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 ?
any one applied from London ? and waiting for petition to be approved?
Friends! Keep hope up. Even today afternoon people are reporting on receiving their receipts. Seems like mail is on its way and is still reaching recipients with obvious delays.
Have faith, it will work out. Praying for you all AD/RQ-PP/RP-CSC/VSC H4, L1, New comers! All!
Can I still hope for my h1… No recipt nothing from the employer…feeling so low on this
Called USCIS five times, no one released anything to me, only told me to ask my employer to call them instead.
Contact with immigration team several times, no response at all. I wish I had a lawyer instead, at least they’re responsive.
I’m RC/RP/CSC. I’m losing hope…
You’re not alone ! 🙁 Oh god !
SO Guys , I have been waiting for too long, Has anyone here had their package returned ?
My employer says theres still a hope until May 2nd week.
Yeah little hope if receipt was already entered in system and its in dispatch/mail which will take some time to reach to employer may be 1 more week.
Thanks, but honestly I didnt understand what you just said.
So, you are saying it might take at least a week from the day people stop getting receipts?
Bottomline, Is there really a chance now ?
people who got there receipts entered in system on last wednesday-thursday have got acceptance notice now. Many cases that they entered after that till Monday will take another week to reach. After Monday they are not entering any new cases my be hardly very very few. So hope your notice of acceptance is in transit and on the way.
Thanks, now I get it… I was asking about the people who were not selected in the lottery, Did someone got their package back ?
I saw someone confirming that his employer telling him he was not selected in lottery, not sure if there was returned packet.
VJY, VSC has processed H1b receipts till yesterday and people are still getting receipts from i guess 26th April so we still have some hope till 2nd week of May.
I lost my hope:(
Dont loose hope Neel, you should get through!
Your employer might be correct. HOWEVER, until you receive a notification from the USCIS (one way or the other), what your employer is saying is, in my opinion, only conjecture. Good luck.
After forcing my Boss , She called USCIS
She Told my NAME, DOB, EMPLOYER NAME, ADDRESS and the agent said its correct
At last Agent ASKED for Employer ID which was not there with her so Agent didnt replied any question and said to call back again with ID.
My Question is-
Its seems that after getting my NAME and DOB agent was only verifing employer details.
Its means my data is in the system.
What do you think, I am lucky this time???
Yes You are In!!!
Congrats…
Hi. Just received email from my employer stating that my petition check is encashed. But still recept number is not yet received. Does this mean that my petition is selected in the lottery
If employer is sure that the check he sent for your application is encashed then Yes.
Thanks buddy, still once I will see receipt by my eyes then only i will beleive it, waited toooo long for this
which is your center? CSC or Vermont
From cheq encash status, one can hardly tell whic center. Yet to received receipt
CSC or VSC is based on your employer location/state. Some states must send to CSC and others to VSC.
My employer is new Jersey based, vermont would be most likely center, but last year hr said some cases were received from California as well
Interesting thats good to know. Usually NJ would be VSC(EAC) may be based on work load they transfer to other center ?.
USCIS representative are useless …. They don disclosure information even not my employeer. So apparently EVERYBODY gets a receipt number, it does not matter if you got selected in the lottery or not. So just because you have a received number does not mean you are in the Lottery !!!!!
are you sure?
what? where do you get this kind of useful info??
XX is just blabbering and misguiding.
WELL IF GETTING INFORMATION FROM USCIS IS MISLEADING THEN I GUESS I AM… I called USCIS and i told them i got a receipt number, so I wanted to make sure that i am won the lottery, (a lot of people in the forum were saying that if you got a receipt you were in that’s why i call USCIS) the lady told me that you have to wait until you get the notice in the mail physically to see what happen….. If you don’t believe me you can cal USCIS as an employee and ask …
XX,
Getting the physical notice is the ultimate proof as it has receipt number, petitioner name, beneficiary name. However, there are other strong indications which can also point about the selection in the lottery. This include getting just the receipt number, checks getting cashed, SEVIS record updated etc.
Let me ask you this, how did you get your receipt number? If from employer/attorney, then where did they get it from?
