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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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2,861 Comments

  1. Got my receipt today! I cried when I received it… Don’t lose hope!!!

    First Time, Single Application, AD/RP/California
    Received Date : Apr 13 2015
    Notice Date : Apr 29 2015

    Receipt No : WAC15147*****

    Reply
  2. First Time Non AD/RP/WAC
    Received my receipt number today
    Received Date : Apr 13 2015
    Notice Date : Apr 27 2015

    Receipt No : WAC15145*****

    Reply
  3. Please don’t listen to anyone saying “check got en-cashed today”. That’s total BS. They are just playing with your emotions and giving you false hope.

    Reply
  4. THE JOURNEY ENDS HERE……………
    GOODBYE USA dreams
    Last hope gone……………………………………….

    Reply
  5. Does it mean that my case was selected from the lottery if I get a receipt number starting EAC? I was a master’s cap applicant and received this notice on April 30 afternoon. Good luck for everybody!

    Reply
  6. Does it mean that my case was selected from the lottery if I get a receipt number starting EAC? I was a master’s cap applicant and received this notice on April 30 afternoon.

    Reply
    • Yes you did.. But one advice.. But really you don’t know this much 🙂 If you could have just read forum you would have got answer.. There were couple folks like you asking this stupid question 😀

      Reply
  7. H1B PP filed.

    My employer called me and informed the check was en-cashed.
    He told that he would provide me the receipt number once he receives .

    Reply
      • Thanks it was Today. 5/4/2015. Around morning time I guess. The attorney informed me around 12:00PM and my employer informed my around 1:00 PM.

        Reply
    • Hope… You didn’t have duplicate applications. As they encash checks in that case too before sending rejected petitions. If it is single then they return checks..

      Reply
      • Pretty sure. I don’t even know multiple applications are legal. Even if its legal my employer won’t spend that much on me. I still don’t have a receipt number. I just trust my employer.

        Reply
  8. Does any body know how much time VSC is taking to send receipts after encashing the checks??

    Reply
  9. All you applicants with PP , hold on to your faith . 2 of my friends got their receipt numbers on friday which was 1st Of May 15.

    Reply
  10. Hey PP guys, hold on. We are still get receipt. I thought it’s over, but today I got approved receipt. First time applied single application. very happy. Got approved on 04/27 but today got the news. Bust of luck.

    Reply
    • Congrats !! Did you ever got the receipt saying that your application was picked in lottery ?? they directly sent you the approval notice ?? Which center it is ??

      Reply
    • Which center is your petition from? And when did your check got cashed? Plz post its helpful to whoever waiting like mine.
      I thought PP chances are gone. I’m still waiting….. 🙁

      Reply
  11. Hello guys, My SEVIS got update on 20th April with receipt number but my Lawyer hasn’t got anything yet. what can be the issue?

    Reply
  12. Just got a mail from my employer that they will be able to update only in may end or June , any idea why it is taking so much time for them .

    Reply
  13. One of the requirement that USCIS should enforce is that job should be in the area of expertiese. by this measure a chemical enigneer working as JAVA programmer will be highly dubious.

    Looks like so many people from India who do not have degree in CS are doing software job.

    This is suffocating H1-B petition for real engineering jobs in US.

    Reply
    • So you are saying software people are allowed to apply for multiple applications using body shops and someone working in core cannot as they don’t have such fake consultancy stuff.

      As everyone has one only passport/SSN, One application per passport is a good option.

      Reply
      • Yes, your suggestion is good… right now those in core engineering are handicapped in a way cuz they can not rig the system as software guys do.

        Reply
    • Outsourcing companies should only be allowed to file for L1. Don’t think they need h1. Also USCIS should not return the filing fees. That way no one will abuse the system.

      Reply
  14. Hi Guys,
    Finally 2 years of long wait came to an end. Got receipt number from GIT CTS today.. Thank you all and All the very best for ppl who are waiting.

