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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

      • There is a way…go to website myvisajobs.com and search for your employers H1B LCA filing. Match the LCA closest to your profile. You might have to create a login to the website to get detailed information. Remember there would not be any name on the LCA, its only through the job profile.

        Reply
  1. Any AD/Non AD, PP ppl still receiving receipts from USCIS or is it game over? Really don’t know whats happening…..any thoughts

    Reply
  2. Thank You so much GOD! I recieved the receipt number last night…feeling relieved now…..

    Don’t loose hope…..receipts are still coming……..best of luck to all of you 🙂

    Reply
  3. guys hang in there…..receipts still coming in.

    employer informed me today mrng…check has been encashed…woahhhhh! feeling so lucky.

    RP/RP/Vermont 148 series

    Reply
    • Hi

      Did you check got encashed today?

      I checked with my employer. He said my check has not been encashed till now. So I am wondering if I have any chance of getting receipt.

      Reply
      • Hey Smita,

        Not exactly…my check was encashed on 05th May. The processing date was 30April. So i guess within 3-5 days after getting processed, the checks will be encashed.

        Do check with your employer today/Monday. If you dont hear the encashment thing, then it could all be over. 🙁 🙁

        Reply
        • I got to know from my HR about my check being cashed on April 28 but no receipt yet by mail. I got the receipt # from HR from the back of the check and checked it online. It shows initial review but no physical receipt as of today

          Reply
  4. Writing this because I am sick and tired of the state I am in.. Each one of us here who is still waiting has gone through perhaps the most painful wait of their lives.. this is the 38th day of our continued hope and patience, 38th sleepless night, 38th day of no appetite and 38th day of misery we will never forget… However, whatever happens I am going to come out stronger because I know that in the end neither of us deserve this.. We do not deserve this torture after all the hard work we all have put in. It is just sickening to see how flawed and outdated this infrastructure is and perhaps will be for many many years. Because in the end NO ONE CARES!
    It’s a promise I make to myself that whatever happens I will not let this get to me. There is a better life and a better job somewhere and eventually I will get there.. I am done waiting! So no more hopes for H1.. time to relax and move on. Good luck!

    AD/PP/VT

    Reply
    • I haven’t received anything till this day. But I am still hopeful till the day I see a rejection notice. hang in there all hope is not lost, I feel your pain. I will have to go back to nigeria a country that has terrorists kidnapping people every noe and then.

      Reply
  5. Hello All,
    Is there any hopes left for Premium processing guys ? Can we wait till May 21 st or the game is over?

    Reply
  6. Dear Friends who are waiting.. Sorry to disappoint you all but the fact is GAME IS OVER now..

    Mine is RQ/RP/VSC and this is my second attempt on lottery (no luck this time as well).. We all will get the packages before end of next week like I received last year…

    Reply
  7. A quick update –

    A colleague of mine (AD/REG/VT) who is still awaiting for the receipt has been told to wait until he gets his packet back or the end of June, whichever is earlier. Per the lawyer, the receipts are getting processed in a very haphazard way (mine was did in regular processing and it got approved too. Went straight from case not found to post decision. The turn around time is seriously strange)

    Nothing is lost until the race is officially over. Hang in there & good luck! Just saw a couple of AD guys get the receipts today. Anything is possible.

    Good luck AD’s!!
    — Sid

    Reply
    • As always thanks for the update SID. Appreciate you trying to always give us positive info bro 🙂 Good luck with whatever you are doing these days 😉

      Reply
    • It’s really disappointing to wait, I love my job and don’t want to give up on just coz of lottery & I will be on H4 if at all my Petition does not get selected!

      its making me nervous:(

      Reply
        • Anybody knows that H4 visa holders can do work from home to an India company?is that legal?salary would be India salary only..only thing is physically present in US but work for India company…appreciate your help

          Reply
          • No. Legally it is not allowed. If you are physically present in US , as a legal alien, you need valid authorization to work irrespective of where the work is being done for and how the payment is being made. This is the legal way of doing it.

