If you applied for an H1B transfer or you were picked in the H1B Registration Lottery and applied for H1B petition in the recent H1B Visa 2024 season, you may have received a case receipt notice. When you check the H1B Case Status online, you may see various statuses like “Case Was Received”, “Name was updated”, etc.. You may not fully understand each of these status meaning. This article is meant to clarify each of those H1B Case Status meaning and give a complete flow of the same.
H1B Registration Beneficiary Confirmation Number Cannot be used for Tracking
If you were picked in the H1B Registration Lottery, the registration selection notice would have a Beneficiary Confirmation Number. You cannot use that number to track your H1B on USCIS website.
That number is only for internal reference and to run the lottery. The USCIS case number has a certain format and the beneficiary confirmation number does not follow that as well. So, do not try to check online on USCIS website and be confused.
H1B Case Receipt Number – Check Online
After an applicant is selected in H1B Registration Lottery, the company or H1B sponsor need to file an H1B Petition with USCIS using form I-129. After the H1B petition is properly filed, USCIS would send out a H1B receipt notice to the employer/ attorney indicating that the application was properly filed on time. The H1B Receipt notice would have a case number and it can be used to track the status of the H1B petition. You can check article : How to Check USCIS Case Status online that covers the details on how you can track case status at USCIS.gov case status website
What’s the H1B Case Number? Processing ?
The H1B receipt number is a 13 character alphanumeric string that is given by USCIS. It typically starts with EAC or WAC. You may read Understanding H1B Case Number Details, to know more info. For high level understanding of how each H1B petition is processed at USCIS, you should read the article H1B processing steps at USCIS adjudication center.
Also, in the past, USCIS used to assign many statuses like Acceptance, Initial Review, Decision, Post Decision Activity, etc. Some of these have been changed with the new system this year. To get an idea of the past flow and statuses, you may read H1B Old Case Statuses and Flow. Below information corresponds to the latest H1B statuses available on USCIS website for a H1B petition.
Various H1B Case Statuses on USCIS website
Below are the various Case Status that you usually find on USCIS website, when you Check Case Status on USCIS website.
- Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was Emailed
- Case Was Received
- Request for Additional Evidence Notice was mailed
- Response to USCIS’ Request for Evidence Was Received
- Case Was Approved And My Decision Was Emailed
- Case Was Approved
- Decision Notice Mailed
- Error : The application Receipt Number is invalid
- Name was updated.
- Fees will be Refunded
- Withdrawal Acknowledgement Notice Was Sent
- Case Was Transferred and a New Office has Jurisdiction.
Let us look at each of them in detail
H1B Case Status Text – Form I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
If you notice any of the H1B statuses’ text below, all of them would say “Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker”. The reason is that, when you file a H1B petition with USCIS, you would use form I-129, thats why you see the status text to indicate the form number. USCIS does not explicitly tell H1B Visa petition in the status as the form I-129 is also used for other visa types as well. It can be confusing, if they put in all visa types in there, so USCIS intentionally does not put in H1B in there and only indicates the form type. Your receipt notice would have “Class Requested” as show in below screenshot, indicating it was a H1B petition.
Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was Emailed
USCIS emails receipt notices to petitioners, if they filed their H1B petition under premium processing. The H1B case status “Case was Received and a Receipt Notice was Emailed” indicates to us that the petition with this case number was filed under premium processing with USCIS. A receipt notice with case number and details about processing was sent to the email of the attorney/ employer. Below is the screenshot for the described status.
Case Was Received
USCIS only emails receipt notices for premium processing applications. For H1B petitions filed under regular processing, USCIS will send out the receipt notices via traditional Mail/ Post. The H1B case status “Case Was Received” indicates is that the petition with this case number was filed under regular processing and USCIS has received the same. The receipt notice hard copy will be sent to the attorney/ employer’s postal address on how it will be processed. Check below for screenshot of the described case status.
Request for Additional Evidence Notice was mailed
If USCIS wants more information on a H1B petition, they will ask for the same information. The H1B case status “Request for Additional Evidence Notice was mailed” status indicates the same that USCIS wants more info. As part of the adjudication process of the H1B petition, the USCIS adjudicator of this petition, with this particular case number, needs more information to make a decision on the case. The adjudicator issued a Request for Additional Evidence notice, which is commonly called as RFE (Request for Evidence).
The employer/ attorney will get an RFE notice from USCIS indicating what documents they need to submit for further processing the case. It has an expiry date and employer/ attorney has to respond to that request by that date. USCIS will NOT process this particular case until they receive a response from the employer/ attorney with the requested information. Below is the screenshot of described status.
Response to USCIS’ Request for Evidence Was Received
After USCIS receives a response to the RFE, they will update the same in their online system for the H1B case. This H1B Case status “Response to USCIS Request for Evidence Was Received” corresponds to the same. All the status tells us is that USCIS has received the response for the issued RFE Notice on the particular case with that case number from the employer/ attorney.