My employer called USCIS, I got the receipt number from them, they looked uo my name and all the other information. However the check has not been cash yet. I call USCIS again and then they told me the information I posted ..
XX,
Ok. And now when you look at the status of the receipt number, do you see the standard Initial Review status? If yes, then you have made through the cap. It doesn’t prove that unselected petitions get the receipt number.
Still the representative was correct in saying that you should wait for physical notice to be sure that this is yours. Just looking at the receipt number, you have no way of knowing that it belongs to you.
You should use “https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/Dashboard/CaseStatus.do” to check status of your receipt number, why you calling them and wasting there time. Probably you have much time but they would not be able to answer your stupid Question which is way out of general understanding.
EVERYBODY PAID MONEY FOR THIS SERVICE, THE LIST THING THEY CAN DO IS ANSWER MY QUESTION, SORRY I AM NOT AS PASSIVE AS OTHER PEOPLE !! MAYBE YOU ARE STUPID THAT MY QUESTION IS TO COMPLICATED FOR YOU … IS OK MAN DONT WORRY..
Everybody paid but you are misusing by asking wrong Question. Ask relevant Question and you will get accurate answer.
Dude calm down ok! If everyone gets receipt number then why are a lot of our friends still worrying about not getting it yet, including some PP?
Why would they even bother about non lottery cases seeing as they are overwhelmed and understaffed?
There could be several reasons your Check is not yet cashed. Maybe they send it in bulk. Maybe you are on wait list. Maybe name was mixed up if sounding very common, multiple parameters and reasons! Issue is not complicated, your worry about the matter is aggravating.
Kindly wait for the physical receipt to arrive to you which hopefully will satisfy your issues.
you are wrong bud. its no bussiness entering applications for cases which are not selected in lottery they will just get returned package no reciept. They can not show status in “USCIS check your status” site as not selected in lottery againt a receipt number hence rejected thats useless and does not happen.
Completely wrong.
One question to all who can answer –
For all lottery selected people USICS will generate receipt -TRUE
For all rejected people – Will USICS generate the recipt with denial notice?
Please let me know
Navvu,
If rejected, no number is generated and package is returned to the employer.
So in case of rejection- even employer cant get any info by calling USCIS.
They only way is to wait till end??
thanx saurabh,
Where was you from many days?
After forcing my Boss , She called USCIS
She Told my NAME, DOB, EMPLOYER NAME, ADDRESS and the agent said its correct
At last Agent ASKED for Employer ID which was not there with her so Agent didnt replied anything and said to call back again.
My Question is-
Its seems that after getting my NAME and DOB agent was only verifing employer details.
Its means my data is in the system.
What do you think, I am lucky this time???
Navvu,
Did the agent confirm that you are in the system or whether you have a receipt number assigned to you? If latter, then you have made through the lottery.
Receipt will be in system for only lottery slected people and not for others.
thanx
And here I go…..
Fedex reached EAC on 1 April.
RQ/RP
Got email form employer today – EAC1314650xxx
So guys who think that the game is over, just hang in there, it has just begun…
I don’t know why i am feeling my employer is telling lie to me..that he filed for my H1. i don’t have any prove..nd now its too late to ask delivery package tracking number and all….
don’t know what is going on??
Dont worry my friend.. even though many of us are sure that our applications were filed .. still we are sharing the same boat..
I am also in the same situation. Now I also confused whether my employer is filled my application or not? Because he has not even given me any fedex tracking details, there is no update when ever I call him … I really donno whats this misfortune 🙁
Why is it too late to ask for tracking number? I dont think FEDEX or any other mail provider removes tracking information so soon. If your employer has filed your application, he should give you your delivery details. If he is not, then there is something fishy.
Anybody with a PhD still waiting?
(I know the degree doesn’t matter, but curious). Anyone else in my shoes?
Regular quota/regular processing here.
interesting. I am in the same boat. Pending PhD degree so employer applied in RQ/PP/VSC.
Nothing yet. Employer says we have to wait till the end of May!
Why you did not file for a advanced degree quota if you have masters ???
