Home » US Immigration - Visas » H1B Visa » USCIS News Alert : H1B 2016 Premium Processing from April 27th

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

Photo of author
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.

   

Other Articles

2,861 Comments

  1. Hi ,

    I have an offer with a company for $85k who has applied for my H1 in RP/NonAD.

    But I have now got an offer with a German company for Euro 55k+benefits. Now I am in dilemma whether to wait for US visa results or take up the German offer.

    I have 2 weeks to decide and I dont think I will get any results before that

    Reply
    • Germany is the best place for IT guys, if you know little bit of German , you can even ignore H1B(if its picked in lottery) and enjoy in Europe.

      Reply
    • Hi,

      I work for an telekom company in Düsseldorf,Germany. 55K is sort of beginner engineer salary in here. You can live, buy your car and save little bit of money.

      However if you are an Indian or Pakistani or similar then you’re second class in here unfortunately. You will feel this in every single place even if they say we’re not nazi 🙂

      if you have any question let me know.

      Reply
    • I’m currently working in Europe and worked for a quite long time in US as well.
      Regd the 85k $ in US, it totally depends on the location. For ex: In NYC/Bay area, it won’t be sufficient if you looking for saving. For Texas, it’s sufficient enough.
      Regd the 55k EUR in Germany, it won’t be sufficient either. But the good part here, the quality of life good , easy travel to India in case of emergencies and no hassles in visa /stamping process. I would suggest at least 70k EUR in Germany but if you got benefits in housing/car lease, then 60k EUR will do.

      Please let me know your level of experience, family/bachelor and location in US & Germany. I’ll guide you accordingly.

      Reply
  2. Hi All,

    Fragomen started updating for PP applicants. I got my status last night India time.

    Non AD/PP/Vermont/Third Time/Single Petition

    To all those with multiple petitions, life will make you face situations which are out of your control, how long will you be able to use your money to circumvent.

    Reply
  3. Non-AD/PP/Ver – received notice from attorney.

    One employer/one application/first try

    US time: 2015-04-22(letter of notice but I am PP no email yet).
    Checked status: 4/16 picked

    No email notice, just real letter of notice.

    Just info.

    Reply
  4. If filing multiple h1b petitions with different companies is legit, why not just go ahead and do it? Ones who do that may got several job offers. I am confused as many people here got mad about it.

    Reply
    • You can do it if there is no Cap for H1. Now with there being a cap on the number of H1s this badly spoils the aspirations of deserving candidates.
      USCIS should seriously look into these body shop consultancies and clean them up.

      Reply
  5. Did anyone from Deloitte Employer heard about lottery results/receipts/mails through Fragomen? Surprisingly, when so many people have received receipts/updates, firm with ~7K petitions didn’t hear anything at all?? Not sure, any strategic move from Deloitte or Fragomen here. Atleast 15 colleagues with same waiting status so wanted to know from other Deloitte or Fragomen cases.

    P.S. It was a premium processing and Immigration HRs have no or not willing to share any information.

    Reply
  6. Anybody use Fragomen to file H1b case? I just want to know how many people have received notices from Fragomen. As far as I know, in my company nobody has received any updates from them. WTH?

    Mine is AD/PP/VT

    Reply
  7. Receipt number from non premium processing reported on immigration girl from CSC. Anyone here who got for the same (CSC reg)?

    Reply
  8. Is there anyone in CA service center who receives receipt notice today (April 21 2015)? I am still waiting for mine!!!! Anyway, congrats to anyone who got through the lottery.

    Please let me know. Thanks a lot.

