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H1B 2020 Lottery Completed 201K petitions Received by USCIS

USCIS News: H1B 2020 Lottery Completed, Received 201,011 Petitions

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USCIS announced today, April 11th, 2019 that they completed H1B visa Lottery for 2020 quota. Below is the summary of the press release.

Summary of USCIS Press release on H1B 2020 Lottery Completion :

  • H1B 2020 Lottery Completed :

    • USCIS mentioned that they have conducted H1B lottery on April 10th .
    • They have received 201,011 petitions for FY 2020 Quota
    • They used a computer-generated random algorithm, which is popularly known as H1B Lottery, to select the petitions for FY 2020 quota.
    • Based on history we see that they used to do lottery on April 11th, this time it is one day early…

  • H1B Lottery Process for FY 2020 :

    • USCIS confirmed that they used the New H1B Lottery Order for FY 2020, where first they conducted lottery for regular cap considering all received petitions to meet 65,000 quota and then conducted lottery to meet masters cap of 20,000 from the unselected US Master’s petitions from the first lottery pool. This is different order from all the previous years. This new order is based on the New H1B registration Rule that will be fully effective from FY 2021 season.

  • Masters Cap Reached :

    •  USCIS announced that they have received enough petitions for Masters cap and they conducted lottery for the same. There was some confusion this year, when USCIS announced that they reached Regula Quota Cap for FY 2020 and not talking about Masters cap.

  • Split of H1B Numbers :

    • This year, they are yet to give the split of the numbers on their H1B 2020 Page for regular cap and masters cap, we have not seen it updated. In the previous years, it was updated after the release of the press note. Hope to see that updated.

  • Accept H1B Cap Exempt Petitions :

    USCIS mentioned that they will continue to accept petitions that are exempt from the cap that fall under the below categories such as

    • H1B Extensions
    • H1B Transfers
    • H1B Amendments
    • H1B Concurrent filings

Check out video summary in under 2 minutes.

 Our H1B Predictions vs USCIS actual Numbers for FY 2020 season ?

This year many were speculating based on the traffic on our site and general rules that there would be less numbers, but we predicted that it would be around 160,000 to 180,000 as listed in our H1B 2020 Lottery Predictions. Our predictions are not too far from the real numbers of 201,011 petitions. Hope our predictions gave you all insights into what’s coming up. We have been predicting H1B lottery numbers for so many years now…it will be very interesting for next year with the h1B registration rule coming into play.

What’s our take on this year FY 2020 press release ?

It is very generic press release from USCIS this year. They kept the US Masters quota cap in unknown mode for entire week and directly announced numbers of H1B lottery. The order of H1B lottery has changed, that the difference. Also, if we check H1B Cap Count History by Year we have gone up in H1B filings count back like in FY 2018 . That’s about it.

 H1B 2020 Tracker – Crowdsourced for general Insights :

H1B Processing can be very time consuming and frustrating for many as it is like a black box and we need to keep waiting. Having some general insights will help the community. It is fully anonymous and used by many in the past 5 years.  If you have filed a petition for FY 2020, please add your case and help the community.

[prompt type=”left” title=”Track your H1B Case” message=” Anonymously Track your H1B Case – Share and Get updated from Community.” button_text=”H1B 2020 Case Tracker” href=”https://redbus2us.com/trackers/h1b-visa-tracker/”]

How would you know, if you were selected in H1B lottery ?

Watch the below video to understand the same.

What’s after H1B 2020 Lottery ?

Many of the new H1B seeks may not know the process, read Steps after H1B Visa Lottery – Flow chart to get a full understanding of what’s next. In simple, you will get a receipt notice from USCIS, then approval or RFE….if you are unlucky, you will get a rejection.

What are your thoughts from the H1B FY 2020 USCIS Press release ?

Reference : USCIS FY 2020 Cap Reached

   

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409 Comments

  4. Hi Kumar!

    Thanks for your great help so far!

    I have a quick question for you. Since the lottery is completed, are the checks encashed all at once? Or Will the check encashing status be known in batches like for receiving the receipt notices? If my employer is willing to disclose this status, will I be able to know my lottery status now?

    FYI: I am under AD/NON-PP category.

    Reply

    • There is no pattern as such like Batch or all at one. When a case is processed, the check will be cashed and your employer would know that. Yes, your employer is the only person who would know the status. As yours is not premium, it can take time, guess you need to wait…

      Reply

  7. Non-AD/Non-PP regular cap new H1B – did any of you got update regarding same and if not then by when can we expect it considering its picked in lottery?

    Reply

  8. Non-AD/Non-PP regular cap new H1B – did any of you got update regarding same and if not then by when can we expect it considering its picked in lottery?

    Reply

  9. Does anyone know based on previous years when PP was available, what was the cut off date or last date by which all emails were sent out?

    Reply

  12. Got a mail today morning from the attorney that my visa has been selected in the lottery. This was my third time. PP-AD. No updates on the SEVP portal yet. Good luck to everyone.

