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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

  1. Got mail today that our visa interview would be scheduled after 6th July. Is that date declared by US embassy or what???

    Reply
  2. Rejection notice finally arrived yesterday (June 18).
    I was PP, non-AD, CA, not currently in the US.

    I guess the universe has something else planned for me. Good luck to everybody still waiting.

    Reply
    • No update from PMSD team yet… I guess Team will update us on 26th or 29th of June as per the mailer.

      ” Since the lottery status is announced only in batches, we may have to wait until end June 2015 for an appropriate update from the USCIS. People Mobility Service Delivery (PMSD) is closely monitoring the update from USCIS and will keep you posted on the status of the lottery during the months of June or as soon as we have an update from the USCIS. Please note that there will be no further status updates from PMSD unless we have an update from the USCIS. “

      Reply
        • In my project about 100 People is still awaiting for result and no one got the update post 18-May Mailer.

          I have not seen a single person till now.

          Reply
          • Ohhh ..100 People are waiting ..then you are the best person to give us the updates as atleast one should receive some update by June end. Please post here once you get some update in your group..

  3. Hi, I can check my status on USCIS site.
    -On 04/13/2015
    We received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.
    -On April 27, 2015, we updated your name for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker,

    Please any one know what does it mean.

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • Accenture is retaining people by not notifying resources with their H1 status. Its horrible how they treat everyone. I say just get it over with.

      Reply
      • Its not just Accenture.. .. 🙁
        these are the tactics of IT companies of throwing the “laddu” of onsite to their employees, so that they can get as much work from them as possible.

        Reply
      • HI Guys,

        This is not tactic or any thing which Accenture is doing, They are still not received status of many applications . As you are waiting to hear they too.
        Only Difference they might have updates for few application and they have yet announced name , since they are sending updates of all the applications simultaneously. I would say don’t blame any one… this is process. and everybody have to wait. those who wanted to move ahead they can do since they need to serve notice period and during this time if you heard anything you can stay with Accenture.

        Reply
  4. Hi All,

    Infosys GI has asked few candidates (whose H1b has been filed but status is in waiting state)
    to attend immigration related session tomorrow.
    Does any one has idea what & why session scheduled?

    Reply
  5. i had enquired on friday evening on my status and they replied today that they havent got anything yet. Is it over then???

    Reply
  6. Hi,
    can any one confirm if one is not selected in H1B lottery, there will be no petition number for such candidate? My company’s visa team says there’s no petition number for your H1B case as it is not selected. But how i verify if they had applied at all!!

    Thanks,

    Reply
    • The returned package from USCIS will have a notice that your case was not selected in the lottery . You can ask your company to share this notice with you.

      Reply
  7. One of the longest/tensed/frustrated wait came to a Happy End.. By the grace of Almighty .. got through Lottery .

    Congrats to the selected ones and All the best to the rest ones. !!!

    Reply
    • No, Haven’t received any updates. Ideally one update was supposed to come today as People mobility said that by 15 June we will get some update.But nothing till now.

      Reply
      • PMSD team always replies with content from the mail that was received on 18 May awaiting status one.

        Did anyone got the result update post 18th May…. if this is true .. we ppl do have some hope left….. and if PMSD is send mails to PPl who are selected then i think our chances are very slim.

        Reply
        • I heard that few people got selection updates , but not in my group of people – so i am not sure about this.

          Just waiting for the update :(.

          Reply
  8. Finally the wait is over…. Capgemini has declared H1B results for TS/OS or ACIS employees and an email has gone to all “who received the receipt numbers” and “who have not received the receipt numbers”….

    Mine is amongst the once, “Who have not received the receipt numbers”

    Bye Bye RedBus2Us.com until “unknown time” 🙂 Atleast am relieved from this tension and anxiety…

    Good Luck to All and Congratulations to all those who have got their receipt numbers…..

    ALL THE BEST…

    Reply
    • Still waiting from CapGemini. Not sure what game plan does GX team and our account has. Making us waiting indefinitely.

      Reply
      • Hi did anyone who was recruited externally receive any update. No reply for me till now. Eagerly waiting for the reply.

        Reply
      • Hi CG_BANG,

        Feel happy for you!! After seeing your update of 12th June of the frustration it is a great feeling to get the selected mail.

