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H1B 2016 Premium Processing Dates

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

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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 received H4 receipt for my dependent’s I539 (change of status) but have not received my H1B receipt yet. Does getting H4 receipt means I was selected in the lottery?

    Reply

  2. Vermont has sent emails out for the following cases:
    From EAC1513550000 to EAC1513554000.
    In total 4,000 cases that were selected for H1B processing! Anyone outside of this range has got receipt notice already? If so, can you please confirm some numbers? Thanks

    Reply

    • Latest

      Request For Premium Processing Services Was Received
      On April 16, 2015, we received your request for premium-processing of your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC1513754500, and mailed you a receipt notice. Your premium-processing receipt notice contains contact information for direct inquiries on your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, contact the premium-processing unit directly to update your address.

      Reply

  3. Guys, Anybody here applied via Trishulla LLC. Haven’t heard back from them till now and would like to know if anybody here got it.

    Reply

  4. I’m curious about the terminology used. First timer here. What does AD/non-AD mean?
    And what are the different centers? Is it only California and Vermont or is Texas and Nebraska processing also?
    I assume PP means premium processing and RP means regular.

    Thank you!

    Reply

  5. Please post here if anyone got receipt or check enchased on april 21st from CSC. I guess the game over for the guys waiting for CSC/PP.

    Reply

  8. Most of the comments or all of the ones who say,
    1. They got call from Attorney or Mail from blah blah ..
    2. Picked up today at so and so .. blah blah…
    3. The specific ppl who proudly proclaim multiple petitions being applied ..

    This Site I think due to above people is losing its much needed significance, also guys, how many of you really believe when they say theirs got picked, its just playing with the minds of people who visit for some info …
    Cant help you all – … God bless …

    Reply

    • chillax Visitor…!!! This site and the comments are meant for the same. following the updates and trends of h1.. many people have been following this blog and since log and do update what ever they have.!
      FYI I am a third timer and we do get a lot of genuine updates here!! and about the comments on the multiple filings.. just neglect them

      Reply

  12. Last yr PP started on May 11 and this yr it has been moved to April 27. Does that mean a less number of PP people has been selected in lottery this year compared to last year?

    Reply

  14. Guys, I got selected! yay! got my receipt number today morning from attorney. I was so tensed during weekend – probably it was done on Friday itself, the attorney only saw it on Monday morning 😀

    PP/Non AD

    Reply

  17. Hi guys I have applied h1 from india with regular processing …

    when will we know the result for regular processing on lottery

    Reply

  18. One genuine application. Still waiting for news fingers crossed..

    I have a question on these multiple fake applications. I know that USCIS doesn’t refund them for the additional applications. But what happens to the multiple slots picked by the same applicant? Is it replaced by someone in the pool or is the slot lost for the year? They definitely know that it is the same person as they have the Passport #.

    Reply

    • See the response to this query on Quora –

      quora.com/If-2-employers-file-H1B-petitions-for-1-candidate-what-are-the-possible-outcomes

      Filing multiple petitions for the same candidate is legitimate. However, the system is being misused now, much to the happiness of the consultancy firms (body shopping). So now let’s say, a candidate’s 3 H1B petitions get selected, then he/she has three slots…now the remaining 64,997 slots are open.

      Reply

    • Saw this on Quora. The slot is lost.

      “Generally speaking, a foreign national is permitted to be sponsored for H1B positions by multiple companies. However, a single employer is generally prohibited from filing multiple petitions on behalf of the same individual.

      If multiple H1B petitions are approved for the same individual, the beneficiary can typically join any of the corresponding employers. If none of the petitions are selected in the lottery, in order to work in H1B status, the individual will either have to find a cap-exempt position or else wait until the following fiscal year to file again.”

      Reply

    • USCIS selects a few more than 85k based on historical rejection rates. So final no. of visas is different from 85k. Source: Emily Neumann’s blog

      Reply

  19. This multiple applications filing haunting genuine and honest candidates.Its like they were given a chance to rum a race Aa many times until they win while candidates like me just waiting for that one chance which I may never get:(Guys please be sensible and have some ethics before doing such things.Things that u get by honesty and hard work brings laurels to your life and bad deeds always brings nightmares.