PhD or Masters is not from the US.
you need to show proof for AD quota but university only releases degree certificates once a year (in May). Hence, employer applied in RQ. So even though for all practical purposes you may have completed your PhD requirments, USCIS wants a formal acknowledgement from the university.
For AD, if you can show equivalency of a masters or higher degree with comparable US degree then even with an advanced degree from outside US, u can apply in AD category. This does not work with Indian Masters, however, Indian PhD degrees are accepted in STEM fields for AD quota. I know this for a fact as several colleagues in my company have come to US using the AD quota with a masters from Canada, UK, switzerland, Australia, using the H1b AD quota. The primary requirement for AD is to show 4 (bachelors) + 2 (masters or more) education after high school. This does not work with 3 + 2 degrees, irrespective of the country.
Don’t post random crap!
Section 214(g)(5)(C) (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(5)(C)) clearly states, “has earned a master’s or higher degree from a United States institution of higher education (as defined in section 1001(a) of title 20), until the number of aliens who are exempted from such numerical limitation during such year exceeds 20,000.”
me too in the same boat …
pending PhD not from US ..
still waiting … which immigration firm did you apply thru?
We have an in-house immigration specialist.
Hi Guys –
At last I have recieved my Reciept today. I have talked to my employer who is a bit close to me and came to know that USCIS is pretty much generating reciepts for every one..My employer has filed for 24 applicants and he said that he recieve reciepts for all except one. For that one also USCIS had encashed cheque…
I am damn sure majority of the guys who were still waiting for reciepts would have already got their reciepts. I guess there employer/attorney might be delaying it from their side. In my case my attorney had recieved on 25th itself, but they have forward the reciept today to my employer and henceforth to me..:)
So please dont loose hopes , God is with all of us. I wish you a good luck ….:)
@H4-H1
If you don’t mind can you post your employer name?
I am also waiting for the receipt(h4-h1).
I want to check if we both belong to the same employer?
Same request goes from me too.. 🙁
My employer is based out of Nebraska. Please let me know if your employer is too from same state..
Mine is in California.
If your employer is not close to you then probably its not same employer as @H4-H1 above. Or may be yes who knows 🙂
H4-H1,
Historically, they have not generated receipt numbers for cases that didn’t make through the lottery. Your employer is saying that they have changed that this year?
What purpose does it solve to generate receipt number for everyone when the petition is to be just returned? Why will USCIS increase it overhead and enter all those information in their system to generate the receipt number, then print that out and send 797C copies to everyone, and finally return the package.
If the employer has received receipts for almost all of those 24 applicants, then he is one lucky employer as most of his petitions made through the lottery. Ask your employer which one of those didn’t make through the lottery if he thinks that receipt number is for everyone.
Very Happy to tell good news. i got receipt. guys keep belief on god and be patient. definitely will receive good news. RQ/RP/VSC.
I GOT THE RECEIPT BUT THE CHECK HAS NOT BEING CASH YET… ANYBODY ELSE ?
r u in AD ? ca or vermont ?
no i am RQ / RP vermont
This whole deal with when the check gets cashed…I think if you are picked in the lottery, then send you a receipt notice…(acceptance stage) and they cash out the cash when they actually being processing the case(Initial Review)…
Anyone else have a clear understanding of the check-cashing process?
I am in initial review but my check has not been cashed yet…
RQ/RP/Vermont
My employer informed that my check has been in-cashed. They are expecting it will take 2-3 days to get receipt number.
My application was delivered to VSC on 02 nd April.
my friend (rq/rp/califronia) got the receipt # today. So do not lose hope and stay positive. godspeed
Yes. I too just received a message from my friend that he got his receipt number. He did his BE here. His is RQ/RP/VSC. So, USCIS is still processing. Keep your hopes high and I wish you all the best!
Employer called USCIS , got a receipt number but check has not been clear yet. They also said to my employer that they sent a notification to my lawyer on the 29 of April. I don’t get it why give me a receipt number (is in review status) if the check has not been cash, unless i did not make it through the lottery and they are giving receipt numbers to every petition.
Is anybody in the same situation???????????
I heard from my employer the check is not yet cashed. But received the receipt and the status is in initial review. It should be fine.
what’s the Receipt #
hi xx,
do you know which number your employer called?