    Reply

  13. Does anyone know if Fragomen usually applies the day before applications are accepted? This year, they applied on the 29th of March. Does that disqualify the application?

    Reply

  15. Hello

    In receipt number for example if we have LIN1916912345, usually First three letter indicates Location , Next two letter indicates year(2019), then next three digits indicates(day) And Last digits indicates case number.

    just i what know 169(day) indicates

    Reply

  16. Hello Everyone,

    I received an email from my attorney today about H1B petition getting selected in the lottery.
    Email time from USCIS reads – April 16, 2019 at 10:29 PM (Hope this helps!)
    AD|PP|CA Processing Center.
    STEM OPT Ends on DEC. So No SEVP Change

    All I want to say is – Please do not lose HOPE. I hope Every genuine applicant get selected in the lottery

    Reply

  18. Jus got a mail from my EIG attorney –
    We received the receipt notice for the H-1B cap petition filed by *** on your behalf. The petition is pending with the California Service Center and the case number is: WAC****

    eMails are still sent for AD PP. All the best guys !!!

    Reply

    • Who here has had their petition applied via work agency? I am a medical staff and the only way I am able to apply for an H1b visa is through a staffing agency. They did say to wait until May fro news but what are the odds that I have been selected if I haven’t heard from them yet?

      Reply

  19. Just got to know from my employer that mine got picked, Good luck to all genuine applicants.
    AD/CA/PP – 3rd and Final attempt. I’m on Final year of STEM expiring in May. No update on SEVP.

    Reply

    • I been asking lots of people about this..Mostly PP should get the notice by this week. If not Better to forget it….There are chances very few might get the notice after this week. Good luck

      Reply

      • Even some experienced attorneys says wait till may 20th for AD PP cases, I kinda believe that but was curious about the reason behind this specific date. Good luck to all.

        This is my last and final attempt so I am trying to gather as much info as i can.

        Reply

      • No, you have until May 20th..it is just a perception as the volume will reduce for sure in the upcoming weeks, but not fully done until May 20th.

        Reply

  22. Listen to the people who are telling us to be patient, y’all. I was about to lose hope before I received good news today in the afternoon (AD-PP-Vermont Service Center). I believe they are still sending out emails.

    I can also confirm that there have been no changes in my SEVP portal yet.

    Good luck to everyone!

    Reply

  25. Just got an email this morning from attorney that my peitition was picked. AD-PP at CA center. I believe they keep sending out notice, be patient, and Cheers and all the best fellows!

    Reply

  27. Does anyone know if Doctor of Pharmacy degree would be considered under regular cap or Master’s cap? I am so confused. I am hearing different things from different people. Looking for some clarification from any Pharmacist that applied for H1b.

    Reply

    • The general guideline is, if the degree is from US and is categorized as Masters/ Graduate program in US, given by an Accredited University, then it falls under Master’s cap.

      Reply

    • I know. I check this website and immigratingirl every half hour. I have kept office email alert tone high after office hours. Its real torture.

      Reply

      • Well, unfortunately, it is the way the process is designed, I wish it was better…I can imagine the frustration everyone, ever year go through…stay positive and do some other activity that keeps you engaged…It is hard, but try out something……Cheers !

        Reply

    • Still haven’t seen any regular processing updates…they may come in anytime…usually you see them from last week of April..

      Reply

    • It depends.. Usually, if you get selected in lottery, you would see it cashed around the time they plan to send case receipt to you. It can happen anytime from now, until mid June.

      Reply

  38. Got an email this afternoon from the law firm that my case has been picked in the lottery.

    “Receipt

    The California Service Center has received the following I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker that had been filed under the Premium Processing Program: H1B

    Receipt Number: WAC1917XXXXXX
    Date Received: 04/11/2019
    Petitioner: ABC LLC

    Beneficiary: NAME
    DOB: XXXX
    Classification sought: H1B

    The Form I-797 Receipt Notice will follow in the mail.

    The California Service Center will adjudicate this case within 15 calendar days of the “received date” set forth above. If approved, you will receive e-mail notification of such. If we require additional evidence, we will fax said request to the fax number provided on your completed I-907 Request for Premium Processing Form.

    Please do not reply directly to this message. The e-mail account used to send this message is used by the Service Center only to send messages notifying filers of premium processing case information.

    If any of the information above is incorrect, please contact a California Service Center Premium Processing Unit customer representative by forwarding this message with your comments to CSC-Premium.Processing@dhs.gov or by calling 1-866-315-5718. Please note that the e-mail address and phone number listed above are designated for premium processing issues only.

    Thank you for using the USCIS Premium Processing Service.

    This transmission is intended only for the proper recipient(s). It is confidential and may contain attorney-client privileged information. If you are not the proper recipient, please notify the sender immediately and delete this message. Any unauthorized review, copying, or use of this message is prohibited.
    ”

    After 4 years of the wait time, i see things falling in place finally.

    All the best to everyone waiting, and will keep posted on the status.