    Reply
  9. Dear All, I see bwlow Upate by Immi girl.. I am NonAD/PP/vermont.. , still waiting to hear from fragomen…. So Vermont guys, still there is a good hope, Lets keep our fingers crossed… Nothing we can do with those who filed multiple, but surely we can hope for best!!! All the best to everyone who is waiting!!!!
    ***UPDATE 4/21/15 – As of this morning, we have received receipts for:

    54% of California AD PP

    33% of California Bach PP

    No receipts for Regular Processing cases filed at the California Service Center

    71% of Vermont AD PP (major increase from yesterday)

    36% of Vermont Bach PP (also increased from yesterday)

    No receipts for Regular Processing cases filed in Vermont
    ****

    Reply
  10. Guys don’t loose out hope.
    Let me tell you my case
    I applied for h1 in 2013 , cleared lottery but my fu…kng employer not a big one was not able to reply USCIS qns..so stupid…I filed in PP -non masters category ..rcvd 2 RFE’s and still that employer couldn’t get it approved…and took a long time to respond to RFE’s and my case started in pp which was to get a decision in 15 days went till october 2013 and with denied decision finally. I was shattered completely.
    Later applied in 2014 again , cleared lottery ( Second time lucky to make it) , rcvd h1 b receipt on 2 may 2014 and to my surprise got approval on 11 june , this was really short duration and a regular processing case , NON AD. I now work for USA one of big four professional services. 🙂
    Don’t loose hope. All the best. Sometimes you just need to wait for the right time.

    Reply
  11. SEVIS now has an automated msg saying “Call your employer if you wanna know your status”!!

    lol….they must have been bombarded with such requests.

    Reply
  12. I am AD/PP/CSC. This is my only chance for H1B. Still no email. Just checked with DSO and no receipt number. I guess I am not selected 🙁 Thanks everyone for sharing info on this website. F**k those who had multiple applications. If there is no duplicate petition, we would NOT have needed the “LOTTERY”

    Reply
    • I am sorry for not answering your question, but may I know which university is offering day1 CPT? It is my 3rd attempt AD/PP/Cal and haven’t heard anything yet. Preparing for plan B now.

      Reply
  13. Hi Everyone,
    Congrats to ones who received it. Good luck to people waiting.
    Question: Any (AD or non-AD) regular processing receipts out yet?

    Reply
  14. Mine is AD/PP/Vermont..Found out current SEVIS status is “Active for CAP GAP”. My OPT expires in May and I didn’t/can’t apply for any extension, because I don’t fall under STEM category.
    Can someone help me understand what the SEVIS status corresponds to?
    Hoping for the best. Good luck to ppl waiting for their result.

    Reply
    • I am on the same boat. 3rd attempt. From my last 2 years exp, I have given up. I heard of cases where PP cases were still sent out in the middle of May, but very less chance.

      I will apply again next year. Life goes on doesn’t matter with the result. Faced so much of shit in my life that I can withstand the fall this time.

      Reply
    • Guys, I am finally giving up my hopes. God will take me in the direction he wants me to. I begged him to grant me this one, even though I had offers from 2 different employers willing to file my H1B this year, I didnt want to file multiple applications, so that I dont spoil some other’s life in case both of mine get picked. I am in a moral combat if this was right or wrong, but from what I see, i did it right by not choosing to put in multiple applications. All I have now is Faith in lord. As for me, I am a developer with a very well known financial company. I sweat my blood to get this job and not join any consulting company, fake my exp and pay to file my H1. If god thinks I deserve this, so be it that way. For the rest of you whose visa got picked, All the very best, god def loves you more than me for sure 🙂 and for people in the same boat as me – Please keep your hopes up till last, believe in Sai Baba and he takes care of you. I am officially giving up, please let his not deter you hopes, I am just one unlucky ass ! ha ha ! Signing off brothers….wishing you everyone…all the best and remember its always hard work and skill that ever counts and not luck ! Thanks for all the active participation, I at least came to know I wont be picked. Bye. Cheers, – A Victim

      Reply
  15. My wife got her H1 receipt. She has 12+ yrs of exp, had to quit due to family reasons…

    NON-AD – PP – VSC

    Got the email yesterday..

    Thanks everyone

    Reply
  16. Non Advance degree and non premium people get the response between April 28 till mid of june! so guys please be patient.

    Reply
  17. Total 20400 Premium applications USCIS recieved this 2016 Fiscal year!
    Advance Degree people who studied in USA around 10000 and general quota people remaining 10400 applications.

