Home » US Immigration - Visas » H1B Visa » What’s After H1B 2015 Lottery ? FAQs – Receipt Numbers, Processing Times?

What’s After H1B 2015 Lottery ? FAQs – Receipt Numbers, Processing Times?

Updated : April 21, 2015- Modified content on additional petitions than 85,000 quota – wait-listing for denials 

As you know, USCIS conducted a lottery on the 172,500 H1B Visa petitions filed for FY 2015 quota and did a press release indicating that the 85,000 petitions selected will be notified with receipt numbers and those not selected will be rejected and returned. I have seen many of our readers asking questions on variety of topics like below.

  • What are the Next Steps after H1B Lottery by USCIS ?
  • Who will get the case number ?  Do I get an email ? Will I get a hard copy ?
  • Who will get the rejected application ? Employer or Employee ?
  • Did anyone receive H1B receipt Numbers for Premium processing ?
  • When will I receive the H1B Case number?
  • How many Master’s degree petitions were received  ? What were my odds in lottery ?
  • Does USCIS select more petitions than 85,000 as backup for denials ?
  • How do I know, if my employer really filed my case ?
  • Can I know the details of my case from USCIS ? What are my choices ?
  • Can I upgrade my case to Premium processing without receipt number ?
  • I have not slept in couple of days, when will I receive my receipt number?

This article addresses all of these FAQs.

What are the Next Steps after H1B Lottery by USCIS ?  

  • USCIS notifies selected Premium Processing  applicants about their receipt numbers
  • USCIS then notifies all selected non-premium/regular  processing  candidates about their receipt numbers through postal mail
  • USCIS completes all premium processing applications adjudication by May 12 (15 calendar days from Apr 28)
  • USCIS continues to process non-premium processing cases once their premium processing applications load is down
  • USCIS starts sending out rejection letters to non-selected candidates

Some of these steps may happen in parallel, while some may happen sequential. Also, the timelines are based upon historical data and it is not possible to predict actual dates for this year.  For general info, you may also read  USCIS Processing time for Regular vs Premium

Who will get the case number ? Employee or Employer ?   Do I get an email ? Will I get a hard copy ?

Usually  the employer/ immigration attorney, who filed the H1B petition would receive the receipt number.  The employee will NOT get any email or hard copy of the receipt number from USCIS.  For selected premium processing petitions, an email with receipt number will be sent to the attorney and then followed by a hard copy in mail. For selected regular processing petitions, a hard copy of the receipt notice with receipt number is sent via standard mail.  Either case, nothing will be sent to the employee, it will always be sent to the employer/ immigration attorney.  Read about What USCIS H1B Case number means

Who will get the rejected application, not selected in lottery ? Employer or Employee ?

The employer/immigration attorney will get the rejected application that was not picked in the random computer generation process/lottery.  It should include the fee you sent as well, unless it was a duplicate filing by the employer for the same employee.

Did anyone receive H1B receipt Numbers for Premium processing ?

Yes, some of our readers have indicated that they received Premium processing case receipt numbers on Friday, April 11th, 2014.  Check the sample USCIS H1B 2015 email receipt.  There is no guarantee that everyone, who filed under premium processing, should receive the case numbers right away this week or in the next week. They may start to receive the case numbers anytime from now, nothing to panic that someone got it and you did not.

USCIS said April 28th  is when they will start the premium processing, How come some are receiving the case numbers and emails  ?

Here is the exact USCIS statement  “While the Form I-797 receipt notice indicates the date USCIS received the premium processing fee, the 15-day processing period set by 8 CFR 103.7(e)(2) will begin no  later than April 28, 2014. “.  If you read carefully, it says ‘NO LATER THAN April 28th “, which means that they will start the 15 day clock for premium processing by April 28th, does not mean they will start on April 28th.  So, technically USCIS can start the processing and send out receipt numbers for Premium processing any time before that as well. In fact, they have already since Friday April 11th.

When will I receive the H1B visa 2015 Case number, if I am selected ?  Regular vs Premium ?  

