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USCIS H1B Visa 2014 Regular Processing Time? Premium Processing ? FAQs ?

Many of you who have applied for H1B Visa for fiscal year 2014 might be wondering regarding the H1B Visa processing times. Some common questions are like below:

  • What is USCIS Regular Processing time for H1B Visa 2014 petitions ?
  • Is there any SLA for USCIS to process the H1B Visa 2014 petitions ?
  • What is the processing time for H1B petitions filed under  Premium processing ?
  • How has USCIS done historically with H1B Processing Times ?
  • Where and How can I look at the average processing times for H1B petitions ?

 

Let me take some time to address some of the above most commonly asked questions around H1B Visa petitions processing times and how USCIS has done in the past. If you have already received a case number for your H1B petition, you can read this article: Understanding H1B Visa Case Number, Track Status

What is USCIS Processing time for H1B 2014 petitions filed under Regular Processing ?

Well, the typical adjudication (decision making) time for H1B visa petitions filed under regular processing by USCIS can range anywhere from 2 months to 6 months. There are cases where the decision was mailed by USCIS in less than 2 months and there are cases where USCIS took much longer than 6 months too.  Every H1B case is different and the time taken depends on various facts and factors tied with a petition…

Is there any set SLA for USCIS to process petitions filed under H1B 2014 Regular processing ?

There is NO set SLA for USCIS that stipulates them to adjudicate a H1B petitions filed under regular processing within certain amount of time.  So, you would just have to wait for USCIS, there is nothing you can do. Unlike,  USCIS has SLA for premium processing H1B petitions, but it comes with a cost.

How long will  USCIS take for H1B Visa 2014 Premium Processing petitions ?

USCIS has a standard 15 calendar days SLA for premium processing petitions.   Typically, it starts from the day USCIS receives the petition and they issue a case number.  But for FY 2014, due to expected high volumes they have pushed the premium processing clock  for H1B petitions to start from April 15th. So, you can expect a response from USCIS on your case by April 30th.  It can be a decision or an RFE, if something was missing.  Read article: H1B Visa Statuses – Approval, RFE, Denial

How has USCIS done historically with H1B petitions processing times ?

Again, as mentioned above, it has varied from 2 to 6 months. The current national average for processing times that USCIS publishes on their website is about 2 months and it seems to be varying depending on how busy USCIS gets with processing at a particular time.  You have to remember that the reason processing times can vary a lot is because USCIS constantly receives other H1B petitions that are not part of FY 2014 quota, which are extensions and change of employers, cap-exempt petitions, etc. that they would have to process as well. If  some of these mentioned are filed under premium processing, the priority changes from USCIS perspective.

Where can I look at USCIS processing times for H1B petitions ?

USCIS publishes the processing times on their website. The only trick is that that, you have to watch for date that processing times correspond to…All you need to do is select the processing center and it will show the approximate processing times. You can check at here at USCIS website

You can check out some of the processing times at our  H1B Visa Tracker.   Don’t forget to add your case.

What has been your experience with USCIS processing times ?  How long did it take ?

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

   

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8,159 Comments

  1. Hi Saurabh,

    I have few questions in my mind. Please care to answer

    1. If VO denied VISA during H1 Interview, can we attend interview again? If so, do we need to wait for any days to schedule and attend interview again?

    2. I am from Hyd, Do I need to attend interview only in Hyd or can I go for Chennai also? (I heard that Chennai Consulate has more approval chances)

    Reply
    • @NRJK

      1.If VO rejects VISA then I thing it is gone(As per my knowledge)
      2.Compared to Chennai, Visa rejection is less in Hyderabad.

      Reply
      • rkode,

        1. I am not sure about that, but I heard that we can attend interview again. Lets wait for saurabh to reply

        2. I see there are more rejections in hyderabad. Even B1 and also H1

        Reply
    • NRJK,
      1. The officer will first issue 221g and then continue to process the visa stamping request. This is similar to RFE issued by USCIS but there is no set processing time. If at the end of processing, they find you ineligible for visa, then they will send the petition back to USCIS for revocation. USCIS will review the petition and either approve it or revoke it. Until they revoke the petition, you can use that petition to reappear for stamping. You can also have another employer file cap-exempt petition for you using that petition.