    Reply

    • Thank you God for screwing me second time…. Have no other words left as I was taught to be thankful for what you get..
      I have been crying in the restroom in the office all day long… One of the worse days of my life.

      Signing off – Singlegenuineapplicant

      Reply

      • Come on guys its not the end of the world..!!! and nothing has been done yet..!! receipts do come out until at least mid of may..!! so nothing is confirmed as a NO until u get your application packet back!

        Reply

      • If its Vermont there is still time. About a third of the selected pp applicants and most not pp are still to be notified by email/snail mail. Hang in there.

        Reply

  22. AD/PP/CSC, haven’t received any receipt yet.
    One of my colleague got a receipt on Friday (AD/PP/CSC).
    Hoping to get one later in the week for myself.

    Reply

  24. Still waiting for AD/CSC. I don’t know why there is so much hate for those who are filing from tech companies back in India. I worked for one for almost 3 years but couldn’t get my H1. Came to the US, studied in an Ivy League and now working for a good company. I know that everyone works their ass off (Barring a few who approach some middle-men consultancies of sorts) to get what they want. Some are lucky to study here, others are not. At the end, everyone should get a fair chance. But those who rake in multiple offers and apply a dozen H1 should be stopped right there. I hope the RFE will take care of that.
    At the end, what matters is how hard you work. Whether you are here in the US or back home. Work hard and you will succeed.

    Reply

    • The frustration is towards the companies themselves rather than techies working there. The IT firms abuse the system by filing H1Bs in the thousands when most of their guys who come here work for a project or two (around 6 months) and then head back home.

      This makes it completely unfair for those who’ve spent $150K studying here in the US and want at least try and recoup the money over a 3 to 6 year period or for the non-AD applicants who have genuine family issues or long-term plans to work here.

      Reply

  26. When does it reflect in the sevis about the cap gap or status pending? Is it after the cheque gets cashed and receipt gets generated or just soon after the lottery? Right now my status is just active.

    Reply

  27. I had one application and got selected, I can’t believe it. I was like, I don’t have chance at all. It is a non-AD, PP, Vermont Center. BAL is the law firm we work with and they emailed me today the good news.
    I am transferring from L1B to H1B as maxing out my L1B, working for the same company for 8yrs (4 yrs in USA). I don’t even understand why I have to compete with the newcomers on this lottery thing? Anyways good luck everyone.

    Reply

          • It is same with me that case. Did you work for your current company for these 4 years? You are so lucky guy, but if you have stayed 4 yrs as L1B, I think, you just have 2 year left. Ask the permanent cart to your employer asap. In my case, I didn’t hear anything yet from employer and lawyer.

    • L1B-2-H1B: Yes the current company for the past 4yrs (there is no other option with L1B). I have less than 1yr is left from the L1B time, next years H1B lottery would have been too late. GC process also ongoing.
      Good luck with your case!

      Reply

    • Exactly my thoughts! L1 to H1 cases should be exempted from the Cap the year before L1 max-out. Especially those who came in on L1 between 2010 and 2012 are the ones worst hit. L1s that came before had their max-out before the H1s were exploited by these multi-applicants.
      And as L1s started drying out after 2010, new guys started coming in with H1 directly.

      Seriously USCIS should exempt L1 to H1 cases from the cap.

      Reply

  28. (Non-AD/PP/Vermont ), Do I still have chance?

    I called my attorney and she said still waiting for the notifications from USCIS.

    Reply

    • Same here. Lets wait until friday. Today there were receipts sent for AD/Pp/vermont mostly. Maybe they’ll send out receipts for non-ad tmrw. My attorney said the same thing today.