The premium processing cases selected, ideally should get receipt numbers by April 28th and a decision (approval or RFE) by May 12th ( April 28th + 15 calendar days)  as they are bound by 15 calendar day time limit.  For regular processing, ideally, you would receive the receipt numbers a little later. Last year, we have seen receipt numbers sent until late June. This year, we can expect it to be around the same or maybe a little late like early July, as the USCIS load has increased slightly ( Denying and returning more petitions )

How many Master’s degree petitions were received  ? What were my odds in lottery ?

Unfortunately, USCIS has not officially released any petition numbers received for the master’s degree quota. They have not release it last year too. If someone says a number, it is pure speculation. To calculate your odds in lottery, just use the 172,500. It may not be accurate, but gives you some baseline to know your worst case probability.

Does USCIS select more petitions than 85,000 as backup for denials ?

[Updated on April 21st, 2014 ]  USCIS did not release any official information for FY 2015 saying that they selected or wait-listed more petitions than 85,000 as backup to account for denials. Previously, in 2008 USCIS mentioned in their press release that they have  “wait-listed” some petitions to replace the denials, withdrawal petitions, etc.  But, for this FY 2015 quota, we don’t know.  If USCIS were to follow the same process like in 2008, they would have some “wait-listed petitions” put aside in FY 2015 as well. We just have to wait and see or hear from our users. No official information from USCIS on this.  

How do I know, if my employer really filed my case ?

Well, you have to trust your employer and get the information from him that your petition is filed. Usually, employers are upfront and keep you posted about this and send you the emails/hard copy scans from USCIS. You need to find this from your employer.

Can I know the details of my case from USCIS ? What are my choices ?

Well, this is a roundabout way. USCIS has Freedom of Information act , which can be used to get information regarding you file/case. This could take few months( 6 months ) as there are many requests.  But, there is no guarantee here as it is at the discretion of USCIS. Technically, the H1B petition filed is the employer property and you may not have full rights until you start to work for them legally on H1B. We have heard that some cases information was not disclosed. Again, it depends. Talk to an attorney for more clarification.

Can I upgrade my case to Premium processing without receipt number?

You need the USCIS H1B receipt number to upgrade your case to premium processing. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do, you need to wait for the case number.

I have not slept properly in couple of days, when will I receive my receipt number?

We understand that it can be very stressful period waiting for the petition receipt number and then for processing of the application.  Many of us have been in similar shoes and can empathize your pain. Unfortunately, there is nothing we all can do as it is not in our hands.  Please try to stay calm, focus your personal time on something that you enjoy or with your spouse/kids/friends. Do share your information with our readers on the blog, so all of our readers help each other. We plan to re-build our H1B Tracker with analytics, please post your case once you get the receipt number.

What are your thoughts ?  Did I miss anything  ?   Stay tune for more articles on H1B Visa 2015

 

   

Other Articles

5,206 Comments

  1. Brothers and Sisters, please vote this petition, vote for your future!

    The USCIS received approximately 172,500 H1B applications for fiscal year 2015. However, there are only 85,000 visas available. This results in 87,500 applicants out of a job. Many applicants received a United States education and are already working here on either OPT or other forms of work authorization.

    Preference should be given to H1B applicants who are already here in the United States working . This could be in the form of temporary work authorization (~3years) until comprehensive immigration reform is passed. This will prevent the H1B lottery FY2015 from hurting companies and the American economy

    https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/allow-h1b-applicants-who-were-not-selected-fy2015-lottery-temporary-work-authorization/2VyMkNyr

    Reply
    • “Preference should be given to H1B applicants who are already here in the United States working ” – cant be more selfish ?

      Reply
    • Received Regular Quota PP CA this morning!

      I was not selected last year. For people out there who are still waiting, keep your hope up and be patient! God bless you all!

      Reply
  2. I received and acceptance confirmation from USCIS through my Attorney(4/14/2014, 13:35 pst).
    Non Advance Degree, Premium Processing and California Center.
    This website helped a lot. I appreciate all the posts. Thanks and all the best everyone.

    Reply
    • No Worries..looks like California service center has started sending emails for non-AD too under premium today. Lets wait till week end.

