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USCIS received 124,000 H1B Visa 2014 Petitions – Official Lottery Update Results

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As predicted by us earlier on USCIS official news update date, USCIS did an official press release today disclosing the details of overall petitions received and lottery process followed, including results. Below is a brief summary of the H1B Visa 2014 news release.

USCIS Official News : Summary of H1B Visa 2014 Lottery Results press release

  • Big News: For the first time in USCIS history since 2008, H1B Visas 2014 cap reached within the first week of filings, i.e, first week of April.  You can check out US Economy and H1B Visa Lottery
  • Total H1B Petitions received :  USCIS received a total of 124,000 H1B Visa petitions for fiscal year 2014.
  • Lottery Information : USCIS conducted a random computer generated random selection process, also called as lottery, on April 7th to select the petitions needed to meet the regular cap of 65,000 and masters cap of 20,000
  • Lottery Process followed: As described in our detail H1B Visa Lottery process, USCIS followed the same thing.  First USCIS conducted lottery process for Masters quota petitions and then the petitions not selected in masters lottery were merged with regular quota pool and random selection process was conducted for remaining pool to select 65,000 petitions.
  • Petitions Not Selected in Lottery  : If your petition was not selected in lottery, USCIS will reject and return the petition along with the filing fee, except for duplicate petitions.
  • Premium Processing for H1B Visa 2014 : To facilitate the data entry process and meet the timelines, USCIS will begin premium processing for H1B Visa 2014 from April 15th.
  • Non-Cap Subject Petitions Accepted :  USCIS will continue to accept non-cap subject petitions i.e, that have already been counted towards to the cap, including petitions filed under below category
    • H1B Visa stay extensions
    • Employee terms changes for H1B visa worker
    • H1B petitions filed for Change of employers
    • H1B petitions filed for concurrent working for more than one employer

Did I miss anything ?

Do you have any questions ? What are your thoughts ?

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Author
Satheesh Kumar Ilu
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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11,589 Comments

  2. I have seen cases where the receipts were mailed on April 8 in USICS website and not seen any case in this forum of regular processing acceptance yet. It means that irrespective of either PP or Non-PP, they can even mail the physical receipt or e-mail. A true example is a friend of mine who got mail notification for PP. PP applicants can wait for another week. So guys, live with hope and don’t give up.

    • From 70 cases, I’ve counted 7 PP. My guess is that PP is over , but if a regular case is rejected, for any reason, then they take a not selected PP from a somewhat waiting queue… This could be related to the 10% of rejection…

      That is just a supposition, because rejection should be decided during the validation process, not now.

      However, there is still a little chance for PP cases, like me 😉

      • I think they are just catching up on PP cases still. Who knows what’s behind this. But I don’t think they had the time to look at any RP case in order to figure out if they are approved or denied.

        • Agree with you, but I’ve seen a notification (don’t find again the number) which states that the case was rejected because the fee was badly filled… So, there is a quick (and dirty) rejection step before notification. For sure, this could not explained the number of 10%. As you said, who knows? I’m going crazy too 😉

          • Really, you saw that? That’s really interesting! Who goes through the trouble of an H1b application and then files the wrong fees? Actually, I am just getting a little paranoid. Who knows what happened with mine, our HR and attorney took care of that.

          • from today check this case WAC1313351110.

            ” properly filed because the application or petition was not signed. ”

            This is really make me worry :S

          • This person is our of luck. Picked in the lottery and then lost his/her spot because the employer didn’t sign the petition

      • Why do you think if regular case is rejected they will take non selected PP? cant they replace it with another regular case?

        • Ok…

          Manish…you have to understand that Premium-Regular has nothing to do with the probability of getting selected. Premium is purely from the point of view of faster processing time….Absolutely no difference when it comes to selection of Premium/Regular cases…

          So your question is not correct…Both have equal probability, just that in case of premium the person will come to know faster (For example, if a Premium case was kept on standby, that person will come to know soon if his/her case got selected…If a Regular case got selected, that person will come to know after few weeks as opposed to a person filing a Premium case).

          Hope I have not confused you…

  5. Its a bit surprising to see people lose hope within a week. There was a similar situation in 2008 where due to the large volume of applications Attorney’s filing petitions for large enterprises received the EAC numbers along with their approval notice. Guys please relax. The fact that premium processing starts from 15th April does not imply that USCIS are done with distributing the receipts.