The response from employer/ attorney could be either documents or any other supporting material that was requested by USCIS supporting the H1B petition. If your petition is in this status, it means that USCIS will start processing the case as they have received requested documentation. The status also tells the petitioner that when you can expect a decision/ update on this case. Check below screenshot for RFE response status.
Case Was Approved And My Decision Was Emailed
Usually, if you file in premium, you would informed by email. This H1B case status “Case was approved and my decision was emailed” indicates the decisions of approval that is sent by email to the attorney/ employer. This case status only appears for the H1B petitions filed under premium processing. Below is the screenshot of the status.
Case Was Approved
The H1B case status “Case was approved” is self explanatory. It tells that the the H1B petition with this particular case number was approved and they plan to send out the approval notice to the employer/ attorney by traditional post/mail. This case status appears only for petitions filed under regular processing.
Decision Notice Mailed
Not every H1B Application gets approved. Typically USCIS will issue an RFE and then review the evidence before making the final decision. If USCIS is not convinced with your petition’s supporting documents, they will deny the H1B petition and the case status will be shown as ” Decision Notice Mailed”. Your employer will get a notice indicating why the petition was denied and they can act on it as per the instructions, if they want to challenge the decision by providing additional documents, etc. Below is how it looks.
The application Receipt Number is invalid
If you do not enter a valid 13 character H1B case receipt number, USCIS case status website will give you the above error message saying that the application receipt number is invalid. All it means is that, either you have taken the receipt number wrong from your employer or entered it wrong in the box…or maybe your employer did not give you the correct case number. Below is the error screenshot.
Name Was Updated
This is one of the very confusing statuses that USCIS online system gives, when there is some activity happening on your case. The H1B Case status “Name Was Updated” can be very confusing and misleading everyone at times. It may be genuine that the name was updated due to a clerical error, but not always the case.
It definitely means that some activity is happening on your case and your case is being worked on by USCIS. There is a perception among users that this status will lead to rejection/ RFE, but it is not necessarily true. So, when you see something like this status, it is best consult your employer/attorney to check further on your case. No need to panic or get confused. It looks like below
Fee will be Refunded Status
One of the others status some of the H1B petitioners see is that ‘Fee will be refunded’. What it means is that the employer/attorney has filed extra fees that is not required and USCIS is refunding the same. It can be for a host of reasons related to the H1B fees. As you can see below USCIS would tell that it will not impact the processing of the case, so do not panic when you see this, work with your employer, it will be fine.
Withdrawal Acknowledgement Notice Was Sent
If your H1B employer plans to withdraw your H1B petition or for some reason you believe that you do not want to work for the company and resigned the job, then your employer would withdraw your H1B petition from USCIS. It is not really automatic process, your employer has to request for it. If your H1B case number indicates the below status “Withdraw Acknowledgement Notice was Sent” for I-129 petition, then it means that your H1B was withdrawn by your employer and USCIS is acknowledging the same with the status.
Case Was Transferred And a New Office Has Jurisdiction
Depending on the load of H1B petitions received and processing times at any service center, they are moved to different locations to expedite processing or balance the overall processing loads. If your H1B case was transferred to different location for some of these reasons, you would see a status like below. It tells the date when the petition was transferred and when you can expect a physical copy of notice indicating the same. It does not really change anything in terms of how it is adjudicated, it is just for processing times balancing, nothing to worry.
Did you notice any other statuses for your Petition ? Any other thoughts to share ?
Check out the next article that articulates the flow of the above statuses After H1B Visa Lottery Case Status Flow
On May 1, 2017, we denied your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC*************. We mailed you a decision notice that explains why we denied your case and your options. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your denial notice by May 16, 2017, please go to www.uscis.gov/e-request to request a copy of the notice.
This status came after my employer responded to the RFE ..
Shall I still keep some hopes or its a gone case and there is no option for the approval of my case ?
Thanks in advance..
The petition is denied. If your employer is confident of the response then he can move MTR “motion to reopen the case” challenging the denial. but the Response submitted must be substantial enough to approve the petition. else its all over once its denied.
Ajay,
Once the paper is received, discuss the case w/ employer/attorney. If they feel that the denial is in error, then file Appeal or MTR. Other than that, its the end of the road for this petition.
Hi my case was in ” case was received” from 2016. Are there anyone in the same situation? Is there anything I can do, to get a status on it?
My firm contract with Ogletree Deakins..
The visatrax portal has a status open (updated when start the process)- File with USCIS (updated on April 3rd) – waiting adjudication (no idea when updated) … what does waiting adjudication means? I have yet to recieved a response from a lawyer whether i got the lottery yet.
Hi All,
My employer had filed H1b amendment on Oct 17 th 2016 in Regular mode as I moved to different location within USA. Now on 3rd March 2017 , I received an update from USCIS that my I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EACXXXXXXXX, to another USCIS office.
Please let me know if anyone ‘s H1b amendment got approved which was filed on Oct 17th 2016.
Or If anyone ‘s petition also got transferred recently and knows the new office details.
Please share your inputs .
