USCIS accepts various kinds of H1B petitions, such as new H1B cap-subject petitions, petitions for H1B extensions, H1B petitions for the transfer of companies, and H1B cap-exempt petitions. One thing is common: they all receive an H1B Receipt Notice from USCIS indicating they received the H1B petition.
When you look at the USCIS-issued Receipt notice for the H1B petition, it would have a receipt number or case number. This number can be used to track the petition’s status with USCIS.
If you are new to the process, looking at the long number and guessing what that number means can be puzzling. In this article, we will cover what the H1B Case Receipt Number or Petition Number indicates by looking at each of the letters in the H1B Case Number.
As a background, if you are a first-time H1B applicant, you will need to go through the H1B Visa registration Lottery process, and only if you are selected in the H1B lottery, then you would be eligible to file an H1B petition with USCIS. Also, the H1B petition can only be filed by a Company. As an applicant, you cannot file the H1B petition alone.
What is the H1B Visa Case Number? Petition Number?
USCIS sends a “Form I-797C, Notice of Action” after they receive the H1B Petition. This form is called the H1B Receipt Notice. It is a generic form used to notify the receipt of a petition or application, but the Class requested field indicates whether it is a receipt notice for an H1B petition or not.
As part of sending the H1B receipt notice, USCIS assigns a unique case receipt number for every H1B petition they receive. The receipt number consists of 13-digit alphanumeric characters and typically starts with three alphabets, like WAC or EAC, based on where it was filed.
This 13-digit alphanumeric number is called the H1B receipt or H1B Petition Number. It appears at the top of the H1B Receipt Notice (Form I-797C, Notice of Action), as shown in the screenshot below.
H1B Petition Number vs. Receipt Number
People sometimes use the term “H1B Petition Number” and ask for the “H1B receipt number”. This can be confusing if you are new to it. The “H1B Petition Number” and the “H1B Receipt Number” or “H1B Case Receipt Number” mean the same thing and are often used interchangeably.
On some websites, you may be asked to fill out the H1B Petition Number; in some cases, you may be asked to enter the H1B receipt number or USCIS H1B Case number. In all these cases, you would use the same 13-dight alphanumeric number on the H1B receipt or approval notice. If you are filling out the H1B Visa Stamping application, you will asked to fill out the Petition Number, which is nothing but the H1B Case Receipt Number.
Understanding the H1B Case Receipt Number, Petition Number
Of the 13-digit alphanumeric characters that are part of the H1B Case Receipt Number or Petition Number, each set of characters has a specific meaning. We need to break them out properly to understand them correctly.
We should break down the H1B Case Number into sets of characters grouped like below:
- XXX—XX—XXX—XXXXX
- EAC—24—128—50345 ( example for H1B FY 2025 filed petition)
Now, let’s look at each of the groups of characters.
First 3 Letters of H1B Case Number: EAC, WAC, LIN, IOE, SRC
The first three characters indicate where the H1B petition was filed.
- EAC – Vermont Service Center (old name: Eastern Adjudication Center).
- WAC – California Service Center (old name: Western Adjudication Center).
- LIN – Nebraska Service Center (LIN refers to Lincoln, Nebraska).
- SRC – Texas Service Center (old name: Southern Regional Center).
- IOE – IOE stands for Integrate Operation Environment(where the petition was processed); it is not a service center location but indicates that the petition was filed electronically or electronically scanned and processed. In the H1B petition context, it was scanned at a shared service center and then processed. The service center details will be at the bottom of the receipt notice.
Following 2 Letters of H1B Case Number: Year of filing
The following two digits indicate the year when it was filed. It is not the fiscal year but rather the calendar year when the petition was filed. Do not try to read something that says WAC2023XXXX to think it is related to the year 2023, you should only look at the following two letters after the first three characters.
- For the H1B Visa FY 2024 season, it would be 23
- For the H1B Visa FY 2025 season, it would be 24
Subsequent 3 Letters of H1B Case Number – Computer Working Day
The next three digits indicate the computer working day of the USCIS fiscal year that starts from October 1st. It indicates the computer workday does not include weekends and holidays. USCIS computers do not work on weekends and USA National holidays :-).
October 1st is when the fiscal year starts for USCIS. If your H1B was filed on October 1st, it would be 001. It is a little tricky with this number; computer workday indicates only working days and not weekends.
For example, if it is October 20th, it would be the 16th working day or something like that…For April 12th, it would be 134 as the weekends and federal holidays are taken out. You can use websites like TimeAndDate to compute that number.
- For April 8th, it would be 128.
Subsequent 5 Letters of H1B Case Number – Actual Case Number
The following five digits is the actual case number and is assigned based on some internal USCIS logic. There is no guarantee that it would start with 0001 and go in sequence. Sometimes, it may start with 5; sometimes, it may be with other digits as well.
- One sample number would be 51244
Below is a nice visual explaining the H1B Receipt Number format. It is the same as any other USCIS Receipt Number format.
How to Check the H1B Case Status on USCIS.gov?
After you receive your H1B Visa Receipt case number, all you would have to do is to track the status on USCIS website. Read How to Check H1B Petition Status on USCIS website.