      Reply
  3. AD/PP/VT still waiting..sounds like it’s mostly California that has sent out receipts..hoping that VT is just slow and that I’ll hear back soon

    Reply
  4. Have not received anything yet …super nervous ..congrats to all that got one …..hoping and praying like hell i get one too 🙁

    Reply
  5. Congratulations to all whose applications got selected in the lottery.
    Good luck to the others
    I am also waiting to hear from Rondon Law Group. Regular Quota & Non premium processing. Applied at Vermont Service center.
    Need to know when can we expect to hear the results.
    Also as soon as the application is filed , do the employers receive the petition number (before the lottery)?
    Or we receive just the case number once the application is selected in the lottery?

    Reply
  6. Anyone who has an idea if the receipt notices are sent in alphabetical order or something??
    Still waiting:(no response yet)

    Reply
  7. Applied under AD/PP/VT. Still waiting for an answer. I applied through Zhang & Associates, P.C.

    Every minute seems like an eternity. I am waiting for a positive reply from my attorney. I don’t want to call my attorney’s clerk or email him more than once per day.

    It is extremely difficult to focus and perform regular work.

    Reply
  8. Ohhhh….congratulation…to all who r lucky..waiting ….restless……heart is sinking like 10th exam results…..this page giving me strentgh ..I could see more people like me..just to ease the mind…finger crossed don’t know how long the wait is…for yes or no..

    Reply
    • Hi there, There are many like you. Some of them are posting, some others are lurking around.
      I would wish the best to everyone if I could, however this year I can just wish the best to 38-40% 🙂 of us.
      Chill out and relax. If this does not sort out, God (or the name you identify Him/Her in your religion) will find something even better to those who weren’t bless with selection.
      Peace to everybody.

      Reply
    • Hi,I got the receipt yesterday for Non-Masters(General Quota) ,Premium Processing from Vermont Service Center,still plenty of chances are there,don’t worry…..

      Reply
  9. Has anyone received a receipt on regular quota, PP?

    Anyone with Ernst & Young/Egan LLP as law firm? Cheers.

    Reply
  10. Selected in the Lottery.

    Master/PP/California Center. Email from Service Center dated 4/12. All the best to people who are waiting.

    Reply
  11. My wife’s h1b application got picked 🙂

    California, PP, Master’s quota. Lawyer got the email from USCIS an hour ago with the receipt number.

    Reply
  12. Premium processing petitions for west coast (California) has started. I and a few of my friends started receiving emails from their respective companies stating we’ve received a receipt number from California center.

    Reply
  13. The ones who received their receipt #,
    Does USCIS Status Checker show your status as “Acceptance” or :
    •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.

    Reply
  14. Guys you all agree or not.. but I think these all visa things & lottery system, Green card things (GC process having long long long waiting times and very very complex process) IS THE BIG JOKE… Squeezing more and more and making hard life for those people who want to follow rules, who are following rules, who want to and still paying taxes, who want to live like normal US citizen and do good things here… People like us are suffering a lot with the complex rules and now there are more signals to ease the life of illegal people….Aliens are not getting billions of $$ once they get H1 or Green card, even after that all of us have to do hard work and which we want but still to get that basic things like Green card, people screwed a lot by complex rules…

    Reply
  15. Have anyone got a receipt number from Vermont Service Center for non Advanced Degree Premium Processing ? If so please let me know. As i am waiting for the lottery results .

    Reply
    • Guys you all agree or not.. but I think these all visa things & lottery system, Green card things (GC process having long long long waiting times and very very complex process) IS THE BIG JOKE… Squeezing more and more and making hard life for those people who want to follow rules, who are following rules, who want to and still paying taxes, who want to live like normal US citizen and do good things here… Those people are suffering a lot with rules and now there are more signals to ease life of illegal people..

      Reply
      • While many aspects can seem inconsistent and illogical, always remember that we are not citizens — nothing is owed to us.

        Reply
  16. Hi,

    Did any one recieve the case no. for regular category? how long it may take before I get to know my status?

    Thanks,
    Shashidhar

    Reply
  17. I got my receipt number on 11th April 2014. I am also through Fragomen. Masters Quota + PP.