      2. You can go to either consulate.

      Reply
  2. hi all,
    Any one got approval /RFE with number EAC13145****** in RQ/RP/IT category
    . and up to what series EAC have done processing ? please give me details??

    many thanks

    Reply
  3. Hi Saurabh and everyone in here,

    My application didnt get selected in the lottery this year. I had another plan which is to get married. However, my girlfriend just notified me that her mom is strongly against the idea.

    What I’d like to know is, knowing that my current OPT expires in 2 weeks, does anybody know or have experience with any H1B cap-exempt employer in chicago. Can anybody please shed some light on the possibility of me getting such a job. Also I have been looking for universities that provide CPT from the first semester but to no avail, does anybody know a university that does that !?

    I would appreciate any help.

    Thanks Much.

    Reply
    • Kada,
      For cap-exempt employers, you need to look for hospitals, non-profits, universities etc. I don’t know any university that offers CPT from day 1 or 1st semester; but we very careful when going down this road as lot of these universities are just diploma mills and can cause issue during H-1 processing.

      Reply
  4. my visa s approved but I had to transfer to noida from Chennai. same employer . same client. so where would be my visa stamping done? and visa interview?

    should I go to Chennai ?@$ourabh can you pls help

    Reply
  5. Saurabh/H1B Premium/Vin and All
    Does anyone of you know of USCIS refused for an express delivery
    My company sent the RFE response to the premium processing center address of Vermont using USPS express delivery but USPS tracking status shows refused delivery..
    Did anyone face this kind of issue?

    Reply
    • SKML,
      I haven’t seen such instances in the past. Don’t know why they would do it. Maybe your employer can follow-up w/ USPS to get more details.

      Reply
  6. Hi Saurabh/ Freinds,

    Did anyone got status update over weekend too? MY PP clock was restarted after replying to RFE and today is 14th Day including weekend. Just wanted to check if somebody got any upodate on weekend too regarding there case status? If USCIS is counting days including weekend then should I get any update tomorrow, keeping 15 days TAT?

    Reply
    • Unlucky,
      If it doesn’t get processed within 15 calendar days (I have seen petition updates happening over the weekend as well), then your employer/attorney should follow-up w/ USCIS.

      Reply
  7. Throughout my life have never refreshed a site like this ,just to know status 🙁
    Really fed up…engrossed with so much stress now..Above all the day PP CLOCK has started, for only once it went through acceptance stage and till today displays Initial review.

    Though have received RFE , responded to it and then clock restarted .
    But all in vain my status still shows IR..really killing me at least it should have been something else..like RFE/ request for evidence review etc… 🙂
    Whatever is the result either approval or rejection…come soon… !!!

    Reply
    • @ H1B Premium.

      so i see ur in same status – stress – pain as me!

      applied on May 30th – went to IR – Clock stopped and employer responded back on June 14th and now after 8 to 10 days of wait (which was IR) -now the CLOCK Stopped again which is possible 2nd time RFE i think!!!

      any thoughts guys – what are the chances on getting approval? i was running out of time since i have already job and need to get this approval asap!!

      Reply
      • Vin,

        when did your clock stopped post the clock was restarted ( Exact dates)?
        As going by this forum and other post in case the clock stopped message comes up, chances are likely that it gets approved the same day (min it take 5 hrs) and if not then may be an RFE :(..Lets hope for the best…May you get approval soon

        Mine case clock has not stopped yet it says the msg clock restarted since 21 st june 🙁 and status is IR.
        Stay in touch….keep posting!!!

        Reply
        • @ H1B Premium!!

          May 30th applied
          May 31 got receipt #
          June 4th cannot find the information
          June6th CLOCK Stopped
          June 14th responded back to RFE – so it took again 15 day processing
          June 27th – CLOCK Stopped………

          Yes with in same day the status should be changed or else it is Mostly RFE unless we are lucky!!!

          So, second time CLOCK STOPPED on JUNE 27th and no change in that and yet to check with Employer!!! please keep in touch and let me know ur direct email so we can communicate more better!!!

          thanks…..

          Reply
        • Vin,

          I am registered with this site by name : Confidential.(In Q & A forum)
          U can send private message to me which would be directly sensed by my private email id.
          Let me know if you are also registered.
          In order to my locate my account details .Below are the details.Click on this link.
          http://redbus2us.com/qa/12760/rfe-responded-but-status-still-in-initial-review

          Thanks for the info, just to inform you i was in touch with a person whose clock was stopped but his/her employer recieved aproval notice although online status was not updated. Check with your employer once.