      Reply

  29. Finally the wait time over. I am non AD and applied thru one consultancy. Already I am in US for the past 4yrs with L1. And now I got h1 so I can switch over thank god. Last 2yrs I am failed to to pick in lottery now I am happy 🙂

    Reply

  32. Last day for AD/PP is April 26th so please be patient and wait till 26th. Some attorney’s or employers are lazy enough to give the update for petitioner. so wait till this month ending.

    Reply

  35. I wish there was a way to know figure out the number of AD applications alone. Just to calm the nerves I guess. Good luck to you all.

    Reply

      • What’s wrong? I got multiple offers and I want to maximize my chance dude. Just try to keep all of the offers and let them file H1Bs…

        Reply

        • So now what, you need to say ‘no’ for some of them and pay them the tax! Since you have applied with multiple petitions, they wont get their money back =P #shameonyou

          Reply

    • How is that an effort? Filing multiple fake applicantions do not really qualify as an effort! Anyway.. hope you do justice to your Job!

      Reply

    • Effort?? Wow! Filing 4 applications is not an effort you moron! It’s selfish. Don’t you guys realize you are wasting precious slots from the already low 65k+20k seats? No wonder there are 233k petitions this time, now that idiots like you are coming to the surface …

      Reply

    • Hi Man, I just want to sincerely F*** you and your shitty life.

      You know there are people out there taking thousands of debt with the hope that their “EFFORT” will pay off some day. And your shitty selfish move will be punished one day. I have no doubt for that.

      Reply

    • Having 4 offers does not mean you can apply for 4 applications. It is not illegal, but very unethical. Priorities should be given to applicants who are already in the US and is currently working for the firm that is sponsoring them.

      Reply

  39. To the guy who had 7 applications filed on his behalf and got 3 of them picked – For shame dude!!!
    First you mercilessly file 7 freaking applications and then on top of that you have the balls to broadcast your good news of 3 petitions being selected!! People like you should be banned from getting any visas in the US. I guess you understand that because of this 2 deserving candidates won’t get their petition selected, and if their OPT ends before April 2016, they are probably packing to go back to their home country.
    At least have the courtesy of hiding such nonsense information you idiot. There is nothing to feel proud here. I hope you are fired by whichever employer you “select” :X

    Reply

    • No point spreading negative energy to this guy. Plus, we don’t even know if his situation is real or if he’s making stuff up. 7 applications is a lot of money.

      Either way, it’s unfortunate that people would resort to such immoral tactics without realizing the consequences it would have on genuine one-application individuals like us.

      The sad truth is at the end of the day, visa or not, life goes on…

      Reply

      • We really need to get a petition to the USCIS for stopping multiple filings. USCIS did this in good faith – now the system is being abused. Moreover, with the lottery system in place, the system is being abused all the more. Who will win?The multiple agencies that charge exorbitant amounts of money for “sponsoring” candidates.
        Who will lose? US with loss of genuine candidates who could have contributed to the economy.
        The system does not make sense. It will be difficult to cleanse the system entirely in one go, but at least stopping multiple filings will be the first step.

        Reply

        • I hope the USCIS thoroughly cross checks all petitions with the same candidate names. That should take care of duplicate filings. And as it was already stated by them, duplicate filings will be rejected, plus they won’t get back the fees either. That would teach them a lesson. 🙂

          Reply

          • They have the applicant’s passport#. They can just easily find duplicate applications by checking the passport#’s in the applications.
            Those who are found sending duplicate applications should be blacklisted and never allowed to enter the US.

  41. I am happy to inform that my testing team got H1B lottery today. we will be flying to Las Vegas on 1st Oct for Testing the new mobile app which is being built. There are 6 members in my team and all of them got lottery notification. We filled 2 applications per person with diff employers.. We are building Mobile App for Strip Clubs in Vegas..

    Reply

  43. I am very happy to announce that 3 out of my 7 applications got picked up and received the receipts.

    Now its high time to decide to go with which employer.. Cheers!!

    Reply

  44. Hi guys, I just got my receipt one hour ago. My lawyer forwarded email to me. Vermont Non-AD/Premium , OPT F1 status, 2nd attempt

    I’m so happy now, I just almost gave up and thought of all the backup plan after my OPT expired. Same to most of you here, I’m against cheater with multiple filings, I only apply with one application though this is my last chance.