Premium Processing for H1B :
If you were to file H1B visa petition under premium processing, you would have received the case number and a confirmation email that your petition was received by USCIS and it is under processing. Usually your attorney or your employer would get that information. Once your case is approved, similar email with approval status would be updated via email. A hard copy would be emailed after the emails to the address specified in petition.
Regular Processing for H1B:
If you were to file your H1B visa petition under regular processing, you would not necessarily get an email from USCIS, rather you would get a hard copy receipt mailed to your employer or attorney. Also, decision information would be mailed to your attorney or employer after the decision.
You can read Steps after H1B Lottery – Flow Chart to know more on the next steps
Did I miss anything? Any other thoughts to add?
I have 2 AD’s .. still waiting !!!
For the last 2 weeks .. I have been following this forum …. I see people talking about AD and non AD… Does it really matters .. ??? I have my MS and PhD Degree ..
Then Whats my …situation . … AD/RP/CSC …
Regular processing applications will be handled after the premium processing applications are done. It may be a week or two before you hear from USCIS. Good Luck. Juss Pray and hang on.. U will be fine..
AD can be Masters or PHD and non AD might be people having Bacheors from here or foreign country or so.
@ reddy … yeah I know that … I have 2 AD’s … but still .. waiting >…
Hello
My company applied in Regular/PP quota. My wife received H4 receipt on 12th. Does this mean my h1 application got selected in lottery? I have not received any updates from my Employer or Attorney regarding my h1b application.
Hi,
My Petetion status was showing RFE in the morning and went back to Initial Review. Did it happen for anyone? My lawyer has not received any email regd the RFE.
The status says:
Application Type: I129 , PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER
Your Case Status: Initial Review
On April 16, 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.
Anyone in similar situation?
yes same case with me.. PP/RQ/VER
@kris
My status page was showing “initial review” when I checked this morning, how was I to know if it went from “RFE”?
For me after 2.5 hrs it changed to decision and with approval. Don’t worry you will get the same
Premium Processing will done first and then Regular Processing ( Cases selected on 8th April 2013) any body from 8 April with Regular Processing moved to next status from Initial Review to Decision ? Please let us know
@ kris,
Any update regarding ur case ? Please let us know as I am in the Same boat .In the morning Its shows RFE and after half n hour it’s change to Initial Review with clock stopped message.
Check this out, may be you can get some idea.
http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/the-15-day-premium-processing-clock-stopped-on-you-1132182.html
Anybody from California Service Center who has “the 15-day Premium Processing clock stopped ” message ?
My petition was filed under Premium processing and I am in the acceptance stage with an approval. What was the message under the Decision activity ?
Mine is similar status. I read it takes a few hours for it to change. Lets see
Hi,
I just got this message from USCIS
Application Type: I129 , PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER
Your Case Status: Initial Review
On April 16, 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.
Why did it say the 15-day Premium Processing clock stopped on your I129? Is it some thing to really worry about?Have anybody got same kind of message ?
My lawyers says he’s seen it a few times before, and it could either mean USCIS is done processing your petition and will be soon approve it, or they will be requesting for more evidence
How long it will take to change it to a decision status ? If its request for more evidence when will I know about that?
Thanks for the reply
i’ve no idea, but from what I read in this post, status could change from ‘initial review’ to ‘decision’ within a day. not sure about RFE though, I guess the lawyer will notify you in case of RFE?
Does the lawer get an email notification as well?
My Attorney said they will send a mail and it may take 5-7 days if its an RFE. Im in the same boat.
since the notice says “A notice was sent on this date explaining the specific reason for stopping the premium processing of your case” i believe they would have used a RFE …. however you should wait for the notice before concluding anything..
Hi ehm
How long it will take to hear something from USCIS?
Hi All,
It took only 2.5 hrs to update now my status is in decision and it is APPROVED 🙂
congrats!
your service center pls.
Mine was CSC.
No! Initial Review status message. Still donno what does this means. Have not heard back from my Attorney.
Hi,
I had the same situation. My application changed from RFE to Initial Review with the clock stopping. Did you attorney get an email or anything changed in your case?
Not yet. Still no status change and no reply from my Attorney or Employer.
@Suresh
You Service center pls?
WAC
Hi Suresh,
When did you see the RFE Status on your Application. I checked my Application sometime 9:00 EST. It was RFE then and now at 3:00 its changed to Initial review.
Yesterday at 10:30AM received RFE confirmation mail and at 11 AM changed to Initial Review with Clock stopped.
Suresh, Kris and Kendra and everyone else with RFE and then changed to ” the 15-day Premium Processing clock stopped ”
I got an RFE on 15th April, checked today morning and it was still showing RFE,
now when I check it it says “the 15-day Premium Processing clock stopped”
Same message like you guys ,
What do you guys think is going to happen?
I have read some other posts and it said, that its an RFE for sure, its just that they are stopping clock till we get back to them with the necessary documents.
So we will wait and see, but Kendra says that she got approved?
What about you Suresh and Kris?
Hi I applied to California Service center in Masters quota premium application, I still didn’t receive my receipt. Are they still sending Receipts or does it mean My application is not selected in lottery?
Yes.. that’s mean you are not selected..
Could you please get back to right thread and post, so some one might be able to help you. This thread is for people with receipts only.
just checked my case status on USCIS website, and it says the following
Initial Review
On April 16, 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.
