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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

  1. Guys, got the receipt notice today.
    Very happy. Mine is AD/Reg Processing/ Vermont. Few things
    don’t rely solely on SEVIS update , mine isn’t showing anything until now. Also, my attorney and grad school did not get any update but my employer got it first.
    Be patient and hope for best.

    • lucky you.

      Atleast got the receipt.

      I’ve been thru all the sources that I can. No updates from any means.

      Any hopes that we can rely on?
      mine is the first category.

      AD/PP/Vsc
      I didn’t see even a single person who got it in the past 4days.

      Seems like the quota is done:(

      • T,
        I know its very stressful to go through this situation. Believe me it was one of the most emotionally overwhelming situation for me. It is extremely important for AD people to get through. But never ever loose hopes, pray to god, offer him something to give up if you want this success desperately. I am sure almighty will listen to you.

    • Got my receipt on friday for AD?RP/CSC. There was no update on my SEVIS. Got the info from my employer. So please be patient and Good Luck!

    • Get Email from lawyer as below ,
      Please be advised that we have received a receipt notice for your H-1B cap petition from USCIS confirming that they have receipted your petition in for determination. You may track the status of your application online at www.uscis.gov by inputting your receipt number (EAC-13-134-516xx). Please note that due to the volume of H-1B cap petitions the USCIS received, it may be many months before an adjudication is issued. We will update you as soon as we receive additional correspondence regarding your case.
      I check online shown as:
      Post Decision Activity

      On April 20, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

      For approved applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include USCIS sending notification of the approved application/petition to the National Visa Center or the Department of State. For denied applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include the processing of an appeal and/or motions to reopen or reconsider and revocations.

        • Email received Apr 22,2013 9:43am from Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP.
          Checked immediately shown:On April 20, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER.

          P.S.EAC-13-134-516xx

  2. Hi guys,

    Does anyone know when the ‘definite’ date is by when regular processing will end? Is it for another two weeks? I’m RQ/RP/VSC, my employer said the check hasn’t been cashed yet. Is there any way of telling approximately how many applications they have processed so far?

    My laywer said I should consider J-1 visa for the time being, until I can apply for another H1b next year. Has anyone else’s lawyer suggested this? This system sucks…

    • The system does not suck. It is fair and has given you a chance to stand in line and get your H-1b. Imagine if there wasn’t a system and people got selected based on other considerations!

      You will know the outcome of your petition. I know it’s easy to say, but please be patient. In any case, there is not much one can do.

      • The system does suck, by which I mean there should not be a lottery. Now they’re already drafting a law to increase the amount of H1b’s, which means even they themselves realize that it’s ridiculous they’re only giving 65k + 20k applications. Everyone from Mark Zuckenberg to several other high level people are encouraging hiring more foreigners. They should process all applications and if they really want to limit the amount of visas then be perhaps a little strickter with giving the visas, I don’t know, I just think it’s terrible that we have all wasted months on this. I’m already in the US and used months trying to find an employer to sponsor me, and now this happens. It was just such a surprise.

        • The crux of the new immigration bill is to document the 11 million illegal immigrants in US. The increase in H-1B visas somehow (due to lobbying by IT companies) got dragged into it. The intention was not about increasing or reforming H-1B. Hence, the H-1B part is also facing a lot of flak both inside and outside US. But, for the sake of everyone let’s hope the bill gets cleared.

        • Also did you know that the new bill will provide AD cap exemption only to AD students from US universities in STEM subjects? After all it was the IT companies lobbying to increase the cap and hence they got their say.

        • HI Guys the system is ok. for one thing i wsih it should have is. There are companies already holding 30 to 50 % H1B and L1 employees and total 50+ employees. who are made to pay addational fee(which is peanuts for them). These companies should be asked to wait for first 5 days till April 5th and file the petitions. By which atleast other derserving candidates does not have to get into lottery. And one thing i know for sure these companies just apply H1b on bulk and use when needed. I have heard some people have valid H1b but does not travel for months and years too.

          • Whole concept of outsourcing works on onshore-offshore model where less % of onshore staff (H1Visa resources) co-rdinate with bigger team offshore (prefferable split 20% onshore 80% offshore).
            This model survives on rotation basis which means onshore resource in US for couple of years or so and then he goes offshore and a replacement from offshore travels onshore. This works to give equal opportunity to each deserving candidate and equal exposure to work in different environments. All the outsourcing giants works in this model and rarely keep a resource for complete 6 years to complete there H1 tenure. Becuase its too long for offshore counter part to wait for that omshore opportunity.
            This concept is true for any Big services company you name – IBM, accenture, TCS, Infosys, WIPRO , IGATE, LNT and so on and so on.