Hi,
I appeared for H1-B interview in October 2016 and received a 221g White slip stating its in AP. On January 20,2017 I received another 221g stating petition sent for Revocation to USCIS and returned my passport, I-797. The case in USCIS site isn’t updated yet (whether they receive for review or not).
I wanted to know if my case is rejected completely as they have even returned my I-797 and status not updated after 2.5 months. Should I look for next year and apply H1B again. Please help me out if anyone can.
SK,
Check w/ employer about the status of the petition. Maybe the online status is not updated and an action has been taken. If USCIS has indeed revoked the petition, then you will have to go through the cap again, as this is your only approved petition.
But Saurabh, according to your suggestion earlier by you if any Petition is approved and > then Oct 1 if the petition is not revoked then he is CAP exempt? isnt it?
shankar,
That is generally true unless USCIS has revoked the petition themselves after discovering new information. Once USCIS revokes the petition on their own, it cannot be used for cap-exempt purposes. If USCIS revokes the petition b/c employer asked them to, you can still opt for cap-exempt petition.
Saurabh,
After my resignation the employer revoked the petition and it was not for fraud..but still USCIS are coming back asking why they should consider as CAP exempt..but as you said it was revoked only after Approval and > OCT 2016 i.e in Nov 28? I still dont understand why is this different for different people…it shows they want to make money clearly…A person has gone through lottery wait for 1 + yrsand the petition was revoked and when we send the Approval Notice they do drama asking why its CAP exepmt isnt thjis a weird answer? is there a way to MTR (Motion To Reappeal)?
Shankar,
MTR can only be applied by the employer and not you. If you have an attorney on the case, they can provide the legal text to show that you have already been counted in the cap and should be considered cap-exempt.
Can the status change from ‘Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was Emailed’ to ‘Case Was Received’?
Hi friends
From 20 Dec 2016 on wards my status is showing like “Response To USCIS’ Request For Evidence Was Received” still not yet changed my status.
How much time it will take this process for USCIS Approval in California Service Center?
Anyone from the same center? May I know what’s the progress on your application? I’m still seeing from Dec 2016 but its already 3 months completed any one is having same status pls let me know on my email
ajayreddy2611@gmail.com
From 12th december my status is also the same .California center.
ok
if your status will change pls inform me also if my status will change i will inform you.
https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-will-temporarily-suspend-premium-processing-all-h-1b-petitions
Why We Are Temporarily Suspending Premium Processing for H-1B Petitions
This temporary suspension will help us to reduce overall H-1B processing times. By temporarily suspending premium processing, we will be able to:
Process long-pending petitions, which we have currently been unable to process due to the high volume of incoming petitions and the significant surge in premium processing requests over the past few years
My status got updated and it says “notice Explaining USCIS’ Actions Was Mailed”
Its a rejection 🙁
Hi Ajay,
If we have filed the case in regular processing. we don’t have particular time frame when it is going to get the decision it will take 3-6-9 months.
My premium processing for extension of status says case is on hold. It says “we requested another non-USCIS advisory opinion for your Form I-129”. I have not seen this kinda case status anywhere on google for H1B
2016 H1B Application
MY RESPONSE TO USCIS` REQUEST FOR EVIDENCE WAS RECEIVED
Dec. 14, 2016
Vermont Service Center
Anyone from the same center? May I know what’s the progress on your application? I’m still seeing 2015 applications for this center with the same status, so I thought mine might still take a year.
I am from same service center. My response was also received by USCIS on Dec 14th, 2016 and the status hasn’t changed yet. We might hear from them in 60-90 days tentatively. I am not sure about 2015, but ideally they will not take such long time. I am assuming the system did not update 2015 status.
Thanks. It’s been exactly 2 months yesterday and some of my colleagues’ applications processed from other centers has been approved early this year. So we have another month to wait.
I heard from my consultancy that we might hear from USCIS in 2 weeks. I wish that is true and we all hear a positive response.
same here RFE Response Received on Dec 12th and the employee says he applied for premium,can’t understand why the status is not changing when it is under premium.
If it goes in security check (Employer /Employee) then premium process will not work.. need to wait as long as uscis gets clearance report from the respective authorities..
Hi
My case was approved on 25th November . My employer is saying that they still are waiting for the original copy of notice from USCIS . It has been more than 2 months since approval but no documents have been received yet. Is this true that USCIS is bit late this time?
Hi Nidhi,
Did you receive approval notice mail and hard copy?As my case is approved on Jan 31 2017 and I am still waiting?
Hi All,
I am travelling to US in the month of Feb-2017 on H4. on 19th Jan, my H1B status changed to Approved in USCIS. Is there any issue if I travel on H4 to US and convert the status from H4 to H1? Is it possible to convert from H4 to H1 in US?
Hi Saurabh
Need one clarifications. My employer has filed my H1B Amendment in premium processing on 10th JAN 2017, Vermont Office. On 11th JAN 2017 USCIS emailed the receipt number.
