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USCIS News : H1B Petitions Selected in Lottery Data Entry Completed, Next Steps

I know many of you have been waiting for the update on the H1B Visa 2016 petitions awaiting receipt numbers and the lottery results. It has been painful wait as always for many of you waiting… Earlier today USCIS released a news alert indicating that the Data Entry is completed for all the H1B petitions selected in lottery for the fiscal year 2016. Below is the quick summary and analysis.

Summary :  H1B Petitions Data Entry Complete

  • USCIS announced that they completed data entry for all the H1B petitions that were selected in the lottery.
  • USCIS will start to return all the petitions that were not selected in lottery and mail out all the rejection notices.
  • USCIS does NOT promise any time frame for  returning the packages not selected in  lottery due to the high volume and they ask employers/ petitioners not to inquire USCIS regarding their petition until they receive a receipt or return package.

What can we take away from this news alert from USCIS ?

In the past USCIS did not release any news alert like today regarding the data entry of applications. Many websites have been speculating that data entry is complete and spreading some rumors…I believe, USCIS has released this alert just to confirm everyone that the data entry is complete from their end and have all the stake holders on the same page…

It seems like the DHS Note to All SEVIS users released last week, has been generating quite a bit of  inquiries regarding the filed H1B petitions to USCIS…this alert is to clarify to everyone that they should not reach out to USCIS regarding their petition until they get some information from USCIS.

What is missing from this news alert for all the petitioners is that they have not given a time frame on when the employers/ petitioners can expect to receive the rejected petitions that were not selected in the H1B 2016 Lottery .  This could be very frustrating for everyone waiting for their petitions.

When to expect H1B case Receipts ?  Rejection Notices or Return Packages ?

If your petition was premium and selected in lottery this year, you should have already got something in email as the 15 days SLA for those petitions’ is May 11th, either for a decision or any action like RFE, etc.. If your petition was filed under regular processing, what I guess is that, if your petition was selected in lottery and receipted, if you have not received anything yet, you should expect your H1B case receipt notice in mail in the next couple of weeks….If you do not hear anything in the next 15 days or so, you probably need to think about your other options…

Having said that, you cannot be really sure if your petition was not selected until you get a rejection notice or return of your original package.  Last year, USCIS mailed out rejection notices for petitions not selected in lottery until late June.   What USCIS mentioned today is that they will release an alert indicating if they have mailed out all the rejection notices.  Well, lets hope they mail out those notices soon so that it cuts down the wait for many waiting anxiously…We wrote an article last year around your options, you can read the Options, if NOT selected in H1B Lottery so that you can be prepared…  Also, I request you to update your petition’s details in our H1B Case Tracker, so that others can get some high level info. The information is fully anonymous as it does not show any personal details.

As I always say, if you are lucky, you would probably get H1B receipt number, if NOT…don’t worry, it has nothing to do with your talent or education…it is an external factor and you should not lose your confidence on yourself…it is not the only destiny and end of your life’s dream…Just take your setback as an opportunity to explore options to work in other parts of the world…We will try to write articles on other parts of the world.

What are your thoughts ? Did any of you get return packages already ?

Reference :

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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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2,206 Comments

    • One of my friend in Mumbai office got selected in lottery. Message to her was conveyed by FDFU. I will suggest to get in touch with that department.

      I’m from Pune and got selected as well. Source of communication same – FDFU.

      Reply
      • Sure I will check. While I the timing of filing the petition, they asked me to check in July. But seems like, that is not the case.

        Reply
  1. Any update in HCL for H1B….Any update after 21st May ISG mail…..Any one got receipt or Rejection mail in last 4-5 days…

    Reply
        • Guys,

          I m from FS Pune. I received email from immigration team in first week of May itself. Not sure if capg follows ‘Lists’ method like cts/tcs/infy etc but yes they had sent a bulk email update to many people that time. Few of them actually received it by mistake. Poor guys they got wrong email raising their hopes on wrong update only to know later that they dint make it. Dont lose hopes though till atleast this week ends.

          Reply
  2. – Anybody got the receipt number from Wipro? They only sent an email saying got selected in lottery but not shared the receipt number. Is there any way to get the receipt number from GIMS?

    Reply
  3. I read a news saying the IT spokesperson at US is asking for a raise in H1 B visas. He told the concerned departments that US will be left with 5.4 Lakhs jobs as unfilled due to the lack of IT professionals within US.

    My question- Would the concern team bother to hear the spokepersons inputs ? if yes can we expect any upgrade in the cap for this season, if not in the coming year ?

    Reply
  4. Picked up in Lottery on Apr 13 and got update in AIMS on May 4..Just checked on USCIS and status is changed to RFE 🙁 AIMS yest to be updated with latest status..