    • Go for J-1 with a lot of caution. Check if your profession has a 2 year home country residency requirement. If yes then you will be sucked in a long process to get a NOC from home country and approval from DHS. All in all if you are unsure then run as far away from J-1 as possible.

  4. I m in RQ/RP/CSC

    So far, I barely see any RQ/RP updates… And even less for CSC…
    Still have hope? Pls let me know if anyone from RQRPCSC got in! thankyou!

    • Got my receipt. Did not actually see the receipt, but my employer mailed me that I got through in the lottery with the receipt number.

    • Neither from my employer. What a shitty lottery system..I had never even waited this desperately for my academic results thro out my life..

      • Probably, your universities were never short staffed, under budget cuts or had to deal with 10x their normal workload. You should appreciate the fact that USCIS is working overtime and on weekends to process the results as soon as they can.

        • I agree with you. I donno how they are doing this. They were out with the total no. of petitions ( I dint expect that to happen until 2nd week of April), they were done with the lottery on immediate Sunday. They started receipting 2nd Monday of April. I read some PP candidates even got approvals on the 1st PP processing day. They do seem to understand how anxious we all are. Imagine a similar scenario in an Indian Govt. Office. No wonder everyone of us wants to come work here. Sorry for going off topic but reading the rape news from India literally every other day makes me want to stay even more. May god help India (including me) build better morals.

  7. its really surprising that no updates for RQ/RP??
    when PP was started every five minutes peoples are posted good news…
    why not with us….

  9. RD/PP/VSC. Did not get the receipt. Employer called USCIS and got the info that the application is on hold. Not exactly sure what this means. Is there still hope?

    1. Did USCIS send back the applications of people who have not been selected in the Lottery? (Could scan through entire comments, some pointers or info could help)
    2. Are all the applications which are not picked in Lottery go in to the hold category or wait listed category or a few selected ones go into this category?
    Thanks

    • that probably means that your name is on waiting list or missing some docs.
      Did USCIS give you any receipt number? If then, it probably means missing doc. If not, maybe they put your name on waiting list first priority.

    • Did you try calling your DSO/ International Office to find out your SEVIS Status? If your status has been updated to ‘Change of Status Pending’ then thats the good news you have been waiting for.

        • I did everything what needs to be done.

          Called USCIS, DSO.

          No update from HR.

          Really frustrating and this stupid lottery killed us.
          Lot of people who graduated this year has also applied and they got it
          which is really frustrating more.

          🙁

        • Yes it means good news……it was same for me too, just pending note but i got the receipt number after that….actually, DSO has to look at the history or register section of your I20….you will see your receipt number there….call them and get your number….it is not only pending note..believe me

  12. This is getting Intense now ..USCIS have predicted that the quota will hit in a weeks time but they have not ensured the composure in the processing.

    This wait is frustrating and I really feel USCIS should implement a good way of processing going forward.

    Definitely electing candidates through lottery is not a good sign ..

  13. AD/RP/Vermont…Just got the receipt number. Previously DSO was saying ” COS pending without any receipt number”….Actaully asks them to check “status history” if you want to get receipt number because it is there but they dont see as long as they dont check the right place.

    I know it is not easy to wait but I wish all who deserves it can get it.

  16. Hang on there guys. I got my receipt this morning. I am an AD/RP/EAC. I know what waiting means over here but the door is not closed for anyone who has not gotten a receipt yet. Do not panic right now. Stop speculating about PP as well. We do not know a bit about how USCIS is working right now. I do not know why people are so impatient about regular processing, it just a week. Good luck!!

    PS: This website is very helpful!!

    • Congrats! when you say don’t be impatient, it’s just a week.. do you mean all receipts will be out in a week? Or it has only been a week so far?

      • I was referring to a Regular Processing. It just a week USCIS started sending out receipts for RP (and you must have seen people PP folks getting their receipts last week as well when many people were speculating that PP will be done within a week). No one knows how long this sending out process continues. Good Luck!!