  6. Guys, instead of panicing about receipts make sure you have valid exit options … plan ahead, consider all possible scenarios, i know its a shame that after spending so much money for education you cannot get a job because of this, but there is nothing that can be done about this now …

  9. PP processed now by CSC WAC1313350943

    it is in initial review state. but it doesn’t say an email has been sent. Does this mean CSC is behind sending emails…? For RP it clearly says mail has been sent

    On April 13, 2013, the 15-day premium processing clock started on your I129,PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. You will be contacted by the office that is processing your case when a decision is made or additional information or action is needed

    • Rahul,

      Did you receive this update in mail as you are saying there is no email confirmation from CS. Please confirm, even i am waiting for an update on PP/CS….Thnx

  10. has anybody got Regular/PP/VSC receipt today…? pls let me know if you received any…don’t have to mention any recpt number…just let me know yes/no…and if yes, when today..?

      • @ZZSAC, pls view this receipt in USCIS website, this says as received on April8th, do you mean that u got receipt in email now?

        • This is not my case number. I am just trying to see the progress that CSC is making by checking random numbers. This means they are still working during the weekend and there is still hope for us who don’t receive our receipt number yet so far.

  12. has anybody got Regular/PP/VSC receipt today…? pls let me know if you received any…don’t have to mention any recpt number…just let me know yes/no…and if yes, when today..?

  13. PP processed by CSC WAC1313350943

    it is directly moved to initial review state. but it doesnt say an email has been sent. Does this mean CSC is behind sending emails…?

    On April 13, 2013, the 15-day premium processing clock started on your I129,PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. You will be contacted by the office that is processing your case when a decision is made or additional information or action is needed. Please check our website at www.uscis.gov for further updates on your case. Your premium processing receipt notice contains contact information for direct inquiries on your case.

  15. Guys,

    When is the last day for expecting a reciept number for PP Regular Cap?? Because my lawyer told me if by Monday I dont get it, then I have not been selected in the lottery, since they are going to start the PP applications on April 15th. is it true??Any body aware of it??

    Thanks

      • Had a question though, I’m in Houston Texas so is it possible that they have filed my H1B with Texas service center. I’m on L1 and same company is doing my H1 transfer. Please let me know if any one has any idea about this.

        • Dont panic based on an assumption you make. Lawyers know what they do, where to file their H1’s, they rarely make mistakes.

    • @NotOver, why r u posting comments which are already selected in lottery, the selected candidates will however proceed further, at this stage we need to know whether still anyone getting receipts or not, we dont need to discuss whether the candidates who got receipts are getting processed or not.

      • @RK: dude, some people said PP case have been over in CSC, I checked USCIS site, and it shows PP cases are not over, this gives people hope, including me, what’s wrong with it?? you mean I should give up now or what?

  19. Can anyone please explain to me what is the difference between premium processing and regular ones?
    Who determine which petition belong to what?
    My company, “Microsoft” applied through an attorney “Dedkins” and I have no detail info like you guys!
    Appreciated any comments, replies.

    • Premium Processing is nothing but they will process PP case first and then Regular … but both have to go through lottery.Check with your company how they have filed .. PP or regular

      • I found in one of my emails that attorney said:
        “We are pleased to share that we have filed your H-1B petition with USCIS for inclusion in this year’s H-1B cap with a request for premium processing.”

        This means that I am under PP. So the PP receipt numbers are over or we can have hope still? What is the latest time they will tell us about the PP case selected?

        Thanks a lot

        • Don’t loose hope .. be in touch with attorney / company … ………………….. !!

          you may have seen selected but you may not have been notified ,,,, only attorney and company can tell .

          best of luck !!

    • I am from Microsoft too. They usually apply for premium processing.
      You can mail your attorney and ask them about the type.

      • @H1b Singh
        I found that it is premium processing. Have you heard anything from your receipt number?

        I just have one other question, since you said you are also from Microsoft. If I don’t have chance finally to be selected, do you know what is Microsoft policy then? Will they keep our offer for next year or what?

        Thanks

        • @trj
          I haven’t got any receipt number till now. I have no idea what would happen to the offer. I hope Microsoft would take care of it.

  20. EAC1313550998

    On April 8, 2013, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, and you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or contact our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

  22. Looks like CS works in Full Force. In 25 min more than 135 RP Case Status Update.
    Latest Case: WAC1313350928

  24. Any one got non pp regular ?????

    Very stressssd !!!!

    Damit waiting waiting waiting !!!!

    How long ????????

