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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. Anyone with WAC151455**** waiting for approval/RFE? My case was received on April 13th, and still in ‘Case Was Received’ status.

    Reply
  2. Hello guys,
    Thanks for the information. My H1-B got selected in lottery. its more than 4 months but the USCIS website still shows “Case was received”…. is there anyone still waiting for H1-B from Vermont Center.

    Reply
  3. Hi guys,
    My H1B petition was successful and got notification back in May. More information has been requested from the company and the legal team are putting this together. 3 questions:
    1. How long does the whole process take?
    2. What are the next steps – don’t know anyone else who has been through this process. So I’ve no idea what to expect. Presumably I have to go the embassy at some point?
    3. If I decide to not take up this job, what are the implications if I want to, at a later date, go to work in the US (with the same company or a different one)? The company are aware that due to personal circumstances there is a chance I may not join them, but I wanted to assess the situation fully and make an informed decision.

    Any thoughts/ideas would be most appreciated!
    Thanks a lot!

    Reply
    • you typically get 2-3 months to send your response i think. after sending your response, it might take a month or so for them to review and provide a decision. next steps depend on the outcome of your RFE. but if approved, then you do have to go to the embassy for the visa. if u are in the US already, then you need to visit the US consulate when you head back home. If you are currently in your home country, then you have to visit the consulate, get the visa before you can travel. the process is similar for all H1B holders.
      don’t know the answer to 3.

      hope this helps

      Reply
  4. Hi,

    I have not applied h1b before.I have applied first time on 2015..I did not know the procedure to apply before. So i communicated saazvat technologies(HR : Raghu).He asked me to pay 5 laks..But i did not accepted. he has given some other option to pay.first i have to pay 1 lak 87 thousand then remaining amount i have to pay after lottery getting selected.Since first time and does not have previous experience.So i though everywhere this is the procedure.So i paid 1 lak 87 thousand…Then i have communicated and called daily from may 4th onwards..they did not give the proper answer and said they did not get a results from USCIS and attorney,they were extending like anything..i called 22nd june again..simply he told mine not picked in the lottery.i asked my refund..but till now (august 15th) they not returning my money..i asked rejection letter..they are not giving proper answer and not returning my money..everytime they are saying after two week and still now they did not return my money and also they are saying they did not get a refund back from USCIS & attorney..how i can get my money back…they are cheating like anything…i would like raise a complaint with DOL..regarding that HR person Raghavendra and saazvat technologies.today also i called..he was simply saying you can go with police station also…we will not bother like that..and also saying note down my name and give a complaint..i know how i can manage…how can i raise a complaint with DOL..please help me… I requesting do not apply with saazvat technologies..that is a fraud company…please help me to raise a compaint with DOL….Anyone can help me?????i loosed my money. i am from middle class family…how they can cheat like us…Please Anyone can help me how can i raise a complaint with DOL..???In future saazvat technologies and Raghavendra (HR) should not cheat any body like us….

    Reply
    • Sad to hear this, unfortunately people like us get cheated. Sometimes we have to blame ourselves! One question I have is, you and your employer should have some kind of formal agreement, did you signed any agreement? If so, what that agreement says? Better take the agreement copy and get legal advice from a lawyer. Usually agreement is if/else, means if you get H1B approved (approved, not lottery… lottery is only first step of H1B processing) then you need to work for this company for x amount of time if you don’t get either full refund or some part of refund etc. The point is what agreement you and your employer have in the first place? Re-read the agreement and understand the game and play safe!

      Some lessons in life are expensive to learn! I wish you get either your money back or H1B. Good luck bro!

      Reply
    • Can you mention the following….

      The HR Name and his full email address..
      Other People whom you communicated with in that Organization ( Full name and their Email Address)
      Company name and their location / address / phone…

      Reply
      • Hi,can you please share me where can I give a complaint regarding these people’s…I went to mount road office in Chennai for meeting that hr person raghavendra…please let me know where can I give a complaint?he should not cheat anybody like us in future…I want to get my money back….

        Reply
        • By Providing their details here you are helping others….. Anyway, Go to Chennai – Anna Salai Police Station with all your proofs of communication which you had with them… and lodge a complaint. Raghavendra would drop his JOCKS and run at the back of you…. Chennai Police have their own method of Investigation…. On the other side you cannot raise this issue with DOL in US, Since this has happened out of the US Land so they will give a damn. Yes you can raise this with the DOL in India.. Go to Shastri Bhavan and you need to find the External Affairs office and someone out there should be able to help you…. I would suggest you also take a legal advice from an Advocate in Chennai..

          Reply
  5. is there still chance of getting selected in lottery for 2016 Cap – FDFU team is saying still my status is “Awaiting lottery results”

    Please help

    Reply
  6. hey guys, i applied through 4 consultancies and 3 of them got picked in lottery…..2 of them approved so far…will i be in trouble now? which company can i work for now? thanks for any details…

    Reply
  7. I just got my petetion approved, after a long wait.
    Got the selection mail update msg from the company on May 13th.
    and it was waiting for approval so far and finally got approved yesterday:”On August 6, 2015, we approved your Form I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, Receipt Number WAC151475xxxx”

    Reply
  8. On May 7th I have received my receipt number for WAC15145*****, it’s been three months and status is still ‘Case Was Received’.

    Reply
  9. Hi,

    I applied H1B through US consultancy from India. Got picked up in lottery and got approved on July 13. I am trying to reach my consultancy but they are not responding to calls / Mails.