My travel plan is approved for 24th JAN 2017, but I am worried I am yet to get the soft copy of receipt notice (Note my US counter part scan the document and sends the scanned copy to offshore)
Any light how many days it usually takes to get the hard copy of the receipt notice?
Are they send receipt notice using standard USPS mail service or Priority mail service
Saurabh
I filed for premium on Nov 7th and got the approval on feb 2.
So just wait.
Hi SSS,
Your status changed almost after three months?Even after applying premium?
My employee says he applied for premium and in premium processing it should take not more than 15 days,and its been more than two months but no change in status.
Yes ,it took 3 months. Usually timing is 15 days but it can take more.
But how did you know that it was premium because generally normal processing might take the same time.
Because you get a receipt from attorney and a mail from DHS.
Hi AKS,
Did you recieve soft copy of notice mail,as my case is approved on 31st Jan 2017 and I am wating for soft/hard copy of notice mail.
Hi Saurabh,
My H1B case status didn’t even change from “Case Was Received” since May 1st week. I am too much worried thinking like. 1) Reason for the delay. 2) Going be RFE? what if I receive NOID????
Can you suggest me, is it wise decision to upgrade to Premium, what do I need (apart from extra 1k$) to do so.
Thanks,
Rams.
Hi
I am in the same situation. Did you try calling them?
Any one is with me …RFE Response received on Dec 5th, California …. ?
On December 5, 2016, we received your response to our Request for Evidence for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EACXXXX. Our California Service Center office will begin working on your case again. We will mail you a decision or notify you if we need something from you. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.
Waiting since Nov 10! California SC too
Nov 10th .. .you are much senior than us …BTW do u have client letter or was it a product based company like mine ?
hi guys I got approval today …. please check you application status too … good luck … thank you all and Redbus2US 🙂
Congrats !! Thats good to know… Can you tell us when was your rfe docs received by uscis? And which service centre?
Hi Luck,
My case is approved on 31st Jan 2017,still waiting for email notification and hard copy documents,did you get approval notice email and hard copy?If yes then how much it take for you.
Same status since Dec’13, 2016. Upgraded to premium also. But don’t know how to check whether it is premium process status or not. Did you upgrade to premium?
Hi daya…….. No Mine is normal only … I applied through a product based company … is this true that “USCIS has increased scrutiny on product based companies and their h1b candidates !!!”
which is why this delay ?
Hi Daya – Did you get any response?
No. They are saying that we have to wait, no other option.
I felt that there is no use of upgrading to premium(according to my case).
You are right Daya. After waiting for such long time, it is now not suggestable to upgrade to PP. I think you will soon hear from them.
Upgraded to premium processing on 23 dec 16 as per uscis update date but no response yet
Can we discuss offline? You can contact me on “luckydaya143@gmail.com.
Waiting for your response.
Thank you.
SSS – Ideally PP requests take 2 weeks time. I am quiet surprised that you haven’t got the response until now. Is it mentioned by USCIS in your status update that your case is upgraded to premium?
Hi SP,
In my status there is no such information like “upgraded to premium”. Mine is RFE.
If we upgraded to premium, will it mention in the status??
I don’t know about RFE. My employer is saying that there is no deadline for RFE. Then there is no use of upgrading to PP right.
Please let me know if have any more info.
Thank you.
Hi Daya,
Like your employer rightly mentioned there is no deadline for RFE, however if you upgrade your case to PP then you will get to hear from USCIS in 2 weeks. But I suggest not to upgrade your case to PP now, as there are more chances of getting case denied. So, let us wait for the result.
But if you have a client letter which strongly recommend that you have to join the project within next 1 month, you can go ahead and apply for PP. Else, do not take a chance.
Hi SP,
Thanks for your response.
I have applied for PP 40days ago. My employer is saying that it has been upgraded to Premium only.
I have asked the same question, if it is premium why my status didn’t get updated till now?. For that he replied like “there is no deadline even though it is premium”.
Still my status is same since Dec’13th,2016.
Hi Daya,
Once you upgrade to PP, you should hear from USCIS in 2 weeks and that is why we are paying extra 1000+$. However, looks like there is a delay from USCIS due to heavy load. But PP taking 2 months time is quiet surprising. I think you /we will get to hear by on/before next week. Please keep me posted once you get any update and I will do the same from my end.
HopeForTheBest,
I’m waiting in the same status since Oct. 13
I already asked my petitioner for a service request.
Waiting now for their update.
Has anyone got sponsorship from Divesi.com here and their petition applied 2016 march still pending approval? or approval?
Hi Ram,
Yes, I am one of the candidate. Mine is too struck after RFE response from 11 Oct’16.
Let me know .
even my application status says the same date 11th oct RFE response received not sure when the next update. HR guys say no idea. Not sure what to do…. add my mail shivacherukuri@gmail and let me know if you receive any update later
Hi Ram – It’s been more than 3 months since your employer responded to RFE. I think you can ask your employer to talk to USCIS, as it is more than 90 days.
Hi Team,
My employer could not submit required RFE docs for I-129 and saying we will withdraw application . does this means I cant submit docs after 2 months once docs received. will that petition invalidated or any further steps.