RQ/RP/Vermont…lost my hope….don have guts to call uscis…my employer is also not pushing it….everytime the answer is to wait……
USCIS apparently doesn’t answer candidates directly. You can ask your employer to call USCIS to check if your name is receipted.
Hey..My situation is same as your’s..i can’t stop crying..its been 30 days..this is my last hope..I tried last year also but by the time i sent my application quota got full..am soo sad and heartbroken.. 🙁
Hey H1B waiting,
dont worry…i was in the same boat as urs..as last year when i sent the quota got full and this year lottery..i got receipt nos today only and I can see from the forum that many are getting today…so do keep hope and believe in god…also 1 thing..just change ur name from waiting to Hope or something…Gud luck and you and other ppl waiting would defi make it…
It looks as though Vermont Service Center (VSC or EAC) is done with entering H1B applications selected in the lottery. This is based on the USCIS status check, which shows no new I129 receipts being generated.
Apart from me, is there anyone else waiting and absolutely freaking out about not having recieved a receipt so far?
Me. I am on STEM OPT (expires at the end of October). RQ/RP/VSC. I am running out of hope and patience. 🙁
We all send petition from the same employer / lawyer on same date, but some of our friends got receipt from USCIS on April 22, we filed under RC/RP/WAC. Is there any chances to get the receipt from USCIS ?? Please explain me…
Same here. We just have to wait.
waiting…
RP/RQ California service center..
Almost starting to lose hope.
It is so hard to wait.Refreshing mails frequently and checking the forums…
Hello All,
This is for all H4 people who are waiting for their receipt..
After a long wait, I finally got my receipt today afternoon….
My number is EAC-13-146-XXXXX.
Received Date – 8th April
Notice Date – April 26th..
I am in for RP/RQ/VSC
This blog has been tremendously helpful through out difficult times. ..Please do not lose hope and have faith, trust and belief in GOD…
Thank you very much to all who regularly posted and helped to boost confidence…
mention of only H4 ?. Anyway congrats.
Hi, Has Vermont center stopped generating receipts? Any idea anyone.
All the enteries for lottery cases are already over. Now only hope is
1) Receipt in mail/dispatch (on the way) can wait another week for that
2) Wait list (I am not sure how that would work)
guys CSC is still generating reciepts for RQ/RP…hang on…
latest: WAC1314850069
It has message “On April 16, 2013, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER” . Generally lottery cases say “”On April 8, 2013, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER” “
Maybe a waitlisted case?
see this for WAC1314850030 Keep some hopes
On May 1, 2013, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or contact our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.
Hope,
This can easily be a cap-exempt petition (H-1 extension, H-1 transfer etc). Why do you think it’s a FY-14 H-1 petition?
One question to all who can answer –
For all lottery selected people USICS will generate receipt -TRUE
For all rejected people – Will USICS generate the recipt with denial notice?
Please let me know
This certainly does not seem to be a cap subject H-1B petition.
All cap subject RP petitions were receipted as “On April 8, 2013, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER”.
All cap subject PP petitions were receipted saying that they emailed the notice.
This one does not fall into either of the categories.
Does 148 apply for today ?? Same for both WAC and EAC ?
Yes for CSC (Today’s number WAC13 148 5****)
EAC should be EAC 13 150 5****
CSC is somehow off by two days…
What about VSC?
CSC ~ WAC
VSC ~ EAC
CSC process cycle day is 148 today
VSC process cycle day 148 was on 29th.
I meant, is VSC still issuing H1B receipts today?
All the enteries for lottery cases are already over. Now only hope is
1) Receipt in mail/dispatch (on the way) can wait another week for that
2) Wait list (I am not sure how that would work)
Does that mean that if the employer calls USCIS the candidate’s name should be in the system at this point?
Yeah I think that’s correct by now all should be in system. Except waitlist (guess)
Dear Readers,
After a long wait, I finally got my receipt!
I am elated at this point.
My number is EAC-13-146-XXXXX.
They processed it on Monday. I am RP/RQ/VSC
This blog has been tremendously helpful through out these stressful weeks. Thank you very much!