          Keep posting!!!

          Reply
  8. My application # WAC1313151***. My status has been in initial review since April 25th, My employer has submitted the docs that was requested. Any thoughts on when the application processing will commence again? Thanks

    Reply
  9. Finally my petition is approved on 26th june

    Thank you all for ur valuable posts!!!

    my Receipt number: WAC13137529** (RQ/RP)

    Reply
  10. I just got my RFE today stating:

    the record does not establish that he job offered requires the services of a person performing a “specialty ocupation”

    Did anybody else got a RFE similar?

    Reply
    • I just don’t understand why an accountant doesn’t require a bachelor degree.
      How could a guy graduating from high school do the financial analysis and auditing?
      That’s all bullshit from USCIS. Looks like any position other than IT is Specialty Occupation suspected to them. I guess most USCIS officers don’t attend college. That’s why garbage question is raised by garbage people.

      Reply
      • I know. I applied for International market research Analyst. I was reading some stuff about what USCIS consider “specialty occupation” and apparently things like accounting or my field are not. Now i have to gather so much shit to prove that my position needs a bachelors degree.

        Its just stupid.

        Reply
        • Accounting is considered “specialty occupation”. see here:

          http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=6408ec897643f010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=4b18dc4d88889010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

          Reply
        • Got it last month. He is working on that. He said this is a normal RFE when USCIS can not find any flaw in your application but they want to get you in some trouble.
          This RFE is kind of universal RFE.
          Well done, USCIS.

          Reply
    • I got the same RFE. Applied as an HR Specialist. Had to get an degree evaluation though i did my BA in the US. Also had to collect job postings for similar positions online where all require a Bachelors.

      Reply
  11. Dear friends ,
    Many of from series EAC13140522** got approval ,mine starts before this series EAC13139 ..y is this not picked first ?is there anything wrong here

    Reply
  12. Hi Saurabh ,

    when i tried to track my status its showing..

    “your Alien Registration Number was changed relating to your I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. Please check our website at www.uscis.gov for further updates on your case.”

    can u pls let me know the reason

    Reply
    • H1B-help,
      Others who reported this issue saw their status changed to something else in few days. So you can wait for few days to see if it changes automatically to something more meaningful. If not, ask your attorney/employer to follow-up with USCIS.

      Reply
      • Thanks saurabh for replying..

        i seen all r getting while tracking status “on April 8 your petition is filed………..” but mine is “on April 22 your Alien Registration Number was changed relating to your I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER”

        may i know for who got this message are they got approved or any other message …(like saying RFE..)

        can u pls let me know..

        Reply
        • Hi H1B help,

          Even my status was same for a period and it is approved now.
          May be u have an L1 petition or Visa in past which will have a an receipt no.
          so they may have linked ur past case with ur new H1B case.

          The advantage of this is in past for ur L1 case the back ground verifaction is done. So they dont have do the background verification once again.

          So you can expect an faster result soon.

          It is just my perception.

          Reply
          • i dont have L1-visa, this is fresh h1-b visa.

            Thanks for answering…..hoping the best..:)

  13. finally got my H1 approved on 27 th of this month …..

    redbus2us forum has been so help for information…..

    AD/PP
    WAC1313052xxx

    Thanks

    Reply
  14. From people who got RFE

    Can you share what USCIS wanted from you in that RFE letter? and if you got approved or not after responding to RFE.

    Thank you,

    Reply
        • I also got RFE from WAC, but my attorney and my employer did not ask for anything from me, they even responded the RFE in 2-3 days, RFE was issued on 13th June, and 20th June USCIS received RFE response. I am not even in PP, do not know how could it be this fast.

          Reply
      • Hi All,
        can anyone tell me,how we are going to receive Rfe(via mail or email)?My application status changed to RFE yesterday?when will be i know about the details?

        Reply
  15. Got my approval e-mail last night!
    Wac1313651784, RP/RQ, I’m in IT, the job is for a programmer analyst position.

    Thank you, guys, sharing this experience with you has made the process a little less painful.
    Hope everyone gets what they’re looking for!

    America, baby!

    Reply
  16. Saurabh,
    It Would be great if you could help me out with information.