    Reply
  15. Hi Gurus,

    My employer told me that my h1 petition check got chased up on April 27th. But, untill now I did not get the receipt number and there is not change in the SEVIS status. The service center is Vermont. Does it really take that long time to SEVIS update ?

    Reply
  16. I had applied two petitions. One of them got receipt number. but for the other application the consultant is refusing to give me money back.

    How can I get my money back that I paid for the second petition ?

    Reply
    • You really can not. As USCIS will not return him checks back as you had multiple petitions. Plus lawyer fee nobody returns.

      Reply
      • As far as I know, if petitions are from different employers, it’s not considered multiple, provided job requirements for both petitions should be unique.

        Reply
  17. Hi Guys,

    Just got my receipt EAC15144*****. Applied as Non AD/RP/VT in CTS.
    The receipt was originally received on 24th Apr by GIS but i got info abt my receipt today(04 May) only.. Hope you guys receive your receipt earlier than mine..!!!

    Reply
  18. if you are not selected in lottery, there is a way out if your company has a working relationship with a non profit/ research or educational institution.

    Your company can place you to work on a university campus, such that your work is of some benefit to the university, then the company can file for a cap-exempt H1-B visa.

    No annual cap, no waiting till Oct 1 or April 1. Can be filed any time of the year, can start working any time of the year.

    Reply
  19. there are so many comments where people say that they received call from employer informing them of visa acceptance.

    I am thinking, do employers really have that much time to inform individuals of their visa status….. OR are you all working for start ups here ?

    Reply
    • This is the prime business time for a lot of these body shop consultancies that send fake guys to US. So, they call individuals and inform them of their selection to cheat some poor client in the US.

      Reply
      • When you are a full time employee at a US based organization that is not into consulting, how many internationals do you think they would employ? Not a lot since they don’t want the uncertainty of the employees leaving them due to lack of Visa. That is exactly the case of international students here. No VISA, No job. Even if you struggle and get a job by networking the crap out, now you don’t have a VISA.!! FML…

        Reply
  20. Is Fragomen done sending all pp receipts, my employer says they filed with them as premium application.

    Reply
  21. Hope all H1B status are reveled on or before May 13th .So 10 days count started !!

    Be positive .. All the best !!

    Reply
    • Its called Cap-Exempt H1-B. if you work for an educational institute (university), non profit research institute etc, then H1-B filed by these institutions are free from the limit of annual quota.

      These institutes can file H1-B any time of the year and request a start date any time of the year. (meaning you do not even need to wait till October 1st).

      Try to find an IT company whose end client is a university.

      OR if you have done your PhD try to find a post doctoral/ research enigneer/ teaching position in university.

      OR if you have done masters, try to find a research associate position in university.

      Reply
  22. My Employer said that PP notifications can be expected till may 11th 2015. I think RP notifications/receipt can be expected till may 3rd week 2015.

    Reply
  23. My Employer said that PP notifications can be expected till may 11th 2015.

    I think RP notifications/receipt can be expected till may 3rd week 2015.

    Reply
  24. Hi ,

    Mine is non-ad/RP/VT …. my employer have not updated anything yet… every one is saying in this forum …. before MAY second week all the receipt number would be out … is there any way to know before that ?

    My mind always wandering about this …

    Reply
  25. My status says ‘case was received’ with some receipt number..WAC******….what does it mean? Is my petition selected in lottery?

    Reply
    • Yes, but what the !#!$ do you mean by “some receipt number”? Isn’t this the receipt number you used to check the status?