  20. Hi Guys,
    I got my receipt this morning for AD/PP/CSC.I guess CSC processing is really slow so do not lose hope yet!!

    • Contracts….Did they sent a email or a mail? how did you know? Did you ask your school DSO before today for sevis updates?

    • @ Hey:
      Can you please tell me if your attorney received the receipt via email or post?
      I come under regular quota but PP (VSC). I almost lost my hope because I do not see any PP guys getting receipt these days ( other than you). Could you please provide more info and it will help is to keep our hopes alive..

    • This is my first and probably last moan: When you share your good news, cannot you please share as much information as possible!!??

    • IBMer here as well.. wonder if our immigration team would let us know immediately when they receive receipt or wait until they have gotten everything and take their own time like end May/June :S

      • same here. case manager coolly mentioned ‘it could take 3months’. it really painful not knowing your fate.
        please keep us updated if any good/bad news.

  24. No one is writing on COS from h4 to h1….has anyone got the receipt who applied from h4 to h1….please share so that I still can hope that I will get mine too….

    • Hi Guy’s

      Me and my friend applied H1B Regular Quota 2014, friday got call from my employeer, my friend check got cleared,that means he selected in the lottery.
      Service Center: VSC.

      Still I am waiting for result for mine….

      ohhh God help..

      Thanks
      NKumar

    • Me too on the same boat bro (CTS) .. waiting for every moment ..and checking companies portal for update

    • my manager said that the immigration team will consolidate the list then only wil send mail it seems. All h1 applied in cognizant should get the results then only they will publish

  28. I have received my premium processing receipt number RQ/PP/CSC on 11th April. On 19th April the status showed as Intial Review with following comment.

    “On April 18, 2013, the 15-day Premium Processing clock stopped on your I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. A notice was sent on this date explaining the specific reason for stopping the premium processing of your case. This notice will contain detailed information on further action required by you. Your premium processing receipt notice contains contact information for direct inquiries on your case.”

    It is in the same status since then. I have seen quite a few such cases when I browsed through using different receipt numbers. Any idea what is going on here?

  30. Hi,

    We received my spouse’s H4 receipt which was applied with the same package. No news yet on my H1.. Any idea what might be going on? Thx.

      • Thx. I probably will cross check this with our attorney.

        AD/RP/CSC.

        We received the H4 receipt on Friday on our mail.

        On last check, there was no status update on sevis yet, may be because my OPT extn is valid till Dec ’13.

        • Hi, I called the USCIS no 18003755283 and tried to enquire about my status…..they told me that my employer can call them up and find out about the status and not me…if u guys share a good relationship with your HR , pls ask them to call and know your status…

  31. Hi , I have doubt here. Please help me.
    I saw here some one posting that he has been given an RFE stating and job and degree does not match.

    I am working as software engg in an Indian IT company. I have a degree in engineering (4 year degree) and also I’ve done MBA (distance mode).

    My highest qualification is MBA but I am working in software. Is there is a chance for RFE for me stating the job and degree does not match?

    I am not yet sure if I am thru the lottery, but this question was in my mind for long time. So please some one reply me.

  32. AD/RP/CSC. My heartfelt Thanks to Qwerty who suggested to talk to the school officials.
    I got my receipt no. from my DSO 🙂 What a relief!!!
    WAC13134xxxxx (134th day processed and still no official post.) Either US post office is really slow or Fragomen are useless.
    I truly hope all deserving non-fraud candidates (AD & RQ) get through.
    All the very best to everyone waiting.. I understand your agony – but don’t lose hope..

    Thanks everyone for posting your updates.

    • I know! Mine is 134th day as well and my attorney says she has not got a mail yet!! So slow. I wonder if they even mailed out notices….
      AD/ RP/ CSC

      • Mine is 134th day too and hv been waiting for the official confirmation on the receipt #..
        this wait s killing..

  33. It seems this is the last receipt number EAC1314151055 in VSC, so this means this center has completed generating receipt number for the petitions randomly selected??

      • Test,
        My gut feeling agrees with u. Even I dint see any receipts getting generated today. Did any of u see it?

    • Is it possible to calculate the total receipt number generated in EAC and WAC? if it is close to 90,000 (including other petitions), then all receipt numbers are out!

      RQ/RP/VSC

      This month is the longest month in my life!