    Again, god is with you guys. Wish you guy all the best.

    Reply

  45. Vermont service center sent an email to my lawyer and she forwarded me that mail. So they r sending “email” and not through “mail”. Am from texas.

    Reply

  46. I am in the advanced degree cap and did PP. Received an email this morning from Vermont SC with a receipt number… Does this mean that my case has made the lottery? I am new to this process. Next Step in this process?

    Reply

  47. I have been an outstanding student all my life, I did my BS from here, I did my MS from here, I’ve been in the country for over 9 years now.

    Graduated with perfect GPA’s from BS and MS(top schools). I work in one of the top companies now. I have everything here. I’m not from India, but from a neighboring country PK, if I go back home, there is literally nothing there for me. I can barely even read the language. If I was from India there would still be chains of companies that would hire me.

    I was not picked last year. I was depressed, sad and in a state of shock. I’ve been calling USCIS all day and DSO and SEVIS today, no help. With Gods grace and the prayers of my mother, I JUST RECICVED NOTIFCATION THAT I WAS SELECTED FROM MY LAWYER AD-PP-VT.

    I’m so excited. However, I still feel bad for all the deserving candidates who will not be picked due to the fact others are using fake jobs/resume for petitions. I strongly believe the H1B should be first allotted to students who are already working and settled here and then to the people who are abroad. And I also believe no fake companies should get away with the sin of playing with other students careers. I will continue my cause.

    Thank you everyone. You guys are awesome. Best of Luck. Love you all.

    Reply

    • Congrats!!

      Im in the same situation as you. Studied here for 9 years now.

      2nd attempt. AD/PP/VT.

      Did your DSO say your Sevis was still Active or Pending? Any info when you tried calling USCIS?

      Reply

      • DSO, USCIS and SEVIS hotline refused to give me any information. Just as I gave up all the hope I got an email with receipt #.

        VT receipts just started being sent out today, so stay strong till the end of this month. If there are some multiple applications, uscis keeps some backup applications to be selected.

        Reply

    • Congrats!!! You deserve it!!

      I called SEVIS and DSO – still active F-1, no receipt#..

      I worked so hard my 5 years here and got my master’s degree last year. Got into a Big 4 firm thinking I’d have nothing to worry about until I missed the lottery last year. If I can’t it I guess I’m just out of luck.. I tried hard.. no regrets..

      AD/PP/VT.. no updates on my lawyer’s tracker site. Guess I’ll make some exit plans

      Reply

    • Congrats bro!!

      I was in the exact same situation and found out today that i made it. You are probably one of many that can really understand the feeling. I feel that there is a MASSIVE weight off my shoulders now. I think that this might be the hardest year that i have ever/will ever face. So glad its finally over.

      Have a drink on me buddy and ill have one on you!

      Reply

    • “I strongly believe the H1B should be first allotted to students who are already working and settled here and then to the people who are abroad. ”

      Really, why is that ? So people who join bogus colleges with daddy’s money can just travel and then settle there. As opposed to people who have actually worked in their home country, gained skills and then want to migrate.

      Reply

      • Come on man. You cant put everyone in that bracket… in a way he has a point because the people who went to school in the US usually have a car/apartment/life as well as an education from the US that is more fitting/recognized than that in their home country… You settle/adapt somewhere when you have been there 4-5 years (4-5 crucial years of life)

        Maybe you should have thought twice before getting educated in your home country… Didn’t have Daddy’s money?? not an excuse… Not everyone who goes to a US University from another country comes on Daddy’s money.

        Reply

        • VERY well put! I had to earn scholarships to get me through and then did OPT which gave me the opportunity to stay on H1-b

          Reply

        • How many people come on their hard earned money? Very few – at least from India. Most people get their daddy’s money or loan and then pretend to be given the birthright to a work permit – ridiculous entitled attitude.

          As expected – the USCIS gives a better chance in lottery for AD holders and that’s about it. Asking for everyone to be given priority is ridiculous.

