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?
AD/RP/ EAC13137 — RFE
Employer- Cognizant
All the contracters in my team got their h1 approved for 3yrs, it’s better to be a fake consultant than an honest full time.
Dont worry bro,
It happens based on VO officer nothing to be personal. Even mine is now RFE will wait for best results. Nothing to worry. Be in touch.
Thanks
Muhammad Imran
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hi…. still not recieve anything…..from employer…. if even it is rejected then they should tell us….. god knows wt happened lost today fully……. please if anyone know any info… like heard abt some waiting list….
Hi
Anybody got approval of your H1B petition with 140th month for RP / RQ / VMC?
EAC – 13 – 140 – 5 – xxxx
Mine also the same day of receipt notice, got RFE 🙁
Hi Imran,
Thanks for you reply and sorry for the RFE.
Do you know what documents / information USCIS has asked ?
Awaiting the RFE Notice arrival. All the best
Me too.. got RFE 🙁 RQ/RP/VSC
EAC – 13 – 140 – 5 – 32xx
@RFE!
Be in touch for any future updates
AD /Non AD? also what is the RFE date?
RP / RQ / VSC
Imran, Any update on your RFE?
My RFE date is 24th May.
What specific information they look for..?I’m little worried ..
HI All,
My friend not selected in latter system this time. he got latter today. He is on OPT extention status and currently working. He already use his CPT option during M.S. what are the option now? he has to go back or he can start some school and continue working?
Thanks
Please give us suggestion on above situation.
Maybe he could apply for another degree (i.e., PhD, PsyD, JD,MD)…
Saurabh:
What is the diff b/w 797A and 797B? If there is L1 to H1 COS applied? What will we receive ?
Site says below:
———–
I-797, Notice of Action Issued when an application or petition is approved.
I-797A, Notice of Action Issued to an applicant as a replacement Form I-94.
I-797B, Notice of Action Issued for approval of an alien worker petition.
———–
honeb,
You get 797A when USCIS approves the COS. So if COS is not applied or doesn’t get approved, then you will not get 797A but will get 797B.
still i didn’t receive any updates from my employer. it mean my H1 is not selected in lottery
me too waiting for the same….may I know from which cmpny???
Hi,
Can some one help me in understanding what this comment means on USCIS site.
status is Initial Review and its Premium process
On May 23, 2013, your address was changed relating to the I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER that you filed.
Thanks in advance
What is your status showing now? I too got the same message
I guess only rejection notices from now on 🙁
yes. you are right:-)
yes.. 🙁
Guys plzzzzzzzz sign this petition….for increase in quota for Cap Fy 2014
http://www.petition2congress.com/9773/increase-h1b-visas-quota-fy-2014-cap-season/?m=4477738
Did anyone on this site have iGATE Global Solutions or Patni as employer for the H1B? Any updates? Lottery picks? receipt number? rejections, approvals? USA or India? What position? Please HELP!
Hi, no updates. the help desk guys says about 70% lottery selection. but mine is not in that. 🙁
How do you know yours is not in the 70%?
I have not heard anything, no receipt number no refusal. Does any one know what is happening?
Hey ,
I’m from iGate and they updated in the Visa Track … every1 in my project who applied got selected… they will update the Receipt number if we are selected.
How can i access the track?
are you in india or USA already? what project are you on?
Please share the link for the visa track
Hi,
Just checked my case status yesterday-it is RFE;Mine is AD/RP/Cal center;I am a full-time employee and I am not sure if it has happened before to others working full-time for a US based company 🙁
Yes it has… Happens all the time… What’s your RFE reason?
Hi Harsha/All,
My case still now,
Petition Type: Regular Quota/Regular Processing/Outside US
Receipt Date: April 08 2013
Receipt No: EAC131405xxxx
Notice Date: April 19 2013
RFE Status Update: May 24 2013
Please share your RFE receival, response and final status updates.
Thanks
Imran
I am yet to hear anything from the HR department,online status still says RFE sent on 22nd…waiting
Hi Imran,
I am too waiting for the update from USCIS.
My Petition Type: Regular Quota/Regular Processing/Outside US
the status is still in initial review.
Can you please let me know what RFE information USCIS has askied your employer.
Thanks
Awaiting RFE notice from USCIS.
I’m so glad I can finally post on this site too.
I have been encouraged by this forum and continually used every ones comments as a guidelines through out the application process.
Receipt number – WAC – 13 143 XXXXX
Application: RP/AD
Receipt: April 08th
Decision: May 22nd – Approved
Can any tell the what the difference between Decision approved status and Post Decision approved status .
