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 :
USCIS Completes Data Entry of Fiscal Year 2016 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions http://t.co/hyVhEWrX9Q
— USCIS (@USCIS) May 4, 2015
Need info guys. I am got selected in the lottery and it’s say now as “Case Was Received”. Can someone guide what are the next steps that will follow.
First attempt with reputed organization.
CSC/PP/Non-AD
Attorney got email regd selection in lottery on 15-Apr.
Attorney received the receipt ( hard copy) on 1-May.
Case Status changed to Approved on 8-May evening.
Good luck to all of you.
somebody said it will take 2 months for approval of our case, is it true? mine is Vermont (EAC15XXX)
it depends. if it was submitted as premium processing you’ll get an answer in about 15 days (so they say) if regular processing, yes it takes about 2 months to know if approved
I feel Wipro , TCS , infy will take time even after getting the results from USCIS , First – They will have receipts in thousands , Second – They might want to play internal politics so that employee s who dont make it stay put until then.
My gut feeling is that since USCIS sent out all the receipts week back , They should be received ideally to every one selected at least by monday or tuesday. Let us see when these companies disclose their results to the employees.
Any one any news from Wipro btw ?
I applied my H1 through Principle infotech. Anyone got the status.Pls let me know
anyone got status from companies like tcs, cts,infy etc… I am waiting for h1b lottery status .. should I keep my hope still or gone case. All the very best to all who got picked in lottery.
is there any update from TCS employer ? I am waiting for H1b lottery results
Still waiting. No update.
Nope…still waiting keep posting if any one of you receive update from FDFU..current status is petition filed
same for me current status is petition filed. This was changed on 23 April..when it was changed for u Partha?
Hi….can any one suggest.still there are any chances to pick the lottery or lottery process is completed ? My employer said still there is a chance till June 2015. Is it true or fake ? Please suggest…!!!!!!
@tinku…
I guess there wouldnt be much chances, since uscis has already completed data entry of selected petitions, in that case,, they should have encashed the cheques by now.. in that case, i am not sure whether the employers are honest.. my employer also keeps saying the same thing.. Have you paid any money to them?? if so yeah they would wait till the package arrives to refund that amount..
Cali…RP
Received no updates from employer ?
It was my last attempt. Don’t know what i am gonna do now ?
Vermont/RP/Non-AD
Got my receipt number today and I-797C from employer as reference.
Beneficiary Name missing a letter in it.
Following up with attorney and employer.
Hi, I applied in non-AD/regular/vermont center. I got my case picked and got the case number as well. But in my case status website when I enter my case number I am getting this error
“Validation Error(s)
You must correct the following error(s) before proceeding:
My Case Status does not recognize the receipt number entered. Please check your receipt number and try again. ”
Is anyone getting the same error?
I got receipt number from SEVIS by my DSO, If I do status check I get the same message as you. I heard that this might be technical issues..keep us updated
Yes I am getting the same Error.. However I think we might have to wait till 13th May to get the status and progress
Also Try signing up for updates from USCIS and add your Receipt number there. So you will know the exact status periodically. I just did it.
Hi Maddy,
Even if I try to add the receipt number ,I am getting the same validation error.
Robin, Can you try removing the – – – between your Receipt Numbers…and don’t leave any spaces.. So type something like EAC123454567
Since yours is a Regular Processing I am assuming your case should be showing up as ”
Case Was Received ” On DATE, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC12345678, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. Let me ask the Group about this.
Hi Maddy,
Still no luck with that error. Will update any change. Thanks
@Robin,
When did you get the receipt?
Hi Robin,
When did you get your receipt no?
I got the receipt number on May 5th.
While you post your lottery selection news, Can you share your first and last name 2 letters. It seems receipt are sent in some alphabetical order. Also share company name, regular/advanced, premium/non-premium, center, receipt number(if possible). These all information can help others and can also reduce tensions for few. Hardly takes 2 mins 🙂
This is also privacy issue, so doubt ppl will post that much information.
Don’t think too much about the alphabetic issue or bla bla bla. My company is super small and I got selected too.
I doubt posting that will ease the tension… time is counting down, everything should sent out already and what you can do is just wait.
For PP, there is basically no hope. For npp, you can start working on the plan B and keep waiting.
Good luck!
Actually I am not waiting just like you. Just want to reduce some tension of other folks. You are relieved so its easy to say. Anyways.