    My Receipt # : WAC1313552***
    RQ / RP / California
    Type – H1B New
    Petition Filed : 1st April 2013
    Filing Center : Western Adjudication Center – California
    Notice date – 17th April 2013

    Till 16th of May my case status was in initail stage with normal description like “On April 8, 2013, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. ”

    But after 16th of may my case status description changed to
    “The I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER was transferred and is now being processed at a USCIS office. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you.”

    kindly clarify, below are my questions…

    1. I read somewhere in a forum / site stating if the case gets transferred from one service center to another(in my case WAC to EAC) then the petition will be added to the last in the queue(Last In Last Out) of that Service center. Is this true?

    2. A new receipt number will be generated for the petition with the received working day order. Something like if EAC131645****(Even though mine is processed on 135th day in WAC). And only after processing all the petitions in the queue, the transferred case would get processed. Any idea on this saurabh?

    Replies Awaited !!!

    Many Thanks in advance !

    Reply
    • H1B_Case_Transfer,
      1. That may be true but there is no way to validate it.
      2. Yes, it will make more sense for a new EAC number as its now handled in Vermont.

      Did you talk to your employer/attorney if the transfer was correct or if it should not have been transfered in the first place. You don’t want to end-up in a situation when VSC sends it back to CSC saying that it needs to be handled by California center only.

      Reply
      • Thanks for the reply Saurabh,
        Yes i touch based with my employer and they told that i need to wait until they get response from USCIS for my petition . Also they told its part of USCIS process to transfer cases to other location.

        One more clarification needed:
        In the USCIS site, i read like beneficiary/employer can call uscis to get the status of the Case incase if there is no update for the petition for more than 60 days. Is that true?

        Reply
        • H1B_Case_Transfer,
          Yes, your employer/attorney can call USCIS to get the new case number (if one is generated).

          Reply
  17. Hi Saurabh,

    Can you please let me know what all possibilities of having case in Initial Review?
    Mine is EAC13142544** and when i check series EAC13142544++, could see either case chnage to Decision or post decision…does it mean that they have not picked my case?
    Its in RQ/ RP. anyone in same series and init rev?
    Thanking you.

    Reply
    • Hi Mahi,
      Yeah there are lots of numbers in your series that are in initial review still. Then there are random cases picked past those day series like 143, 144, 145 (my own is 145) that are being processed as well.

      While the case picking is random but it seems that VSC is doing the 140-145 series this half of the month at least. So I have a feeling you should be hearing something soon. Best of luck and stay positive.

      I thought my case would be picked this week for processing since it would be 2 month mark. But it was picked last week for and RFE, which I am not surprised about due to the nature of my job. RQ/RP EAC1314553xxx

      Reply
    • Mahi,
      If it is in initial review then it can mean 2 things –
      1. They have not picked-up your case yet
      2. They have picked-up the case and are processing it. Until their processing is completed, the status remains IR and will then flip to Decision or RFE.

      Reply
  18. Hi My H1B petition got approved on June 21 2013 and needed to go to Visa Stamping but my sponser wants me to inciated the process for B1 for the business visa trip very soon and they are sending documents for B1 next week to schedule for the B1 Visa Interview schedule.

    My question are
    1)will it impact my H1B approved petition if I go for B1 Visa interview schedule and stamping process?

    2)Lets say my B1 Visa stamping gets succeeded will I be able to use my H1B approved petition for going for H1B stamping once I return back from US from B1 which is being in process?

    3)When I should return back for H1B stamping for the approved petition as my Start date shows 01 oct 2013 to 13 sept 2016 i.e for 3 yrs approval notice as per I797B in my case.

    I will really appreciate answers to these question as I do not want to have my H1B impacted as B1 process for Visa stampting is going to be process very soon.

    Thanks
    CoolAnks

    Reply
    • Coolanks,
      1. B-1 interview will not impact the approved H-1 petition
      2. Yes, you can appear for H-1 stamping after returning from your B-1 trip
      3. You should return from your B-1 trip once that work is done. If you stay for more than 2-3 months on B-1, then it can raise additional questions during H-1 visa interview. You can go for H-1 stamping anytime during the petition validity period.

      How long do you plan to stay in US on B-1?

      Reply
      • Thanks Surabh for the response.
        I will only go on B1 for 15 days to 1 month.
        I was also expecting the same both just to confirm I raised the following question.
        I always follow your forum.