    I also checked on USCIS Case status and it says that the application is accepted.

    WAC14*****

    Reply
  18. I applied h4 to h1 regular processing what’s the maximum time taken to know whether it is picked in lottery r not. Appreciate some one could reply for it.

    Reply
  19. Anyone who already got email picked up through lottery
    please let us know what is your date received in your USCIS email ?
    IS it 04/10/2014 ?

    Reply
    • Employer said that the application cheque has got cashed today..My application is sent to CA for Masters(AD) quota & Premium Processing..I think my application got picked up in lottery..Waiting for the receipts..

      Reply
  20. My doubt here is about USCSI workload increase . It is going to process same amt of application ( 65000+20000) as last year though it received more (175000 )petition this year . In what way ,USCSI work load is increased to 40% more

    Reply
  21. Typo ??

    Q; USCIS said April 28th  is when they will start the premium processing, How come some are receiving the case numbers and emails  ?

    A: “If you read carefully, it says ‘NO LATER THAN April 28th “, which means that they will start the 15 day clock for premium processing by April 28th, does not mean they will start by April 28th.”

    I think that it should be “on” instead of “by” at the end.

    Reply
  22. This article sounds contradictory to me.
    First in “Next Steps” it says that USCIS will first notify all selected and rejected candidates about lottery results, and only then start with processing anything. This sounds like both PP and non-PP will get receipt numbers before any processing even starts (i.e. by April 28, or whatever the mail takes after that).
    But then later it sounds like you only get a case number once they start processing your particular file, which may take until July for non-PP.
    Then it also says how PP may wait until May 12 for their receipts, which sounds like the receipts arrive only at the end of processing, instead of at the start (April 28 latest).

    Those are 3 completely different and contradictory statements. So which version is true?

    Reply
    • First in “Next Steps” it says that USCIS will first notify all selected and rejected candidates about lottery results, and only then start with processing anything. This sounds like both PP and non-PP will get receipt numbers before any processing even starts (i.e. by April 28, or whatever the mail takes after that).

      Yes, this is correct.

      The other points are speculations based upon last year’s data.
      If the processing started at Apr 28th, it will take till may 12, but given that it’s already started from April 11th, we can expect to get receipt numbers till April 25. They also mentioned that work load increased by 40% due to extra petitions. Hence we can expect till end of April for the receipt numbers.

      Reply
    • Question,
      I agree with the confusion. I will update the article a bit after this. In general, the process will be:
      – USCIS notifies selected PP applicants about their receipt numbers
      – USCIS then notifies all selected non-PP candidates about their receipt numbers through postal mail
      – USCIS completes all PP processing by May 12 (15 calendar days from Apr 28)
      – USCIS continues to process non-PP cases once their PP load is down
      – USCIS starts sending out rejection letters to non-selected candidates

      Some of this may happen in parallel, while some may happen sequential. Also, the timelines are based upon historical data and it is not possible to predict actual dates for this year.

      Reply
      • Saurabh,

        Is this mean all the applicants whether regular or PP will get to know their lottery result by 28th April? If they receive mail, then they are selected and if not, they are not selected (except waitlisted applicants). Am I right?

        Reply
        • Nash,
          All selected PP folks will know by April 28. Others will take another 1-2 months to know about their selection or non-selection.

          Reply
  23. Employer: Big 4 Firm
    Work location: Chicago
    Law firm: Fragomen
    Law firm office location: Los Angeles

    Which processing center – California or Vermont?

    Background: 10+ yrs experience, top 15 US MBA, worked for a year under OPT. Petition mistakenly filed under Regular instead of AD last year. Didn’t make it through the lottery. Had to leave the job, but employer has kindly offered to file again. Working in India now.

    Don’t want to get into who’s deserving and who’s not (after all, everyone’s deserving in their own eyes), but I do believe that being unlucky twice will be ten times as hard. Praying and fingers crossed.

    Guys who petitioned through Fragomen, please keep the updates coming. Those who got receipts, did you get the email first or saw the NIV receipt number field populated in the IHP website for your company?

    Reply

Leave a Comment