          • I dont think its illegal. H4 person is not raising an LCA or she is not going to any USA employer office to perform job. she is doing it from home and the salary was paid to Indian bank account using Indian PAN card only. if that is illegal, then people who got business back in India on thier names and getting money montly is also illegal. she just need not to specify the work or income anywhere in w2 form and visa forms, thats it

  8. Ad/RP/CA waiting here and also “Waiting” is waiting for the same category ..anyone else…..from CA. I do happen to know a bunch of people waiting from AD/RP/VT as well.

    Reply
  9. My employer said he got some internal information about my case(non AD/RP) and refused to say its positive or negative.
    he already got 15/20 applications)
    Any guess what he is referring to??

    Reply
    • one could be that may be the employer checked that the check was cashed for your application which is quite a big indicator of selection

      Reply
    • Maybe your check has not been cashed yet. So he is not sure if your case has been picked up or not. However, he is giving you a glimmer of hope by keeping mum.

      So stay positive. My case is the same 😐

      Reply
  10. I filed regular processing but didnt get any notice from employer. They asked me to wait for 2 more weeks? Any chance I got picked up in lottery?

    Reply
        • +1 AD/PP/VT .. I strongly believe most of the AD applicants will hear the good news .. sooner or later. Good luck everyone

          Reply
          • I am still waiting under AD/PP/VT.

            IMHO, most of the AD guys/gals do get H1B. Unfortunately, we are those few unlucky ones who will miss out.

            Unless the probability is 100%, there will always (even at 99% success) be few unlucky ones and it appears that we are in that category.

            Time to actively work on Plan B (other job or visa) or Plan C (sell stuff and same money to go back home).

          • Don’t worry buddy now home is much better place then we left few years back …….
            Abki bar Modi Sarkar……..
            So things is going to change think of few lacs less but home is home…..

            Me to waiting and waiting this is making me more patriot…..vande mataram……

            + AD/RP/VT

          • Checked with school, no change in status. Checked with lawyer, response was ‘Your case perhaps didn’t make it this year’.. Don’t want to accept but it is game over. OPT expires early next week.

          • sorry to hear that…similar situation …no go for me till now …Arpita`s case did bring some hope but not much …for a second i thought maybe we still have hope but looks like that was the last bright spark in the flame before it burns out 🙁 Crying here

        • Got my Receipt Today. AD/RP/VT
          EAC 14-146 series. I can heave a sigh of relief now.
          I think there is still hope for us all now. If I have more details about the post-markings I will share it with you all. My Lawyer is very hard to reach, and all communications emanate from his clerical staff.
          All the best to you all.

          Reply
          • Arpita, I always knew you would get it! Hope you have not sold your car yet. CONGRATS
            I got the receipt # from my HR but not my employer has not received receipt by mail yet!

          • As a matter of fact, I did yesterday. Calling him to return the car, Lol. Out of the frying pan into the fire situation. Let us pray for all AD guys here, so that they get it.

          • Are you the person that you mentioned you could not concentrate on the job and kept leaving the office early?

          • Congrats !

            It appears that your attorney received it long time back (146 series).

            Still waiting under AD/PP/VT knowing quite well that it is game over for me.

          • No there has been some mailing discrepancies. Along with me another guy got his PP receipt yesterday by mail. Strange he never got any email notifications from USCIS. Our lawyer received it by post yesterday.

          • Thanks for the information. Your information has given us some hope.

            Our life (AD folks) have become a video game where a player is about to die (when his points reduces to zero) for the game to finish. This player keeps getting some points when his score is close to zero and he struggles and fights to gain more points to survive longer.

          • Congrats ARPITA…that is great news…so you dont have to go back and no more the ordeal of selling you car etc. Please pray for me and others who are still anxiously waiting. Happy for you but also a tad bit jealous 😉

          • Well, even if there are delays in receipts etc. the Sevis would still update as soon as our case is entered in the system correct? Or am I missing something? So unless there is a change in the Sevis, it is likely that we didn’t make it.. Please correct me if I am wrong.