Anyone know what this is supposed to mean? Thanks!
I got the same notice update today. Don’t know what its supposed to mean? I guess I will wait till the end of business day and see if there are any changes.
Please update the post if there are any changes to your notification. Needless to say, I shall do the same.
Good luck!
Hi, I had the same status yesterday evening. this morning my status change to “Decision” and they approved my petition.
I hope my petition will be approved soon!
Congrats to you btw
@ Clock stopped, wait for it, AT,
Can you guys pls let me know the starting 5 digits of your receipt number. Mine is EAC 13132 and still in Acceptance status.
mines starts with WAC13128
Mine is EAC13130
My approval notice came through. I want to thank everyone on this forum for their feedback and support over the past month. Also want to wish everyone all the best.
Advanced degree/PP/VSC
Hi there, can you please share with us about how long it take you to get the approval from the time you got your receipt number?
Thank you!
One of my friend got the same email. She came to know its an RFE. If so, lawyer will get the email from USCIS explaining the RFE, then forward the RFE to the employer. Check with the employer. Thanks
Was ur frnds from vermont? Can u pls let me knw first 5 digits of the recpt no
yes vermont. I dont know the receipt number. Sorry
also just got the same status update, hope its not an RFE …
Hi,
Just now I checked my status in Uscis website and I do have same message as above. Please update if you have same message or any change?
did guys all file on the 1st of april ?? I did
filed on Apr 1st!
I guess they processing based on the receipt date. Mine is 11 Apr, still in Acceptance stage.
Im on the same boat .CSC
Clock stopped.
What are first 5 digits in your receipt number. Mine is 13130 and at CSC.
I had the same message .
My status changed from initial review to approval decision few minutes back. Check your status online.
Good luck!
UR SERVICE CENTER PLS
Advanced degree /PP/VSC
Had the same clock stopped message today morning , its still the same ( I have signed for the email updates ) . BUT my Attorney forwarded me the email of my approval from EAC … good luck guys i hope everyone gets either the email or the update soon !!
FYI : I’m AD/PP/Vermont
Check your status online. My initial review changed to approval decision.
Good luck!!
Did any one get receipt no for regular quota ?
Mine is General Quota/PP/CSC and it is in Acceptance status since 11th April. Did any from PP/CSC got their status changed from Acceptance to next level? Please update.
Hello,
I am in AD/PP/VSC. I am 13131-527XX.
I am still on Acceptance stage from Apr 10th. Not moving forward at all. Nervous!
I am RG/PP/VSC.
I am still on Acceptance stage as well from Apr 10th and my friend too.
I think they are starting PP today thus it is probably slow as I heard that lots of ppl had used PP this year.
On that sequence of receipt number you have, 6 are already approved, 3 are on initial review with clock stopped and 3 are still on the acceptance. I am also one of the 3 with status acceptance.
filed in regular PP. Did not receive any thing from my employer yet.
I can see now people are getting approval for non premium petitions too. Should I wait or try extend my OPT now.
Can some one suggest me what should I do ?
I think you can wait till end of this week.
And if you have option to extend OPT to next year then why not? Also the bill probably will be passed as law and effective next year.
Guys. I happen to check the status of my application on USCIS website and the the “Decision” activity says ” On April 16th this I129 application was approved”. Are there any other steps involved in the approval process or is it the final deal?
Hello Rohan,
Congratulation!!! You are all set.
Please let us know whether you are on regular or masters quota? Also let us know the received date of your petition or the first five digit something like 13132 or 13133?
Hello,
I am in AD/PP/VSC. I am 13131-527XX.
I am still on Acceptance stage from Apr 10th. Not moving forward at all. Nervous!
Hi SK
I apologize for the delayed reply. Yes , I do belong to the Masters Quota. My Date of petition was 9th April. Good Luck to you. I am in touch with my attorney’s. Please let me know If you have any questions and I will be happy to ask her and let you know.
USCIS has started the data entry process for H-1B petitions selected in the lottery. Premium processing cases
are being handled first and data entry for those cases should be completed by April 15. USCIS announced on
March 15, 2013, that the 15-day premium processing clock will start on April 15. (AILA Doc. No. 13031549)
At the AILA Spring CLE conference on April 12, 2013, Donald Neufeld, Associate Director of the Service Center
Operations (SCOPS) Directorate, informed the audience that data entry for non-premium processing cases will
begin after the premium processing cases are entered. Data entry for non-premium cases will likely not be
completed until sometime in May, and rejection notices for petitions not selected in the lottery will be sent out
after that. Please note that when the cap was reached on the first day in 2008, USCIS did not complete data
entry and issue receipt notices until late in May. (AILA Doc. No. 08061261)
Non-premium processing cases can only be converted to premium processing after a receipt notice is issued.
Just received the receipt. Filed in premium.. So guys hang on.. it’s not all lost yet..
Guys –
Did anyone received confirmation from USICS/Attorny/Company for H1B CAP regular under 65K.
No news about regular 🙁
Friends,
Does anybody have any idea , as of now how many received the receipts to know how many left out of 65K Regular cap ?