When case will move from decision to post decision status , I see none of cases with VSC moved to Post decision but with CSC many moved
My last post.. got rejected in lottery confirmed by my employer infosys team.
I have no plan B now. Too hard to comprehend. . Luck is all that matters. . I wish good luck to all those waiting… thanks..
did u confirmed the this from GI team..dont worry better luck next time…there’s always a next time :)..m still waiting
GI team update me that , Not Selected In lottery . 3rd time attempted for H1B , but luck did not favour me.
All the best to the Guys here.
even mine is rejected in the lottery. I haven’t seen much rejected cases in Infy atleast in my DC…I am the only one as confirmed by my DM 🙁
Hi Saurabh,
I have a quick question.
Read in one of the article that the US senator approved the H1b expansion bill and its on its way to hearing in the first week of june. What the actual process takes place in the debate.
Do we hope the Expansion will happen this year and opens the gates for those who are not selected in the lottery or it will go to next year or it wont happen in the near future.
2)Can we expect same lottery system in the H1b cap in the 2014 as well, how ever it is too early to ask this question.
thanks in advance
I let the experts answer your question.. 🙂
my 2 cents…. immigration reform is not just about expanding the cap limit.
Increased Cap limit is just one drop of Honey in the bottle of bitter pills… (wow…did I say that 😛 )..
1. Increased fee
2. Posting Job offer in DOL and recruitment effort (As far as i know, this used to be a process for PERM processing)
“The provisions of the bill would affect all petitions and applications filed on or after the date of enactment.”
Result: (Well…will be) Reduced H1B filing in short term and Increased PERM/GC processing…from Employer….
This has been asked umpteen times here .. The new bill if does becomes a law will take a long time. And, it is not supposed to be implemented in-sync with the ongoing procedure.
To your second question .. you answered it yourself .. it is too early to predict.
But seeing the mood upward trend in tech industry..there will be a great demand for H1B visas. But then a lot depends on the new bill and its repercussions on the Indian IT sector. As we all know the conditions in the bill are pretty challenging on the one side but on the other side the cap also goes up. But since the bill might not be favorable for Indian IT co. .. Your employer would get more selective in choosing candidates for H1-B or might not encourage you to work onsite in US and instead consider near shore models .. Canada, Mexico. Biggies like TCS, CTS, Infy, Wipro will obviously take necessary steps and abide by the new regulations. As the bill or no bill .. we are the largest pool of tech. resources in the world .. we rule the roost in IT industry and will continue to win and successfully execute projects. 🙂
So, work on your skills. Keep working hard. Opportunities will always come by.
I need to know the status
ask ur employer
Just wanna share good news. My H1B got approved today. Receipt date: 04/16 and Approved date: May 22, AD/RQ/CSC. Thank you Saurabh and your team for wonderful job. I wish you all folks for good luck. God bless you all.
Did you get an RFE, or did it just go straight to approval? I think a lot of AD/RPs have been approved already. (You can’t be AD/RQ since RQ means Regular Quota which is opposite of Advanced Degree Quota. RP is Regular Processing vs Premium Processing.)
Hello Patty,
My bad for typographical error. Mine was AD with regular processing. It went straight from initial review to Post Decision activity. Receipt no:131345****. I am Non-IT from small company of 7 employees.
Hi!
Congratulations!! Can you share what major you applied under? So it took longer for yours too since most people around those receipt dates have been processed weeks ago. Mine is still in initial review (EAC13136…)
Really? Almost all of the WAC13134… petitions have been approved or processed already? Mine has been in initial review since I got the receipt number a month ago…
Hi! I am glad to hear that your visa has been approved although it is such a small company! Mine is AD/RP/CSC, and I also work for such a small small US based organization. Because I hear small companies are very hard to get the visas approved, I’ve been so worried…Good to know you got yours approved despite of the # of employees! Mine is WAC13134 as well…
@kat:
Mine is Non-IT (Chemist). Small Company and never filed H1B before. I am glad i got selected in the lottery and approved. I am sure you guys will get good happy news soon. Good luck to you all. The only worries i have now gotten is can i travel outside US and come back on OPT without Visa stamping. Please share links if you got some.
Have a good memorial weekend guys.
Roopja,
What’s the status of your F-1 visa stamp and when is your OPT expiring?
Hello Saurabh, My Visa expires in July 25 and Opt expires in november! I am planning to travel as soon as possible! Any suggestions please??