    Reply
  18. I win in the lottery, not sure which center, but application was sent from D.C.! I think it was Vermont. Thanks to all members of this friendly forum for the help! (especially, Bob!! ;)) Multi application is a cheating, so I pray for Indianians who sent only one application, I sure they are good programmers like me (I’m from Russia)….. Realy thats a cool news….. Fck!…… ;))))))

    Reply
  19. AD/PP/VT/1st attempt/Single Application. I was picked last year and my boyfriend got picked this year! I feel very lucky.

    Last year I didn’t hear from my lawyer until 5/15 and I was PP/VT. So stay positive.

    Reply
    • I thought April 27th would be sort of the deadline for this year! So, you think there is hope even in May 1st week?

      Reply
      • What does AD/PP/VT means please?

        I still didnot receive the receipt number. Do you guys think there is HOPE until April 27th?

        Thanks.

        Reply
  20. Just check out with my school DSO. My status changed and gave me receipt. Still waiting for law firm confirmation. EAC1513551xxx

    Reply
  21. Just got mail from my employer. My petition got selected. Non AD/ PP/VT. Receipt number starts with EAC151375xxxx.. Don’t give up guys..

    Reply
  22. Why people are so much worried about getting H1B visa,there is much life outside US.Among huge population in the world those who got a chance to apply are more lucky than anybody than who didnt even get a chance to apply.Try to live in peace and happiness wherever you are and with whatever you earn.Life is short,what if you get h1b and stamped and then you book ticket in a good airline and then the flight crashes in Atlantic while you are flying to USA with H1B.So be happy and enjoy life.If you didnt get lottery may be you are lucky to escape an air accident.

    Reply
  23. Hi All,
    Just found out that the NIV Petition Filed date is mentioned as 9th April 2015 on the fragomen portal.

    I don’t understand. Can someone please help.

    Reply
  24. For those who think multiple application applicant should be banned.
    Here is the link for the petition.
    petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/remove-and-ban-cheaters-who-sent-multi-petition-h1b-lottery-selection

    Reply
  25. Hello Spartans,

    I have few doubts about the h1b. We are 65 members in our family. Its very difficult to feed and survive on Indian salary. Is there anyway I can ask USCIS to approve my h1b without going through the lottery as I have a family reason to get the visa. I need it guys believe me. Does USCIS consider family problems and issue me a visa?

    Thanks for your support guys.

    Reply
    • Yes man for sure all you need is to talk them. They also provide food aid please contact with them but they provide only beef if it is ok for you and your family. You can do this for short term and then you can negotiate the visa details because they need more Indians in States 🙂

      Reply
      • Thank you man for the response. Beef is ok with me and my family. We had struggled a lot for even a cup of rice. I heard US government also provides a food stamp to every family? How can I get one once they grant my h1b? I also want to know if USCIS allow my other 64 family members to travel with me to USA. Can I get 64 food stamp?

        Reply
        • 64 food stamps are not required. One food stamp is enough. But you need to fill in the form saying you need food for 65 members on a single food stamp. Those food stamps are available online. You can login to uscis site and add a food stamp to your cart and purchase it.

          All the best!!

          Reply
    • Friends, be kind enough to assist people who does not know anything about uscis policy and are in some struggle.
      uscis will never look into anyone’s family situation to issue a visa, they are inviting Us to improve their economy and they are least bothered about our situation .so please bear in mind if you are lucky enough to get thru lottery then u are safe , else you can try to immigrate to other countries like Canada, singapore, Australia.
      Hope this helps.

      Reply
    • Yep, They will provide you a visa. Moreover, persons with a big family like you, can walk into the nearest US consulate and can collect your green card. You are lucky, book your flight tickets asap.

      All the best and WELCOME TO USA!!

      Reply
    • Just a suggestion to FamilyGuy-Stop humiliating your country.No one here is going to be bowled over by your emotional family posts.Show some brain and behave like someone truly worthy for entry in to States.People like you always bring shame to a great Nation.
      Will you ask Indian govt to allow some US family having 100 members to come to your house and eat for free?.Earn what you want instead of begging-Hopeless guy.

      Reply
  26. Thank God ! I just received the call from employer that I got the receipt number.
    PP/AD/California.
    was my 2nd attempt.
    On April 20, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Non immigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC*******, and emailed you a receipt notice. It is being processed at our California Service Center location.

    Reply

Leave a Comment