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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

 

Photo of author
Satheesh Kumar Ilu, commonly known as Kumar, is the founder of RedBus2US.com. He is an Immigration and Study Abroad expert. He holds an MS from the University of Houston–Clear Lake and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He studied, lived, and worked in the U.S. and Singapore for nearly two decades, and has traveled to over 25 countries.

   

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5,206 Comments

  1. Guys,

    Not sure how this will help you guys. But I got my receipt on 4/25/14 for AD/PP.

    And my tracker says the date as April 25th not April 10th as most of you guys have. Not sure why. I was a part of the lottery for sure. Not exempt category so dont ask if I was. Also my employer filed as PP from the start. Just posting so this might be of some help to you guys. May be its a waitlist selected after they declined someone. Thats the only reason I can think of why they have April 25th on my receipt tracker and not April 10th.

    “On April 25, 2014, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER and we e-mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice”

    And my receipt number is as below:
    EAC-14-137-5****

    Reply
    • congrats and I’m hoping you didn’t get my spot… 🙂 ..based on the day (137) I think you were chosen much earlier..don’t know why you got the receipt today and why is it showing April 25th…but on those days, based on the comments here – Vermont was releasing PP applications – non-AD and AD

      Reply
  2. Think i`ll cry myself to sleep tonight. Really depressed …..good luck to everyone…….i`ll pray to god tonight for a miracle not just for me but for everybody on this forum

    Reply
    • I don’t know your particular case .. but as someone who has work in both US and Europe, I can tell you that US is definitely not paradise on earth.
      If you’re already here on F1 or some other status, think about the fact that you have a good education and possibly work experience to leverage almost anywhere in the world. Think of the rest of the world and all the opportunities there in case you don’t find a plan B to stay here. For me, I’ve done my math and I would rather not choose any plan B (F1/CPT kind of thing) over the opportunities found elsewhere, in case the working visa doesn’t come through.

      If you are planning to come here – trust me, those high hopes you have right now will not 100% match the reality – I’m still puzzled if it was a good choice for me to come here or not and I was sure before I got here that US is the ideal. I’m not disappointed or anything, just realistic I guess.

      Reply
      • I appreciate your valuable advice…. And inputs and I can see most people agreeing to this and I would too… But sadly the way things are right now…. This is where I belong….Anyway good luck

        Reply
  3. I don’t know if still there is any hope left for me almost after 3 weeks of lottery conducted? I am also at the edge, first and last chance. Already on OPT extension.

    Please guys advise me something. I am really getting very very tens now.

    PLEASE GOD SAVE ME. Keeping finger crossed until this weekend.

    Reply
    • AD/RP/CA —still waiting,
      Although it doesn’t matter now, but you should have tried for H-1 even last year. The benefit of OPT extension is allowing students to try multiple times. Hopefully others will learn from this and give multiple tries to H-1.

      BTW, RP still has hope.

      Reply
      • I can understand his plight Sourabh… A lot of times… Circumstances or lack of a company that is willing to sponsor you… Can set you back

        But I agree with you…. Definitely good advice you have given….. Try every year.. And plan accordingly

        Reply
      • Thanks.
        switched from cap-exempt to cap-subject employer this year. there are many other reason I could not have applied last year.

        Reply
        • Another day ….another hope…have you heard of anyone in our category getting receipts …AD/RP/CA??

          Reply
  4. I received an email state that: Your H1B case has been accepted for processing and you will received decision on h1b petition by 13th May.

    What does this mean?

    Reply
      • yes, it’s forwarded to me but with strange receipt number which doesn’t match any of the starting 3 known characters, it starts with “KBO”

        I’m puzzled 🙁

        Reply
        • yes, strange, did you received a prior receipt? I would call them or ask your lawyer – KBO doesn’t seem to be a USCIS center, but who knows?

          Reply
  5. Non AD/Reg

    Still waiting….. no news from employer!! Having nightmares now 🙁
    on h4 currently.

    Praying for all….

    Reply
      • Same is my case. Waiting for H1 B since 2yrs.Still not able to get any upto now..

        2012->Missed it due to wrong selection of Employer
        2013->Lottery(try1)
        2014->Lottery(try2)–still waiting for the result.

        I am fed up with this H1 B. Hope this will be my last attempt 🙁

        Reply
        • Thats sad! feel for you…. 🙁

          I am already looking out for other options… not MS (since i already hv a master’s degree plus dont have the right mindset for 2 years of commitment to MS at the moment)what are the other options for H4 folks? any certfication course that allows work permit

          do you guys have any plans?

          Reply
          • I don’t think we can get work permit here through some kind of short term course. If you come accross any,please do post here.