      Reply
    • Either you are looking for attention or just plain sadistic, you know that there have been ‘n’ number of posts here which suggests that receipt = getting selecting in lottery

      Reply
  26. Guys i have recieved my receipt yesterday- NAD/RP/CSC
    WAC-14-145-XXXX
    Recieved date:13 Apr 2015
    Notification Date:27 Apr 2015

    Reply
  27. After long waiting, I finally got report that company check had been withdrawn and check identify receipt number. This is first attempt while on OPT extension (expires on Dec 2015), one application from my current employer. No SEVIS update as far as I know from DSO — because my OPT ends Dec 2015? – and I haven’t received an actual mail yet (either company or attorney haven’t yet). WAC151465xxxx

    Reply
  28. I am lil confused why the RP applications are getting processed immediately before PPs are done. I heard/read once the PPs are done RP starts, but its wrong with the replies I read here. Friends please advice how long RPs should wait or put some hope.

    Reply
    • Same here. I too have same concerns. Some of my friends under regular quota had already been picked up and some not and I am one of them. I too wonder how long do we have to wait if we are picked up or not???

      Reply
      • I dont see any comments where RP has been processed. Getting selected in lottery is not same as getting processed. Once selected, they will give you an accepted or rejected decision. Now in the case of PPs, their application (if it was picked in the lottery) will be processed by May 11th, 2015 (meaning they will get an accepted or rejected decision). That’s the commitment they make for PP. RPs will continue getting receipts for a few more days (or weeks), and then their application will be processed in due course.

        Reply
  29. How long will it take to know if i am selected or not in a lottery . I have filled under master Quota under regular Quota. Some of my friends ( regular Quota )have already received email from lawyer that they have been picked up and some not. Its a lot pain. So just asking if any one knows how long can we still be hopeful to hear a good news?

    Reply
    • It could be a few more days. There is no time commitment on RP, either AD or non-AD, maybe even late May before you get your receipt. Be hopeful until you get a receipt or until your application is returned without processing.

      Reply
      • Non AD/RP/CA

        Folks, I haven’t received any good news from my employer. I tied asking the attorney, he has asked me to not believe the blogs and wait till I hear from him. I think my luck is not with the lottery this time. IS CA USCIS done with sending out all the receipts? What do you guys think? Any one in the same boat as mine?

        Feeling hopeless!

        Reply
  30. Still waiting for a PP receipt #. None received. I was told that sometimes you do not receive a receipt #, just processing updates. True?

    Reply
        • By May 11th, USCIS will process all the applications that were selected. By April 27th, all selected applicants were notified…maybe some were notified last week as well but essentially with just a week to go for the PP applications to get processed, it is a done deal!
          Those who are not selected – are you guys looking at non-profits?

          Reply
  31. Immigration girl, “I am expecting that the chances of being picked are approximately 70% for masters. Based on this prediction, we may get a few more regular processing masters cap receipts from both service centers. We are probably at least three quarters of the way through receiving masters cap receipts for regular processing cases.”

    Seems there is still hope for AD/RP..

    Reply
  32. Got call from my employer at 7:20 AM – PST that the cheque was en-cashed. I hope, below information will help few folks.

    Case: Non-AD/RP/CA
    Cheque encashed: 04/01/2015, 05:20 AM – PST
    Receipt: waiting – according to employer should get it over weekend.

    This is a great forum keeps you motivated and stay patience. All the best for all the people who are waiting. Will post the receipt number as soon as I get. That might help few of you.!

    Reply
      • Congrats…. I got call from my employer too at 7 AM PST informing that my check got cashed today morning…. NonAD/RP/Calif ….. seems like we both are in same club….

        Reply
        • quick question :: what kind of employer do you have who calls you ( the employee ) to inform of visa acceptance ? In my case the employer is so big that, would not even care and I guess same would be the case with most employers.

          So I am thinking, are you all working for small start ups ?

          Reply
      • Did you get a receipt number right away or only on 5/1/15? Are people still getting receipt #s?

        Reply
    • what is your employers name? I m just trying to understand whether the cheques are encashed alphabetically by employers name?

      Reply
  33. i had applied h1b Regular processing this year .
    I want to know whether sending the receipts is completed or not for regular cap 🙁 and let me know if i still have chance to get picked in lottery

    Reply

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