        Thanks
        CoolAnks

        Reply
  19. Hello Saurabh,

    Yesterday my statuts (Receipt No. WAC1313752***) has been changed from “Inital Review” to
    •At this time USCIS cannot provide you with information for your case. Please contact the NCSC 1 (800) 375-5283 for additional information.

    Please let me know if this is an indication of I’ll get RFE soon? Or it could be Approval as well?
    I mean to say..looks like they are working on my application. Does every statuts goes to this statuts before USCIS make any decision?
    I hope you got my questions? If you can reply it would be very helpful.

    Reply
    • Most probably it will go for RFE. If you are RP/RQ…this status may not change for 1-2 week. Dont worry about it. I had the same exp. I was in this status for 1 week b4 getting RFE.

      Reply
    • H1B Seeker !!,
      It can be either. So you will have to wait and see what happens. Not everyone sees this status during their petition processing.

      Reply
  20. My case number is WAC13137518xx. It used to have a msg about undeliverable mail since May 16, today it changed to “info is not available right now”. I am guessing they emailed RFE, approval, or denial. Just wanted to let the rest of you know about the uSCIS’ progress on cases. I also spoke to my attorney about how USCIS process cases whether it is my the receipt number or occupation. She said that usually it is first in first out(when there is no lottery). I am guessing USCIS processes applications by the receipt numbers. I will keep it posted if my attorney gets anything in the mail.

    Reply
  21. Hi,

    Just now I heard that USCIS is going to increase H1B cap from 65K to 110K with immediate effect. So, will we be able to file VISA for remaining 45K or those 110K for next year?

    Regards,
    Phani

    Reply
    • Phani,
      The bill has just passed the Senate. It still needs to pass the House and signed by the President before going into effect. If you referred to an online source (like news site etc) for your information and that source gave you this incorrect information, its time to stop referring to that source.

      Reply
  22. Hi Saurabh,
    I have a H1B stamping question please. I got my H1 this year. At the end of this year I want to go home for a vacation. Since we don’t have US embassy in my country, I have to go to Delhi, India for my H1 stamping. I got my F1 rejected in the first try in 2009. But I got it in my second try without any modification of documents, but read (immihelp, didn’t know redbus at that time) and went with much better confidence 🙂 Will my F1 rejected record of 2009 will affect my H1 stamping at the end of this year? My company is E-verified & I have MS degree from US. If it is threatening, I do not want to go till I get my GC. I would appreciate your kind advice.

    Reply
    • Tinag D,
      Previos F-1 rejection will not impact the current H-1 stamping. I assume your F-1 was denied b/c of 214(b) i.e. potential immigrant.

      Reply
  23. Hi Everyone,

    My RFE was responded, but note still shows
    “the 15-day Premium Processing clock stopped on your I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. A notice was sent on this date explaining the specific reason for stopping the premium processing of your case. This notice will contain detailed information on further action required by you. Your premium processing receipt notice contains contact information for direct inquiries on your case.”

    And status is “Initial Review” instead of RFE.
    Is this expected? or I got a 2nd RFE?

    Appreciate your response!

    Reply
        • Abi,

          Congrats for the approval 🙂
          Could you let me know when your rfe was responded and for the second time when did the clock restarted and stopped ( Dates )
          I am also in same situation.

          Thanks

          Reply
          • Abhi,
            Even I am in the same situation. Can you please let us know when the RFE was responded and when the clock started again?

          • RFE was responded a week back and today status was initial review with clock stopped message and suddently it became approved.

          • Congrats and thanks for the info…. Exactly how many days did USCIS take for the approval after RFE response. Mine, RFE responded this Monday and waiting for decision. There are many waiting for the decision after the RFE response.

  24. Hi All,
    I am still waiting for my document packet to receive back. I have following questions.
    1) Is it possible that attorney/employer did not receive my doc packet yet after long time of lottery?
    2)If I receive doc packet in coming days how to identify date of application and premium or regular processing.
    This is too urgent to know for me please help.

    Reply
    • DocPacketNotRecieved,
      1. Possible as there are others who are also waiting for their result
      2. If it is returned (i.e. didn’t make through the lottery), then you can ask employer for I-129 copy and see those details there. If they have a duplicate of I-129, they can share it w/ you even now.