I am a contractor, had a client letter in which it was stated that the contract is for multiple years,
will reply to whatever RFE I get and I should get the H1 !
Hey do u know regarding what you got RFE. My status also changed to RFE yestday but still dont know the reason.My lawyer is not responding..
Did your status changed back to Initial Review?
You got your result Suresh? All the best for you!
No! Still in Initial Review with PP clock stopped 🙁
Yes mine also changed back to initial review and premium clock stopped. Seems that it will start premium clock only when we respond back
Hey suresh let me know if you have any update.. Very very nervous not knwing what the reason for RFE could be?
Sure! No Update yet from USCIS/ Attorney/ Employer.
Yes Suresh , it did change to initial review today,
What about you?
Any idea when we will come to know whether selected in lottery for Regular -Normal Processing applications ?
Hi march1612
I am a contractor, I submitted the client letter and it was mentioned in that clearly that the contract is for multiple years,
I do not think that is the reason for the RFE, should be something else, will see and reply accordingly,
its all luck, it depends on the guy checking the papers, his mood and stuff,
luck plays a major role in everything when comes to H1, right from the lottery selection to the selection of the documents by the right person in a good mood, etc.
May I know when we’ll be getting the receipt number for regular non pp quota?
For regular and non pp,
how long i should wait, i m dead from so many days 🙁
dude, You have to wait till second or third week of May to get response if you are regular processing. That too, it will come via ground mail. Right now, there are friends (both AD and UG) who applied for premium processing and didn’t get response. I seriously hope that AD & UG graduates from US Universities will be all selected. Because it doesn’t make sense to give H1 to someone outside US, who doesn’t even know when they will have projects in US for the next 3 years. So, be patient and relax and take your work responsibilities as usual.
It’s not about having a US degree or being outside of the US.
No consulting / outsourcing company should ever get any H-1b if there is no project on which they could immediately put people to work on. But that’s unfortunately not the case. Such companies know how to abuse the system, and they do. Additionally they file thousands of applications (which is ridiculous – I can’t imagine that there is any company in the US which _really_ needs that many foreign workers beside the American employees) and by doing so they take a considerable part of the available visas each year. At the same time genuine companies are anxiously hoping that the _single_ application they filed got selected on the lottery so that they can legally bring in some top-notch engineer (or substitute it with whatever profession H-1b is good for) from the other end of the world (which is not necessarily India). And in many cases people who applied with the Indian consulting / outsourcing companies stay at home for years with the visa stamped in their passport, while unfortunate small companies have to say goodbye to the selected prospective employee and start over the hiring process, or wait another year to try their luck again against the overwhelming amount of Indian H-1b applications. I didn’t mean to rant about the Indian guys but we all know (or at least have a pretty good idea about) where most of the available visas go and how much of that get actually being used.
So no, I don’t hope that all the US degree applications got selected just because the US degree. What I hope (even though the lottery was totally random, so it doesn’t really matter what I hope :)) is that those applications got selected where there is an actual need for the foreign worker. I would automatically reject all the selected and later approved visas if the beneficiary of the visa is not working on a project from the earliest day he / she could (with a grace period of a few weeks, so that he / she can settle in first).
Sorry, but it is about going to school here in US!
So what? Do you really think that a person with an MS degree from a no-name US school deserves the work visa more than somebody with a degree from the University of Cambridge or Oxford in the UK (or from any other schools around the globe)? The H-1b is for the whole world for many professionals, and not only for the elite who can afford to go to a US university to get a Software Engineer degree. Foreigners graduating from US schools have the advantage of 20k extra work visas put aside just for them each year anyway. And this is a huge advantage! The “I-can’t-pay-back-the-tuition-fee-to-the-bank-if-I-don’t-get-a-job-in-the-US-because-I’m-from-a-shitty-country” whining does not make anybody more eligible for the visa. Such people should have thought about it when they took the loan from the bank…
We AD people started pursuing our american dream years earlier than YOU; (actually it was when you were sitting in your couch watching TV and not knowing what to do with your career yet). By then, we had cleared our GRE/GMAT/TOEFL/ USMLE what not, and waiting for our plane tickets. And a slacker like you comes from no where and wants to get ahead in queue now. Lol!
Oh My Goodness!
I am so sorry that my encouragement to my fellow friends here in US turned into a frenzy turmoil argument to the eyes of applicants from outside. Calm down everybody. Everyone deserves the spot and the justice will prevail. I said the US graduates may have upper hand this year because m just an EE and not a software programming wizard, but I designed slot machines using VHDL and C++ for my MS project. When u say computer generated or random selection or lottery, it is not that you put everybody’s name in the basket and someone picks up. There needs to be an input to the program whether u use case or if or switch or elsif statement. And USCIS used I-129 ( page 17-19) as the input (based on). But cool down guys if you are applicant from abroad. There is only a fraction of US graduates (both AD and UG) if counted crystal clear and the rest are all you guys. So, I wish you all a good luck!
Hey this is the problem we see with most of our fellow Indians..