            It will be helpful to all the people like us.

  6. AD / REG / VSC — USCIS receipt received last week.

    I emailed my DSO for issuing me a CAP-GAP I20 after forwarding her the scanned copy of the receipt. She checked in her records and said that my SEVIS hasn’t been updated. She would contact SEVIS and have the Change of Status and Cap Gap Extension applied to my SEVIS record. I am eligible to work while the update is being processed.

    My OPT Extension expires in June 2014.

    Conclusion — SEVIS not being updated does NOT indicate that you haven’t been picked up in the lottery.

    Hang in there and don’t jump onto conclusions.

    Good luck !!
    –Sid

    Reply
    • Thanks again for the update SID…this would have given me hope but I finally spoke with my attorney and he mentioned no updates on my case yet…so 🙁

      Reply
      • If you are a AD / REG, I still feel you have time (not sure about PP). USCIS isn’t bound to any deadline for the regular guys. So it is my analysis that unless you receive your packet back, you are not out of the game. You can receive the receipt anytime. And obviously, if USCIS hasnt sent any notification to your Lawyer / HR, they wouldn’t have any update for you.

        I know it is hard, but having a back up plan doesn’t hurt. Easier said than done, but all we can do is wait.

        Good luck!
        –Sid

        Reply
    • I asked my University if my Sevis has been updated

      they replied that my sevis has been recently updated with H1-B Cap Gap added

      and provided me with EAC #

      but still my attorney did not recieve any notice regarding my H1-B

      Please advise, what is my position know.

      Reply
  7. So i was going through the H1B Visa Tracker on this site (At this point, I dont know what else to do)

    Out of the 275 total petitions reported on the tracker (195 Regular , 77 Masters , 3 – Other) ….194 are still waiting for lottery result ..whereas the rest are picked/awaiting receipt number/approved etc

    Taking this as a sample …it still baffles me as the amount of people awaiting a lottery result to be as high as 194 for a sample of 275 ….what do you guys think???
    I am guessing some people dint update the tracker …but like i said i have no option but to analyze this ….I feel like i need closure on this

    Reply
    • losinghope_I need to be strong_Lost Hope Completely Now,
      Probably b/c people stop caring about data entry once they are selected. The ones who are still waiting for the result are more eager to remain updated. So the data may not be an accurate representation.

      Reply
  8. Anyone applying through Seyfarth Shaw? Are they updating the online portal? I have not seen any changes in mine since March 31….

    Reply
  9. Hell Vs Paradise April 29, 2014 at 2:52 pm
    Today at 10:34 A:M, I really observed the difference between Hell and paradise when I got an email from my HR that My application is picked up in the Lottery. I am not provided by any recipt no neither I asked. My case was:

    AD/RP/Vermont

    This is the worst thing I saw in “So called Land of Oppoertunities” I can feel the pain for those who are still waiting. Best of Luck!

    Reply
    • Congratulations! Good to hear that. Hope there is still some ‘hope’ left for AD/PP.
      So you’ve been waiting all these days with us right?

      Reply
      • So finally got a word from my HR …they said they have no update on my case but said USCIS is continuously sending receipts out still and they wont call the process a close as of yet…not sure if i should hope for a miracle now …since its virtually over . This has been the worst month of my life and I cant wait for May to start

        Reply
        • I understand. The wait is killing, and the fear of unknown, makes us all more anxious. Surprisingly there was a burst of receipts from CA Center 10 days back, but we do not get to see the same for VT, which is sporadic in comparison. This is particularly for the case of AD/RP. This is a bit strange.

          Is it because the percentage share of AD/PP(All) and AD/RP (CA) applicants is more than AD/RP (VT) on the overall?

          Reply
          • I know …i kind of realized I have not seen a lot of updates from the CA center recently …infact nothing after like April 19-22nd window …it almost to me seems like they are done with receipts …Not sure what to hope for now …..no ray of hope anywhere…..all my dreams shattered ……..I hope atleast some of us still get it ..if not all.

      • So finally got a word from my HR …they said they have no update on my case but said USCIS is continuously sending receipts out still and they wont call the process a close as of yet…not sure if i should hope for a miracle now …since its virtually over . This has been the worst month of my life and I cant wait for May to start

        Reply
        • thanks for the encouraging words….but my hopes are dashed …not sure if upto may 12/15th …would actually yeild any more receipt numbers ??

          Reply
  10. Any AD/RP folks still waiting… Lets do a count …please …..also are you guys still hoping for a mircale or in your opinion is over??

    Reply
      • Arpita …did you apply last year as well…anyone on here who could provide valuable input on wether we have any hopes left …since this is the end of the month and I have not heard a word back from my attorney.

