Many of the H1B visa applicants, who filed in FY 2020 quota have been waiting for their results. Some have been lucky to get picked in the H1B Visa Lottery, where as some have been unlucky. Many of the unlucky ones are still waiting for the results from USCIS regarding their H1B Visa 2020 Petition…One of our users recently got the such reject, Felipe notice and he was kind enough to share with the community for review. Thanks to Felipe for sharing the information with community. Check it out below. Will share additional information on what you expect on timelines and what you can ask your employer.
How long will the H1B reject notices arrive from USCIS for FY 2020 ?
Usually USCIS will issue an alert on their website indicating that they have completed sending out the rejected notices for all the petitions that were not picked in Lottery. For FY 2019, it was on July 30th, 2018. It slightly varies by year around few dates in July. See below for historical dates from previous years. They will release a news alert by when you should receive the H1B reject package, for FY 2019, it was August 13th, which is about 2 weeks from the alert. So, if we go by similar timelines, you can expect anywhere by mid to end of August. This year, they have not yet released the alert, so it can be further dragged to September, if we do not see the alert from USCIS soon.
- For FY 2019, it was July 30th, 2018.
- For FY 2018, it was July 19th
- For FY 2017, it was July 8th
- For FY 2016, it was July 14th
Update : USCIS announced on Aug 14th, 2019 that they have returned all H1B 2020 petitions that were not selected in lottery. Employers and attorney should return their packages by Aug 29, 2019. If not they can contact USCIS. See below:
What to ask your Employer on H1B 2020 Reject Notice ?
Most of the good employers are reasonable and do share the reject notice with their employees, if their petition was not picked in the H1B lottery. But, some employers are not transparent, especially, if you are from an small outsourcing firm or a IT Bodyshop company. In such case, you should ask them for any of the below, if they mention that they have filed your H1B petition and not picked in lottery. You need to be aware, the reject notices arrives in batches and until USCIS issues an alert, you cannot insist asking them for the reject notice.
- Copy of the Reject Notice
- Copy of the LCA that was used for H1B filing
- Fedex or UPS mail receipt for tracking your H1B petition package sent to USCIS
- Copy of your petition that was filed with USCIS.
If your employer does not share any of the above, something is not right as most of them do share. Also, legally, they are not bound to share copy of the reject notice or any details of the petition with you. So, you cannot do anything about it…
Is there a case number for rejected petitions ? If so, can I check online the reject notice status using Reject Case Number # to verify the authenticity ?
There is a reject case number given for every case for documentation by USICS. But, unfortunately, you cannot check the reject notice status on USCIS website. It is just an internal reference number and you cannot verify it publicly on USCIS website.
To understand more on the H1B Rejected number and what it means, and sample Historical H1B reject notices, read H1B Reject Notices Samples – Number Meaning
Sample H1B Visa 2020 Reject Notice as H1B Lottery Result Shared by User
Comments ( 21 )
Hello Mr. Kumar,
I appreciate the effort you put in patiently answering so many questions. Our Application got picked on April 11th and finally the online status changed yesterday from “case Received” to “case transferred to another Center”. Can you please tell me the average time of Approval from this stage or what’s gonna happens free the case gets transferred?
Thanks in advance
Geetha.
Geetha,
It is really hard to guess the timelines. There is no SLA for regular processing…it can take anywhere from few weeks to few months. If you need faster decision, upgrade to premium.
Thank you Mr. Kumar.
Hi Geetha,
Any update on your case. My Status also got changed to “Case was transferred”. Can I know which service center was your. MIne was California service center.
Any updates guys? I am in the same situation till now.!
Hi
My lottery was picked in may mid
But didn’t get any approval in visa
Status till now..How can I get to know about my status ..it lis not updated anything in USCIS..m worried…
Nothing to worry, it is common to take long. Ask your employer to upgrade to premium, if you want decision soon.
Hi,
I didn’t recieve any update on my H1B cap from my employer. Have any one received the rejection notice. Is the rejection notice sending by USCIS is completed.
Thanks,
JK
Yes, it is completed. Your employer should receive something by Aug 29.
Hi JK,
Did you receive any update on your H1B? I haven’t heard back yet on mine.
Thanks,
Hi,
No I didn’t recieve any update yet.
Thanks,
JK
Thanks for your response. I am not sure if H1B is waitlisted they get notified or not until it replaces any other application or its rejected. I am trying to check with my lawyer but no response yet.
Do you have any idea or anyone on this board have any idea?
Thanks,
There is no concept of waitlisting, you either get the selected notice or rejected package. They usually select more in the first place to factor in for denials.
Hi ,
I am also still waiting to hear back on my status from employer
Is it sure shot that i will get reject now or some chance to get selected still
Thanks
Hi Kumar,
what would be the possible scenario or reason to not received rejection notice as well ?.
because I have application fedex tracking number which proof that my petition has been filed by my employer and i also have petition package as well.
but i have not received any notices till now. so what if i have not recieved rejection notices as well.
what could be reason and what should be my next immediate step.
thanks
Still USCIS has not confirmed that they have sent out all reject notices…so, still they are sending, you need to wait…
Hi, Thank you for a detailed post.
I am on F1 STEM OPT that expires in 2021 and awaiting the H1B rejection notice from my employer. I haven’t received any communication from them despite a number of follow-ups. I am required to travel to India urgently in the last week of August and need to make travel arrangements ASAP.
Can you please let me know if it is safe to plan a trip right away?
Thank you!
Travel on OPT has its own risks, in general. If you have valid visa and employment, you may try that option. Work with your employer, DSO and carry relevant documentation.
Hi,
I’m on H4 EAD and I have a H1B approval that becomes valid on OCT 1st 2019. I have an opportunity to travel in September abroad for work. Can I still travel with my H4 Visa if I plan to return before Oct 1st?
Thanks for your response in advance.
USCIS has stated in the past that for similar case that is for F1 to H1B COS, it is fine…So, technically it should be fine for you too. Check Hernandez Letter – Last Action rule.
Thanks a lot for your response Kumar!