I have done Masters in US and I still feel people without US degree are equally eligible. We all masters student or candidates know what is the standard of people get in to US universities on F1 visas. Folks in India share the same faults. In team of 6 may be 1 will be the person responsible for getting things done. I hope the opportunity should be best for some one who has worked and proved his or her caliber. And if you dont get H1B still its not the end of the world. People who really studied for their Ms can do anything anywhere. They are capable enough to start up their own company or join some big paying job in India. And the folks who are coming from India have upper hand and familiarity in local job market. People talking nonsense and fighting over here wont do any good to any of us. And the way you change a conversation is result of exp and professionalism. Try to perform better when you are on public forum.
And we were never told in F1 visa interview that we will give you H1b visa or GC. So please stop sounding as if you have been cheated or something.
I totally agree with you(a). There are so many IT professionals with many years of work experience wanting to work in the US. These are the guys who the american companies are actually looking for because they have real work experience. Just by having a US degree does not make one more deserving than some one who has got many years of work experience or have expertise in a particular field. Everyone knows that its not a very difficult task to get into some US university. I am NOT judging anyone here.
Anyways all the best to you. And please don’t judge as to who is deserving and who is not!!
OK, I’m going to tell my employer about the mistake it’s about to do… So what I passed both technical interviews with maximum grades? So what I have 15+ years of experience in industry? “It’s all about going to school in US”. :))
Yep. You cant practice Medicine in US if you don’t have an MD.
Would you get a heart surgery done from a doc with good grades and 15 years of self learnt surgical experience? 🙂
Yep. You cant become a surgeon in US if you don’t have your MD. So it important. Would you get a heart surgery done with a doctor with good grades in school and 15 years of experience, with out AD? I strongly doubt you will 🙂
Going by your theory, some one can be home-schooled and be a good surgeon/software engineer/Dentist/Lawyer. Which is very unlikely, as unlikely it is, some one with AD that under performs compared to a UG. We frame policies to solve most likely issues, no the least likely 🙂
I am worried. My appln got selected in lottery and past few days it was in Acceptance status and this morning my status went to RFE and then after an hour changed to Initial review and still it is in initial review with Premium Processing clock stopped. Can any one please tell me what is going on?
Hi suresh.
It seems you will get approval soon. It happen same to me. Before I got approval, my case status was in initial review and description is, the premium processing clock stopped. Then after an hour I got approval. So I wish you will also have same thing.
Good luck
Did your status change to RFE and then back to Initial review?
Its been more than 4 hours now, still same status.
Wait and watch
Or contact to your employer or lawyer, may be they get something through email.
Contacted my Attorney,but no response from her yet.
Then may be there is a some hope for h1b approval. Just do figure cross and check tomorrow.
@suresh
Same case for me. It means it is an RFE.
I confirmed this with my employer too
@ Rishi:
Did you know the reason for RFE?
@suresh: I donno. But I guess it is the client letter. Probably we will get the document this week. HAve to painfully wait for three more days
I checked with my employer, she said client letter was not attached. I dont know how they missed it. They must have kept it. they attached the contract but not the end client letter. I was hoping everything will be over this week. It s never that easy.
So how did your Employer knew abt this? Did she receive mail or email?
Also did you had the same case changing from RFE to Initial Review?
What is your current status?
I sent her the status and asked. Attorneys yet to respond.
Yes from RFE to initial review after 30 mins
But I have seen some people still in RFE Status, but we are in Initial Review status. If we are in RFE, then why the status is changed to Initial Review?
My Employer thinks this is strange and donno and my Attorney is yet to respond.
Did your status change to RFE and then back to Initial review?
No my status just on initial review with premium processing clock stopped and then changed to decision.
Hi Yogesh, If you don’t mind, can you please tell me about your profile, OPT working or regular working/not working or outside US?
I gt the answer 🙂
My application was filed under PP and bachelor quota.. I still didn’t get any confirmation from USCIS. What are my chances to get H1 confirmation still..or m done..
Some people are still receiving through mail(post). I say keep hope and wait.
Hi,
I wanted cross verify the receipt number that i received, my new employer said I got the receipt number and here it is EAC13132XXXXX. They told me on 11 Apr 13 that i got the receipt. But looking at it, looks like it was received on 12 Apr, because other post on this website sayd 128 is Apr 8 but mine is 132 which is Apr 12. But they told me on Apr 11 that I got the receipt.
So my question is 132, is it Apr 12 or 11. If it is Apr 12 then how would they know one day I ahead of time, is it possible?
I just wanted to check that they haven’t send some receipt number and instead of mine. Please help in understanding the receipt number.
Thanks,
Rahul.
Your employer probably was able to tell a day in advance because, USCIS must have encashed your check on Apr 11.
132 is Apr 12
132 is April 10th for the Vermont Service Center and April 8th for the California Service Center. As your receipt is from EAC, your receipt was processed on April 10th and sent to your employer. Relax…
Sorry April 12th for the California Service Center
My EAC number is EAC13144xxxxx
Online status says,
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.
What is the date for application receipt? Is 144 is April 25th for Vermont center?
Was the application received before 5th of April to be eligible for the lottery?
Hello Everyone.
I got Approval on my H1b today. I received email from my Attorney about my H1b Approval with 3 years of Duration.
Thanks to all and Good Luck to all of You.
Congrats!!…Can you please let us know the following details:
1.Service Center.
2.You Application received date.
3.Your receipt date.
4.Premium or Regular
5.Masters cap or Regular cap.