Roopja,
So you can travel and return prior to visa expiration date w/o any issues. Carry documents related to your OPT employment (employment confirmation letter, OPT card endorsed for travel by DSO etc). Also my suggestion will be to return the I-94 in your passport when leaving US and keep the one attached to H-1 approval notice w/ you, and this will become effective after you return to US. Even though you will receive different I-94# on returning, the one attached to 797 has a future start date and will override all others on that date. You can discuss w/ your H-1 attorney and DSO as well.
I am on the same boat. WAC1313452###. Still in intial review. sigh…
Hi Roopja,
What’s the exact message you get against the “Post Decision Activity” status . Mine too moved directly from “Initial Review” to “Post Decision Activity” ; but it doesnt say whether its approved or rejected . I get the following status –
“On May XX, 2013, your notice I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER was processed and mailed to the address on record. If you have not received it within 30 days of May XX, 2013, contact customer service at 1-800-375-5283. If you move while your case is pending, please call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.”
Hello H1bneeded,
Mine said approved on the first line. I am surprised by seeing your case status. Here you go for mine.
On May 2x, 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.
Hi h1bneeded,
Mine was also the same message as yours in postDecision ActivityStatus.Pls LMK if you got any notice from ur employer…
Hi Waiting,
I havent got any update from my employer yet .
For your case ; do you suspect anything that can be a reason of denial . What about your other coleagues ? Any of them got the same status ? For me , the only thing I can think of is that my employer is a very small company .
Hi H1bneeded,
If it is denial, that may be the reason in my case as well (smaller company). But it is not yet sure that it is denial/approval/pending till we get update from our employer as the status is not clear from msg..? Yes, I know 2 other colleagues. Their is also same status & same msg….. What about ur colleagues ??
Waiting to get update from employer. If I dont get in next 2 weeks , need to call USCIS ..
Hi Waiting ,
Unfortunately I dont know any colleague as my future company is applying for me .
On which data it moved to “Post Deci…” for you ? Mine was on May14th.
What’s the best (economic) way to call USCIS from India ? Heard, its a long holding time to get a response .
I meant *Date
For me also , on the same date (may14) .. May I know how can I contact u ?
You can drop me a mail at –
koyel dot chakraborty2002 at yahoo dot com
Try this malliksubodh123 at gmail dot com .
Yes, I am in VLSI
Hi H1bneeded,
Mails are bounced to this ID. R u into VLSI by any chance?
h1bneeded,
USCIS provides information only to employer or attorney and not to you. So no point calling them.
Friends,
Any one from HP bangalore got updates?
Thanks
HP
Has anyone in AD/RP/CSC been getting approvals/RFEs?
My receipt no is WAC131345**** and there’s no movement at all!! Others in my company (same profile) got in the 1st week of May.. I’ve heard many CSC approvals for later notice dates as well..
@Saurabh, is it possible that the longer the appln is left without processing, the more chances there are of denial/RFE?
My OPT appln went into the USCIS black hole last year – took 135 days!! which ensured that I missed last year’s quota. This year’s lottery turned half my hair grey and now this new tension… USCIS hates me!! 🙁
GoingCrazy,
Delay doesn’t mean RFE or denial. Typical processing time is 2-6 for most of the petitions, and when they have close to 85K petitions to process, it can take on the higher side.
Thanks Saurabh. I truly hope so..
Good luck to everyone waiting..
AD/RG/CSC – WAC-13-131-…..
The status was Initial Review for a good two weeks from the Notice Date before it changed to Post-Decision Activity. I don’t think there is anything to be concerend about.
Good luck.
Mine has been in initial review for over a month now … WAC13132XXXXX, still in initial review. AD/RP/CSC.
Mine too! WAC13134, AD/RP Initial review for 4 weeks.
Got confirmation from AIMS team that my package has been returned. Bad luck is always my best friend.Been trying for about 4 years now . Thanks to the forum.
sad for you, all the best what can come to my mind
So what…move on.
Hello:
I had my H1B approved from employer A in this years lottery. I have now got a better offer to work with employer B.
Is it okay for me to transfer my work visa? Change of status to H1B will happen on Oct 1st 2013. I am based in the US.
Thanks
Thanks
AT,
IMO, B can file for a cap-exempt petition for you using A’s approved petition as the reference and submit Oct 1 as the start date.
