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
Hello Guys,
I am super nervous, mine is H4 to H1…
whether it will get approved?
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
“Preference should be given to H1B applicants who are already here in the United States working ” – cant be more selfish ?
Any one who applied in Vermont center in general quota/premium heard any updates? Please let me know ASAP.
Hi I got receipt for Non Masters(general) Premium for Vermont Center last morning.
Anyone who applied through Morgan Lewis & Brockius heard anything yet?
Any one with rose carson llc received reciept? Thanks
General quota/ PP/ Vermont center still waiting? If anyone has any updates?
Same here..Vermont seems to have started sending non-premium receipts itself..Dont know what to make of it..
Hi can u please tell how u gt this info like non pp started getting notification.is that for non -Ad
Saw it on facebook – “hibwiki” ..they have a poll running.
Sorry..h1bwiki..
Anyone heard anything from Snell & Wilmer law firm?
.
AD/PP/CA…???
any news from california??
Looks like nobody with undergrad degree have got the Receipt Notice.
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!
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.
AD/PP/Cali not heard back yet.
No Worries..looks like California service center has started sending emails for non-AD too under premium today. Lets wait till week end.
AD/PP/VT not heard back yet.
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
Me too…Same AD/PP/VT.. i hope they r slow and will send us all our reciepts soon today..
Anyone applied through Value Consulting ? Regular/PP..?
Have not received anything yet …super nervous ..congrats to all that got one …..hoping and praying like hell i get one too 🙁
Praying like hell..??
haha yeah, I even saw posts that said they were praying for all applicants…..if you are praying for yourself, aren’t you necessarily praying another applicant??
Applied under Non-AD/RP/VT, still waiting for receipt numbers?
me too…AD/RP/Vermont…No news so far 🙁
Bachelor´s, regular, vermont, how long will it take?
Hi,
Are they responding to Normal cases as well??
Anyone applied thru reliance global got reciept no?
Applied through Reliance Global. Still waiting with lots of hopes.
via which consultant u applied?
I applied through Reliance Global Services.
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?
hi misty ,
we get the confirmation no /case no./eac no/ only if we get selected in the lottery…
oh k thank you
Anyone who has an idea if the receipt notices are sent in alphabetical order or something??
Still waiting:(no response yet)
No its not sent through alphabetical order… but the order of dates they were processed.
Anyone know the current EAC number running as of today?
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.
I know 🙁
Tell me about it..It is so difficult to do anything..
I am also AD/PP.VT
Same situation here.
Are you Chinese? Did Zhang give any info yet?
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..
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.
WAC1413453300
3300 petitions processed for today… Processing full throttled.
Best of luck Pals. !
Masters or general quota?
Where is this information posted?
Just wanted to check if any one received receipts on H1-B lottery for Regular/PP/VSC. Appreciate the response.
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…..
Any one from Vermont center got reciept no for Premium general quota?
Yes got the reciept number for Vermont center for premium quota.
I m still waiting for mine btw when did u recieved urs?
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…..
I have received EAC number on last Friday. Does that mean I was selected from the Lottery? Still not sure. Not able to check my status online
In the same boat. Would appreciate it if someone could answer.
Yes,you are selected in Lottery,but the status is not yet updated in USCIS site,I am also waiting for the same,and moreover I also got applied from Vermont Service Center (EAC)
Anybody AD/PP/VSC waiting?
I am finding it so difficult to sit and wait and work!
Has anyone received a receipt on regular quota, PP?
Anyone with Ernst & Young/Egan LLP as law firm? Cheers.
Anyone from Fragomen Michigan AD/ normal processing?
Me. Waiting for the receipt!!!
Selected in the Lottery.
Master/PP/California Center. Email from Service Center dated 4/12. All the best to people who are waiting.
your’s is Advanced Degree?
Masters is advanced degree.So yes
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.
GOD IS GREAT!!! H1B Picked 🙂
Good luck to every one..
Thanks
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.
Got receipt number today(AD/PP/CA):
USCIS received date 04/10
email sent on 04/12.
Nice Article , All my questions have been answered. Keep it up guys !
please let me know if anyone received any updates from chicago Fragomen lawyers
I am with the same law firm. I have not heard anything from them either…
I applied via Fragomen DC office. Got confirmation of selection this morning! Good Luck everyone!
Opps forgot to mention AD/PP
your’s is CA service center?
so are you with fragomen lawfirm based in chicago.I want to know is will they let us know only after April 28th
VT and as I said applied via dc office.
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.
Similar situation, looks like VSC is lagging behind. CA is already has tracking number updated online. I give it a day or two.
Thanks
Got my receipt from Florida Fragommen guys
CA/PP/AD
WAC14133523XXX
Same situation. Got an update and receipt number through Fragomen’s IHP website. Seeing same message when I try to look up status.
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…
Or your can come back to India
And struggle for Electricity, Water and drivable roads!
Pick your poison! 🙂
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 .
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..
While many aspects can seem inconsistent and illogical, always remember that we are not citizens — nothing is owed to us.
Am waiting too Non AD, PP, vermont center.
Vermount has not issued any so far.
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
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*****
Did you check online IHP of Fragomen or you got email first ?
Hi, Can u pls confirm whether u got to know from Fragomen IHP site or through your employer?
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.
Hi, Harini
I have applied same as you ! Fingers crossed … Hope we will know it in a week or two
Hi Harini,
I suppose it might take two weeks….
Harini, Aish , Krishna, My wife too applied 4 H4 to H1 …hoping 4 da best but prepared 4 da worst..she left her gr8 job in India to join me…btw what other options you guys are thinking…
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 ?
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..
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
I think their return workload increase. Still 65000+20000 people will be picked this year, so I don’t think it will delay their processing speed for picked candidates.
Good catch ! I agree with you, have corrected the article. Thank you !
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.
usgrad,
Thanks. Corrected.
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
Had submitted through Fragomen. Regular/ Non PP. Not sure till when we can wait
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?
I am through Fragomen, no response yet
Fragomen. No response yet. They told me they have started to see the acceptance from USCIS case by case and are notifying the applicants as soon as they get their results.
Fragoman too. No response yet and no update on the IHP website…finger crossed…
Fragomen…No updates on IHP either…