    Is there something fishy with consultancy?

    Please help me what are the options available for me now in case consultancy people try to cheat.

    Thanks
    Preeti

    Reply
    • Well, there is nothing like stalled. Each case would be different and can take its own time, so cannot judge by few petitions processing time. It can be long wait at times…

      Reply
  10. @Accenture Guys,

    Still RMS team is mentioning that they are yet to receive my H1B lottery status, any updates to anyone in the last week till today?

    Reply
  11. My H1B Reciept No# WAC1514xxxxxxx status is still showing as “”Receipt notice is sent” and still the status is changed can somebody help me here

    Reply
  12. Got the Mail..Not selected in Lottery..Best of Luck to others..and thanks to RedBus2US for such informative website

    Reply
  13. Hi Everyone,
    My friend has WAC15147XXXXX series and still the status shows “case was received”. Can anyone update why is it taking too long to get the approval this year specially WAC series? I know few of my friends EAC series got approved long time back. The genuine time to get the approval/denial is 3 months before 1st October as mentioned in USCIS page. Any thoughts???

    Reply
    • My case number is WAC15145xxxxx and status is still “Case Was Received” !!! In fact, we can create an account in USCIS website and set email reminder. When any status update we’ll get email. Better check email than check status on web site! Good luck.

      Reply
    • Hi Same here..I hv received my lottery result (Receipt number) on 23rd Apr’2015 and mine receipt number is starting with WAC-15*****but still its showing MY CASE WAS RECEIVED not approved, Is there any SLA/Deadline for USCIS that upto what time we can expect approval from them.

      Reply
  14. My employer says it will take another week to get result….How can we get confirmation if USCIS has dispatched all receipt/rejection…

    Reply
  15. @ Naveen & Kumar

    Finally my case approved.
    AD/Regular/EAC15142***** series

    It was with the status as ” my name was updated” since 16th of july.

    Thanks a lot for all your advice.

    Good luck to others.

    Reply
  16. Friends,
    The process is almost over. But still some minimal chances are there.
    We don’t have any option but waiting.

    Reply
  17. Hi Guys,
    Can anyone say please, is it over?
    will there be any pick ups at this time?
    We have to wait for rejection only this week? or is there any chance?
    Please someone tell me so that i can plan it..:)
    Regards,
    Bala

    Reply
  18. For those who are still waiting to hear from USCIS:
    uscis.gov/news/uscis-returns-unselected-fiscal-year-2016-h-1b-cap-subject-petitions

    Reply
  19. Mine was approved in the last week of June. what is the next step? When can I start working in US. immigration team saying Jan next year.

    Reply
  20. yesterday My case EAD xxxx has been approved.

    thanks to all the people who keep commenting for updates and to redbus2us team.

    Reply
  21. can an employee call the uscis and enquire about his case?and will USCIS share all the details like whether the package has been returned or whether approval notice has been received or the name details etc with the employee.I want to know if I call them and ask them these details whether they will be able to share it or not?please share the experience in case anyone has previously called them

    Reply
    • which location? did any one get rejection status? Non of my colleagues has got any thing yet. its awaiting status for every one i know.

      Reply
    • Guys fyi;
      USCIS Returns Unselected Fiscal Year 2016 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions

      USCIS announced on July 14, 2015, that it completed processing the return of fiscal year 2016 H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected in our computer-generated random selection process.

      USCIS previously announced on May 4, 2015, that it completed data entry of all selected cap-subject petitions.

      If you submitted an H-1B cap-subject petition between April 1 and April 7, 2015 and have not received a receipt notice or a returned petition

      Reply
  22. How much time does it take to receive the hard-copy of the approval notice?Case got approved on 19-june , but approval notice is still pending.Does it normally takes 3 weeks time to reach the attorney?Has neone received the hard copy of approval notice?(Non-adv/Reg/VSC)

    Reply
  23. My friend got lottery result yesterday as his package got selected.he got his receipt numer. he was full of surprise as that he got now…he is working in CTS, Chennai. I do not know how long others have to wait..

    Reply
  24. Received my Rejection letter yesterday..
    Is there any chances to work in H4 visa?? Heard from my friend that few start up companies are allowing to work in H4 visa and pay in Indian account or paypal account..

    Kumar, your inputs please..

    Reply
    • Don’t EVEN or EVER Think of It… Don’t Screw up your Status by getting into such Crap.. It’s Purely ILLEGAL!!! @ FYI: It’s not only IN***N Company there are many others who are doing this.. So request you not to mention any RACE or REGION in this Forum!

      Reply
  25. Guys
    One of my friend got approval in September last year. He also thought his application not selected … But suddenly got approval from USCIS.. So guys wait till you don’t get anything from USCIS

    Reply
  26. Got my approval notice last night! California center AD/RP.
    Application received date was 13th April. Approval date: 7th July.

    Reply
  27. This is to inform you that we are still awaiting the lottery status of your H1B application from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Though we started receiving the acknowledgement receipts for few applications (lottery acceptance confirmation), your case is still pending with the USCIS. Since the lottery status is announced only in batches, we may have to wait for few more weeks 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 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
  28. Reg/Non-Ad/VSC
    successfully got the lottery rejection letter – process complete and program exit 😀 so no problems of waiting of approval
    business as usual for me in India 🙂 🙂
    I feel it is one of the opportunities we try, I will try again next year

    Reply
  29. Helo tcser’s,
    Any idea by when we can get final result I mean end of waiting
    Either selected or rejected.

    Reply

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