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

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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

  4. Anyone from clearlite inc US got the receipt. They are telling no update as of now. Please wait till end of may. Anyone applied through them. Plz rply

    Reply

  7. HI San , i am also so confused by this message .If you get any updates any thing reg on this when exactly we notified and status will be changed ,please allow notify me….

    Reply

  8. Any body got any update from HCL in last 3-4 days…………When they will send final update for H1b status…………

    Reply

    • I am also looking for such programs, and I contacted study metro in Bangalore who are providing guidance and they have sent me a list of college who offer CPT from day 1 and fees is around 22K .
      I am still skeptical whether that was a wise decision or not.
      How do you got to know about this college and what is duration and fees of course?

      Reply

  10. GOT IT TODAY………………….:) 🙂 🙂 ….recieved an email from GIMS.. SUBJECT LINE – UPDATE ON YOUR H1B-CAP – SELECTED IN LOTTERY.

    THANKS GOD. 🙂 you are great

    Reply

  12. Hi All,

    I am from TCS. I did not hear anything about my case status update till now. VTS shows wp petition files. Is there any way we can mail FDFU to get the status or any other person. My BRM at this point does not have any info. any suggestion from last time TCS filers.

    Reply

  14. Hi
    I am from accenture.Called PMSD today and I got to know that my case was picked in lottery in the second set released today.

    God is great!

    Thanks

    Reply

    • Hi h1bAccenture,

      Did you get any email from PMSD. Also did you receive the awaiting email earlier .Please reply

      Reply

    • Hi ,

      Are you from Bangalore Accenture? can you please share me the PMSD number , i too want to check my status ,i got an email stating Awaiting lottery Status on May 18th. After that no updates.

      Thanks

      Reply

  15. Hi Guys,
    Was doing some random search in uscis website, when i found this:-

    On May 16, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC1516151000, and emailed you a receipt notice. It is being processed at our California Service Center location. The notice describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, go to uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

    Now USCIS claims that all data entry is completed by 4th May, then how come they recieved reciept on 16th May??????????????????

    Reply

  16. Hi,
    When I track with the receipt number, it was showing as ‘Case Was Received’..
    There is no change since May 2nd… What should be the next status and when can it be changed???

    Reply

  17. Anyone from clearlite inc US got the receipt. They are telling no update as of now. Please wait till end of may. Anyone applied through them. Plz reply

    Reply

  18. Has Anyone applied for H1B through Prabhav Services Inc. (Employer in US)?
    And received any updates?
    They have filed 80 LCA for FY 2016.

    Reply

    • I have applied… I called them.. They say no notification for them yet. Its almost a closed chapter is what one of their employees said 🙁

      Reply

      • I have contacted Veenit tripathi and sumesh daftary.
        Veenit did not reply and sumesh said it is all over.
        Eventhough they haven’t received anything.

        Whom have you contacted?

        Reply

        • Hi,

          I spoke to Sumesh. He too responded same. Vineet has resigned from Prabhav a month back.
          May be its over as Sumesh himself expressing hopelessness.

          Reply

          • Hi,
            Have you tried to contact Mr. Vikas Doshi?
            Please contact me through tejas.be.it at gmail.com
            I will give you updates once i will receive.

          • Guys,

            Mr.Csharp and WAIT

            If you need any information, feel free to reach me directly but do not write any wrong about us on this forum here that reflects our reputation.

            I can do the WEBEX and share all of your details if you need anything let me know.

            Thank you in advance.

            Sumesh

          • 2 IT Company Employees Arrested For H1B Visa Fraud (From New Jersey)
            newsindiatimes.com/2-it-company-employees-arrested-for-h1b-visa-fraud

  19. Got to know from my employer that the attorney gets to know the final result by thursday .So I shall get to know by Friday this week .Seems like everyone should know the result by Friday !!! Finger crossed !!!