    Wht is the break up of regular 65000 and advanced 20000
    From 124000

    From what I have been noticing on forums, it seems USCIS is currently in the process of issuing receipts/email for the premium processing cases (normal and advance degree) from both Vermont and California.
    Its surprising that they still haven’t announced the break up of 124,000 cases into the normal and advance degree filed cases.

  25. i dont know what will happen, i am in regular, non pp, i think, i can wait till next week, then as its a lottery system, if till next week i dont have receipt, i should not hope.

  26. Guys, I am seeing a couple of you making some comments that PP has got over…..pls don’t spread such rumours to spoil other’s hopes…may be you have got yours…let it be over…we never know what the actual status is of PP in USCIS…I am one such person in PP(Regular/PP/VSC) quota… still haven’t given up my hope….I strongly believe that PP are not yet over…accordingly to USCIS they will start processing PP from April 15th…let’s not jump to any such conclusion….

  29. Hello,

    I am still waiting for AD/PP/CSC/Fragomen ….
    All the comments and rumors are making me really anxious…
    Just had some question, if anyone knows something by any chance…
    does anyone know exactly how much application was received in AD category…
    and exactly what is process of sending these receipts, i mean are they mailing manually updating each application right.. .that’s exactly why its taking so much time for send out the receipts …
    When will USCIS make a official statement about all these…
    please let me know

    Thank you
    Siya

    • Don’t loose hope, my attorney is fragomen. Did not here from them till now. But still having some hope.

      • Waiting and Siya,

        I got mine thru Fragomen on 4/11, but couple of my colleagues who are on AD\VSC (i’m not sure if its PP or Regular) have not received their receipt. But attorney has asked them to wait, so you will get it… Please don’t lose hope and have faith, nothing is confirmed until you get your rejection notice.

    • @aks they will only mail is..:( will not m e-mail
      We have to wait for one more week 🙁 very stressed and sleepless nights…

    • Not super sure…but I think so. I have tried inputting 2 of the numbers myself on their website…and one came out with “mailed” and another with “e-mailed”.

      EAC1313354626

      The number above says “e-mailed”….so that could mean it is PP. all the others that say “mailed” could be RP.

      • That seems to be from a couple of days ago. It looks like new PP ones from today onwards now have a different message which stated “your PP began on [X date]”… I hope that means there are still PP being done from today…

        • I noticed that. Regardless, my point was that there seems to be a difference in the message for PP and RP. And I think it means they are now processing both. Who knows though…..

        • I’m wondering: most of cases not PP have the below text (and I saw a lot of them by checking the receipt no.)> If it is regular processing, how come no regular ppl in this forum got any yet?

          On April 8, 2013, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or contact our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

          • @SANJ

            How many applications do you think are PP out of 85K.. lets say 25K.. that leaves us with 60K RP whose receipts have been mailed. So what are the chances that only the people in this forum have been mailed the receipts for RP.. Also it takes atleast 2-4 days for US mail to deliver I think.

          • checked lots of numbers from today, could not find any PP receipt today @ CSC.. can we assume they are done with all PP requests in CSC..?

          • Just because it says April 8 doesn’t mean that they sent out anything. Everyone’s application that was sent from April 1-5 technically got there on the 8th. So you’ll continue to see 8th for all non-PP cases entered.

  34. AD/PP/CSC
    received my wife H4 I797C Notice of Action this morning via mail (We filed together).

    My employer and lawyer still didn’t received any email as of Sat 12:00 EST. My lawyer told me if USCIS sent H4 Notification to my wife, that mean they open my packet. I guess I AM IN!!!

    Do not lost faith for those AD/PP. Now I can proven USPS mail service is faster than email.

    Good luck to all!!!!

    • That’s very interesting. I guess there are all kinds of strange things going on at the service centers right now.

      So your wife’s H4 status doesn’t depend on your H1b approval, just the filing? Because even if you were picked in the lottery, there is no way they would have approved your case already, right?

    • That was interesting. So if your wife was accepted then you should have been accepted but no email yet? Omg, I don’t understand their work process here …

    • The petition is not approve yet. Again, this is just the notice of action of receipt notice. At least USCIS open my packet which mean I was select in the lottery. H1B receipt notice normally goes to employer or lawyer because your employer is the applicant and we are the beneficiary. H4 notice goes to directly to beneficiary.

      USCIS should already cash the check because on the notice it said amount received $290 (h4 processing fee). My employer wrote one check for everything (H1B + PP + H4)

  36. Ok, I did a random examination of a sample of 100 consecutive case numbers on the USCIS website (EAC – Vermont). The sample was from yesterday. A couple of interesting observations:

    70 of 100 were new H1b’s –> Just 70% of cases added by USCIS are new H1b’s, others could be renewals, GC, EAD, etc.