I wish you all luck. Have faith. Good things take time!
Cheers!
Do you know if you check has been cashed as of today?
Please let me know if you check has been cashed … I got receipt but my check is not being cash yet ..
Was in the same situation. Eventually, the checks got deposited. The most important evidence that your petition has been accepted for processing is the notice from USCIS, which you have. Good luck. Don’t worry.
So it means the receipt might arrive in the mail days BEFORE the checks get deposited?
In my case, the checks got deposited on the day we received the notice from USCIS, which means the notice was mailed a few days before the checks were deposited.
My employer called USCIS to know the status, and they asked to wait for 2 more weeks. They did not provide any information other than to wait. In the mean time, he got the lottery receipt in his mail box. Case is Regular Quota/ Regular Processing/CSC.
Please do not lose hope until you get any official notifications.
Do you know when the receipt was generated ?
Receipt number would tell system entry day.
When did he call USCIS? You mean he called them today and they said your name is not in the system and then suddenly the receipt appeared?
Did they say your name is not in the data base ? and yet you got receipt notice after calling ?
or They asked you to wait for 2 weeks without asking any details ?
Can you please clarify !!! Any information you provide is important.
Thank you.
WAC131435*
Received Date: Apr 8 2013
Notice Date: Apr 26 2013
I called as applicant, they denied saying a word to me. Employer called and they said they dont have any information based on the details – and asked to wait for 2 more weeks. In the mean time employer received the receipt.
what details they asked your employer ????
Employer ID – he did not say anything more.
Any update from Infosys ?
@ Saurabh and H1 thanks for the clarification …it gives me some relief & I really appreciate this web site … this is a very active & great source and excellent platform to share H1 related info and processing . I am thankful that I somehow subscribed to this resource.
Any update from TCS
Hello
How Many of them waiting for RQ/RP /CSC
I lost my hope !!
Waiting from April 1 st ;(((((
Still hope ?
RQ/RP/CSC still waiting….very dim chance now I feel…
only chance is receipt in mail and on the way. can wait 1 more week for that.
Hello All,
I am also RQ,RP,VSC and still waiting and lost all hope that I will make in lottery.I am on H4.
H4 people really don’t have much choice.
1.So guys, do you know any institute where from the first month itself I can cpt or opt?? bcz I have heard if we join any university also we have to wait 1 year for getting opt or cpt.
2.Or is there anyway I can join a good company(microsoft,google,yahoo etc etc) training or internship program??
Thanks
aa_planB,
1. Be very cautious when going w/ this schools. A school can offer CPT from first semester only if the course/program requires so. There are schools which have misused this in the past and their students have run into trouble.
2. You can do unpaid internship or volunteering at a company as long as there are other people doing similar job for free. A company cannot hire you for free if they are paying someone else to do similar job (this would make you cheap labor).
H4 people can legally do “work from home” (remote work) for USA or India or any other country based job.
aa_planB,
They cannot do that LEGALLY.
Saurav – Could you please clarify being cautious. Because my employer is suggesting that i can take this route of joining an university for a evening college course, and i can start working on OPT/CPT fulltime(i really dont know how these two differ, bcoz i am not a student). I have questioned this several times and he says there is nothing illegal.
So would be great if you can throw some light if this is a legal thing to do. also plelase quote some examples about when and where this was misused.
Zarro,
Here is a link w/ official CPT/OPT rules.
From the link “An F-1 student may be authorized by the DSO to participate in a curricular practical training program that is an integral part of an established curriculum. Curricular practical training is defined to be alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.”
This means that on CPT you can work only if it is related to your course/program/curriculum. So you cannot just work for any employer on CPT and do any kind of job. Your DSO needs to be certain that the work is related to your course and you need to maintain full-time F-1 status at the same time. In the past, some DSOs have been lenient about it and have even misused CPT to get more student enrollment. Although the school is considered the custodian of maintaining CPT rules, offending students may also share the blame. That is why I am suggesting to be very cautious when going this route.
Sourabh was polite. Let me put this bluntly.
From your writing it is clear that you do not have any idea how the school system works here. Or how the immigration system is tied to the students in visa.