          Because the people looking to migrate with 5-10 years of work experience are just as deserving as someone who has done masters from some random college in the US. See – generalization works both ways

          Reply

          • Ruby? Who sponsored you for your H1B? My bets are on a New-Jersey body shopping company. Good luck to you sharing 33% of your income to those douche bags.

          • I am in Big IT service companies.. I bet you’re one of those spoilt brats with no talent who came here purely on parents money and now roams around claiming to be entitled to the work permit.

            Good luck. Remember parent’s money can only take you so far. It is not a subsitute for skill which no doubt you have none of

          • LoL…You are from Big IT services company. HAha…I feel sad for you and your career progression. Atleast my dad had confidence in me regarding ROI which is more than one can say about you (free loader? ).

          • lol so you ARE a freeloader. Your *dad* had “confidence” in you… hahah what a joke

            Doesnt boasting about living of parents’ money seem shameful. That you are in this position simply because they paid from their hard earned money. Even leeches stop sucking blood from their host after getting their fill. you are even worse lol

          • Atleast I had confidence in myself to self-fund through dad and pay him back later. What noteworthy have you done? Every one knows that 4 out of 5 people who gets sponsored for H1 through these stupid MNCs aint worth it and bring wages down alongside. Son…stop sucking upto your managers….come for masters…learn something noteworthy.. for a change in your life

      • Would you rather take away a job, life from someone, displace him and replace him by giving someone else a job and life that he never had?

        That’s like kicking someone out of a place he is settled, his home and putting someone else who has never lived there in that home.

        Reply

        • I wouldn’t do anything of the sort. Just said that it is ridiculous to want all AD holders to get priority before work ex candidates.

          If that certain someone got there purely by getting a seat and then work permits – then more benefit in the lottery, what on earth more does he/she want. this is the entitled attitude that is so irksome. I understand if its coming from people studying in the top engineering colleges, but most of such bragging is done by people who come from Tier B/C colleges just by paying more

          Reply

        • I finally got my receipt number from my attorney. Super awesome.
          Reply to Sad and Happy on the issue he has raised…First of all congrats to Sad and Happy for the selection in lottery. You deserve that.
          Coming to your point you have raised, the inability of us not doing a MS or any graduation in US is not only attributed to lack of money. Sometimes there are some constraints which can’t be avoided at all and it requires you to stay with the family. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t dream at all, it just means our dreams are postponed.
          Yeah you have settled there and you dont want to get replaced, I m not arguing you shud also. But it doesn’t mean we should be at disadvantage forever just because of our past circumstances. There should be common ground to run the race that is where lottery plays its fair play. Its shouldn’t be like America spent millions on training Tyson Gay so he should start the race near to finish line and Usain Bolt being a Jamaican should start from far.
          Being a masters graduate, you will be getting two chances in lottery, so its a calculated fair play which is acceptable for all and I don’t think its fair to say that a person who was habituated in their home country will be fine to stay there. Everyone has their own American dream. Yours and mine getting true.
          Lets us wish for others too.

          Reply

          • Truly, I like ur thought. I am from a very middle class family…. My dad worked 16 hrs a day to put me though my education, Same as everyone here said, he truly “believed” in me. I worked my ass off! Studied in a good college here, by God’s Grace got placed in off campus, proved within 10000s of fellow freshers, got good projects to work on, stayed late without even knowing wat the time is to match with US timings!
            We are also as hard working as u guys are, except tht our family did not have the fortune sending us there for a Masters!
            This shuldnt mean, I shuld never dream! I shuld never Climb the ladder! We are as determined, as we have been in the industry for this long time! I have a family to take care… I have my own dreams to realize!
            So saying that who does not have a US masters is not worth a shot @ his dream is really bad!

            I wish every one luck, just like i wish myself. But do understand guys, just because u have masters dosent mean u have the right to say i cant have a dream!

  49. To all those who got selected – please update the visa tracker so we can keep track. It is very useful to get an idea for others

    Reply

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