        Reply
        • Last year I received my Receipt on May 16. EAC-13-143, is all I remember. AD/RP. Received RFE on June 12, 2014. For some stupid reason, the Company attorney, messed things up and responded late. Hence my petition was terminated. This time applied again, and is my only hope.

          Reply
          • Arpita, I cannot even imagine the pain you went through last year…first of all to get selected in this nightmare and then to get the rejection when it was not your fault…..all we can hope for is each on of us are put out of our misery and survive…this …hang in thr my friend

          • Arpita, my case may was worse than yours- I actually moved back to India last year because of visa issues. I was searching for a job for my profile for a year in India after which I got one and they sent me to US for training in the same location I lived earlier. This is my 4th year waiting in the h1b line. Every year something unlucky has happened due to which my application didn’t even go through. I am never going to apply for h1b again if this time things go wrong. Obviously, who will apply for 5th time!

          • In my previous attempts, the cap was closed on the same day (Nov 2011) when my application was being sent. In 2012, the company I worked for did not sponsor H1B. In 2013, the company I worked for made a mistake in my petition and they were not able to correct it and send by the time the lottery was conducted. This year mostly everything happened how it should have with regards to my application but the # of applications for advanced degree is the highest ever and I am awaiting receipt.

          • Yes, last year, I was depressed over this mishap. The blame came on me saying that I should have sent my attorney constant reminders about my RFE. This year 50,000 more applications, and my chances are slim.
            Also VT is generally considered slow, as it is said to receive roughly 70% of all petitions and workload is high, as per my present attorney.

    • Today at 10:34 A:M, I really observed the difference between Hell and paradise when I got an email from my HR that My application is picked up in the Lottery. I am not provided by any recipt no neither I asked. My case was:

      AD/RP/Vermont

      This is the worst thing I saw in “So called Land of Oppoertunities” I can feel the pain for those who are still waiting. Best of Luck!

      Reply
      • congrats on getting picked. My org has not provided any information yet ….could you do me a favor and ask your DSO (School) to see if your SEVIS updated as well.

        Reply
  11. Got the positive news from my employer, receipt notice. I am non-AD/Regular/CA. Do not loose hope guys and stay positive.

    Reply
    • You can use your receipt number to check your case status on USCIS website. Below is the link for case checking. Good luck!

      https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/Dashboard/CaseStatus.do

      Reply
    • EAC – Vermont / WAC – California
      14 – year (2014)
      140 – date of issuance (working day count beginning 10/1/2013)
      5XXXX – 5 is a standard number and XXXX represents the application number selected that day

      Reply
        • The last 4 numbers are irrelevant. They’re just based on a selection order.

          The entire receipt number means you have been selected. Go to the USCIS website to check whether you have been approved using the number.

          Reply
  12. Dear all,
    Got my reciept, employer sent the mail just now, RQ/RP/CA,
    WAC-14-144-5-XXXX

    Thanks everyone and good luck!

    Reply
  13. Got receipt number from my employer today
    Rec no – WAC 14 140 *****
    Notice date 21st April.
    RQ/RP/CA

    Thanks and good luck to everyone in the forum.. 🙂 🙂

    Reply
  14. so is it game over for AD/Regular…i really have not heard a lot of people come back with updates. I`m shocked

    Reply
  15. Just got receipt number from attorney 🙂 🙂
    Non-ad/RP/Vermont
    Notice Date :23 April 2014
    EAC-14-142-55***

    Status in USCIS site : initial review

    Reply
    • No Way A.K. too early to give up for RQ/RP. I see lot of AD still hearing updates. So RQ/RP will definitely continue to get updates based on this.

      Reply
  16. Any RQ/RP/VT receipts today? I saw a lot of them yesterday in this forum but today seems not much.
    And, anyone remember from last year till what time receipts were sent for this category?

    Reply
    • Last receipt that I know from last year is EAC131445XXXX which was generated on Apr 28th & received on 29th. As per my estimate, this week will be the last for all the receipts(of course some AD people may get if they are in waitlist).

      I am waiting for mine(RQ\RP). Fingures crossed 🙁

      Reply
      • so thats it …..game over 🙁 This is insace…I havent seen a lot of AD people acknowledging here that they received receipts …how could this be possible…I am not questioning you but just foxed at the outcome.

        Reply
          • Hmmm that is what it seems like …..because hardly any AD/RP have confirmed receipts most PP and Non-AD/Regular ..i guess ill have to take this hit and look ahead ..not sure where though

      • I read just few comments below from other person “PP Petition” that last year RQ/RP receipts were coming in till end of May’2013. If they follow the same trend then RP/RQ folks need to wait patiently I guess.