    Reply
  5. I am a manager. In our company we received lottery approvals for 25% of applicants as of 18-May. We are told by our immigration team that the approvals are still trickling in. We did receive approvals last year in second week of June too but that was for a very small number of applicants. So I am counting end of 1st week of June as a practical deadline.

    Reply
  6. Any one from Accenture got any updates regarding the second batch, last mail i received was “Awaiting Lottery Status” on May 18 , after that no updates :(.

    Reply
    • Even I am waiting for the result…… I heard chances are very low… 1 in 100.

      Loosing hope…. any one if got result post awaiting result.. please update.

      Reply
      • Hi Mansi,

        Do you have official confirmation….. that chances are 1 in 100. or you are just misleading Accenture Guys ?

        Reply
        • I got to know from my manager he got 500 applications who got selected on 18 May announcement. I am not sure whether this is accenture global list or pune base list..so waiting till not get email

          Reply
          • 2500/5500 applications picked in the lottery..communication sent out on May 18..People mobility team is expecting another 300-400 successful applications from the remaining 3000..chances are 10% for the remaining folks..expect the final mail in June..

  7. Finally my H1 got approved. My employer got receipt number 2 weeks ago and got confirmation this morning. So I think there is still hope.

    Reply
  8. Has anyone received rejection notification yet? I was PP and I’m aware that I was not picked but wondering about timeline for official rejections- thanks!

    Reply
      • Seriously??? Stillwaiting, are you dumb or just pretend to be? Ever heard of google? you can do your research and find out all about PP. or you can spend 5 minutes of your time on this website and find the answer to your question. I think US is getting dumber mainly because of indians like that. smh -.-

        Reply
  9. Has anyone received lottery results recently from a small consultancy ? or heard from the consultant that they continue receiving lottery results? this week or previous week?

    Reply
  10. How much more time to wait for Infy??
    Any info whether they will release more selected names?
    any info for cases filed in California?

    Reply
    • Sorry mate, for California 99% no more hopes. 1% is either your luck or GIS team delay in updating the info. For Vermont, yes still the hope is ON. I hardly heard any updates who filed under that at least checked with more than 5 and their teams.

      Reply
  11. My Manager told My application got picked in lucky lottery.. but did not updated the status in VTS tool. and did not get any mail officially and receipt number. Will TCS share receipt number individually if it is selected in lottery. please let me know.

    Reply
  12. I’m still waiting for any response. Except that I was PP I didn’t get any answer.

    To be honest. HOW HARD IT IS TO SEND EMAIL WITH EITHER:
    SELECTED/NOT SELECTED.

    We live in 21th century, sending e-mails is easy…..

    Reply
    • If you have applied your H1 in Premium Processing and if you haven’t heard anything yet, then it’s sure that your petition is not picked in random selection.

      Reply
      • Venkat, how do you know that its not picked. Last year my friend received receipt # on June 23rd 😉 oh yea guess what he was AD and PP !! Enjoy.

        Reply
        • You cannot site 1 or 2 examples and apply it to all those who are waiting..its not very sensible and a false hope.

          Reply
        • Stillwaiting : Do you know that one can apply for PP at any stage of H1 processing once they get the Receipt Number. So it’s quiet probable that your friend’s case was the same. Confirm it with your friend. And as per USCIS guide lines, any H1 petition filed under PP should be processed in 15 business days.

          Reply
  13. Hi All Employers,

    I have question, Most of the companies (Wipro, Infosys, IBM, CTS..etc) in India asking to their employees to wait till end of June for results.

    However, Most of the employers in US either not sharing details to their employees or saying that it is all over for this year without any justification.

    I would like to know why this kind of discrepancy between Indian and US Employers?

    Reply
    • Hi
      All the big companies like infy wipro CAPGemini, Accenture are applied in bulk so they are consolidated list and release after every 10 to 15 days… They are not updating individually.. So till June end they will receive most of application details ( this is not in their hand), for small consultancy they might be update all the detail like you cheque is cashed, we got receipt number but approval is pending and so on.. They are not saying anything that mean they are also waiting to get either receipt or return document which both send by post for regular processing Not email receipt for regular process

      Reply
      • I am a GT candidate..I havnt got any response from my attorney they said they still to receive any positive or negative response from USCIS..so is there still hope for me??? Kindly let me know..TIA

        Reply
    • I applied through this and they told they applied 200 and out of them 85 has picked…I am still waiting……..

      Reply
      • I doubt that they have applied for 200 visa. My guess is they have applied for hardly 50 around.

        As per link below thay have filed only 20 LCA for 2015.

        myvisajobs.com/Visa-Sponsor/M–R-Consultants/330042.htm

        Reply
  14. hello guys… recieved an update from gims today as selected in lottery.
    this means they are still sending.
    all the best.