It has nothing to do with the alphabetical Order as per my experience this year.
You are right, I myself went to a company in Michigan in the Hopes of transferring my H1B for a better pay. As I entered the office, I saw about three -four closed conference rooms reserved for Proxy Interviews, i.e. someone more experienced is called in to take your technical interview.
The most baffling part of this was that even Americans were working in that company in the marketing and finance department. They knew what’s going on…
The candidates are all put in different apartments as high as 6-8 in one apartment.
I left the company within a week of discovering the fraudulent practices, and thank my stars that I have a great job in the west coast. The entire situation is made worse by USCIS doing a shoddy job and no regulations to check both the resume presented to client and the H1 application. Resume faking is an act of misrepresentation and in fact is a federal crime.
Holy heaven! This was my third and last attempt after two unlucky year and I went for Hail Mary. Went with 5 petitions with 5 different employers this year and all got selected. What are the chances. Now, USA here I come. Good luck to everyone!
It’s because of people like you other suffers. Anyways Congrats! Hope you do well otherwise of no use!
You realize you left 4 worthy people without a visa!!! I hope Karma gets you.
Heaven to other people.
Hope it’s another Hail to you!
Not at all possible. USCIS removes duplicate entry before lottery so don’t fool the people
We are waiting for you here!, nothing more satisfying than making life miserable to a brown monkey from overseas.
Billy.
i filed h1b premium processing for advanced degree. I received the receipt number on april 23, but not a final decision yet. is it over for me this year?
Dude, if you got a receipt number you are selected!!!
Congrat! Google “USCIS status” and check whether you’re approved or not.
I know I was selected only for lottery, but other applications got an approval notice from April 27. It’s about 10 days. Now, I got confused. If approved, do I get notice by now? I have no idea.
I am on same page. I am so stressed. someone plz help us out. Is it high chance to pick up in the lottery if you have a receipt number?…
Don’t worry. By 11th May you will get either Approval notice or RFE. Just subscribe to email alerts on USCIS website so that you can immediately get the status change notice.
if you got a receipt number, does it mean i selected for lottery and just take a time to approve or ask RFE information. can you give me more information SK sir.
I second this! What a shame ….why would someone apply through so many companies? We have struggled hard to complete our masters here and took the straight road without any fakes. I am lso from biotechnology fields where finding a job is major task! And after all that struggle welcome to new world of fake H1 applications from not so qualified or desperate IT/NAD guys…..
Anyways dont loose hope our employers if they trust in our worth will come to know this soon and all the employers will act on it.
I guess employers want to pay less and take away benefits so they tend to hire outsiders rather than people like us who work so hard! Its ok Truth and honesty always wins at the end no matter how long the destination looks and am anticipating!
Don’t you love Indians?
That is a silly question. I am Indian and I do want my own siblings to come but not in this fake manner. They need to work hard but looks like the current situation is not justifiable.
People with no conscience act in this way coz they are really desperate! if govt does not change rules its encouraging more people to fake and apply.
but think about it….you should get what you deserve and lottery is not the way to get it. It is as good as faking you have a degree when you dont.
Many students in their first year of masters in US are trying their luck in lottery….How can someone without a job get a H1? I do know many friends of mine got their H1 through consultancies and dint find a job for many months after…
You don’t have right skill ,that why you did master here and also you don’t have experience too and saying that people with right skill and experience should not apply.
I guess the message meant that people should not apply through multiple consultancies. Now that everyone is going to do that it is a different ball game altogether!
The point is that we need to be true and not fake. If you have experience good for you so do many others who studied in U.S. If you are so satisfied with India job and experience then why not stay there? give a chance to everyone dont argue…
The sevis status is not changed. Do I still have a chance?
VT/NON AD/RP
Wow, your stupidity is amazing. Some people do get an undergraduate degree from the US.
You are crazy! Don’t you know you can get a Bachelor degree in US!!!
I don’t know about the chance though.
Are you nuts or ignorant?? UG degree don’t fall under AD.. Atleast get some proper facts because abusing someone. Don’t be a butthurt all the time
I have received the receipt from employer stating , my application was selected in Lottery. However received date is 13th april . Is it possible / true ?
From what is published applications quota was reached in a week i.e 7th april. Can the date mentioned on the i797C form be later than first week ?