I understand what you are going through. But this is not the time for you to panic and make huge mistakes. Mistakes that can seriously jeorpadize your career an life.
It is expected that you do a basic reserve before you ask these questions. Never mind.
Lets talk about accredited and authentic institutions of higher learning.
These are not just institutes who hand out CPT /OPT at will. There are procedures involved.
1. You need to get admission first. For that you might need to take GRE, TOEFL- preparations for which could take months to get decent scores. Motto mention your mindset and motivation to study for these tests.
Once you have the test scores you need to apply for admission. You get one shot per Uni.
Preparing an application packet takes weeks if applying to a decent department. Oh yes, most schools have application deadlines and most likely closed for fall’13. So look for joining in spring 14, if admitted. Not all departments admit students in spring sem. Most of them have limited seats compared to fall semester.
2. Now you have to figure out how to get CPT. Forget OPT. You need to be there at least 1 year in continuous status in f1 to get a pre- or post completion OPT.
CPT is tricky. Unless you are with a shady univeristy, you will have to be incredibly lucky to have one from the beginning. Now some desi consultant might accept CPT ewhrnnyou have one. But you widens up in trouble if your coursework first not alighn with what you work on. You be the judge and apply due diligence.
3. It seems to me that you, being in H4) are indeed after making money since you mentioned CPT. To be fair, I can assume thy you are looking for some thing to be engaged in rather than sitting idle. Also, there is nothing wrong with the intent to make money. In fact it is a good one. But consider this: you will be spending more money than you can earn if you take the OPT route by the time you get it. Just keep in mind the time line I mentioned earlier along with fees etc. You will inderstand.
But one thing is certain. If you decide to apply for an advanced degree you will have plenty of stuff to do an worry until you finally become a student.
I would sincerely advise you to conduct a thorough research before you make a decision. Convince yourself first logically that this is the step you MUST take. Also if you do not get a CPT and you screwup your grades worrying about OPT and CPT you will have a hard time keeping up with your classes and finally getting a job.
Is there any way to know if your employer submitted your application or not.. I doubt they didn’t..
My employer is not providing any info..
You can ask them for the tracking number of the mail they sent. I did
No they are not giving…they are saying we sent whole packet of 50 application.. tracking no will be 1 for all..
Ask for your LCA copy, may be that will give you an idea. According to USCIS, you shold get the copy of your LCA.
damn these employers!!!!,
Did you pay for the H-1? There is no way to confirm if your application was indeed applied. The employer can easily lie later that it didn’t make through the lottery.
Getting LCA copy also is not a proof of filing. Filing LCA is free and is separate from actual H-1 petition filing (which is where the real money is spent by the employer). In other words, it is possible to file LCA and not file the H-1 petition (I-129).
Hi saurabh
can you post new article which mention about what universities can allow cpt from day 1 that will be helpfull for the most of the reader of this blog. As many of them not went through the lottery.
PJ,
I will ask Kumar to write the article (he usually writes the articles).
Meanwhile, to give a quick overview of CPT program – not many schools offer CPT from day 1. CPT can be offered from 1st semester/quarter only if the same is required by the program. In the past schools like TVU has misused this and the school and their students ran into trouble w/ ICE and USCIS for this. So one needs to be very careful when going this route. Even though if the school issues you the CPT, you need to be certain that it was appropriate or not.
Agree,
They can hand out any receipt number, you never know the contents were indeed yours.
Is VSC still generating receipts or are they done?
I want to know if anyone who applied for PP after the receipt is generated will there be pp clock start date and message to all of you or it may be different message !!!
I am AD/Reg converted to PP / CSC
Accepted on 8th Apr
got receipt on 19th Apr and it was under initial review.
converted to PP on 23rd APR
but my application went back from Initial review to acceptance and there is no mention of PP on my status check it says ….
On April 23, 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. This case is being processed at our CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER location. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you….
I am confused this waiting is making me crazzy . I see few people under similar case has got approvals so anyone who is seeing this post please update me
1> please let me know if you checked your sevis or spoke with DSO after approval . will there be any mention on the sevis after the approval has been done .