Thanks.
Thanks
Below is the Answers
1. Vermont
2. April 10(don’t know)
3. April 10
4. Premium
5.Masters
Thank you and Congrats Once again.
BTW Are you EVC/EC model or a Full time employee?
EVC model Employee
Thanks.Have you submitted the Client letter?
Yes, I did.
@Yogesh
Was the client letter on their letter head or without letter head??
The client letter on their letter head
Can you please share first five digits of receipt number – just to track how far we are behind
First Five Digit of my Receipt number is 13131
Good Luck !!!
Is your application went through all steps(i.e Acceptance, Initial Review etc..) or Directly approved for 3 years without showing any stages above mentioned
First step was Acceptance for last 5 days then today morning it came to Initial Review and on Afternoon on Decision.
Then My Employer / Lawyer got Email from USCIS that I got H1b for 3 years.
Congrats Yogesh!
Thanks
@Yogesh,
Did your client mention in the client letter that your contract is for 3 years or did it mention that you will extended?
Thanks in advance.
This is an ongoing project is mention in My Client Letter. There is no date or duration mention on the letter.
Thanks Yogesh.
I had applied for regular quota PP; Today in the USCIS site I see my petition number as: “On April 17, 2013, this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER was approved and we sent you an e-mail notice. ” What does it mean?
Is the next step — Visa interview or are there any other procedure before it?
hey guys.. I got my receipt number today on the h1b visa thing…. but does that mean it was selected in the lottery? Im assuming it just means they received the application (and not necessary that i was selected in the lottery) but from reading some of the comments im starting to think otherwise…When I check online it says its in “acceptance” status… im very new to this 🙂
Thanks!
You got in! Congrats… Are you regular or premium processing?
Thanks a lot! Im on Premium processeing.. Vermont Center!
processing*
My Premium Processing check has been cashed today.. Does this mean I got selected in lottery ?
Yes, it does!! Congrats.
wac1313351558, last receipt for today so far. All PP and nonPP seemed to be in process. So I guess we just have to be patient for our fate.
Where do you see this processing. Can you please share link?
4th ahead of me and 3rd case behind me have already been approved with one case after me asking for more evidence…… really a nail biting moment……
i am in the same boat dude. so nervous
Hi,
Please someone clarify my doubt,
This year i have applied for H1B visa through USA employer. I have valid I797 copy and this was approved in 2008 lot. My question is, is the employer filed with fresh h1b or uses the existing I797 copy to transfer the H1B ie, not under H1B cap 2014.
Thanks,
ganesh
That is just an H1b transfer as long as your H1b is valid.
Guys,
When can i expect the results on PP in Regular Cap ?
What is the Service Center for New Jersey ?
Please answer my questions.
Regards – MK
Hi All,
When can the regular processing expect the lottery result, any ideas? Is it possible to get the status by this month?
P.S This site is really informative, kudos.
People applied under Regular processing should expect getting their receipts starting today depending on when your mail was sent out to your lawyer`s office.
Any Bachelor\Non Premium received the result?
My attorney is in Cali and Center is also Cali. I expected reply from attorney as soon as they start processing non-premiums
Thanks!
Parth
Hi My work Location would be New jersey.
What is Service Center for New jersey ?
Regards
MK
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=9eafabcdcb3e6210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
Vermont
Got email from my Attorney on 11 April with case number. Regular Quota Premium Processing. When can I expect acceptance?
we need the cap counts like 1999 to 2000 . but not sure why the caps is more now to 124000 there is not Y2K and DOTCOM
peoples just going to USA to work for project in months then come back ?
H1B Visa Cap Historical Statistics and Trends from 2003 – Present
From 1999 to 2002 the cap was temporarily rasied to 195,000 during Y2K and the dotcom boom, but was not reached during those Fiscal Years
The ADE cap of an additional 20,000 visas was introduced in 2005 (FY2006)
* Each year H1B visas can start to be filed from April 1st onwards
The chart below shows the number of H1B visas available during each year and the dates reflecting the duration and speed that the cap was reached
Year:
H1B Cap Numbers
Date H1B Cap Reached
H1B 2003 (FY 2004 cap)
65,000
October 1, 2003
H1B 2004 (FY 2005 cap)
65,000
October 1, 2004
H1B 2005 (FY 2006 cap)
85,000
August 10, 2005
H1B 2006 (FY 2007 cap)
85,000
May 26, 2006
H1B 2007 (FY 2008 cap)
85,000
April 3, 2007
H1B 2008 (FY 2009 cap)
85,000
April 7, 2008
H1B 2009 (FY 2010 cap)
85,000
December 21, 2009
H1B 2010 (FY 2011 cap)
85,000
January 26, 2011
H1B 2011 (FY 2012 cap)
85,000
November 22, 2011
H1B 2012 (FY 2013 cap) 85,000 June 11, 2012
H1B 2013 (FY 2014 cap) 85,000
Filing opens April 1st 2013
Recruitment has started
My work location would be Chicago, Illinois.
What will be my service center? (Vermont\California etc. )
Thanks!
Parth
VERMONT
Above psot is wrong. it has to be california. refer http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=9eafabcdcb3e6210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
for more details
Thanks Anonymous.. 🙂
appreciated!