Hi,
The decision from USCIS on the RFE response for H1B is NOID. The company is unwilling to appeal again and has decided to withdraw the case.
What should we do?
Hi All,
Really liked your Post above and helped me a lot till now but right now my status is like below:
Fees Were Waived
On April 11, 2016, we received your case and waived the filing fee for your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status, Receipt Number XXXXXXXX. We mailed you a notice describing 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.
Can someone Help me to understand this?
Hi, Could any one please help on the H1B status – My H1b status has been changed to
my “Name Was Updated” when verified in USCIS site this happened after employer
responded to (RFE) before 1 day of the due date “Request for Additional Evidence Was Mailed” -> “Response To USCIS’ Request For Evidence Was Received”. Will this status “Name Was Updated” leads to “Rejection”
It is just a name change .. nothing to worry… if your documents submitted by attorney (given by employer) are not satisfactory ,then only it may lead to denial.. all the best for your approval..
Hi, My case was picked up at Lottery in 2015. There was an RFE raised in the month of July-2015, for which the response is made in Oct-2015. From then the status is same, “On October 22, 2015, we received your response to our Request for Evidence for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EACXXXXXXXXXX. Our Vermont Service Center office will begin working on your case again. We will mail you a decision or notify you if we need something from you. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.”
Any suggestion to make this case to move further will be appreciated.
Hi Govind,
I am also waiting for my approval since Oct 2015. Did u check with your Employer/ Attorney?
Hi Keethu,
Didn’t got any concrete reply, per them i need to wait as they can’t do anything much about it.
my personal mail id is govindgoyal11@gmail.com, we can discuss over there too.
Thanks,
Govind
Hi Govind ,
Even i am in the same boat, waiting since 2015 for h1 approval . mine is vermont service center..i did gather some info pertaining to this delay of case nos.. you can ping me at my mail id : madhu.karur@gmail.com or call me @ 9620496186..
Hey Anu ,
What is your Status now , after getting ” Name was updated” . I have got the same update on USCIS site..
I recently applied for H1B extension with CSC in Premium processing and my petetion got approved. However, my attorney or employer never received email approval notice.
What intrestesing is the USCIS online status which says “Case Was Approved And My Decision Was Mailed” instead of “Case Was Approved And My Decision Was EMailed”
Did USCIS stop sending email approval notices? any thoughts?
I see similar message for my petition under premium (Mailed & not Emailed)? Did it mean USCIS sent hard copy of decision directly? How many days did it take until you received it?
Hi –
Did you receive i94 with the approval notice in your case? And was it in email or mail?
Thanks
Rishi
I got my case approved on Dec 8th but am yet to receive my the response letter from USCIS. How many days does it generally take to arrive?.
Hi Santosh,
Me also Same. My case is approved on 8-Dec-2017 but still not received the letter.
Mine got approved on 23 November. Still not received approval notice. Did u get the notice??
SM
Hi Santosh,
Me also Same. My case was approved on 8-Dec-2016 but still not yet received the letter.
Hi SM,
My case was approved on November 16, 2016, but I still didn’t receive the notice mail yet. And the status is still saying “Case Was Approved And My Decision Was Mailed”. Any updates with your case?
Looks like there were many approvals on Dec 8. Mine was a RFE and case status moved on Nov 10 to “Response To USCIS’ Request For Evidence Was Received”. It is still the same… Is anybody in the same status?
Hi, I am also on the same boat. Mine also RFE and status moved to “Response To USCIS’ Request For Evidence Was Received” on Dec 13, 2017. Status didn’t get updated till now(Jan 7, 2017). I have applied for premium but i don’t know how to check whether it is premium process status or not. Usually premium process will take 15 calendar days. Did you apply for premium???
Same here we applied for premium processing and status changed on dec 12 th saying response to rfe received but no change in status yet (8jan 2017).
Hi Pooja,
Is there any info related to “received your application for Premium process”??? in your status???
If have any info please inform me on my email(luckydaya143@gmail.com).
Thank you,
Daya
No,there isn’t any information about that,and don’t have any idea how to check it is under premium processing or not.
Got any update?
Got any update?
My case status changed from NOID to Response to USCIS recieved to Name was updated. What does this mean? Does this mean approval or denial. Can anyone suggest on this?
What does Case was reopened status mean in H1B amendment?
On Nov 10th 2016,USCIS received my documents for RFE. How long will it take for them to update the next status as there is no update after that.
Petition end date on petition approval notice mentioned as 5th May 2018(17 to 18 months from now). will my visa have same end date on passport or they will issue for 3 years irrespective of petition end date on petition approval notice? please let me know
Hi,
My status showing as Fee Refund was mailed. Before this the status was Fee will be refunded.
When I check with my company they are saying that the total fee returned by USCIS. May I know what is the reason of this please.
Can any one have an idea of this status of case.
Hi My status is showing as Fee Refund was mailed.
When I check with my company, they received total fee amount in a cheque.