Hi Saurabh,
Urgent.. Urgent…
My friend has filed H1B in the year 2008 and his petition got approved. he did not attend interview that year and later the company was removed. His case number is EAC0815450376. However he doent have any hard copy of H1B Approval, as his employer is no more
1. Can you please let me know if he can file a CAP-EXEMPT petition with another employer (without Earlier H1B approval hard copy)? If so, how to proceed? Please guide
2. Do we/employer need to pay any fee or so as it was paid already in 2008 and how it should be filed?
3. Is there any time frame in which the H1B must be filed, I mean can we file CAP-EXEMPT at any given time in an year?
1. No time frame, if his first H1B petition is valid for three years, (usually the case), so he can transfer his Peitition to new employer before that time frame.
2. The fee would be nominal and it would be only H1 transfer fee.
3. Usually they need paper approval copy, in case we dont have it, we can speak to Attorney, and can go ahead as per their suggestion, i think, they just need the number, and having paper copy would be good to have .
I received my receipt number on Apr 29. But so far my application status is not available in USCIS website.
Can someone tell me whether my application is selected / rejected?
Kumar,
If you got the receipt number, then you have made through the lottery. If the receipt number is not available online from the get go, then employer/attorney should immediately contact USCIS. Did you see the receipt number on 797C form or did your employer email just the number to you?
Hi Saurabh,
Urgent.. Urgent…
My friend has filed H1B in the year 2008 and his petition got approved. he did not attend interview that year and later the company was removed. His case number is EAC0815450376. However he doent have any hard copy of H1B Approval, as his employer is no more
1. Can you please let me know if he can file a CAP-EXEMPT petition with another employer (without Earlier H1B approval hard copy)? If so, how to proceed? Please guide
2. Do we need to pay any fee or so and how it should be filed?
3. Is there any time frame in which the H1B must be filed, I mean can we file CAP-EXEMPT at any given time in an year?
Hi Saurabh,
Please Reply.. so Urgent.. Urgent…
My friend has filed H1B in the year 2008 and his petition got approved. he did not attend interview that year and later the company was removed. His case number is EAC0815450376. However he doent have any hard copy of H1B Approval, as his employer is no more
1. Can you please let me know if he can file a CAP-EXEMPT petition with another employer (without Earlier H1B approval hard copy)? If so, how to proceed? Please guide
2. Do we need to pay any fee or so and how it should be filed?
3. Is there any time frame in which the H1B must be filed, I mean can we file CAP-EXEMPT at any given time in an year?
Why it is so urgent, so you can’t even wait for 1 or 2 days?
pls do not spam this forum, just sending your query all the places.
Hello,
On checking my fresh H1B visa status, I found the following:
On April 19, 2013, your Alien Registration Number was changed relating to your I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. Please check our website at www.uscis.gov for further updates on your case. Please wait until the end of normal processing time before calling customer service at 1-800-375-5283 for live assistance.
Can anyone say what does this mean? This is because, for all others, I have seen the status as:
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.
Such a status message will be displayed if you were or are in the US. There is no reason to be alarmed. Take this as data entry has been completed and that someone had a look at your file.
I had the same message, 20 days later it was approved.
Hi,
Finally, my status updated in AIMS… All the best to others who are waiting …
Hi Saurabh,
Urgent.. Urgent…
My friend has filed H1B in the year 2008 and his petition got approved. he did not attend interview that year and later the company was removed. His case number is EAC0815450376. However he doent have any hard copy of H1B Approval, as his employer is no more
1. Can you please let me know if he can file a CAP-EXEMPT petition with another employer (without Earlier H1B approval hard copy)? If so, how to proceed? Please guide
2. Do we need to pay any fee or so and how it should be filed?
3. Is there any time frame in which the H1B must be filed, I mean can we file CAP-EXEMPT at any given time in an year?
Your friend can apply as cap exempt any time with a offer letter from his employer but he need to get the copy of his old h1b.if he has soft copy that would work otherwise he can ask USCIS for a duplicate copy.
he has to pay full H1b fee based on your company size.
No time defined.You can apply any time of yr.
Anyone from TCS received confirmation about rejection/ not selection from respective dept
have not received any communication abt my H1B. TCS submitted the petition on 1-Apr-2013 but no communication yet after that.. Few people have received the receipt number but most of us are still waiting the results… is there any chance still to get the receipt number?
Got updates. check with your PL or RMG to know your status. Many of them have got their petition selected. Some of them hav to receive the lottery results yet and some did not get through the lottery.. check with ur PL.
Confirmed with RMG / Account SPoC .. Status is “Pending with USCIS”.
According to a status mail sent by a senior this means ” It is selected in the Lottery and waiting for the next status (approved / rfe/ denial)”.
Some one else told me .. It is Pending as Rejection Notices will be sent starting this week only.
