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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

  1. I have a question. When i Check my case status it just show that they have got my application on 20th April. How can i see the status of my application. By status i mean like Initial review, RFE and all those things.I am premium processing masters degree.

    Reply
  2. I’m so happy. Got mail from my attorney that my check got encashed today. How long will it take to get my receipt number?

    Reply
  3. Any of you have latest valid information/progress of the proposed bill to increase the quota/cap? May be by next FY? Just wondering if we are gonna be in the same crappy boat again next year round…

    Reply
    • Even if they increase next year there will be 300 k applications cos of all these fricken body shops and consultancies. i hope they increase advanced degree cap though .

      Reply
    • pray tell me how can you know all receipts for cts has been sent out ? USCIS does not group together petitions according to the sponsoring company. … so I do not get it how you came to know that all cts receipts has been sent ?

      One possibility is that you got this info from HR at CTS. So does this mean all petitions of CTS got approved ? Very unlikely.

      I think your question did not make sense to begin with.

      Reply
    • Do not jump to a conclusion. They did send out a note yesterday, “We are expecting the receipt notices / returned packages to reach us from the first week of May and this would continue for a couple of weeks from then.” This means you need to wait until mid May atleast.

      Reply
  4. This is my first time with single application. Mine is Non-AD/RP/CSC.
    Receipt date: April 13th
    Notice date: April 24th

    Receipt No: WAC15143*****

    Can anyone suggest what would be the next steps?

    Reply
    • Next step will be that USCIS will look into the merit of your H1-B petition. If it looks okay, then USCIS will approve it.

      If it looks dubious, then USCIS will judge whether they should ask for more information from you/ lawyer or outright reject it.

      Reply
      • Thanks for the info. I dont think there would be any RFE on my petition as the education/experience/company are genuine. USCIS shows processing time for CSC is 2 months. So, do i need to wait for 2 months or do they take a decision before 2 months?

        Reply
        • Some times the applications get approved in 30-45 days and some time will take 90 days too. Varies from application to application.

          Reply
  5. Hi,

    Does Cognizant has sent all the receipts received ?? Or oly Vermount service centre receipts are sent. Mine is California.

    Reply
  6. I got a receipt with pettion number (WAC-***-****) from my employer on 17 th april . it was filled under premium processing .
    I am checking my case status on USCIS sites , it is saying case received and it was mailed . it is under processing .

    Please update when i should get a update on my next status.

    Reply
  7. Does any received Approval from VT? If not, when can we start hearing about the approval/denial/RFE? I have a receipt saying that they received my I129 on 20th April. I have not heard anything yet. My case was filed from consultancy which is different than my current project. That means I have been working for one and H1B was filed by another consultancy in their inhouse project. Note: they really have inhouse project as well but I know once I will start working for them, I will be working in client location.

    Reply
  8. Those of you who have been selected, remember, you are among the 85k survivors of a crashed flight that had 233k passengers on board.

    So make something good of this unique opportunity. Rise in your job and chosen field to do proud to your country and family. Just dont be another software programmer or another techie. Be the best among the best.

    Reply
    • True that- there are many who have missed out on this opportunity and their career will be affected by it in one way or the other. So count your blessings.

      Reply
    • Stop posting bullshhitt like this!!.Who are you by the way? Obama!! ?. Everybody knows what to do with their careers and what they wanna become.

      Reply
      • LOL truth is exactly opposite… no one knows what they want to do in their career and what they want to become…. they are just following a herd for social acceptance. what they want to do is a voice tucked deep witin some corner of their brain that will never see light of day.

        Reply
  9. Received an email from my attorney that they received the receipt this morning. Cannot be more relieved. Good luck to everyone who is waiting. My best wishes!

    Reply
  10. How do you guys comes to know the status of your application. I went on their website and in case status it just shows On April 20, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC15135****, 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 uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

    How can i check whether they have started processing my application. I have applied in premium processing

    Reply
  11. Update from Immigration Girl, ***UPDATE 4/30/15 – Looks like we have a brief break in the receipt notice action. We have not received any new receipts yesterday or today. I still expect more regular processing receipts to come over the next 2 weeks.***

    Reply
    • Yes. I am.
      Doesn’t make much sense for PP petitioners to wait anymore. I already started forgetting that I applied for H1B this year!

      Reply
      • Yes same here.. AD/PP/CSC.. I have gotten numb about it. Good that it gradually sunk in waiting from 14th , 15th 16th, 17th 18th 19th ….. now 30th…. the ship went down gradually…. so no sudden pain.

        Reply
  12. Hi Everyone,

    Just got update from my employer. (AD/VT/RP) that my petition was selected.

    Here is the information on my receipt which might help you

    Receipt date: April 13th
    Notice date: April 21st

    Receipt No: EAC1514150***

    Wish you all the best!

