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USCIS News Alert : H1B 2016 Premium Processing from April 27th

As you know, yesterday USCIS released an official press note indicating that they received about 233,000 petitions and H1B lottery was completed. As of yesterday,  USCIS indicated that the premium processing will begin no later than May 11th, 2015.

Today, USCIS released a news alert indicating that the premium processing for H1B Visa 2016 petitions will start from April 27th, 2015.

What does this change in premium processing date mean to everyone in H1B 2016 quota ? 

It simply means that, if someone filed their H1B petition in FY 2016 quota under either in masters quota or regular quota and filed it under premium processing their 15 days clock for adjudicating the petition starts from April 27th.  Technically, if everything was right and there is no RFE they should have a decision within 15 calendar days starting from April 27th, which would be May 11th.

So, technically, premium processing candidates for FY 2016 should receive their H1B case petition numbers/ receipt notices starting anytime from today via email.  They should ideally have H1B case number by April 28th or 29th. USCIS might take some more time to release the case number or receipt notices for the regular processing petitions, as there is no SLA or time commitment.

This clearly tells us that the number of premium processing petitions filed this year were more or less same as last year and not too many filed under premium processing as USCIS anticipated. They adjusted the dates based on the work load they have.  Also, with the push in the premium processing dates, hopefully, regular processing candidates petitions are processed slightly faster as well…lets hope so !

Also, they indicated in the press note that no changes to the premium processing petitions filed that are cap-exempt. Their processing continues to stick to the 15 calendar days starting from the day USCIS received the petition with the fee. Also, you may read the below to clarify on the processing times.

H1B 2016 Premium, Regular Processing time, Receipts Info

What are your thoughts on the H1B processing timelines by USCIS ?

Reference : USCIS Alert on Premium processing

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Author
Satheesh Kumar Ilu
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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2,861 Comments

      • They are definitely H1B dependent. Wait, look at their About Me section: “At AppsIntegration Inc. we develop various software tools and provide support for these tools to suit the needs across several industry sectors.”

        Reply
  1. Hi Guys,

    my employer has filed H1B petition for me under regular processing (california center)

    just wanted to know will it come under NON AD/RP/CSC

    thanks alot in advance

    Reply
  2. Received my receipt today. It was dated 22nd April. Non-AD, Regular processing, VT, first attempt, single application.

    Reply
  3. Filed PP to VSC, Tracking of fedex was not updated, as fedex reported there was a large volume of applications and my application missed the scan. worried whether it actually made it to VSC, any one had same issue?

    Reply
    • Bullshit…. USCIS announced premium process start date april 27th that means today. so premium process reciepts already finished B***h Please 😛

      Reply
      • Hi KarmaGood,

        Rule book only says that PP has to be processed within 15 days of 27th April. It does not say that receipt number has to be communicated before the start of 15 day cycle.

        One could get their receipt number on 10th May and still get their approved H1-B notice by 11th May.

        Reply
        • Dude, I like your imagination, but things don’t work that way. The only possible delay could be from attorney to a candidate, it cannot be from the uscis. Anyways, let’s hope the things go as you wish.

          Reply
  4. Anybody’s cheque has been encashed today ? Please update !!!!!!
    Because I see updates oly abt receiving receipt , I don see any updates on cheque encash .
    This for sure is scaring me .

    Reply
  5. Advance Degree, Premium Processing Case!
    Has anyone received notification, after getting picked-up in lottery, that their application has been processed?
    I know its little too early for this question as the process started today but many of us might be wondering if anyone has received the final ‘Application processing Completed’ notification from their attorney/paralegal/uscis?

    Thanks,
    Gautam

    Reply
  6. Is the cheque encash done fr everyone and they shud send oly t receipts ?? Or are they still doing ??? for Non-AD/RP .
    Do you know anyone whose cheque is encashed today ? please update

    Reply
  7. Called my employer my cheque isnt cashed yet.
    Can you please tell me how much approximate days its taking betw cheque encash and receiving t receipt by mail ???
    Please let me know ill have an idea .

    Reply
  8. I asked my employer:
    Can you check whether my petition check cashed or not?
    Thanks

    I got reply from my Employer:
    Receipts are starting to come in, so I’m going to wait on that process. charges for that benefit.

    Whats meaning of “Charges for that benefit?

    Thanks

    Reply
  9. AD/RP/VT – Last attempt!