Someone else in RMG said it is kind of a Wait list..i.e. U gt thru d lottery but are in List 2..if applications in List 1 are denied thn Wait List (2) is considered.
Most people in my knowledge have got info. on whether they got through the lottery or not.
Lot of confusion here regarding what next. Account SPoC told us to wait till this weekend for more clarity.
I do not expect VTS to be updated anytime soon.
Hoping for the best.
If any one else knows for sure what “Pending with USCIS” means .. pls reply???
Hi,
I am also in same boat. Still status saying as Pending fromUSCIS.
Let me know if any updates.
Thanks
HP
Hi
I got my H1b in this year’s lottery. It was RQ/RR processing. I applied for a Premium Processing, and on may 16th I received a notice that my PP time clock starts on May 16th. However, Now when I check my case status, It shows “Acceptance” since May 17th. Before applyin for PP, My case was in “Initial Review” . So, In effect, my status has moved one step back and is in “acceptance” status since last 5 days.
Can anybody please guide me what this means. Can there be some problem in my filing. The USCIS site states that it generally takes only 2 days to move forward from “Acceptance” stage.
“
PPWAIT,
That is normal. When the petition is upgraded to PP, it moves from regular processing queue to start of PP queue. Hence the status changes to Acceptance.
In any case, they have SLA of 15 calendar days from the day it is upgraded to PP. So unless it spills into 16th day, its all part of the process.
Since you changed to PP from RP. the process gets from the start….EOD today ur case status will move to initial review!!!All the best
Thanks for your quick replies Saurabh and NoTension.
My status still remains acceptance after 7 days of PP. Hoping for the best 🙂
@PPWAIT: ur status changed???
I have also applied PP on 22nd May and now its in acceptance status. Do you know how lonh it would be in acceptance status???
Hi PVD
My status today changed to “Initial Review”, with following message -On May 28, 2013, your address was changed relating to the I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER that you filed.
Not sure what it means..
PPWAIT,
Your employer/attorney changed the correspondence address w/ USCIS. You can confirm with either of them.
@Saurabh or PPWAIT :
When regular process is upgraded to premium. Do we see any changes saying premium process on case status in USCIS site. Because on my case status they just updated saying “On May 22, 2013, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER and we e-mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. ……”. But havent mentioned anything regarding premium process :(. Is this normal only or any issue??
I got my premium process notice saying received date as 21st May. So clock starts on 21st may itself only rite?
Thanks….
PVD,
It is PP as the status uses the word “email”, which is typical of PP cases. From the status message it looks like it was processed on 22nd and that should be the start date for 15 calendar day window.
PPWAIT,
Did you check again in USCIS website. What is it telling now?
For me also it is mentioned as address was changed..
Wipro Bangalore!!!!
Has anyone got any info abt their selection from wipro…can anyone from Wipro Banglore respond to this??
Hi,
In my team who all applied got mail from OOC on 10th May with text “your application has been accepted by USCIS for the year 2013-2014 and we have received the Receipt Notice”
Reg.
Sri
Did they do Premium processing???
I am still waiting for the mail from OOC…almost lost the hopes :(…. (mine is RP)
Just got an email from lawyer that my application was not picked in the lottery.
After long wait finally got my file back now can start working on alternate route
Thanks everyone for valuable inputs and information
Finally got to know the receipt number from my employer and when I checked the status it was already in Post Decision Activity and Approved.
AD/RP
Filed with USCIS: April 1st, 2013
Received Date: April 8th, 2013
Notice Date: April 16th, 2013
Approval Date: May 16th, 2013
Thanks to this wonderful website and all the members of this website for all the updates that you have been posting. All the best to everyone.
RB,
Can you let me first 7 digits of ur receipt number?
WAC-13-134-5XXXX
Congratulations? I have the same notice date and am AD as well, but I’m still in initial review. Most cases on my notice date have been processed with either approval or RFE. Not sure why mine is stuck 🙁
Mine is stuck too for 4 weeks……. AD/RP/CSC. WAC131345…
Hi RB,
Can you please tell your’s is Premium processing or Normal processing..
Thanks..
I think I have mentioned in my first posting as AD/RP.
Hi ,
I have still no information about my status. Can anyone tell me if we are still receiving receipts
Thanks,
Even i am still waiting .. but one of my team mate got the news from GI team that the her petition was returned from USCIS. 🙁
Sorry to hear that… can we still have hopes or now we can expect only rejections ?
Everyone in my team got it today
Mine got updated today in AIMS. Good luck to the people who are still waiting.