    Reply
    • Waiting…. Waiting…. Waiting….
      There is no person known to me in CTS has got VISA.
      Just someone in this forum told 2 weeks before that they’ve got a mailer and the status updated in myvisa.
      So Don’t know whether really CTS is yet to inform whoever selected in lottery or they’ve already done it secretly. 😉

      Reply
        • Hi,

          One of my collegue got the update through USCIS site that his petiton got approved. Apporved date- 15th May,2015.
          Petiton Receipt Date- 13th April, Petiton Received date- 23rd April, Mail sent through GIT-29th April… RP/NAD/VSC..After that I haven’t heard anything for most of the other guys. Not sure tough.
          Mine is-
          Petiton Receipt Date- 13th April, Petiton Received date- 22nd April, Mail sent through GIT-29th April… RP/NAD/VSC..Not yet received any update through GIt or in the USCIS site….:(

          Reply
          • i am from cts blre.till now no update on H1b .awaiting….is anybody got receipts sterday or day before sterday.

      • Hi,

        has any one got update today in AIMS.
        I am from Infy TVM.
        4 out of 9 from my floor got update as selected in lottery.

        Reply
        • Hi the ppl who got selected from you floor are in WAC or EAC serial numbers?? or can u tell was their application centre California or vermont?

          Reply
          • I think it starts with EAC****
            However we five people still did not get any update…
            I saw many people commenting here that people who didnot get any update fall into the “Rejected” list. Is this true? or just a guess.. 🙁 🙁

          • i think its just a guess….almost everyday few ppl get updates in aims….so hope for good for some more time..Im also waiting…God is great… 🙂

    • 6 out of 10 in my floor got updates till last week in AIMS and all are picked in lottery. I am one of the remaining 4 who are waiting for the update 🙁 . I haven’t heard of any updates since last week at-least in my account. so I guess only who are picked in lottery are notified first and for others I think its almost over..

      Reply
  15. Hi, I was recruited as lead consultant from India by Capgemini USA (Kiran=name of person who recruited me) on condition of H1B approval… have sent many mails to him but no response…..not sure what it means…does it mean petition is not approved or Capgemini FSBU is holding the results…any information?

    Reply
      • Hi cg,
        With whom (from Capgemini) you validated that by next week there will be some information? Are you also new recruit like me or are you existing employee of Capgemini FSBU?

        Reply
    • The information in CG is already out. They have informed everyone who were selected in the lottery. Nothing is pending on that front. There is no hope anymore. Please start working on your Plan B. If you are on STEM OPT then apply for extension (if remaining). If there is no plan B then get ready to join back Cap in India.

      Reply
  16. NonAD/RP/VT
    Just received an email from my employer that my petition was picked in the lottery.

    I thank the authors of this website. Its the best source for information on US visas.

    Regards.

    Reply
  17. was waiting from 1st April, now game closed.
    It was fun going through the real jumbo lottery system !! Hoping to get it more funny next year with 3L+ applications.
    No more waiting for luck to decide my future, i started plan B and returning back home in couple of weeks.
    Good bye USA.

    Reply
  18. Got one big email saying we did not get picked in the lottery and our package was returned. Did not even get an email addressed to me, I was cc’d on the email along with 30 other applicants from System Inc.

    Reply
  19. Wow now we are start getting rejection post… This post will be end soon… Till that enjoy waiting

    Reply
      • Check with manager he might have list who got selected.. I am not sure about Accenture start sending email for second batch result.. My comment is regarding other members who got rejected mail. Keep in touch and keep posting .. Always make new post it help to reply easy

        Reply
  20. No H1b for me this year. Good that I have opt extension, otherwise it must be terrible. So seems like they did how they had told, first sending out all the acceptances and now the UScis has started returning the packages. Feel sad that I became victim of these consultancies, I hope FBI is looking into this as well and will crackdown on these consultancies all at once.

    Reply
  21. I was fool to wait this long should ve started plan B before. waited so long and was still hopeful, i feel sad now that my application is rejected today after 2 months of waiting. I think there are still hope for few people but not everyone. any plan B suggestion? I am in ohio.

    Reply
  22. hey!
    Sorry guys, have to break this news…..my employer sent an email notifying that my package was returned by USCIS because it was not selected in the lottery.

    Reply
  23. It’s over guys trust me. My attorney told me not to wait anymore. He started getting rejection packages.
    Neways next time

    Reply
  24. How can one verify that his/her H1b cap subjected petition was ACTUALLY submitted by employer , it is like whether Employer was able to send the properly filled up petition( with approved LCA ) to USCIS before window got closed. (After that petition was not picked up in lottery , that is secondary. )
    I submitted through consultancy and wanted to check it. when I checked for the LCA submitted by employer it did not show any data for current year ? Is that counted for next year?
    Any pointer is highly appriciable

    Reply

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