          • All i can tell you is SID from these forums, dint have his SEVIS Updated but got his H-1

          • Arpita I want to hug you right now soo much!!!!!! I am so happy for u. I wish I get the good news like you did. Pray for me now 🙂

          • I pray for all of you, who have been dealing with this inexplicable delay and ordeal. May you all AD deserving folks get it. I know the pain of an AD applicant, and I feel for you all. Pardon my soft spot for the AD guys, who go through the struggle of making and breaking a career, and focusing on school. My Best Wishes to all of ya.
            Love Arpita

          • Here is hoping that misery for all of us ends soon as well and we are on winning side.

          • My attorney is hard to reach too. I don’t hear any information from them. My employer doesn’t know anything about Lottery.
            I cried in the office yesterday and today, I had to close the office door. It is just too much stress.

          • i hear ya…almost are going through the same ordeal….its not easy putting up a straight face when on the inside you are so tensed and messed up ….my only support is this community …right here…this is what helps me get through the day.

          • Arpita, you seems popular 🙂 Heartiest congrats to you. Wishing all the very best to all others (including me, of course) for acceptance/approvals. Good Luck guys!!

    • I just found out that one of my friends got his receipt today… he is yet to get the receipt number..once he gives the number I ll post here…

      We still have hopes guys…lets stick together and be patient….

      Reply
  11. Thank you all for providing information on this site. AD/RP/CA….WAC-14-13x-xxxxx got approved today…….
    All the best to everyone who is waiting for the receipt/approval….

    Reply
  12. USCIS said they may be issuing Premium Processing H-1 receipts till 21 May and non PP till 30 May or so.

    https://twitter.com/immigrationcom/status/464059154244464641

    Reply
    • Hey how can we trust the authenticity of this post. And does that mean we stand a chance for another two weeks. I am RP/VT

      Reply
      • He is one of the reputed attorneys and they process around 2-3k applications every year. So depends how you want to look at it.

        Reply
      • This is what he wrote in that thread

        @campionite My office called USCIS on two cases at the request of our clients. I have the name and ID number of officers. Authentic IMHO.

        Reply
        • Hi all…

          I got something to support what ‘C’has posted.
          My attorney gotmy premium processing reciept notice on Monday-May 5th.
          Mine is Non-Ad,RQ,PP and Vermont still nter.
          I had lost all hopes, but was quite surprised to get a mail communication from employer that that attorney has received the reciept notice on may 5th.

          So they are still sending pp reciepts.

          So guys don’t loose hope ,wait for some more time..it’s just on the way.

          Reply
    • I’d rather believe this post to be authentic and remain hopeful for another 2 weeks. Coz the alternative is too painful 🙁

      Reply
  13. Same here.. Waiting.. I’m in Stem OPT which will expire in June 15
    Company has applied thru premium processing and still no news

    Reply
  14. So the USCIS website change for my application from ‘Not Found’ to ‘Post Decision/Approved’ today. This is PP/Ad/VT

    Can someone tell when I should expect to get the approval notice?

    Reply
    • Anyways, Congrats.. Be Patient.. Dont be in a hurry.. H1B start date is on October 1st. Lets discuss on some useful stuff like what to do when someone got an RFE

      Reply
  15. Next year i dont think we have this much of competetion as new rule for h4 will pass in 4 months and so cap h1b application reduce a lot next year. and this year also h4 people who didnt get picked need not be worry if thier spouse have i140 approved.

    Reply
  16. What are the chances left for :

    ” Non Advanced Degree” / ” Regular Processing ” / “Vermont”

    to get “selected” in lottery

    Reply
    • Check with your attorney if your check has been cashed or not, that is the best indicator of your chance this year

      Reply
  17. Can’t wait for the day when we will see folks posting their receipts generated on 150th day (may 2nd) and then folks reporting getting their rejected packages back so this agony can finally be over 🙁

    Reply
  18. I got my receipt. My company applied through BAL global – premium processing.

    I haven’t got the official confirmation from my attorney but my case in BAL website is updated as “H petition accepted in the lottery. Receipt notice received. Awaiting adjudication.” on 5/5/2014. I am not sure why the receipt for premium processing case was delayed for such a long time. I will update as soon as i hear from my attorney.

    My EAC number starts with “EAC14147*****”.