      Reply
  25. Hi Sourabh,

    My H1b has been approved. At present I am in India, My Consultant is saying he will be sending documents to my India Address with in 7-8 days and he also asking me for schedule Visa Interview. Can you please let me know how to proceed from here? Visa Stamping fees ? Also I have to take my wife along with me for H4 Visa. If possible your Blog will be great helpful for us who are staying in India and has to take care of post approval activity itself.

    Thanks

    Reply
  26. WAC Initial Review (143) Info: Hope this is useful,

    I tried to find out the total number of petitions in each day series from 139 to 142, and got below
    139 – 1566
    140 – 4350 appx
    141 – 3150 appx
    142 – 3000 appx

    You can also try this, example; enter WAC1313951566 and it will bring back the status. But if you enter WAC1313951567, case not msg would come. So that means 1566 is total no of cases in 139 day.

    So, here the point is we need to wait long atleast 1-2 months.

    Reply
  27. WAC 143 Club:
    138 day petitions are in progress.
    So, Today I checked for the number of applications are there ahead of us and found total no of applications in each day after 138 below,
    139 – 1566
    140 – 4350 appx
    141 – 3150 appx
    142 – 3000 appx.
    You can also try it out, example: enter WAC1313951566, it ll bring back the status, but if you enter WAC1313951567, case not found will come.

    So the point is we have to wait another 1 month at least to see some progress.

    Reply
  28. For the people who got RFE,

    Has anybody got denied after responding to the RFE. Trying to see the different scenarios for RFE and their outcomes.

    thanks

    Reply
  29. I just went through the trouble of searching every wac13136517xx petition, and here’s what I found out:
    wac1313651704 – Unavailable (this one has been unavailable in weeks)
    wac1313651718 – Initial
    wac1313651721 – Post decision (on Jun, 21st)
    wac1313651722 – Not available (being processed?)
    wac1313651723 – Initial
    wac1313651729 – Initial
    wac1313651737 – Unavailable for weeks
    wac1313651740 – Initial
    wac1313651744 – Initial
    wac1313651751 – Initial
    wac1313651758 – Initial
    wac1313651759 – Unavailable
    wac1313651760 – Initial
    wac1313651764 – Acceptance
    wac1313651769 – Post Decision (on June, 26)
    wac1313651770 – Initial
    wac1313651772 – Initial
    wac1313651775 – Initial
    wac1313651777 – Initial
    wac1313651779 – RFE on June, 26th
    wac1313651780 – Initial
    wac1313651781 – Initial
    ME – wac1313651784 – Initial
    wac1313651789 – Unavailable
    wac1313651790 – Initial
    wac1313651794 – Unavailable
    wac1313651798 – Unavailable

    I guess some not available might have been withdrawn, some may be under appreciation right now. Let’s just hope for the best! Good luck, everyone! (And to me :D)

    Reply
  30. Hi,
    I have a question for those who upgraded their application from regular to premium processing. How long did it take for your online status to change into acceptance? My employer upgraded it to PP last week but still its on Initial Review.

    Reply
      • Thanks for the reply skywalker. What I meant was my employer upgraded my application to PP Monday last week, but up until today(almost 2 weeks) its still on Initial Review. When will I know if the clock already started. Would it take them several days to update the website?

        Reply
    • Hi Saurabh,

      I applied premium processing last week. The clock started on friday. But till now it is in acceptance stage. Does any one have idea, how many does it take to move to initial review and decision?

      Thank you,
      Prathima.

      Reply
        • This is what happened in my case
          Application upgraded to premium this monday

          24th June : 15 day clock started
          25th June : It moved to Acceptance

          As of now still in Acceptance

          Reply
          • Thanks for the additional info skywalker. I guess I am not to that point yet but i know it will help me after my status online will change. My dilemma actually pertains from the filing of premium processing thru courier by my employer until the status change in my receipt number online.. Well in your case the period between the premium filing until june24.. Im just wondering because my employer filed it almost 2 weeks ago but until now it shows the same screen since i got my receipt number last april which is initial review. 🙁

          • Aeropostale,

            You can check with your employer on email from USCIS with details of your premium process, it will be sent as soon as USCIS receives the application for upgrade(or within a day or two). That email confirms that the process has started on the case and USCIS is bound to reply within 15 calendar days.

            Are you sure that the upgrade request reached USCIS?

          • That’s what I’m confirming with the employer now. If USCIS did receive the upgrade. I’m actually asking them if the tracking number tells if they received it or who received it but until now my employer haven’t replied yet.