Thanks in advance
SG,
As per the status message it has been upgraded to PP. When they use the word “email” in the status, it is a proof of PP.
Also, it is normal for status to go back from IR to Acceptance when a petition is upgraded. This is b/c it is taken out from normal processing queue and put in the PP queue.
Your petition should get adjudicated within 15 calendar days from Apr 23.
Thanks for the info
SG, Looking into the description you provided your case was turned to PP on Apr-23. The word “e-mailed” distinguishes PP from regular cases. Your employer/attorney should have received a receipt for the same on Apr-23(The receipt number would remain same) & you should get a decision before May-8.
Good Luck.
Good timing Saurabh 🙂
Yes 🙂
initial review Status means i got in the lottery??
yes
If you have receipt number means you are picked in lottery. Status is new chapter that starts after lottery success and receipt enetered in system.
Anyone waiting for PP…losing hope now.
PP was done long ago and now even regular is almost done entering in the system, Just hope comunication of acceptence is in mail and will reach in a week time. Or may be waitlist candidates picked at end.
I am also waiting for the news. RQ/PP/VSC.
Now very tensed and slowly losing hope.
Same here, RQ/PP/VSC. Still waiting…
Hi Guys
First of all thanks for this blog. After a long wait i got the receipt number for my wife today morning.
RQ/RP/Vermont
EAC131455XXXX
All the best for rest of you!!
anybody in AD RP/ PP still waiting for receipt ?
yes, AD/PP/VSC
as/rp/csc
stopped waiting for it.. coz It’ll not arrive..
today is the dv2014 lottery!!
Since I lost h1b lottery where I had about 80-90 percent of winning chance, I am wishing for a miracle from this green card lottery…
good luck to all!
They’ll announce it in half an hour!
who are going to announce what?
https:// www. dvlottery. tate. gov/
what exactly is diversity entrant visa?
I don’t have much knowledge on this.
gc lottery is only for few countries.. if u r from india.. this doesn’t apply to u
It’s actually for most countries. India is just excluded (along with the UK and a few others) because the immigration rate to the U.S. is already so high. The whole point of this lottery is diversity. But as Emre mentioned, the chance of getting it are .0000something percent. That’s because everybody with a high school degree can apply for it, online and for free.
you apply for it every year.. just a lottery where your chance of winning is less than 1 percent..
they give 50k greencards by lottery..
If you are not from India or China, you can apply for EB2/EB3 green card. You can file i-140 i-485 together which will give you EAD card to work. May be another option for those who are not selected in lottery.
I am Turkish.. would that apply for me? and how long does the whole process take? My OPT expires in July
Hi Emre,
ha, I’ve applied for DV lottery every year for the past 12 🙂 Did you know that the new immigration reform gets rid of it? I wish you good luck, maybe it’s on your side this time!
hopefully, but my OPT expires on June and I gotta find a solution before that..
let’s hope for the best and see what happens…
hi Emre,
You can apply in premium processing for EB2. But before you have to file PERM which may take days to months. Talk to your employer/Lawyer..
@h1b2014
hey bud! Thanks for this.. I am asking this to my attorney today.. let’s see what we’ll hear.
whats green card lottery all about???enlighten us please
so did u get selected???
nope 🙂
i never won any lottery in my life.. h1b, green card…
and not I’ll go ahead and take the risks of a contract marriage thing…
foockk my luck:)
I lost, too 😉
What a surprise!
Stupid lotteries all over the place. Is it worth waiting for 6 month, being afraid to lose this f***** confirmation number, hoping for this slight chance in DV Loterry, being 90 % sure in H1B, and then lose in both of them???!!! That’s sucks!!!
Shoot happens bro.. I gotta take this, keep calm, and carry on…
I know my chance was taken by an indian guy who is coming here for 1 year projects..
and I guess, they call it life..
think about b-c-d plans..
that’s what I’m doing..
So i called USCIS they gave me a receipt number, and it says initial review! unfortunately my lawyer is not in his office so i cant ask him if getting a receipt number means you got in the lottery, or everybody get a receipt number regardless ??
Can u plz confirm the number u called? Did u identify as an applicant or petitioner (petitioner means employee, right?). What information did u have to provide them to get them to retrieve the receipt no?