Everyone from my team got it today.. AIMS status is updated. Good luck to you
When i called up GI team told that my petition is through the lottery. But AIMS status still not update and same old “ready for printing”. Any idea how they are updating AIMS? I heard it is alphabetical order. May i know your team mates first name’s first letter??
My status changed today from initial review clock restarted to clock stopped. Its been 4 hours and the status dint change to approval. Anybody in the same situation and heard anything about this? Please reply. I am very much tensed.
Hi
I got my package back today 🙂 They filed 100 and it seems only 3 returned as of now. I am the one 🙂 Thanks for everyone for all positive thoughts !! better luck next time !!
Hi Saurabh/All,
Will the USCIS send a receipt after Selection in lottery and also send another Receipt after approval? can you explain me, if any receipts/acknoledgement is received after approval?
Sneha,
797C is sent when a person makes through the lottery. Once the petition is approved, 797A or 797B is sent out. All have same receipt/petition number.
Hi
i got the receipt from employer on may 2nd now i have to got to india…is it good to goto india at thins stage on H4
ABC,
If you leave while H-1 is pending, then your COS from H-4 to H-1 will be abandoned. Your H-1 may still get approved, but your status will remain H-4. To move to H-1 in future, you will either have to enter on stamped H-1 visa or file a separate COS from H-4 to H-1.
Currently i dont have H4 stamping also…
Iam on H4 now…applied for H1 and got H1 receipt,if i goto india…now …will my H1 valid or cancelled…
ABC,
Your H-1 will continue to be processed while you are out of US. Only the COS will be abandoned if the same was pending. You can get H-4 visa stamped, return on that and wait for H-1 approval. Once approved, they can file for COS from H-4 to H-1.
HI Sourabh,
My employer says that my H1B is not rejected, not selected neither returned back. What does this mean.. Do they hold my application in case of rejections? If at all they hold, what is the rejection criterea and how much percentage of the applications are getting rejected and what basis is it rejected? Also my employer advices me to have hope but I lost all the hope on it.
Im the one still waiting for receipt. Did your employer say how long you can keep you hope alive?
My situation is same as you. But my employer said that there is almost no hope.
He says to wait till 1st week of June to get the complete information.. And also I heard that the rejection rates are high so they might consider some applications in waiting list.. This stuff is keeping my hopes alive..
awaitingLotteryResults,
Lot of returned petitions are either in transit or still being sent out. So you have to wait some more weeks.
As for wait-list, even here USCIS should explicitly send out a wait list message to the employer. Not informing the employer about wait-list will be like keeping them in limbo. In other words, within next few weeks your employer should receive explicit message from USCIS telling them whether the petition is returned or in wait-list.
Wanted to know if Uscis still sending confirmed reciepts? Can we still have hopes or is it done now and accept tht its rejected?
aila.org
5/16/2013
Update on Receipt Notices for FY2014 H-1B Cap Cases (Updated 5/16/13)
USCIS has completed data entry and mailing of receipt notices. Rejection notices will follow. AILA Doc. No. 13041600.
hi, so no hope after this….. can we expect rejection as still attorney doesnt received anything.
Is that true.
@JK,
Are u a member in Aila org ?? If so, can u post more details from that post…
Looks like USCIS data entry (Selected / Not Selected) is complete as of Friday last week.
So, the employers/attny should get the receipt or package by end of this week, tops…
hi,
anyone received receipt in lottery for h4 to h1. can i still hope for receiving receipt. I am totally hopeless now. please reply. is there any kind of last date as my attorney doesnt received the rejection letter yet.
hey same here I am also waiting h4-h1…no check cashed…no package returned either…
Same here.
Last Year i did all possible things to apply for H1b and the day i got the employer the quota got over…then studied for a yr and again searched for employer , applied and till now no news… What else does GOD want me to do..this was my last chance to start up my life in the way i wanted..Coz i am being pressurized for starting a family…I am an M.com,M.B.A , SAP certified consultant..with 6 yrs of exp …what else am i supposed to do..can’t stop crying at anypoint of the day… :(((((
Hi ,
Please dont get sad dear, ur so qualified person, i m at same position. i have observed that in usa for work, u got to be on H1B, so to get it we have to try if we not this year next year, and with that u have to move on in ur life, start family thats imp coz time is money, if u wont do it now, then later u will regret that u have no time now, health issues n all will come. you have two ways, career and family, right now, if no career way u can go, go for family, u have already did what you can do by ur own hands, now certain things are not in our hands. i know, be positive n all are good words, and whatever happens with one, can only feel it, but i m saying be mentally strong, dont get so much tension, coz remember life is only one, and job careers is very imp, but u got to see the timing. and i totally agree wt u that u have suffered alot…
my friend received receipt for h4->h1
I have followed this blog for a long time now and it’s time for me to face the harsh reality. I came to know from the GI team that my application has not Been selected and the package is returned to Infy. This will be my last post as it doesn’t make any sense going after something that is not in your hands.