    Reply

  20. I guess its hard to predict, till the package come’s back. Also with this year H4 visa starting USCIS might be working faster, it may also mean that some receipts which are not send out may be coming latter in Jun end due to H4 work load. So fingers crossed from myside
    Today US is off so anyways nothing should come till Wednesday. 🙂

    Reply

  21. Guys,
    I have applied thru a consultant in US while I am in India. Normally Indian MNCs consolidate the results and send them at once and that is why still some are getting receipts. But in my case I should have known my status by now rite? Is my game over?????please advice.
    Non-AD/RP/Vermont

    Reply

    • Yes, you are correct. It is game over now. USISC has completed the process and if you have not recived it, that means it is not selected. It’s only the MNC’s like TCS, Infy etc hold the announcement and declare in batches.
      Otherwise if it is game over. Its just the our packets have to be reutrned. Time to execute your next plans.

      Reply

  22. My friend got a receipt last friday (22-05-2015) in IBM bang from vermont centre… dont lose hopes… (EAC1515******)

    Reply

  24. Guys!! Don’t make any false hope !!! 99.9 % its over !!! Next year it will be around 3lakh petitions …anyway better luck next time!!!

    Reply

  25. My status on TCS portal is showing as

    “Immigration Authority – WP/Petition Approval Pending” .

    What does this mean ? and when it is supposed to change?

    Reply

    • It means that your petition was filed by TCS and is now pending with USCIS i.e. lottery. Don’t expect this status to change anytime soon. If you are picked up in lottery, FDFU will inform you via email. This email can come anywhere between May end (if u are lucky ) or till December.

      Reply

      • Can you tell if what is the time in general they send us the email to most of the people. December seems too far to me.
        Can we contact anyone from FDFU and get the update?

        Reply

  28. I have a doubt guys. What exactly will be done for VISA processing by the officials? Do they perform a background check on both Employee and Employer like previous job details verification, educational details verification, etc?

    Reply

  30. Anyone who was hired from India by Capgemini FSBU USA-anyone receive any update on h1b visa? If so, can u name ur recruiter?

    Reply

    • Hey are you referring to the H1B hiring which capgemini did form open market..I mean you are also not current employee and they have filled the visa ..some one name Ajay was the recruiter.

      Reply

      • yes I am also recruited by capgemini FBSU on H1B approval condition…my recruiter was Kiran and Ajay….sent them many mails but no update so far….bad attitude from recruiters:(

        Reply

          • I too was recruited by Ajay/Kiran, post interview they had mentioned that i was selected and later after 20 days, while waiting to apply for h1 they said u’v got rejected this time and this position is already filled. Not sure after sending selected mail, how did they reject.
            Anyways i got thru some other employer! Bad attitude and response from Capgemini FSBU USA.

  31. I still did not receive any further update in aims. It still shows “filed with USCIS”. When called up helpdesk they informed to wait till june 1st week. Friends who submitted with me got selected in lot.
    has anybody from infy got update today.

    Reply

  32. Any hope Left in HCL………………….Any got any update in last 3-4 days from ISG……………..I think so its over now………………..

    Reply

        • So, it looks like game over for the one “Awaiting Lottery results”.. By now TCS would have got all lottery results..

          Reply

          • No man. TCS gets all the lottery results but they don’t share it with employees. They send the lists of selected employees to regional FDFU every week. I think two or three lists have already been released. FDFU then informs the selected candidate. This process starts from May end and continues till august or in some cases even till December.But expect bulk of the results to be out till June end. The wait is painful.

  34. On May 14, 2015, we received your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number WAC15XXXXXXX, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your receipt notice by June 13, 2015, please call Customer Service at 1-800-375-5283.

    Is that mean still receipts are coming?

    Reply

    • Can some put his view on above comment? As I just tried a random receipt number and looks case has received on 19th May.

      If that’s true, means we are still having chances otherwise it’s over..

      Reply

      • No harm in waiting until first week of June. Seems 15-20% chances to get selected in this week.
        Good Luck!!!

        Reply

  35. last heard from friends is on 5/21 got receipt of notice date 5/4. Game will be closed soon in another couple of days as 5/4 is the day uscis completed the data entry and that day receipts are flowing down now

    Reply

  37. Everybody please explain me how is “checks was cashed”. I don’t understand what does that mean? Thank you very much.

    Reply

      • My employer told me that the check was cashed on May 15th but still no receipt received. Till when I need to wait to get the receipt number.