    Had lost hope, got picked today. The status check on USCIS says it received the petition on April 13th but my lawyer got a notification only on 24th April because for RP the notifications are sent through postal mail and not email like Premium.

    Soo RP guys have hope! All the best to all genuine single application candidates! Hope u get through! I know the struggle and the stress!

    Reply
  10. Got my receipt Regular Quota(NON-AD)/Regular processing / WAC (CA service center). number WAC15141XXXXX. Receipts entered in system on April 22 are reaching today April 27th.

    Reply
  11. Got the good news today!! Employer informed this morning (04/27) that they received the receipt notice from USICS. So happy. Good luck to all..

    Reply
  12. Another way to check if you got selected or not is to call your school international office. They would not give you information directly related to H1b, but here is what i did to get the information i want.

    1. call school and tell them I have changed a new employer
    2. and also i want to travel back to my home country.
    3. Ask them that whether i am not eligible to travel back with gap-gap eligibility and whether i need to have an updated i-20

    My school told me my status is pending.

    Hope it works for you too.

    Reply
    • But Still that doesn’t mean its approved. Calling school trick only works for people who’s OPT expires before 30 Sept.
      it states,

      OPT extended to sept 30 or something.

      So don’t go around and tell everyone H1b approved. You can fairly see +ve Sign but its not confirmed yet.

      Status pending can be for several reasons.

      Reply
  13. Does AD/RP applicants get receipt numbers reflected in the sevis status ?? Any one who applied in AD/RP spoke to school DSO about SEVIS Status ? If so, what does it say ? Active/Pending ?

    Reply
  14. My company lawyers just informed me that they’ve received a receipt for my case. Using the receipt number I checked my status and it says “On April XX, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number XXX, and sent you the receipt notice…”

    Reply
  15. My company lawyers just informed me that they’ve received a receipt for my case. Using the receipt number I checked my status and it says “On April XX, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number XXX, and sent you the receipt notice…”

    Reply
      • Actually in Immigration girl site also they have mentioned that last year till may 13th they have received the receipts… so may be or may not be.
        Again lets not lose hopes lets cross our fingers .

        Reply
        • That’s not true. in my case it says May 13 because they received mine on April 13. I just tried a random number and it says Application received by April 21, and should receive copy by May 21.

          Reply
  16. Last number on CA- WAC1514054151
    Last number on VT EAC1514055195
    May be you can check couple numbers and see if any PP were sent out.

    Reply
    • How would you know whether this was a PP or RP case. Also, what does it mean that USCIS received your From I-129 on , were’nt all receipts sent out on 13th April itself ?

      Thanks !

      Reply
      • It mentions in notice if they processed as premium. If premium not mentioned consider it as regular one. They date all new H1s to single date. But increment numbers as and when they generate notices. So check back again by EOD or tomorrow if any new ones got added.

        Reply
  17. PP/AD/CA
    Just received an email from my attorney (BAL) that my petition was picked!
    Given the delay in notification it could be that my petition was picked in the non advanced degree category.

    Reply
  18. Is game over for PP candidates who’ve not received response yet?

    Should we not receive an email stating we are not selected?

    Reply
    • In the same boat as you are.
      We wouldn’t be getting any mail stating rejected.

      Package would be returned by june 1st week.
      Lets hope for some good news by EOD

      Reply
  19. Non AD/RP/VT. Thank God.. Just got an update from my employer. He received postal mail notice on 04/23. All the best for others…

    Reply
  20. AD/RP/VT

    Just got an update from my employer. he received postal mail notice
    EAC-15-140-51xxx.
    lets hope for the good guys, all the best!!
    #3rd Timer, #genuine application

    Reply
  21. Anyone got any news on pp on weekend or today????

    Any hopes for AD/PP/vermont during may?

    Any chance of replacing withdrawn or rejected applicants?

    Reply
  22. Just noticed that I have received an email from fragomen on 4.22 indicating I was selected in the lottery. My friends started to get receipt from 24th, seems most AD applicants around me get that.

    Reply
  23. AD/RP/VT, 2nd and last attempt, one genuine employer, got snail mail notice today. Received date 4/13. Guys hang in there, hope is still on its way.

    Reply
  24. Just got notice. 1st timer/AD/RP/VSC. Cashed check last week. Attorney just got notice. Good luck to everyone. PS i called school to check SEVIS status last week and they told me it was active. Nothing pending. So im not sure if that way of checking works. Good luck

    Reply

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