USCIS Completed Random Lottery Selection on April 13, 2015 and that would be the date shown as Received in your Receipt Notice.
where the checks cashed?
I was looking at the tracker http://redbus2us.com/trackers/h1b-visa-tracker/
Looks like still around 15% of the people don’t know about their lottery status even though they might have got picked. Is it because employers not disclosing the data to their employees?
Hi Frnds,
This year I have filed 3 H1B petitions from 3 different employers. but till now , did not get any updates from them. Bcoz of multiple applications, mine got rejected? any one is der with my situation.
AD/PP.. no receipt yet.. should i still keep hopes? Anyone else in the same boat?
It’s over for you. There. I said it. Now move on.
Anybody got receipt from rig consultency texas
Is there anyone just like my case ? My employer told me that my H1 petition check was encashed on april 27th.. But untill now I didn’t get either receipt number or an update in SEVIS. Does it happen to any one or any of your friends.. please let me know. I am not able to deal with this confusion. My petition went to VT and it is RP. Thanks !!!
+1 – got info on 29 and still waiting for the receipt.
similar case. I got receipt # from SEVIS by DSO last week but my lawyer didn’t get the receipt yet.
Same here. Checked with the employer again. The check was encashed on April 23rd. No receipts yet. Have no idea how to track.
AD/RP/VT 2nd try
Case was approved!
Non-AD/PP/CA
On May 8, 2015, we approved your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC15********.
Just want to see if they are replying alphabetically based on last name. Can you share what’s your last name first two characters. It will be helpful
My last name starts with P
Good luck!
Yes it is, but I received my case number two weeks ago. Now the status has changed to approved.
Good luck!
RD/RP, I just checked with my employer and my cheque has not cleared as today. Am I all done for this year ?
Guys, have you applied to DV lottery? If yes, go and check the results. You may be lucky enough to win a Green Card. It will be a much better shortcut to work and live in the US. There were some glitches on DV lottery website past three days. People couldn’t see their results, but DoS fixed it now, so go and check if you haven’t. Good luck to all hardworking, honest folks!
Most folks here are Indians, they cannot participate in DV.
Hello All,
RP/NON AD
My employer informed me 7 days back, my application is selected in Random selection process, i asked for receipt number – He told – He will send whenever he receives it.
Could you please let me know, how many day it will take to get receipt number.
3-4 days
CAN ANY ONE PLEASE SUGGEST ME STILL ANY CHANCES IS THERE TO GET THE RECEIPTS FOR REGULAR PROCESS HOLDERS
REALLY APPRECIATED FOR YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE
Even I didn’t get any update on receipt and yes regular process and Vermont center…what’s the center of yours… Not sure how long people applied through regular processing need to wait to receive the lottery result or receipt…some say may 15th…my employer said to wait till this month… 🙁
hi durga
same thing my employer also said to me but donno what center my employer applied to me
am getting full tensed day by day
any ways all the best
Post when you get any update and also center details…I will also do that…all the best
okay sure durga
I understand that u we are having chances up to may13 is the last date
if this the case we are having 3 more working days to go
else nooo luck for this year
hi all correct me if I menitoned any thing mentioned wrongly
wait till may 15
I’ve applied fro H1B from India. haven’t heard anything from employer. Does it mean I’m not selected in lottery or Should I need to wait?
My Case Was Approved when I checked my status.
Mine is Cali, Non-AD, PP
When u received approval. i have got the recepit on 13th April . still my status has not been changed . it is premium processing ??
Mine is PP, and my receipt date was Apr 17 136th day receipt
On the same boat. have your checks been cashed yet? Thanks!
Mine is premium being processed at California center.
My status is still “Case is received and recepit has been changed”.
Do you know when i should get my status updated??
Finally received my receipt today. This is my second (and last) attempt and I cannot express how relieved I am. The wait time is absolutely irritating. USCIS should get their shit right and find out a way to filter this process to avoid unfair, duplicate applications. Just because you apply from two different employers and are deemed legal, doesn’t make it ethical to snatch someone else’s fair chance.