        I am still waiting for results not sure if selected /Rejected

        Reply
  9. U.S. Opens probes against TCS and Infosys for H1-b visa violations – TOI News June 12, 2015. Nothing really new but may be the IT companies need to be more careful and *sneaky* about the violations ?

    Reply
  10. Immigration girl reports having received no rejection packages at all. What’s keeping USCIS from ending this agony, how hard is it to just notify candidates and employers that it’s over?

    Reply
    • 145,000+ applications to be returned. 85000 h1b applications to be processed. USCIS will be overwhelmed with non-cap H1, H4 EAD, AD EAD, AD EAD extensions, etc.

      It is painful but this is probably the hardest time of the year for USCIS too.

      Reply
  11. Guys my visa application status changed to RFE still i didnt know what they have asked for. Cts Guys any idea what they would have asked for.

    Reply
    • I’m waiting for GIT to assign a case manager to reach me. I got mine on June 3rd. Still not sure of what the RFE is about.

      Reply
  12. Friday 12th June 2015 – Evening 5.40PM and no email from GX Team for Receipt Number or Reject Letter or waiting for anything…

    Somebody said, wednesday.. not sure which wednesday…

    Reply
  13. Enjoy you big MNC’s

    livemint.com/Companies/76nkr5f2hrPPdmoMBTDjzI/US-opens-probe-against-TCS-Infosys-for-H1B-visa-violations.html

    Reply
  14. It is last weekday of 2nd week of june…no update from capgemini FSBU for people they have recruited from outside…is they any update for internal employees….I think its all over…

    Reply
    • As per GX Team today is the Last day of the Week..
      But no update so far 🙁
      They are really testing our patience…
      Very bad process, not keeping there words…
      Don’t no whats going to harm if they announce the result.

      Reply
      • cg_bang: u can safely assume you are not selected…
        cap: I don’t think we should wait til June end…it is waste of time keeping wrong expectation…

        Reply
        • If you are planning to go US , there is no other go you have to wait for the status of H1B , after that only company will process other types of Visas. So , no other go ..other than waiting ..

          Reply
  15. I am non-AD/RP/Clifornia.

    I see petitions selected in other centers already selected but wondering if anyone got approval from California centre. Mine is from WACxxxxxxx, but no status change from April 29th. Let me know if any body already got approved.

    Reply
  16. Hi everyone,

    My employer applied for my H1b this year but they haven’t heard anything from USCIS yet. Does it mean that the case was rejected? Is there any hope yet?

    Reply
    • There are a few of us in the same situation who have been posting the same question here. Mine was AD / RP / CA center. my employer has also not received the application back nor did i get a receipt number. Employer said that 99% there is no chance that my application was picked. There might be a delay in sending the applications back since USCIS started accepting the H4 EAD applications. Just a guess. Nothing can be confirmed but chances of getting picked is very very thin

      Reply
      • I’m in the same situation and my lawyer basically said the same thing – at this stage there is very little hope.

        Reply
    • chances are good if you are working for a pure product based company, if you are part of services based company, chances are less..

      Reply
    • We applied L1 for my teammate and got approved. So, I can say that if you have perfect documentation and your performance in interview. you will get it

      Reply
      • Thanks Ram , in 2011 once L1B got selected for me, havent used that because of project issues. Now, again we are planning for L1B for me if H1B wont work out ..just waiting for the YES/NO mail for the H1B lottery ..

        Reply
  17. My current company exp around 5 years and selected in H1b. But i don’t have previous company exp letter and the company closed due to financial crisis.will go to rfe? any idea.Apart from this everything is fine..

    Reply
  18. Even my case is same, I called our GIT team and the informed me that , it will take 10 days to get the mail from USCIS to GIT and after that GIT team will take 5 working days to send the REF document to the associate/manager.

    Reply
    • Hi ,

      Last year my friend got RFE and after that RFE2 ,its because they wantedly dint send document from the project because of him performance was poor and the case went to denial .

      This is not to fear you and just explaining the different possiblities of how we are depending on the company and we will can not do anything on the documentation which USCIS is asking to the company and we do not have any documentation proof also which the GIS team will show us .