I mean, petitioner means employer? What did u say u were?
Can you please let us know the phone number and how were they able to locate you in the system? Is that by LCA number?
Which number did you call? Will USCIS really answer these kinda questions from a candidate directly? If USCIS gives you a receipt number yes you are thru the lottery.
Well i called 1-800-375-5283, i talked to a representative there and told them i was the applicant, then they said they need to talk to my employeer and I explained to them that she does not have time to be talking to general agents, and that whenever he transfer me to hire up my boss will talk (the waiting time is 90 minutes). So whenever they asnwer my boss talk to them and they gave her my receipt number !!! EAC13148*****
Ok, thanks xx. My boss works on different timezone and don’t think I can catch him.
RP/RQ/VSC anyone else waiting? I can’t be the only one.
Same here ! God willing, we will receive notices soon.
me too. somehow I felt this waiting will going to happen on Apr 5th itself 🙁
Guys, I am also waiting for my receipt…RQ/RP/VSC. Technically, I think we can expect to receive receipts until end of May right ? Any comments?
I called USCIS yesterday and they said my name is not in the data base.
does it mean that I am not selected in the lottery ????
Appreciate in advance.
I am in the same situation. Numbers are not being generated for h1b anymore, either we are in a waiting list or we just did not get in to the lottery
USCIS has generated receipts for all applications selected as per what we were told in the call. IF your name is not in system, then u were NOT selected and only hope is waitlist.
May be your are selected but your application is not processed. Good luck
@hope,Which number you called in to check the status and what details we need to provide.
1 (800) 375-5283 and called as an applicant. They answered.
Thanks @hope…
When I called USCIS, they said they cannot disclose any information the candidate directly.
Hi,
Could u please provide that number?
1-800-375-5383
sorry. there was a typo. here is the number 1-800-375-5283
I think by Friday all Receipts would be recieved by mail for people selected in lottery.
Not friday, May be by 10th. Because ppl are still getting receipts from Day 143 and so. Good luck
Ok.
143 for CSC is April 25th,
143 for VSC is April 23rd.
Guys,
As we are seeing now that USCIS is done with generating recipts which means our beloved company has all the records now.
Any idea when they will start telling results for us ….?
how u know they are done processing?
no updates from tcs yet
Got an update from Bangalore GL that we everyone will get the status in a day or two .They have sent mail to everyone updating that visa petition has been filed [this should have been sent earlier but thy had updated only in ultimatix]
So by this week end we will come to know?
Any one here from london?
@h1b london
Hi
I am from as well.
RQ\RP\VSC Still waiting. is there still any hope?
I have been following this blog since the first day.
finally, I got the receipt.
Receipt# is EAC1314452326.
dont know when it was generated and the lawyer received it.
I would like to thank all of you for the information and good luck to everyone.
Hope all the deserving candidates get it.
It must have been entered in system on 24th April.
Can anybody share the number where we can call USCIS and know our status.
My employer told me that “They have received I797C form” corresponding to my H1B application and will provide the receipt number by next week.
Do USCIS provide receipts number after I797C form?
Does that means I am selected in the lottery?
Please help!
Number is with in I797C form see attached sample –
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=i797c&safe=active&sa=X&hl=en&biw=1536&bih=690&tbm=isch&tbnid=uYz62aYcxNkgkM:&imgrefurl=http://www.tdaxp.com/archive/2007/11/30/i-797c-notice-of-action.html&docid=iWaqMQuO3B_1xM&imgurl=http://images.tdaxp.com/tdaxp_upload/uscis_interview_notice_hg.jpg&w=2000&h=2568&ei=vxqBUZK2CY6O0QG4-oGoAw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=125&page=1&tbnh=142&tbnw=111&start=0&ndsp=44&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:84&tx=92&ty=72
forgot to mention – It means you are selected in lottery and you have reciept number in form which employer can tell right away not sure why he said next week.
Thanks a lot.
I797C should have the receipt number on it… basically it is the receipt sent by USCIS…
& yes it does mean that you have selected in a lottery Congrats!!!
Thanks a lot.