Pls answered genuinely, Hope this will help us many.
1) Anyone from H1B 2014 Master Quota Received receipt (without Premium Prcoess)?
If yes, please let us know when and how ? (via email or postal mail)
2) Anyone from H1B 2014 Regular Quota Received receipt (Premium Prcoess)?
If yes, please let us know when and how ? (via email or postal mail)
3) Anyone from H1B 2014 Regular Quota Received receipt (without Premium Prcoess)?
If yes, please let us know when and how ? (via email or postal mail)
Please answer in case you Received receipt . Pls don’t spam this chain.
My employer had applied for the 2nd option that you mentioned – regular quota; premium processing at Vermont Center. My Attorney forwarded the e-mail with the petition number by April 11th 9 AM EST. I do not have an idea about other two options you gave.
Regular processing or (without premium processing) will get response only after two weeks via ground service mail (not email). Our attorney will receive that mail (if we were lucky) and they will inform our HR.
I have not received any communication till date from my attorney nor USCIS regarding my petition for FY-2014, whether my petition is accepted or rejected.
Does it mean, My petition is rejected ?? or should I wait for some more time.
are you PP? If so plz wait for next week.
If normal quota, you may get status as late as May / early June. All the best
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/introduce-company-level-cap-temporary-work-permits-h1-b/tF8QSBhJ
Your attorney or employer would either get the receipt or the package with application and fee back. Until then you should wait.
If you have the access, you can check if the fee was encashed from the bank cheque. If it is not you still have to wait.
Good luck…
For advanced degree quota, can my employer still file a petition for me or is it too late? (April 13). My LCA application needed revision. Is it still possible to get my H1B if my petition is sent out next week, with premium processing?
Sorry, advanced degree cap as well as regular is full. You’ll have to try next year. Not even everybody who applied during the first week is getting in.
Why H-1B visas over-subscription is worrying Infosys
Posted by: Nairita
Published: Saturday, April 13, 2013, 15:23 [IST]
Bangalore, April 13: Over-subscription for H-1B visas is likely to impact Indian IT bellwether Infosys as it would have to hire locally more techies for onsite projects, a top official said.
“One of the uncertainties we face this fiscal (2013-14) is due to oversubscription for US job visas. As we may not get all the visas we have applied for, local recruitment will go for onsite work,” Infosys chief executive S D Shibulal told reporters here.
Applications for this year’s quota of 65,000 H-1B non-immigrant visas for Indian IT workers got oversubscribed within a week of opening up early this month. As a result, visas will be allotted through lottery rather than on quota basis.
“Though we will have adequate number of visas, we may have to hire more to meet local requirements, especially in niche areas, which will increase cost of operation. We may have to also go for sub-contracting work where niche skills would be required to execute specific projects,” Shibulal pointed out.
According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (UCIS) data, of the top 12 firms which bagged more than 40,000 of the 134,740 H-1B visas in 2012 all had a strong India presence. They included Cognizant, in first place with 9,281 visas, followed by Tata Consulting Services (7,469), Infosys (5,600), Wipro (4,304), Accenture (4,037), HCL America (2,070), Mahindra Satyam (1,963).
Indian professionals also took the largest one-third piece of the H-1B visa pie in 2009 making up the second largest group of people making the US their temporary home.
Accounting for one-tenth of non-immigrant residents in the US, 364,757 Indians were only second to Mexicans who made up 11.7 per cent at 403,793, but 123,002 H-1B visa holders from India gave them the largest 36.3 per cent share among professionals.
IANS
Story first published: Saturday, April 13, 2013, 15:23 [IST]
Topics: infosys, h1b visa, visas, usa, information technology
This makes me so mad and proves that the H1b process needs to be revised. So they apparently use H1b to not have to hire local AMERICANS. And they use it on a project basis. I also liked how he mentioned that they’ll still have enough visas for their business. This proves that they send in more applications than what’s necessary. I know Infosys is a reputable firm but after statements like that, they should be blacklisted.
Unbelievable!
I am not a racist but what can i say?
Infosys is a s*** firm…
Because of firms like these, I was under tremendous stress till I got the good news…I did my MBA from a top-tier B School in US (spent $100K in tuition) and am currently working in Manhattan…The fact that my career in finance came to a lottery was ridiculous (my career would certainly not have ended, but would have been pushed back by at least 2 years)
These bas***** horde a ton of visas and defeat the whole purpose behind the H-1B program…Because of firms like these, the whole fairness process is defeated…
cool down dude!
We all are suffering here. Some of us are at our OPT stem. One good thing for us is USCIS is fully aware of these multiple applications from software companies and consultants from abroad and they also know that some are fraud (from 2009 experience). I think USCIS will select first the AD from US, then the undergraduates from US and the rest available slots will be given to foreign applicants and that is how it should be. So, I will be very surprised if we working daily here in US company didn’t get selected for H1 and a person from foreign country who doesn’t even know whether he/she ll have project in US three years from now gets H1. It doesn’t make sense. There needs to be a legitimacy and USCIS knows who contributes more to US economy, community and environment as a whole. Therefore, don’t worry so much my friend.
Tinag D,
Are you sure about that is the criteria of selection? Or you are just giving yourself and others in your same position hope.