People like me who have done their advanced degree, most probably have student loans and this lottery craziness is bull shit. Complete your advanced degree, go through all the troubles to find a job, work for 18 months using both OPT and EXTENSION to finally figure out that if you aren’t lucky enough, you have to go home with half paid student loans and a year and a half’s work experience. This doesn’t even sound right.
congrats buddy…
You said it! Wow congrats! God is good.. I am in the same boat as you I applied second time after masters and OPT extension. Got a full time job and they agreed to do my H1 and even sponsored for my second masters when I dint get in lottery last year! I did it legally and honestly! No fakes and no cheating..I think I chose a narrow path but there is victory in truth. I guess we will have to wait till a major shift in this system but am still hoping to hear back from them! First they should remove all consultancies and give way to direct American employers! This could solve the problem to a great extent… But I do believe there is always a way out
We all on same boat but you have a LIFE JACKET now…. and others still dont its life or death here every day. Why do these guys in India exploit every loop hold there is and put others in danger I mean USCIS should stand up and say Make your decision on which company they would like to go with and have them apply for visa. people in US its so difficult to have an US employer accept for H1B especially when US is all abou cost cutting and make them apply for us 1st 2nd time now and the way these mindless guys and MNC apply its never ending until and unless there is another recession. We are better of finding a chick and getting married and give a BIG middle finger to all this H1B green card all those crap. DAAAAMN
Go thru the lottery process…
On April 13, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker,Receipt Number EAC151XXXXX.. Got to know about it yesterday – 05/07 – do not lose hopes folks , God bless everyone and good luck y’all
Dear Friends,
I have a question, I see for Premium Processing people should have started receiving their Approval Notices. However I am Just curious to know Once the Application is picked up in the Lottery for Regular Process Stream with a WAC Number, how long would it take to get the WAC completely Approved for Regular Stream and receive the Approval Notice.
I am sorry if I have asked something silly..
God Bless!
1-3 months
My company is sending mails by batch wise….For once in every 2 days people are receiving mails…eventhough USIS has completed their job…will employer company delay sending mails ?…..
Which company?
I got an e-mail with my receipt number on April 14. AD/PP/CA subject to cap. My status has not changed, checks haven’t been cashed… fearing bad news specially cause my employer screw up with my employment date, even though my OPT expires in mid Oct, she made it sept 10 instead of OCT 1 after several warnings on my part NOT to screw up :/ anyone with experience on a case similar to mine? received news? thank you!
How come your checks haven’t been encashed when u already have the Receipt Number???
Yes, i got a receipt number by email cuz it is PP but checks have not been cleared :/
yup.. crazy thing is it was reviewed by a lawyer as well, bur she did not notice either!!! unfortunately I noticed after the package was sent out and there was not way fedex would stop it, so we could resubmit by april 7. A total disrespect considering how important this can be for a person and his family’s future. I was still glad to see I got a receipt notice and was not rejected right there in there…. still I hope the outcome is positive.
Any updates for Non ad/RP/VT???????? Im in TX!!
I agree with you. My case is almost similar to you. I am also in H4. Well qualified, experienced professional at home. Not yet received the receipt.
Dil hai ke maanta nahi type scenario.
My consultancy already said there is very less chance but still I dont know why I feel may be now I will receive a mail mentioning “your case is received” I know I cant experience that feeling ever.Probably I cant compare that feeling with anything else..
I am on H4 having experience in analytical background..I am so grateful to my hubby that because of me he spent lot money to file for H1b and now when there is no hope he is even ready to move back to India just because of me..
I don understand the law behind it….Why a L2 visa is eligible to work and H4 visa not.I know so many L2s who are just home makers. Why cant we(H4 visa holders willing to work) swap our visas or do something similar..may be I am not making any sense right now but federal govt should think about it..using this name as the last weapon..
I know God is there with me..so if not this something better..May God bless you all..
Who said H4 cant work.. Isnt there a rule now specifically made.. Agreed that you need to have an EAD for that.. H4 to H1 didnt happen doesnt mean everythign is lost.. You might need to get your Hubby apply for GC.. get I-140 approved… and start working… Getting GC is not Easy, but there is an option now for H4 as well… I also Pray for you to get thru Lottery and get picked for H1
even am sailing on the same boat like you. Agree with you that, there are many L2 visa holders who are not willing to work and waste their visa inspite of them having the opportunity.
AD/RP
I got my receipt number from SEVIS by DSO and start with EAC**-139-*****
and if seeing the numbers, and according to other received numbers, i should have got my receipt by late April but my lawyer didn’t receive any receipt yet. Is there a case where even though the number is much earlier but getting the receipt much later? what’s happened to my Receipt???