        Reply

        • Who is your Employer ? If your cash is encashed, you are selected. Why didn’t you receive your Receipt Number yet??? Are you from Accenture, TCS , HCL or Infy???

          Reply

    • Can you please let me know by when you got your checks cashed? You already got the receipt number or just checks got cashed.

      Reply

  38. Guys, any update on 3i-infotect company visas. I got update saying, they didnt hear anything as of now(rejection/selection). should i wait for more time or forget this H1B?. i am so curious
    Does the lottery give preference to companies, how come all wipro and tcs get selected

    Reply

    • There s nothing of this sort as far as lottery is concerned. Wipro & TCS are big companies , they file in thousands. Overall selection ratio of wipro this year is close to 25 % ( apx. 2000 ) which is less than overall average for Non-Ads ( 28 % )

      Reply

  41. Have no update on selection/rejection [got a confirmation that Cheque wasn’t cleared] is the game over ? Please let me know your opinions pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeee.

    Reply

  42. The EAD for H4 process is going to begin from 5/25 so Monday onwards USCIS will start receiving petitions. I heard that the process of sending of receipt number for selected cases may get completed by May. However, 70-80% of work might been completed but no harm to wait until June first week. Take a last chance. Me too sealing on same boat.
    Good to guys!!!!

    Reply

  43. I Got receipt number yesterday. never loose hopes guys. After reading comments in this blog, I totally forgot abt my h1b after 15th May. But I got it on 21st may. Mine is RP/Non-Ad/WAC.
    All the best guys. Thanks admin for this site.

    Reply

  44. I have received below response with regards to my H-1B cap filing under premium processing,

    “We have not received any updates from the USCIS in connection with your H-1B cap filing. At this time, we are waiting for a final decision from the USCIS. The USCIS has not stated when we should be receiving the final determination. ”

    I believe the game is over for me though I haven’t received any rejection mail. Please share your thoughts.

    Thanks

    Reply

    • Which company is this ? if you put company name, people from that company can answer to this question coz every company immigration team is giving different responses

      Reply

      • Hi aniwipro, Are there any recent updates since last friday? Is there still any open chances? My Application is still sent for filling, and awaiting any further response. Are there really hopes, or we will be just getting a bulk rejection notice. Please assist.

        Reply

        • I am also waiting like you, there are still chances, one of my friend from the same account also is waiting for status update, someone in this forum has put comment that they received selected update today. My colleague said there are chances until end of may. So should wait n watch..

          Reply

        • This is really tense time for every1 , i would say just stay calm and wait till end f this month. DONT believe what GIMS are saying , they are just playing with us… they have openly lied to me about 4200 selections. Wipro is a big company and internally there will be a big process…

          So just stay hopeful but be ready with your plan B

          Reply

  45. hi,

    i received the case no. from my attorney on 2nd may, post that the status is showing we updated your name. no updates till date, what will be the procedure after this can anyone please share.

    Reply

    • Be patient bro, 1st of all congrats for getting your receipt. Now the next stage is Decision making and USCIS will take atleast 1-3 months to take a decision on your petition. You may either be approved, Rejected or you may get an RFE. These are the possibilities. Hope for the best. Good luck.

      Reply

  46. Anybody got any update today or yesterday from ISG on H1b…..Can still chances are alive……………..or Its Over now…………….When they will provide final status……………Still waiting……….

    Reply

    • Capgemini GX Team mentioned as below:

      The lottery results have started coming in from the USCIS; this comes as individual cases and not in batches; thus as of now it is being consolidated and the list is with the attorneys. Once all the information is available to us, this would be shared with the onshore managers by the first week of June. GX Team would request you to wait till then. However, if you do not hear anything by end of first week please reach out to GX Team

      Reply

  48. First slot of selected/nonselected employees is out in Mindtree for some of the projects yesterday. Not sure how many more slots are there… Few falks are saying that lesser chances in second slot.
    Fingers crossed… God Help Me… 🙂

    Reply

  49. Just recieved the status mail as , UPDATE ON YOUR H1B-CAP – SELECTED IN LOTTERY. that means they are still recieving.

    GOD SAVED ME>>> I LOVE WIPRO….

    Reply

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