I am Masters and Doctorate student on Law and I really think that it is unfair to be on this situation with the qualification that AD possess.
Regards.
How the hell on earth USCIS can deny students graduated from US Universities (both AD and UG) and working their ass off in US companies, contributing to its economy growth. I would be very surprised if anyone of us is denied. m just using my common sense. Software and consultant companies from abroad may have work in US in the coming years, but most of them are not guaranteed and USCIS is aware of that. One of my friend from India got his H1 three years ago and his H1 is dying before his company is getting any project. I have confidence because USCIS just declared the total number of applicants 124k and rest like how many AD and how many regular is not declared. And there should be a strong reason behind that. Moreover, masters/PhD from abroad is not considered as AD in US no matter you call your university is IIT or has negative marking system. They just don’t care and they trust US University graduates. So, friends, don’t loose hope. Instead work hard as usual and we ll be fine.
How the hell on earth USCIS can deny students graduated from US Universities (both AD and UG) and working their ass off in US companies, contributing to its economy growth. I would be very surprised if anyone of us is denied. m just using my common sense. Software and consultant companies from abroad may have work in US in the coming years, but most of them are not guaranteed and USCIS is aware of that. One of my friend from India got his H1 three years ago and his H1 is dying before his company is getting any project. I have confidence because USCIS just declared the total number of applicants 124k and rest like how many AD and how many regular is not declared. And there should be a strong reason behind that. Moreover, masters/PhD from abroad is not considered as AD in US no matter you call your university is IIT or has negative marking system. They just don’t care and they trust US University graduates. So, friends, don’t loose hope. Instead work hard as usual and we ll be fine.
Couldn’t agree more with you dude. I went to an American B-school too. Worked hard to get a job in a fortune 20 firm but had to relocate to Canada temporarily because there were no H1B visa available last year
The worse thing is that these Indian IT companies(Infy, Wipro etc) don’t even send that many engineers to US because they don’t have projects. They simply apply for visa so that employee will stick around in hope of going abroad. I know so many friends in India who have H1 for over a yr but never got chance to travel
precisely, my issue is do not apply for a cap h1b if they are not going to use it. This is just ridiculous. USCIS should screw them up if H1b was not used.
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.
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.
Any one got non pp ? Receipt
So stressed !!!!
Could not able to sleep !
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.
Vermount Center is not working today EAC1313454153 was the last receipt number they issuse 12th april and no more entry were made by them anyone who receive email today may be they were yesterday’s entry
Correct me if i am wrong
That’s cause they are using 135 for today… Check out this one, it’s PP and entered today: EAC1313550358
BTW, seems like Cali is not working today. I couldn’t find any entry with a 135
only the receipt number you mention they recived on 13 th april other consequtive numbers they enter on 8th april
what they are doing
Easy. Every regular processing petition has start date of the 8th. That’s because they have two-three months to process those. With PP, they better state the actual day because they are required to have it done in 15 days. Make sense? So RP – 8th, PP – 13th. BTW, I still see PP cases entered
EAC1313454152 processed April 13th
Apparently, they are also updating today 🙂 You think they would use yesterday’s computer working day?
Thanks a lot for sharing this info. Btw, I would need this piece of information once I come to know about whether my application has been selected in the lotterry or not. Till that time, I will keep this post unread in my list 🙂
Good one. Thanks for sharing good information.. Any idea on last date to receive receipts for Premium and regular. How can we contact USCIS to get the details on these last dates /receipts ?
Well, there is no set time as such. USCIS does not have any ETA on regular quota…We just have to wait…PP should be processed soon, they have an ETA of about 15 calendar days to make the decision…so, case numbers would be assigned by April 15th or so for PP petitions…
Hi —
I got my receipt number and when I check the status it’s in RFE step. My attorney haven’t got any information yet but will there be any due date by which we had to provide the documents if so what would be the typical number of days??
Thanks in advance.
Do you fall under regular quota?
USCIS will not count the number of days they didn’t work on your application. In case of RFE, time taken by applicant to submit required evidence documentation will be excluded from 15 days counted towards premium processing.
I Suresh,
I got a RFE just like you for H1B 2014 filing,
checked my status on uscis.gov website and it says that they have sent email about the RFE to my employer.
I guess we will have to wait and supply them with the required documents.
I think we have 30 days to give them a reply on the RFE.
It should be good, we will get our H1 🙂
I files under masters quota Premium processing !
filed*
YOUR SERVICE CENTER?
California service center (WAC)
Thanks!!.
Couple of Questions:
1.Are you on EVC/EC or Full time employee?
2.If you are EVC/EC Have you submitted the client letter?
3.If you are EVC/EC did your client mention the Date or did it just mention that you will exnteded?
What is your current Application Status RFE or Initial Review?
@Suresh
What was the message for RFE on USCIS website?
My status says the following
Initial Review
On April 16, 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.
Did you get the same notice? Thanks!
Yes. Exact same message from yesterday.
is this the RFE message?
No! Initial Review status message. Still donno what does this means. Have not heard back from my Attorney.
Hi Suresh,
You said yesterday that your status was RFE on 15th April,
did it change today to premium processing clock has stopped?
My status is still RFE, waiting for the mail from USCIS