        Reply
  17. My check still not being cashed and my current visa expires on the 31st May…Does anyone know when is the approx time allowed for Non-ad/RP/Vermont? thanks

    Reply
  18. People have even got their visas approved .. And I am still waiting for the receipt to come. God why am I so unlucky.. 🙁 AD/Regular/VT

    Reply
  19. Hello Folks

    I am yet to hear from my employer regarding lottery selection.
    Mine is Non-AD/RP/ (Not sure about where the petition was sent)

    Anyone from Infosys,HCL,Accenture,CTS,Wipro,Capgemini,Teradata,Atos,Amdocs,IBM got any updates from their respective employers wheter they have been selected in Lottery or not for Non-AD/RP?

    Thanks
    KD

    Reply
  20. I applied for PP/AD/VT. A week ago, I was informed by my employer that the check was cashed. But I have yet to receive my receipt number. Does anyone know what this implies?

    Reply
    • yours is the same case as mine. Attorney says that this is great news and HR said not to disclose to people around yet until I receive physical receipt confirmation

      Reply
  21. They guys who get receipts from now on. Its better they post the date when there attorney received if possible. That will help others and stay positive while waiting.
    So best of luck to all .Hope we all get it 🙂

    Reply
  22. I applied for PP/AD I got my case number on April 15th. but when I track it online and by the phone it say: your case can not be found at this time in my case status. does anybody has the same problem?

    Reply
    • The tracking system for Vermont center receipts is not functioning properly. You will see an update once your case is processed.

      Receipts Notice dates between 10th and 19th are having this issue. If you have a physical copy/soft copy with your name on it, then there is no reason for concern.

      Reply
    • Yeah, a lot of people seem to have the same issue. I believe it is a common occurrence among folks who have receipt numbers in the 130s. EAC-14-13X-5XXXX are the ones that aren’t appearing on the system.

      Reply
  23. Folks

    Hi All

    1. Anyone who was here last yr, can comment, if the current rate of Non AD Non PP receipt distribution will go beyond May 15th ?

    2. Those based out of India (and who got selected this yr through Non AD Non PP), did you face any delay between day of receipt generation and day of being notified by your employer ?

    Reply
    • You are not in a horrible situation. You can at least live here and try again next year. You can also try other types of visa while you are here.

      Those who completed AD and on F1 status have to go back to home country (w/o a receipt).

      Good luck ! I hope that you get it.

      Reply
      • just a little joke…so maybe the AD people with jobs from Apple, facebook, google that didn’t make the lottery should marry someone coming from India with a “consultancy” company or Wipro…in order to stay in the country

        I’ve been in a country for a while – so this bill sounds very american, don’t talk about the elephant in the room (which is the broken H1B system), let’s fix H4

        Reply
  24. Good morning AD folks!

    Another day…..another 10 hours of grueling wait………no receipt yet……..28 horrible days of my life……….applied under AD/PP/VT category.

    We can retain some hope until May 12. But it is high time to begin working on plan B (applying other visa) and C (move to home country or other country). My mind says that it’s all over for those (w/o receipts) who applied under AD category but my heart (desire) says that we still have have some hope (may be we will get a receipt by postal mail or may be we are in wait-list). I also read somewhere that the mind could be smarter than the heart (desire).

    Let’s see how many AD/PP and AD/RP are still waiting here. Thanks.

    Reply
    • waiting for receipt…. I am positive the all receipts have not been delivered yet. This is confirmed by attorney and HR

      Reply
      • I will be happy if your theory is right.

        But I have some questions. I am offending or questioning you. Just wanted to clarify.

        On what basis did they confirm this theory ? Is it based on number of receipts they obtained for AD folks ? Is their sample size large ? How many AD applications did they file ?

        For example: If a firm (attorney or company) files 200 AD application and if they have received only 30-50 receipts then there is still hope. However, if they have received more than 100 receipts, then there might not be much hope (assuming USCIS received much larger AD applications).

        Reply
    • Still waiting.. But again, even the lawyers are not very hopeful now. Trying to work on plan B but that might not work too.. Too complicated to move to another location looking at the timeline. But let’s see.. Can only wait for the returned packet now because don’t think any other news is coming.

      Reply
    • AD/RP/VT still waiting. My school DSO is also not cooperating in getting me my F1 Record status update. She refuses to even check. Attorney yet to get back to me on en-cashed check status.

      I just needed time to sell my car, buy out the lease, payoff credit card bills and go home. :(.