Can you please help to understand the meaning of it. Why the payment/fee came to company though it was picked in lottery.
Hi Jayapal,
Even my status is same as like yours. Even i don’t understand what does it mean. My consultancy said they will get it touch with USCIS. My number is 9884635595. if anything please reach me.
Hi Jayapal & Shiva,
I also got the same status now – ‘Fee Refund was emailed’ and my consultancy says nothing to worry and they are trying to get in touch with USCIS. Did you guys get any update?
Hi Kumar/Jaypal/Shiva,
Even my status is same showing as – Fee Refund was mailed. Before this the status was Fee will be refunded. I am bit concerned here bcoz few saying that fee has been returned by USCIS to company, and in other friend case – consultancy checking with USICS (Does this mean, No refund was made, or consultancy hiding the infm abt refund).
Even in my case consultancy informed that they didn’t receive any refund from USCIS and I am under impression that my status will be updated soon with some information. So guys please let me know if you have any further updates on this and I too will update the group.
Note- But in status, I see the sentence – “This refund doen’t not affect processing or location of your case”. This means case is still under process right. If they had refunded the money then status should have been updated something like closed or with any other infm.
Hi,
My case status shows case was received from Jan 2016 for h1b extension filing, today my employer received email to send additional documents,but status in USCIS has not been updated to RFE. Can you let me know whether this is possible?
Hi,
My status shows “On October 2, 2015, we received your response to our Request for Evidence for your Form I-129”.. It has not been changed till now. Any body on same boat?. My employer put in many service requests in the past, we got response saying its under process. What does this mean?.. Do u think my visa’s been denied?.. Or do they change the status to denied if it’s denied.
Hi keethu,
I have one case no and if i am not wrong it is yours only.. currently my account is locked i will ping you the case no in 2 days.. meanwhile you can get in touch with me at : madhu.karur@gmail.com or 9620496186
Hi Madhu,
Thanks for the reply, How do u know that is my case number?.. And which account has been locked?.. I didn’t get u..
hi last 3 digits are 935 of the case no.. i think.. can we take it offline .. pls ping me at my gmail id. i am also waiting for the approval since nov 2015
Are USCIS delaying cases yet again?
My case was approved on 17th October. But still i have not received the approval notice from my employer for visa interview. Usually, how many days will take to get the approval notice after petition approval?
it depends where your employer is. It might change from 3 to 10 days.
My petition status still says “Case Was Received”. When is it likely to change?.
My RFE was submitted on 25th october today my status reads my notice explaining USCIS action was mailed.
Further says we mailed the decision we intend to take.
Please follow instructions in the notice and submit any requested material
What does this mean?
Emmah, any update from your consultancy regarding this? I am in the same boat. Quite tensed. I haven’t yet received the notice.
New twist :
Case status changed from Notice Explaining USCIS’ Actions Was Mailed to Request For Premium Processing Services Was Received. What does this mean?
My case denied..
On November 10, 2016, we denied your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC1614XXXX. We mailed you a decision notice that explains why we denied your case and your options. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your denial notice by November 25, 2016, please go to www.uscis.gov/e-request to request a copy of the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.
Can i proceed further or need to forget about the dream..
Am not able to understand in a single day my case status changed thrice.
1) Notice-Explaining-USCIS-Actions-Was-Mailed
2) request for premium processing services was received
3) Case was recieved and we have sent the details with the way your case will be processed.
What does this mean? Does this mean they are processing my case or a RFE is already sent or some other serious case?
Request For Premium Processing – whether this status after you upgraded to Premium. if yes how much time it took for approval
I am also on same boat Emmah. My petition showed the same status yesterday.
My case is stuck at
Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was Emailed
On November 10, 2016, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number , and emailed you a receipt notice. It is being processed at our Vermont Service Center location. The notice describes how we will process 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
Is anyone facing a similar issue? This is stuck after the update request for premium processing recieved
Hi Phani,
Whats your status now
I was selected in the H1B lottery this year, but received RFE . My employer submitted the docs but USCIS denied my petition on October 6th. Then on November 3rd, USCIS reopened my case without my employer doing any appeal or filing MTR. Does anyone has any idea what is going on?
How do you got to know that your case is reopened? Is there any status change in the portal?
USCIS online case status check, there it says case has been reopened. It still says same thing, however my employer received my H1B approval notice 2 days back.
Kumar:
That means yours came back from Denial to Approval which is amazing. Did you submit any new docs for approval to come in.
Phani
No, neither me nor my employer did anything after October 6th when my H1B was denied. USCIS reopened the case and approved it. As I mentioned in the first post, no appeal, no MTR.
Kumar, mine got denied yesterday…i don’t know what to do next.. had submitted all original documents. Not sure wat i can do to proceed further.
Kishore:
I am sorry man, but I am not the right person to ask anything in this matter. From October 6th (denial) to November 3rd (approval), I did nothing. Same goes for my employer. I was planning for next year’s H1B. I guess I was just lucky. Only your employer and a good immigration lawyer can guide you here.