    This is my third and final attempt for H1. 2012 my company missed applying , in 2013 I was not selected in the lottery. I know how painful it is to wait. Everything happens for a reason. Stay positive!

    Good luck to all!!

    Reply
    • Congrats!!

      Same is my case. 2012 my company missed applying but applied my husband’s H1. I was not selected in 2013 lottery and now waiting with hope in h4 visa.

      my employer say he so far got 16 out for 20 applied.

      I am of one of 4..
      Good luck to all.

      Reply
    • Same case with me. BAL global with PP but heard only on the 5th..even mine has the same series of numbers as yours.. hmm

      Reply
      • Non AD/PP/Vermont – Current status is “intial review”

        On 4/21 attroney’s response was “We are still receiving premium processing receipt notices so it is still possible that we could hear from USCIS about your case.”

        No response after that. I got to know the receipt number by checking my case in BAL website

        Reply
  19. Non-AD/RP/VT. Just got the receipt from my attorney, what a relief.. Good luck to everyone that still waiting for a response. I wasn’t selected in the lottery last year so I know how it feels, just don’t give up.

    Reply
  20. Did anyone hear anything from USG?
    I was told I ll be notified by first week of may but havent heard anything yet.

    Reply
    • Yeah…..my checkw have not been encashed as yet. They have had 60% success ratir and i was among the unlucky rest

      Reply
  21. Hi guys,

    I received the notice on 4.21 and when I checked my case online yesterday, 5.6, it was approved .

    AD/RP/VT

    Seems like regular guys should start getting approvals soon.

    In the meantime, I suggest you guys to sign up for alert notices on USCIS wevsite,

    https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/termsconditions.jsp?contextType=CU_EN

    You will receive an email and/or text message anytime your case has been updated. I got my text message last night at 8:30 pm. 🙂

    Best of luck to you all!!!

    Reply
  22. Got an email from my attorney that they received a notification today that my petition has been selected. No receipt number yet.

    Reply
    • – I didn’t get any and checked with few of my colleagues as well. Please let us know if there any updates from Wipro today.

      Reply
        • my emp just responded saying that if no receipt in one week then there are just zero percent chances..
          now its freaking me out … sad

          Reply
          • from what i have heard its already game over for most people…only a few lucky one of us will get it.

          • My lawyer said the same thing last Friday…. He told me to wait till the end of this week, so I guess I will hang in there for 2 more days although the chance is very slim now 🙁

  23. Hi all,
    I was silent reader of this blog. Useful blog.
    Today morning I got to know from my Employer that I am selected in lottery.
    WAC 141415****.
    Mine was Regular processing/Non Adv Degree.
    So much happy.. Dont worry you all will get the good news..
    All the best..
    Thanks

    Reply
  24. Guyssss please

    I am very stressed right now
    I haven’t heard anything from my employer and my case is non-ad, reg p
    Is it the end? do I still have any chance?
    pleasseeee

    Reply
      • There is still chance.

        Check out this http://www.trackitt.com/usa-discussion-forums/h1b/1408806493/2015-h1b-non-ad-non-pp-application-results/page/6 .

        Someone has got the receipt by mail today having notice date as Apr 29.

        Reply
    • Hey Guys,

      All of us who have not yet recieved reciept numbers should atleast wait for next couple of weeks. USCIS is still mailing the reciept letters and many of us would hear the good news in days to come.

      Request you to not loose hope till then.

      All the best 🙂

      Reply
  25. Does anyone have insights into California (Bay Area) processing?

    I’m Non Advanced degree / Premium processing and have heard nothing (no receipt # and no rejection).

    I’m assuming the worst now.

    Reply
    • I have no idea whats wrong with CA…I have not seen AD or PP receipts from them for a while…maybe they are done..actually i think i am certain they are done. Its just about convincing my heart that i dont have a chance….my brain already knows it

      Reply
      • Try staying positive. I was told mine was PP but I didnt receive a receipt until yesterday.I dont know whether my attorney made a mistake and submitted it under non-PP or received the receipt earlier and took their own sweet time to update me about it. Either ways,their incompetence is appalling.Mine was non-AD/Vermont..

        Reply

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