  36. I asked the school to check my SEVIS status and it has been updated.
    My attorney has not heard anything from USCIS. I guess they are mailing everything very slowly. 13134528xx
    Advanced degree, regular processing, California
    And I am in Chicago.

  37. I was in Infosys during 2008 H1B..They sent out emails to selected candidates only after they received the rejection notices for not selected candidates…

    I received my receipt from Infosys immigration team somewhere in 2nd week of June, eventhough my receipt date was in April..after they sent rejection emails to non selected candidates.

    guess you have to wait until early June or may be more….

  38. Hi All,

    I have been following this forum for a while now and i feel like I should post any information I receive. I am RQ/RP. Please find the response below from my employer –

    Lottery was done on April 7th, we received Masters premium receipts in following week.

    last week beginning we received few Masters regular receipts.
    On Friday USCIS processed couple of regular cases and deposited checks. This means these cases picked and can expect receipt in a week.
    I will let you know as soon as I see your h1 fee check deposited. It may take couple of weeks total to complete it.

    Hope this helps. Good luck to you all!!

  41. Guys, FYI… RC/RP/ Vermont. My lawyer sent e-mail that I have been accepted.
    Good luck to everyone!!

  42. Recieved paper receipt today. Major relief. Been lurking here for weeks now. 🙂

    Received Date: April 8
    Notice Date: April 15

    AD/Regular Processing/VSC

    Good luck to everyone who is still waiting. 🙂

  43. AD/RP/VSC anyone? No receipt yet and haven’t heard back…are they still processing applications??

    • I got my receipt in this category on Friday. I believe they are still processing.

      Have you checked if your check has been cashed and with your DSO? Both of those confirmed last Wednesday that I got in.

  44. Finally, the wating game is over. Received my notice RQ/RP/VSC. 131375-XXXXX

    Good luck to you all guys/gals. Please don,t loose any hope you will get it.

  45. if an rejections happended for the persons who got the lottery..will that slot will be given to the person who was not selected in the lottery

    • Seems they do have such a “waiting list”. But I don’t know if this status would be communicated to us. Anyone knows more about this?

      But imagine not getting through the lottery now and getting it later bcoz of a waiting list haha

    • YES,

      There is a waiting list And this contains a significant number of petitions…probably over 10,000 and this corresponds to the historical rejection rate. This happened in 2008.

      WHAT we dont KNOW is how they decide who is in the waiting List.

      If someone knows how they decide, Please tell us.

  46. AD/PP/VSC
    still haven’t even gotten a receipt yet. honestly don’t care anymore……right i wish.

    • Me too.
      I am PP/AD/VSC

      I have assumed that I wasnt selected.
      My hope is that I am in the waiting list and I get in later, but I am not banking on that.

      I informed my employer that there is possibility that I missed the lottery since we dont have any communication till today and they said they will call USCIS today and see if my name is in system.

          • If u are in US, U have 2 options:-
            -get job with non profit eg university etc
            -marry USC
            -wait to become illegal then with new laws, you will be forgiven ( Assuming u were here before 2012). Millions of people are illegal
            Eitehr way, things will be hard, but you will make it.

      • How can they call the USCIS and verify ? Is it possible ? Please let us know if your employer is able to verify this may be we can ask our employer to verify the same way.

        thanks

      • no one is giving up…i simply wish i could stop giving a damn to this & start planning exit options 🙁

  47. Can we call to USCIS to check if our application( H1b ) is selected in the lottery? I understand we would eventually hear through regular mail if you apply through regular processing but just curious if we can do this as well.

    Thanks

    • Nope, if you call they would say they don’t have that information. One person you can call or check on is your employer.

    • YES, you can call.

      They will search by you name and employer detals.

      Only the petitioner or attorney can call. Not employee.

      If they cant find your detaios, then your packet has not been opened.

      You mayhave been selected, but they havent entered your details.

  48. Hi,

    Does SEVIS update take place only if our OPT expires before Oct 1 ? I wanted to contact my DSO to get my receipt no.(if any)

    • My Opt is expiring on 30th nov and there was change in status …on SEVIS ..I even have my case no. with me now. So go ahead and check SEVIS update.

  49. Yet another RQ/RP first time applicant here.. never thought I’d be in a H1 mess and yet here I am feverishly waiting for the lottery result :p

  50. Since 8th April they are replying the same..Contact FDFU/ISU RMG..but non of them have any info…seems it will be better to wait till this friday..Hope good news will come !!!

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