Kumar, could u please tell this ? Have u received denial notice on October 6th when the online case status has changed to decision was emailed.
So have u got two emails , one for denial on October and other for approval on November ?
Hi my rfe is rejected on dec 1st. At this stage will the fee be returned or not.
Kishore could you check your case history and next steps for your case in uscis login..my case also got denied on nov 9 but if I check the case history it shows only till rfe email..And next steps section shows that decision will be mailed.. So I just thought to check if online status is correct
Can you share me ur mail id.. to contact you..
or you can reach me on kishore1443@gmail.com. Thanks
I am also facing this, the status is still in “Case Was Received”. Have you guys got any update?
Still how long we have to wait for the status change?
Can some one please tell me.
Hi Vikas – I am assuming that we might get response this month. But again their no SLA for the processing time.
We are all in the same boat. My case is also stuck in “Received” status. I don’t know why USCIS is delaying our cases.
Same goes here. Hope there shd be an update by this month.
Hi,
I am also facing this, the status is still in “Case Was Received”. Have you guys got any update?
Still how long we have to wait for the status change?
Can some one please tell me.
Hi Prathima – I am assuming that we might get response this month. But again their no SLA for the processing time.
On June 1st I received RFE from USCIS. My Employer replied back to USCIS with the required information in August and the USCIS received the same on August 26th and the status has changed to “”Response To USCIS’ Request For Evidence Was Received”.
My question is how long will it take to get the decision from USCIS. It’e been 65days and no information from USCIS. I tried contacting the USCIS call center, but they did not provide any information on my case.
Please advise.
SP,
There is no set processing time. It could take weeks or months.
Same situation here still stuck at Case was recieved. Looks like there will be some movement on our cases post elections i.e., Nov 8th 2016. Lets wait and hope. Keeping fingers crossed.
Yeah, hoping to get approved soon…..
Thank you, Saurabh
I am currently in US on L1B and I have to go back to India permanently in December. However, fortunately I was picked up in lottery from a consultancy A. Now in order to go on H1, I need to resign from my current company. But my visa approval has not yet come. Its still stuck in “case is received” .
I have upgraded my case to premium 3 weeks ago, but my status is still the same. No update for a RFE or approval. They haven’t even acknowledged that I have upgraded.
Please advice what to do? Should I go back to India in Dec and keep working for my company. OR should I resign and stay back in Dec, searching for projects through consultancy A (IF I get an approval)
I got RFE on Oct 20, how much time it will take furthur process and expected status after this.
steps to follow from my end for this case status type
Hi Saurab, pls let me know why status not changed to Response to USCIS rfe received, though my visa team submitted docs to USCIS on last Friday. Because coming Friday is due date. My RFe on Aug-5.
RFE Doc,
As long as you or employer can demonstrate that it was received before the deadline, you should be fine. It may take couple of days for status to change.
My sponsor sent the docs in first week of October for a RFE. In fact he claims he sent the response twice already. However t hg e status online is still the same as before”Document was mailed”. What are my options?
Thanks,
My Employer responded to RFE on Oct 18th but the status didn’t changed to Response received. Mine is cap-exempt case and applied through Premium. Please help me saurabh.
Hi RFE Doc,any update in your status bcz I am also in the same boat..my employer sent the RFE docs 10 days back but still I can see the status as request mailed.
My consultant says he has sent my case for PP. My case status is still shows as “Case was recieved”. If USCIS recieves the PP then what should the status change to. Is there any evidence that Premium processing is going to be done for my case?
Phani,
At times, the online status doesn’t change correctly. You should follow-up w/ employer and they may decide to check w/ USCIS.
Let’s say employer tells you that on XX date it has been upgraded to PP. Add 15 calendar days to it and another 3-4 days as buffer. If the petition doesn’t get processed by that time, then it may not have been upgraded.
Hi Saurabh,
Mine was RFE and status showing as below.
“Response To USCIS’ Request For Evidence Was Received” on Dec 13, 2017.
Status didn’t get updated till now(Jan 8, 2017).
My employer said that upgraded to PP but i don’t know how to check whether it has been updated to premium process or not. 26 days over but no status update.
Any special status for PP??
Please help me to understand the PP.
Thank you
Daya
My Case in USCIS is showing as “RFE was mailed on Sep 26th and If you do not receive your request for additional evidence by Oct 26, 2016, please go to www.uscis.gov/e-request to request a copy.”
But till now I didn’t get any RFE mail either from my employer or USCIS. I am worried as Oct 26th is due date. This Oct 26th as mentioned above is a due date to receive RFE mail or to submit my documents?.
To do anything I haven’t received RFE mail till date and last date is Oct 26th. Can anyone suggest pls.
Raghuram,
RFE deadline is usually 90 days. So it would be Dec 26 or something in your case. If employer has not received the documents by Oct 26, then they should follow-up w/ USCIS.
Thanks Saurabh .
And Oct 26 is not the last date to submit RFE documents from my end. right?
