i make my employer to call USCIS to come to the reason behind the delay?
Hi Kavaya, how did you know that. Did your lawyer tell your that?. Im in a RP but no answer yet.
Regards,
Alejandro
Hi Kavya,
My case was also transferred to other center. Still waiting for the approval.
Deepika, how you know that your process was transferred to another center?
Tks.
Kavya,
Yes, employer should follow-up w/ USCIS about it. As it is PP, it should have been adjudicated by now.
Accenture guys…. are you aware of any 2nd list which would be published later? Or this was the final call?
The mail says by June end there will be another update, there are two ways of looking at it
a) By prior experience its known that if selected the results are know by this time so there is no reason why if selected name wont be there in first list.
b) Take things at face value don’t be optimistic or pessimistic just wait for June end.
U r right buddy …. craving for a drink now… whisky perhaps.?