    There were no PP cases within that sample, but we have seen them pop up again today!

    There were even two numbers that didn’t have cases assigned to them

    • How can you know if the cases you saw were PP or not? The message for all of them is the same “a receipt will be MAILED to you…”, etc. It never says “emailed”, if that’s what you’re basing your analysis on.

    • Still waiting too, guys CSC PP M do we still have hope? Did you contact your lawyers and they told u they are still processing for PP? My lawyer doesnt reply, also are they supposed to send the email to the lawyer or it could be to the employer too? As my employer is out of state, and he doesnt check his email.

      • Another question guys, I sent my package by fedex one day delivery, in Sunday, and the driver had a hard time trying to get the signature from California center as a proof of delivery, but finally fedex sent me a msg that they delivered the package and a guy named LAURIE WILKINSON signed it as a proof of receiving, is that normal, that fedex would mention the name of the person who signs the package when they deliver it, am scared that they didnt recieve it but fedex driver did that because my lottery went off on fedex and was threatening them.

          • That’s normal. It was sent with recipient signature required to make sure it doesn’t get lost. Mine was also signed by someone in Vermont.

        • Hi yes it’s normal. I also got the guy’s (who reeived my package) name on the delivery confirmation

          • I’m still waiting too PP/AD/CSC, let’s us know if you hear any body receiving receipts today. At least, the game’s still on. The 1st receipt no today should be WAC1313550001, right?

          • Correct, but I’m afraid Cali isn’t working today. On the other hand, it is just 9:15am there, so you may start seeing receipt numbers pop up soon.

  39. Is it just because of Two processing centers in Vermont …that I am seeing sooo many EACxxxxx numbers here on this site?

    I have seen very few receipts from CSC.

    I know this is not the only website where people all the 124K applicants are using…but still I wondering why is there such a big difference?

    And someone just posted that 37K receipts have been sent out till now. I hope all of the 20K Masters slots are not in that 37K.

    I am still waiting…almost lost hope: Masters/PP/CSC.

    • @dgcal

      Service centre depends on the job location. So there could be mismatch if big employers are hiring for a particular location.

  41. Hi

    I applied for PP / CSC/ AD / Fragomen.
    Pretty much everyone who I know / was talking to seem to have reciepts by yesterday .
    I guess one has to be very unlucky to be left out in 2 lotteries .

    I talked to Fragomen yesterday , they said they had nothing .

    I think I have given up .
    Good Luck to you all out there .

    • Same here. I have come across maybe one or two ppl here on this site saying they got the receipt notices from Fragomen. Abt my law firm: I saw just one other guy and he hasnt received anything as of yesterday.

      dgccal
      Masters/PP/CSC/MinamiTamakiLawFirm.

  42. Current number EAC1313550687. But it is for extension. Not all receipt numbers generated are for new h1b

  43. hey PP guys dont loose your hope… just observed one receipt number with notice being sent through email… so it was PP… keep praying and may god listen to you…

    • How r u and other people getting update on the receipt nos. and no. of applications processed or left?

      Are you working in any visa office or update is coming officially on any website?

      or u just spreading rumors 🙂

      • aks,
        neither i am working in visa office nor i am spreading rumors…

        I am using available information on internet… you can get the last application processed number for each day for both centers… i did that analysis for last five days and came out with 37k number…
        if you want you can also verify at your end….

        • Hi H1B Seeker. By 37k in both centers do you mean 37k in total or 37k each, i.e 74k? I believe you mean 37k in total because if it were 74k we should lose our hopes already. But just to make sure.

          • Those numbers also include other petitions, not just H1b though. So without going through each one, we won’t know how many H1b they have processed. We’re pretty crazy here, but I don’t think anyone is THAT crazy 😀

          • I tried but gave up…. 🙂
            but you may consider 85-90% of all applications… might be lil higher side… but lets assume that….

          • Ok, agree, H1bSeeker.. I would also assume about 85%. We still have ways to go 😉
            On the other hand, I am probably stir crazy enough to at least examine a sample of 100 😀

          • I’m still confused about how these numbers fit in with PP… if only about half of visas have had receipt numbers, what happens to those in the other half that are PP given that PP is meant to begin Monday and end within 15 days? Do we think all PP will get a receipt by Monday if ever?