My Case in USCIS is showing as “RFE was mailed on Sep 26th and If you do not receive your request for additional evidence by Oct 26, 2016, please go to www.uscis.gov/e-request to request a copy.”
But till now I didn’t get any RFE mail either from my employer or USCIS. I am worried as Oct 26th is due date. This Oct 26th as mentioned above is a due date to receive RFE mail or to submit my documents?.
To do anything I haven’t received RFE mail till date and last date is Oct 26th. Can anyone suggest pls what to do.
Hello CSD,,, me too on same page,,,, Rfe for Right to control + SPL. occupation. last Friday my visa cell submitted the Rfe docs to USCIS… just waiting,,, finger crossed,,,
Shall we get a head count of how many ppl are still waiting on response from USCIS regarding H1b RFE?
Hi All,
My Case chnaged from Case Received to RFE unfortunately :(:( with the categoery as Speciality Occupation + Right to Control and asking for so many documents, it almost resembles am applying a fresh H1b :
Client contractual Agreements
1. Client letter
2. MSA (Master service Agreement)
3. SOW (State of Work)
4. PO (Purchase Order)
Affidavit(Get signature with your future Onsite reporting Manager)
Performance Review
Organization Chart
Educational Documents (10th to Higher Degree)
Experience Certificates (Previous Organizations)
Resume
Make sure you provide additional documents with the same job title
Project Plan
has anybody faced RFE with similar category… asking for these many documents really scares me if the approval chances are coming down for me 🙁
Visa Gurus your comments\Guidance plz
Hey even i have been asked all these documents. actually project plan was not a part of initial documents submitted. but in RFE documents they asked for project plan. my status changed to “Response To USCIS’ Request For Evidence Was Received” and waiting for case to be approved.
My receipt status changed to ” Document was Mailed” on August 29. Documents relating to one small information on details of all the multiple applicants on the LCA was sought. My sponsor has mentioned that they sent this document twice already to USCIS. However, the status obline still shows “Document was Mailed” status. Not even Case Received!!! What could this mean??
Thanks
Hi All,
USCIS raised RFE on my H1B petition in July. My company sends the response to USCIS on Oct 06th. On 17th OCT My H1B petition status changed to approved.
A part of RFE , they asked below documents.
-SOW
-MSA
-Client letter
-Position Description letter
-latest appraisal letter
-Org chart.
My client is not ready to provide the email approval to share SOW and MSA documents to USCIS. Visa team responded to USCIS with out these two documents. Still case was approved.
Mine is not a PP.
Hello,
Currently I am working for Indian software company and we have option to work from home also.
My wife’s H1B is approved and we are travelling in the coming month. Will there be any problem if I work from US as I have work from home option. I am travelling on H4.
Thanks,
Rahul
Rahul,
By law, you are not allowed to work for any company while you are on H-4. This includes working remotely for your Indian employer.
Hi All,
I got RFE and my employer responded on RFE on 14th Sep.2016. It is non prem processing. After that I didn’t get any update. Is it like more delay more chance of getting denial ?
Hi Sankar,
Please let me know when you get a response from USCIS. I’m in the same boat and my employer sent the documents on Sep 12th for RFE, Its not PP either, USCIS might be taking more time to answer some cases.
Thanks
Sman
Hey there,
An RFE was raised on my petition on 9th Aug and my lawyer replied on 22nd August. Since it was past sixty days and my project required urgent onsite staffing, my employer upgraded to premium processing on 25th Oct. I received an approval update today on my case, 30th Oct.
So, yes – for my case there was no RFE decision even after 60 days. I guess the delayed processing is the norm currently. Wait it out and best of luck.
Did any one got approval status after RFE documents submitted to USCIS? My RFE documents are reached to USCIS on 1st OCT.
I am too facing same situation right now my RFE was received on Aug 18th from there still no update even opt extension is also not yet approved
Hi murali,,, wats ur status now,,, me too same page,,,,
case was approved on 17th Oct from RFE received
I am also facing same issue right now my RFE was received on Aug 22nd from there still no update even not yet approved.
Notice Explaining USCIS’ Actions Was Mailed
I have recieved this today morning. What does this mean? Is it something to do with RFE or denial or Approval? Can someone please respond.
I got same update today….don’t know what it means
Hi Friends ,
My case still shows “Received” . Its already week past Oct , Most of my friends case got approved . Is this alarming ? Do i need to serious Now ?
Is any one out there in same state ?
I’m lil anxious here please advice .
Me too have same issue. Any
Me too have same problem. Any help??
Me too have same issue.
Me too have same issue. Any
I am also having the same issue
Hi
I am also awaiting decision from USCIS. Based on whatever I have read and discussed there is nothing you can do. You can just hope for the best.
Hi Iam also facing this, the status is still Case Received. Have you guys got any update
No updates for me too. Still stuck at Case was recieved. My consultant said myne is sent for Premium processing and still havent recieved any update even after 2 weeks. Is there going to be any issue?
My h1b receipt status got changed yesterday to request for evidence mailed
Ok atleast some update and did you apply for premium processing?