For the Infy guys,we are still getting the accepted applications and AIMS would be updated soon so keep some hope.signing off from this great blog and wish all you guys best of luck and congrats to those lucky ones who got it!!!
My employer told me that the check for my H1B application has been withdrawn a month ago but I have not received receipt number yet. Do that look anything fishy from the employer or attorney side?
u shud be able to ask them to give a copy of the cashed check.
It will have a receipt number on the back of the check.
fyi: i never got a receipt but i got the receipt number from the cashed check. After approval i got the approval notice
Hi h1b receipt not received,
In my case same thing has happend..my check was encashed before 23rd apr and i got my receipt on 13 May.So I will suggest just wait….u will definitely get it
h1b receipt not received yet,
Like SRB mentioned, it should be behind the check. If it has been more than a month since that happened, then your attorney/employer should contact USCIS and follow-up.
I tried to ask my employer for the copy of check, he is saying that he would get copy of receipt itself which he is following up with attorney. I don’t know why he is not providing the copy check. 🙁
I am also in the same boat and just wanted to check if you received your receipt fromyour emplyer.
Is it just me or anyone else has noticed that most of the people who are getting their packets back are in fact PhD’s. Wonder if the USCIS wants for them to go back and serve their own nation with their genius abilities.
It is not.. rejection packets are received for non phd’ s as well. Bachelor’s degree.
Hi Guys,
Applied 2 times till now..
1st time – Cap closed on 11th June 2012 but my packet reached attorney on 12th June 2012 at 7:00 AM
2nd time – My Packet reached on 4th April. But till now did not heard back anything from my employer.
Looks like mine is not picked in the lottery… 🙁
@hima, wow.. same here. Last year 12th June. this year no receipt yet 🙁
Is any one got receipt no from IBM?
I guess, this is the final week, for getting receipts. Anyone lucky to have AIMS updated over the weekend ? By friday all cases should be updated in AIMS…
🙁 No update yet.. Anyone with a rejection from infy?
Hi,
I was informed selected in lottery weeks back and today when I called GI they said, its a manual process and all the receipts will be updated by this week.
Waiting to see the receipt,,,,Dont worry guys keep up the hopes..call the GI and know the receipt information atleast to relax with the tension …
latest update …i got the receipt number updated in AIMS ..this week all receipt numbers will be communicated 🙂 so keep up the hope!
I called the GI team today and they say they do not have any updates wheter selected / rejected so far.. what should i conclude? can i still have hopes? Is USCIS still sending out confirmation?
No updates..
Did anyone got the confirmation that they are selected over the phone by the GI team in the LAST WEEK ? please reply. This is to just track if they are still recieveing confirmation from USCIS about the selected candidates or they are done with it so that we who are still waiting to hear from the GI team can have an idea.. thanks.
Yes, I got my Receipt number updated in AIMS a week back…
got rejected. Cofrmd by Global immigration
Got it today only. From Infy. AIMS status is updated. Good luck to you.
yes someone i know got confirmation from GI that they received the receipt on 10/5. cheers! and wish you all the very best!! and this was after multiple calls to reconfirm you!
WIPRO H1B,
Does any one from wipro got confirmation in last week?
Can any one confirm whether all the receipt number are generated by USCIS or they still generating it?
No boss, OOC is not roviding any information
No boss, OOC is not providing any information
HI
My H1B got approved on 14th May can any one say within hw many days I will get my original approval notice . its 4 days almost
Mine was approved on may 2nd….got original approval notice in mail on 6th may
@srb..thanks for ur reply I hope urs is PP case ..so r u currently in India ?
When ur planning to go for stamping
@ srb and @sid : My online status says Decision : Approved from 30th April 2013. But i have not yet received the Approval notice. Still waiting. Did you guys contact attorney to get the Approval Notice or it was mailed to you directly from USCIS. Mine is PP case
Thanks.
@honeb: The attorney contacted me when he received the approval notice and mailed the original immediately to me..
Honeb,
All communication is sent only to employer/attorney and they can fwd it you as per their convenience.
@Sid: nope mine is regular processing and I am in US… nothing planned for visa stamping yet
@Sid..