            Also unclear if the “mailed”/”emailed” distinction is really the diff between PP and not as I am not seeing many “emailed”…. Any examples of someone with PP whose ref says “mailed”?

          • Yours,
            please let me know results of your analysis… 🙂

            Jay_J,
            Since the official info is not getting out, we have analyze from whatever info is available with us & with some thumb rules… though the results won’t be accurate those will be close to actual…
            My assumption is USCIS have taken PP on priority… and they should be done with PP by today or latest by Monday…. as the clock start date will be Apr 15th… else they need to return the pp processing fees..
            With this if PP guy has not receive receipt number by Monday eod… then chances are very low.. till they do have very much positive chances…

  45. PP/Reg/Fragomen, still waiting…

    Even though USCIS still works today, I believe Fragomen is not. So not expecting to hear anything till Monday. This is ruining my weekend already!

  46. thanks for the answer H1-B seeker.
    I just have one other question, So, they are not done with ll 65K? right?
    I still can have hopes?

    • Yes they have processed only 37k application till yesterday through both of the centers…
      so indeed you have a chance.. gud luck…
      As per my prediction USCIS will complete all 85k application before end of this month…
      working on weekend is evidence for that… 🙂

      • Sorry- not wishing to flog a dead horse but if I am PP, and if PP starts 15 days by 15th April, wouldn’t I have to have a receipt by 15 April? Could they start PP on 15 April and NOT give a receipt yet? That doesn’t make sense to me…. Or is it possible that they create a receipt on 20 April and so complete PP in 10 days (i.e. 15 days from 15 April)?

        • They will continue sending receipts through next week as well for PP guys and will start working on already assigned PP receipts from 15th i.e. Monday.

  48. Does generating receipt mean that they are already assigned to people? I mean if the number is increasing and I am not hearing at the same time, it means that I am not in the receipt that are generated today? hmm?

    • No way to know that. They may have completely different processes in place for entering into their system and sending emails. In any case, I’m sure that they enter the cases first and then send emails. But for all we know, the email could be delayed a day or two

    • Khench,
      most of the receipts being generated today are for regular processing & for regular processing they communicate through mail & not with email so you won’t hear anything before tuesday- wednesday evenif they process your application today…
      if you have filed through premium processing then your lawyer should receive email with receipt number if they process your application today

        • if for receipt number “On April 8, 2013, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, and “mailed” you a notice…..
          then it is regular

          if
          “On April 8, 2013, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, and “e-mailed” you a notice…….
          then it is premium…

          • Is this definitely true? It seems all/most of the new receipts say “mailed” rather than “e-mailed” which suggests no/few PP still getting new receipt numbers 🙁

      • How r u and other people getting update on the receipt nos. and no. of applications processed or left?

        Are you working in any visa office or update is coming officially on any website?

        or u just spreading rumors 🙂

  50. They are generating receipts today, just curious which computer work day they’d be using. Yesterdays or make an exception and count a Saturday?

    • next consecutive number…. hats off to USCIS employees who are burning their weekend for us…. Thanks a lot to USCIS guys….

        • nl,
          evenif you have paid lot of money… they were not bound to work on weekend… & evenif they double the currents fees I won’t see number application going down…
          so come on nl… appreciate the extra efforts they are taking…
          Any ways it seems they have kept a target to complete all the application before end of this month….
          till yesterday they have processed 35k+ application which also includes other applications apart from H1B petitions….

          • How do you know it is 35k? Also- yesterday’s last EAC number ended with 54153 but today’s EAC numbers are 50591 …. it looks like they have gone from 54k down to 50k…. any explanation?

          • The 5 is in front of every receipt number, it doesn’t belong in the count.. They had 4153 yesterday and started at 0 today. Till now, they have entered 0591

          • JS,
            the receipt number are as below,
            XACYYDDD5nnnn
            XAC – EAC for Vermont WAC for California
            YY – 13 for year
            DDD – no. of working day in current fiscal year which is increasing by 1 for each working day
            5nnnn – sequential number for each day starts from 50001

            I hope that clarifies your doubt

          • Thanks… it was the “5” at the start of the series I didn’t know about… that’s helpful…. so does the 35k total so far refer to EAC or both EAC AND WAC? Do we think that they would provide receipt numbers for PP first or is it random? I.e. I am PP Reg Cap EAC and haven’t heard… going out of my mind….

          • Following your logic i tried these numbers:

            EAC1313550002: Could locate the receipt number, processed on Apr 8th
            EAC1313650002: Could not be found
            Why could be reason?

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