HI,
My receipt number 15-143 still have not received an update on the receipt from my employer. I keep checking with him every day 🙁
lets hope we get soon. can you keep us updated to your case? thanks.
Mine receipt is EAC and 139 series and my employer received it on 29th April despite the notice date is 19th April. If you don’t get the receipt by May 13 you can always ask USCIS to re send it mentioning the receipt number
thanks for the info!!
Did you get receipt number from you DSO as well?
My employer told me that it takes 90 to 120 days for USCIS to send all the receipts numbers. Is it true? I thought USCIS is done with sending all the receipts that got selected in the lottery.
Please suggest.
I am sorry to say this, but if you do not receive the receipt this week, then it is a game over. USCIS will complete the receipt delivery process this week.
That’s not true, they don’t inform so quickly. It takes time for my company. My friends got last year in mid Junes. So let’s wait until officals says “not selected”
Well, it will take another couple weeks for the employers to receive unselected application packages. If one wants to live with false hopes until then, go ahead, with all means.
And where do you get that information from? I have no confirmed sources of information either, but reading the articles here and follow the H1 tracker, people have received receipts late into May. Unselected packages have no timeline and will take time to come. Please don’t throw around information that even USCIS doesn’t claim.
Hi durga,
Even i am on H4 & didn’t hear from USCIS yet. Its a pain to be on H4. Which consultant have you applied from?
I am sorry to say this, but if you do not receive the receipt this week, then it is a game over. USCIS will complete the receipt delivery process this week.
Prabhav services… You?
The review for Pranav is not good. They asked me 5000 and I dropped going with them. How much did u pay?
With 233k applications this year and not clearing the lottery, my guess is that chances are even bleaker next year. there were 172k applications in April 2014, out of which 87k did not get through the lottery. The number increased by 60k this year, which is almost 70% of 80k. As per these standards, the number of applications could easily cross 300k the next year. Is staying here worth the wait? Do you guys expect immigration reforms to happen any soon that might help students? I already lost a chance, and will be on OPT extension. So I have got just one more chance at H1b.
Don’t worry! USA is starting to wake up! employers are starting to ditch resumes of India nationals…
Sooner or later, nobody else will hire those fakers…
Thanks for your comment Bill.
But, i don’t believe any American or European is born with a “Genuine” tag on forehead. And if some one is able to fool you then its your mistake, don’t blame rest of the world.
Has anyone using regular process got approve yet?
Well it takes min 2 months to max 6 months fr regular approval… ( thats too without RFE). So wait !!!
Thats for approval..but we should come to know if our application was selected in the lottery much before than that..I’m expecting to wait till May 15th..else I’ll consider my application was not selected…let me know if this isn’t correct..
I am sorry to say this, but if you do not receive the receipt this week, then it is a game over. USCIS will complete the receipt delivery process this week.
notice date is 24th april and you got receipt today?
Employer informed about cheque encashment on 29th April.
Today got the receipt number.
is RQ different from Advanced degree? because i was informed from my dso with the receipt number and my lawyer still didn’t get any notice from USCIS.
RQ means Regular Quota (Non AD).
Has anyone got receipt number in INFY Bangalore?
I heard one of my colleague in Bangalore DC has not got through the lottery this year
Rejections mail started is it?
any one receiving RP receipts today
please reply me am also waiting from my employer response
My H1B got approved today. PP/AD
Good luck all !
Hi,
Congrats to all who have received a receipt no so far…!!
The article was good. Nothing to do with the talent part of you…!! nice one author…! Please write about working on other parts of the world. especially in countries like Canada, Australia, NewZealand…!!
Thanks,
VInoth S
Hi I’m in H4 and have applied for h1b… I haven’t received any update from my employer yet…it seems my employer didn’t get any update from uscis… The news of data entry completion for selected petitions and uscis start sending petitions that are not selected ,does that mean there is no hope to receive selected petitons or still we can hope… How long can we expect/hope to receive selected petitions…mine is uscis Vermont center… Can anyone please respond…
Thanks
I don’t have a source to quote, so please take what I say with caution. regular processing receipts could take a while. Some of the articles here say that you could get receipts late into May as well.
I understand your plight though. My wife is living in India because of the F1 and H1 hassle.
Hi Durga, who is the sponsor for ur H1b, May I knw? coz I have plans of applying for H1 in next cap..
anyone from logic planet got any updates?
Guys anyone got update from Sicon tech. ???