      Reply
  25. posting this question hoping someone will enlite me. I just dont undertsand one thing, why h4-h1 people applying in premium? They cant do job till Oct 2014 even they get approval, So usics will think employer want to skip thorough check by applying in premium and they give more RFE to them. or i am missing something here?

    Reply
    • Maybe there are employers who don’t want to wait 3 – 5 mo to get an answer (which can be RFE) – so for regular folks, the wait could take you beyond October.. USCIS can issue an RFE easier for PP petitions (because they feel you hurry them up) or not, it depends a lot on the company (consultancy, tata/Wipro, EVC model – those get rfe a lot, PP or regular)

      Reply
  26. Can anyone confirm something to me? My OPT expires on May 3rd. Can I continue working until I hear back from USCIS or do I have to stop on the date on the card?

    Non-AD/PP still waiting…

    Reply
    • I believe if you applied for your H1B you automatically get a cap-gap extension until 1st OCT, this extension will end immediately if you receive your packet back or your H1b has been rejected.

      Below paragraphs are fron the USCIS site

      ‘Eligibility for an Extension

      H-1B petitions that are timely filed, on behalf of an eligible F-1 student, that request a change of status to H-1B on October 1 qualify for a cap-gap extension.
      Timely filed means that the H-1B petition (indicating change of status rather than consular processing) was filed during the H-1B acceptance period which begins April 1, 2013 while the student’s authorized F-1 duration of status (D/S) admission was still in effect (including any period of time during the academic course of study, any authorized periods of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), and the 60-day departure preparation period, commonly known as the “grace period”).’

      Reply
      • Makes sense! It’s what I had read, but didn’t know if I had interpreted it wrong. I guess now I might as well hope that the rejection later doesn’t come in for another couple of weeks.

        Reply
  27. They move fast this year at California center. Got a call from my lawyer that I was selected in lottery a week ago and today status page shows that my application is done (approved). Non-AD/PP. Now I can finally focus on something else

    Reply
  28. I have been a silent spectator for this page from the day lottery announced to know up-to-date happenings in USCIS. Last night, i received a mail from my employer with good news.
    Mine is non advanced degree, regular processing VT.

    Reply
  29. My employer applied with premium processing but in USCIS site it’s showing as regular only. Any clue? As per lawyer the premium check is also not encashed till now. Appreciate the inputs.

    NonAD – Vermont

    Reply
  30. my emp just informed that we have to wait for may end for all the type of applications… and non ad REG are starting to come from this week onwards in bulk.. i am worried 🙁

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  31. The employer of my sis filed for H1B in PP in CA.
    Her case got selected (2nd attempt) in lottery. But today the application got updated with the request for evidence (RFE). I’m wondering if anyone in H4-to-H1B got the same message as well.

    Reply
    • I think it’s tied more to the employer – was it a consultancy company? Is it Infosys, tata, Wipro? is it an HR company, EVC model? all of those generally get RFE and it’s a strong RFE …for American companies, RFE usually tie to education or if the job requires specialty knowledge or if the lawyer missed on sending some document

      Reply
      • Not true RFE does not mean refusal just provide what ever they are requesting, as long as all your documents are legitimate you should be fine

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  32. Hi All,

    My case status is being shown as:

    Post Decision Activity

    On April 28, 2014, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

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

    Does that mean,H1 is approved?

    Reply
  33. Hi All,

    I got my receipt number on April 17th from employer EAC1413453*** through premium processing and it is still not reflecting in the USCIS case status link.

    Case type: NON-AD/PP/VSC(H4 to H1)

    Does anyone in the same boat.

    Reply
    • a lot of people can’t track their status from VT – I’m worried too, but we should get an update soon. Petitions received from EAC14133XXXXX to EAC14138XXXX are apparently affected. I’m non-AD/PP/VT, also change of status (L1 to H1)

      Reply
      • Have you guys seen any chances? As of now my case still ‘cannot be found’. My application is in the 135 series at the Vermont center.

        Reply
      • I have the same issue. EAC-14-135-5XXXX and it is showing up as ‘case not found’. I guess that logic says that you shouldn’t work (given the number of people in the same boat) but you can’t help but wonder and get a little anxious! Please post here if anyone that wasn’t able to see it can now see it.

        Reply
        • my guess is that we will see a status after the case is processed – so it will jump to RFE/approval/denial stage … I’m hoping on approvals for everyone here, we got through this horrible lottery, I don’t think we can take another RFE waiting period

          Reply
    • I just undertsand one thing. why h4-h1 people applying in premium? They cant do job till Oct 2014 even they get approval, So usics will think employer want to skip thorough check by applying in premium and they give more RFE to them. or i am missing something here?

      Reply

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