            But my question was already answered.. It would take them 1-2days to answer contact the employer that they received the pp upgrade.. Thanks for the response everyone. 🙂

      • Prathima,
        It will be done within 15 calendar days. Whether it happens on day 1 or day 15, it’s anybody’s guess.

        Reply
  31. Hi Strange message for WAC1313750393.
    On June 20, 2013, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER and we e-mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice.
    date is June 20, 2013
    Are they still sending receipts?

    Reply
  32. Has anybody got approval from WAC after response of RFE? How much time do they generally take? I read it that it may take 2 weeks to 2 months. Wanted to ask if somebody has experienced this situation.

    Reply
    • Yes, I got approved after RFE response. Since mine was PP I heard the decision within 15days once the PP clock restarted. CLock restarted on 14th June, heard the decision on 20th June. Thanks

      Reply
  33. How much time does it take for the approval documents to reach the attorney ? Has anyone here recieved the documents after approval ?

    Reply
    • Mine got approved on June 4th and still my attorney didn’t receive the documents. What is ur approval date ?

      Reply
  34. Hello all,
    I have a query. I am on h4 and have received no updates on my applied h1visa.
    Is there any chance of the CIR getting passed and the holded apps to be considered then. I am just assuming.

    If no I’ve found a college in Seattle Washington whizz gives CPT from day but the problem is that I reside in Chicago. Is it feasible for me to travel there every month and once I get a CPT ill b able to work in Chicago itself and travel once a month for the classes and persue my MS simultaneously. Please share your thoughts that am I heading in the right direction or do I need to look around for more options.

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Hi Could you please let me know the name of university which offers CPT in seattle washington.It would be great help to me.
      Thank you

      Reply
    • H4,
      So basically you are asking whether you can misuse the CPT or not. Go ahead and do it at your risk.

      The purpose of F-1 is studies and not CPT. CPT is typically given out after completing 1 year and should be part of the course and work should be related to the course. If the school is in WA, then you should attend it in WA on a regular basis. You cannot go there once a month and do the studies. If the school is ready for this arrangement, then most likely they are a diploma mill. Ask them if they are an accredited non-profit school. If not, then you will not qualify for Advanced degree cap later.

      This year, lot of people have received RFEs related to the misuse of CPT and filing under non-cap (not all schools qualify you for AD cap). You can search about them online. Also, search for old news articles on TVU.

      Reply
  35. Got RFE today. My status was changed from Initial Review to “t this time USCIS cannot provide you with information for your case. Please contact the NCSC 1 (800) 375-5283 for additional information.” 1 week back.

    And today it has been changed to RFE. Mine us RP/RQ..WAC13136519**.

    Reply
  36. can anyone please tell me when will the processing for 139 series will start?
    any one from this series heard any thing?

    Reply
  37. Hi Saurabh/ Friends,

    I got an rfe and my employer responded to the same.First time clock stopped on 3rd june.

    On 21st june the pp clock was restarted but my status since i received my rfe and the first time pp clock started is in Initial review. Quite Surprising.

    No change of status like request for evidence/ request for response request evidence.It’s still Initial review?
    Is it normal because i assume status should have changed from the time i received rfe. IS this a good sign that my online status never went for RFE stage or a technical glitch .

    I understand that though i will get the response within 15 days calculating from 21st june?Any tentative time (i mean based on experience/frnd’s inputs) as when can i expect response( today is the fourth day of my pp clock).

    Thanks

    Reply
    • H1B Premium,

      Definitely a technical glitch.
      My app status changed to acceptance immediately after the clock start(on June 3rd) and also the RFE is mailed(through post) to my employer but the status from acceptance never changed until today. Now that RFE is answered and the documents might have reached USCIS today/yesterday, but the acceptance status is changed to clock stopped msg today and my employer received the same initial RFE in fax this morning.
      So probably my app might have been picked in line as per regular processing but at the same time we upgraded to premium…so initially the RFE is mailed as post and now through fax.
      Some glitches here and there …

      Reply
  38. Can someone make a query to fetch status of each case number and populate to a xls? May be show a dashboard of how many are approved, RFE and denied? (this can be updated daily at EOD)

    Another list which shows last 100 receipt number approved with date would be awesome!!!!

    Wish I was in IT/programmer…

    Reply

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