    Reply
  13. My Employer sent mail as my application was not picked. I have doubt as he does not sumbitted my application. What should I ask him for proof of application?

    Reply
      • please correct me if I am wrong, How can employer take money for filing H1 ? Employer is supposed to hire you because employer values your job and then file for H1.

        USCIS clearly says that employer and only employer can pay H1-B filing fee. Of course the premium processing fee can be paid by the hire.

        Please correct me if I am wrong.

        Reply
        • Arey, are you new to this? Dont you know about the body shopping companies? consultancies and agencies who file for money?

          Already frustrated waiting, please dont post unless you have some really useful info. Aoid such silly stuff. there are many places where you will find a answer for your newbee question, just google, it will correct you.

          Reply
    • You can get the evidence if the application was really sent to USCIS or not. But understand that you are not the client of lawyer, your employer is. The returned package must have been received by your employer or lawyer. As you said it was informed by lawyer then he must have received the returned package. Ask him to send your employer the return package with same envelope (as received from USCIS).
      All these efforts are not going to help more than removing the doubt.
      Better go to such a lawyer on whom you can have a trust…

      Reply
    • Ask him to give denial notice (he may request you to wait till July). If he can’t give that, for sure he didn’t file your case. Thanks

      Reply
  14. Hello all,
    I just got an email from my employer that my case got picked in the lottery!!!
    Hope the below brief information of my profile will help someone or the other!!

    Category : AD
    Process : RP
    Center : California
    Receipt Date : April 24th
    No of applications : One and 1st time
    Receipt No : WAC – 15 – 142 – 53XXX

    Big thanks to everyone!!!!

    Reply
  15. It looks like number of people who got a receipt from VSC (VT) is greater than CSC (CA) in nonAD/RP. Is CSC usually slower than VT or people who submitted to CSC aren’t just posting their experience here?

    Reply
    • Or is Vermont the only Service centre that’s doing all the processing for Regular petitions this year, unlike earlier?

      Reply
      • I don’t know. My attorney told me that they sent it to CA. So I believe CA is doing RP and there are people who got a receipt from nonAD/RP/CSC (CA). This waiting is killing me.

        Reply
    • I applied from CA, just now got update from my company that my petition got picked
      Wish you all good luck for all of you !
      My special prayers to my dear friend applied and waiting for update

      Reply
  16. My attorney sent this message. “Your H-1B has been selected for processing, will mail you more details tomorrow.”

    First time applicant with a single application through a genuine company where i’m doing OPT. God helps those who help themselves.

    All the best to others on this group ! Stay hopeful , miracles do happen. Cheers !

    Reply
  17. “Name was updated” my case status…what does this mean…plzz replt highly appriciate..thanks..I had FNU issue 🙁

    Reply
  18. When can we expect results for regular applications . Anybody knows about the portal where I can track my status for Fragomen .

    Reply
  19. Useful info:

    Friends, if you did not get picked up in the lottery, you may try finding a job at a non profit organization or a research university. H1-B visas for such institutions are exempt from any cap limitation.

    Another option can be O1 visa if you are very brilliant. (just having good grades will not suffice, you have to be one of the best)

    One more option is if your company has a tie up with a research/educational university. In such a case your company can place you at the university in a role that also furthers the goal of the university. Then the H1-B visa will be exempt from cap limitations.

    In my case, I had filed for AD/PP/CSC. Now lost hope, so my employer has asked me to go back to university as a post doc on cap exempt H1-B and then work on company sponsored project as a post doc.

    Reply
    • … another option can be..

      if your company has an office in India, request your employer if they can hire you in India, and thereafter spending 365 days in India, the company can bring you to USA on L1-B visa.

      L1-B visa will have the added advantage that your spouse will be able to work ( important for those who are married).

      Also while you are employed at India offices, the company can still call you to USA for business meetings on B1/2 visa. The days you spend in USA on such visa will not be counted towards the 365 days that you need to be in India for L1 eligibility.

      Let s say your company hires you in India and witin few months calls you to USA for training or busines smeeting for 1 month. Then the 1 month that you spend in USA will not be counted towards the 365 days employment in India. So you will have to be in India for 395 days for L1 eligibility.

      Reply
  20. Got Receipt Number yesterday….But only a few of in my company got it….Is there any idea that this is done in batches????

    Reply
  21. In 3rd attempt, my H1B petition picked up in lottery.
    In last 2 years, I didn’t get selected in lottery.
    Just cheque encashed. Didn’t get Receipt number.
    Filed under RQ / RP.

    Reply
  22. AD/RP/CSC – 2nd attempt, law firm just informed me with confirmation that my case was selected in the lottery. Relieved.

    Reply

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