What would be earliest date you can go for visa stamping?
I think we can go for stamping 90 days in advance ..but my employer is telling we can go any time once notice received…
Can any one please suggest
@sid
I am AD/RQ/CSC. India consular processing.
Have you scheduled interview date ? I am hearing different interpretations regarding 90 day period for stamping. What do you think
@sid
I am AD/RP/CSC. India consular processing.
Have you scheduled interview date ? I am hearing different interpretations regarding 90 day period for stamping. What do you think
I posted the official link few days ago, which says that one can go for stamping at most 90 days in advance. If anyone (employer/attorney) wants to argue that, then they are more than welcome to present a conflicting official link.
@srb @sid: Whts the Online status tell in your cases. Is it Decision: Approved or Post Decision Activity.
My case in Decision: Approved, still not received Approved Notice. Its been more that 15 days now.
Honeb,
If 30 days elapse, then your employer/attorney should contact USCIS and follow-up on it. They didn’t change any address recently, correct?
@Saurabh: No change of address. Have sent mail to attorney today, let me wait for this week.
Also mine is L1 to H1 COS. In this case, will i receive any other document.
Thanks…
Mine says approved
Mine is in post decision activity : approved
All,
I don’t know how many times I visited this website, learned many things about , witnessed both good and bad news. It’s time for me to share that my package was returned 1 hour ago as informed by lawyer. My rejection notice was dated May 6th. Seven years of my hard work with PhD and nice job has ended abruptly. My last working date with the company is June 14, 2013.
I heart fully wish people who are waiting for receipts may get picked up from the wait list and also for the people waiting for the approvals. I guess this would be my last message. Again, I thank Saurabh and all for passing useful information when needed. AD/RP/VSC.
Hey …Have faith…for sure future has reserved some good thg for u…I know its very painful to not getting selected in lottery…and the very thought that the gambling is deciding the future for us…it itself sucks…its hard time…but yes the good thgs will happen with us as well in some way or other…Good luck for future endveour!!
why dont you apply directly for GC under EB1 category as you did your Phd.why did you even apply for h1b.
If you took time to read the EB-1 requirements, you would not have asked this question.
A PhD is does not grant you a straight path to GC. Even under EB-1 it takes 6 – 12 months.
You can try EB-2 file I-485 and EAD simultaneously in premium processing you will get it quickly. Employee need to sponsor EB-2. Only thing is I m not sure what your current status is. Definitely consider this option.
That will work if you are not an Indian\China\Mexican citizenship holder.
For India, EB-2 approval time is 9 yrs
For China, 5-6 yrs
not sure about mexico but its close to china.
For all other countries, yes EB-2 is a good alternative but like all GC cases I-140 approval is 6-15 months.
EB-2 you have to first do PERM which can take a year.
I am sorry I meant to sat EB-1b visa. Outstanding researcher!
If Phd from USA its really not that difficult.I heard from few friends that its really easy to get if do Phd from usa.
Lost_in the_game,
Sorry to hear about that! I wish you the best w/ all your future endeavors.
Good luck!
I got the Receipt Number from USCIS. But, the Status is showing as:
Your case can not be found at this time in My Case Status. Please check your receipt number and try again. If you need further assistance, please call the National Customer Service Center at 1.800.375.5283.
The status is not changed from past one month. Is anyone facing the same status?
Can anyone please provide the details..Thank You in advance.
This means you are not entering the correct receipt number. You have to enter it without the “-” it should be WAC131XX5XXXX.
Dear All,
Can we call directly to Uscis customer care and know the status.
I m yet to receive the receipt number.
Today morning I called them, but they have asked whether employer is online.
Only if employer allows then only they can tell the status.
Is it so??
yes…only d attorney or employer can call…that too they hv to wait for more than 30 mins..that sucks
Hi,
Anyone from infy who is still waiting? Did anyone receive rejections?
Still waiting. ..
Still waiting. .. no updates
When did you call the GI?
2 days back..
Applied for 3 rd time.
1st time – Not selected in Lottery
2nd time – Denied due to employer
3rd time – Waiting from infy.
all the best dude..
I am still waiting. I talked to my employer and he said they have not received anything. They also said they can not contact with USCIS and they are just waiting for USCIS update.
I’m also waiting 🙁 , most of the people I know have recieved the reciept.
Haven’t heard of any rejections
Hi,
Anyonr from infy with rejections yet?
No.
they may not reveal the rejections now i guess because of fear of ppl quitting the company as many are just holding for the H1B