    Reply

  39. Got email receipt from Vermont Service Center this morning. PP, AD.

    Be patient guys, my employer received the email at 10:15 EST this morning and my attorney said, my receipt was her first this fiscal year (she works for a firm and they file many H1b applications).

    Reply

    • I have been reading about premium processing email receipt time period, past years experiences say about 90% of the picked PP applications get notified within 4-5 working days after the lottery day.

      Reply

  41. My application was filed as a Premium AD. I haven’t received any email yet regarding the app being picked in lottery. How late can I expect to receive such an email? What’s the cut off date after which I need to move on to other options?

    Reply

  45. If I filed with PP and not getting any information from my lawyer nor did the employer check been cleared, does this mean I was not selected in the lottery? Everybody with PP should be getting receipt today?

    Reply

    • I saw a receipt notice from someone with PP and it states that USCIS will finish the process within 15 days from received date which is April 11! Which also means if I filed with PP and not getting receipt notice in the following few days then it is safe to make a negative assumption.

      Reply

        • All your application fees are checks sent with your package. If you are not selected in the lottery then uscis will not even open your package. They will send the package along with a return notice back to your lawyer (in a couple of months) so your checks for application fee and PP fee will not be cashed out.

          Reply

      • It may happen early, but USCIS official guidance is that the 15 day clock starts on May 10th. Read H1B 2020 Premium Processing News . Well, you still have time until . May 20th to make that assumption…again, sometimes it can take long…but your full confirmation is only in late july when you get rejected petition.

        Reply

    • Interesting question. But do you really think USCIS can process all those 100k files (even assuming 20k of the are PP), send out the emails and package in one day?? While they just announced the cap status less than 24 hours ago. With all my respect, you question might make people who are not very clear about the situation really stress out. So, please be patient, the notices will come in batches, just wait for it. Good luck!

      Reply

      • So glad that someone can set up against me. Seeing someone else posting their approval notice makes me really panic. As shown in the approval notice, it is clearly stated that uscis will finish the process within 15 days as promised counting from receiving date, that’s why I made the assumption that if my received date is Aril 2nd and my case was picked in lottery, they will pass the deadline they set for PP if they don’t send out receipt in a few days.
        But again, depends on how much work load they have I think we need to wait with patience. Good luck!

        Reply

    • It is too early to make an assumption. Until you get rejected package, it is not fully confirmed, which is in July. But, usually you would expect something by early June…you need to wait. Don’t panic.

      Reply

  47. No change on SEVP. But my attorney got email like below and she forwarded to me.
    They have not yet received the document/details in mail

    ——————————————————————————————————————————-
    From: NoReply Apples
    Date: April 11, 2019 at 9:58:38 PM EDT
    To: XYZ company name
    Subject: EACxxxxxxxxxxx <–this was my receipt number
    RECEIPT

    The Vermont Service Center has received the following I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker that had been filed under the Premium Processing Service: H1B

    Receipt Number: EACxxxxxxxxxx
    Date Received: 04/11/2019
    Petitioner:

    Beneficiary:
    DOB:
    Classification sought: H1B

    The Form I-797 Receipt Notice will follow in the mail.

    The Vermont Service Center will adjudicate this case within 15 calendar days of the “received date” set forth above. If approved, you will receive e-mail notification of such. If we require additional evidence, we will fax said request to the fax number provided on your completed I-907 Request for Premium Processing Form.

    Please do not reply directly to this message. The e-mail account used to send this message is used by the Service Center only to send messages notifying filers of premium processing case information.

    If any of the information above is incorrect, please contact a Vermont Service Center Premium Processing Unit customer representative by forwarding this message with your comments to VSC-Premium.Processing@dhs.gov or by calling 1-866-315-5718. Please note that the e-mail address and phone number listed above are designated for premium processing issues only.

    Thank you for using the USCIS Premium Processing Service.

    ——————————————————————————————————————————-

    Reply

    • Congrats. When was your STEM OPT about to end ? Just wanted to know if they email/mail out receipts earlier to those whose STEM OPT is on verge of completion ?

      Reply

    • Hello Everyone,
      Lawyer sent me the following update on fedex package and I would like to know, if it is premium or regular because fedex receipt says PREMIUM. I am not sure and not able to ask HR or lawyer. Any help is appreciated.

      FEDEX
      Delivery date:
      Mon, 4/1/2019
      ATTN: H-1B US MASTERS CAP PREMIUM
      USCIS – California Service Center
      1st Floor, Room 1600
      24000 Avila Road
      LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677
      US

      Reply

      • Well, it tells premium on package, so it should be the same I guess. You cannot know until you get a receipt number to check, if it was really premium.

        Reply

  48. Yay!!!! my package picked in lottery. Attorney just gave me the tracking number
    Verified on uscis tracking website and it says it was picked on April-11 and it is being processed in Vermont center

    All the best Guys!!

    In case you guys need my info, I have STEM masters and work fulltime for a US company (no EVC or vendor/clients..etc)

    Reply

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