      Reply
      • yes it could be true but company will not be playing with anyone sentiments and they do their best to get the h1b converted for their employees. It requires time money and effort of all so nobody would be playing with it.

        Reply
  19. Immigration team will contact you or your supervisor regarding RFE. Do not get worried.
    They might ask for latest SOW or Manager Letter or Client letter.
    Check with your supervisor for this.

    Stil awaiting for change in status. Fingers crossed.

    Reply
    • Folks who got the lottery selected notification on 12th May ( 1st batch ) have got approval notices already .. Next few days – all others will get ..
      99% – it will be approval only as per GIMS.. I didnt hear any RFE so far

      Reply
      • Hi guys I also got the status changed as Selected on lottery on may 12 th.but I have not received any further update till today. This is same for all of my team mates who got selected in lot. but I heard few folks from Wipro got RFE mostly because of client invitation letter..Do you have any idea on that?

        Reply
        • Hi,
          I have received an RFE last week, my lottery selection email came on 12 may.
          By next week I will submit all the documents, and sit and pray and hope it doesnt get rejected now 🙁

          GIMS asks the entire set of same documents again, only extra document in my case was the WO from client.

          Reply
  20. 11th June 2015

    PMSD Team kindly update the status, we all are frustrated with the attitude of you team and minimal updates that your team provide. If you say its the process kindly change the process.

    Reply
  21. It looks like game over, look for alternatives..
    Pls check below article.. It looks like USCIS dispatched all the receipts by now.. only few may get receipts in coming weeks subject to the rejections of selected applications in lottery..

    mondaq.com/unitedstates/x/394824/work+visas/FY+2016+H1B+Cap+Receipt+Notices+and+Returned+Petitions

    Also there are 13 companies barred this year..

    timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/slideshow/13-companies-barred-from-applying-for-h-1b-visa/itslideshowviewall/47497353.cms

    I haven’t heard any one receiving receipts/rejections in last 3 weeks @ Infy ..
    For those who are rejected in lottery DMs are initiating L1 if they badly need on-site resources. But we all know there will be high rejection rates in L1.

    Good Luck folks for next year.. if you are still willing to work in US 🙂 ..

    Reply
  22. Anyone from capgemini received the receipt number?

    On may 6 many capgemini user got the mail with receipt numbers and some got mail with no receipt number.

    Is thr any hope/chance?

    Reply
  23. No one from accenture has got picked up after the initial communication to wait till june end.
    Its game over guys.
    Our chances are now like a sperm trying to find its way to an ovum.

    Reply
  24. We have received the Approval from the Embassy/Immigration Authorities for your application with the following details;
    Application Number: IN-XXXXXX
    Request Sub Type: H1B Cap – Non-premium
    Country: United States
    Date of Approval: 05/26/2015
    You need to have a Visa stamping request in the system to proceed further

    Reply
  25. Hey ,
    My cheque got encashed on May 1st but didnot receive the receipt number yet . Regular / Vermont . Does it generally take this long to receive receipt number ? anyone on the same boat ?

    Reply
  26. Hi All

    My case got picked in lottery and the current status is “Case Was Received”. Will there be any chances of my Petition getting rejected?

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
  27. I wish to share experience so far with Capgemini FSBU USA…..my HR process was done by Kiran Mudigonda ( Capgemini FSBU US) back in april 2015…it took many reminders at that time too to get offer letter from them….now starting from May20th till now, I have sent around 10 mails to Kiran, Vaishali asking for updates on H1b…they are not sending any reply…they shud show some courtesy to alteast inform we will get back to you by X date….anyhow I am assuming my H1b is not clear but still its bad that I have not received even rejected status confirmed from capgemini….worst HR experience in span of 10 years..

    but he has not sent any response…..

    Reply
    • If you have not got anything so far high chance u r not through . I spoke to Satish today who said they have not received my case number or my rejection packet yet so he so not sure and I should wait more week . But highly unlikely to get a positive result . And they would inform by Friday in bulk to all the people irrespective of positive or negative response .

      Reply
  28. Today when I checked my case status in USCIS it got changed to RFE..please let me know the time period to submit requested documents and what’s the chances of getting approve once file move to RFE..

    Reply

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