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
Got receipt from my attorney.(Non-PP/AD/California)
Just got receipt # from lawyer!
non AD/PP/Vermont
Received date: April 10
Notice date: April 15 (but i just got the email now..)
Good luck to all of you out there! Don’t lose hope!!!
really?! today?
When did your lawyer get the email though?
I was already crying and finding someone to marry me just now after speaking to my lawyer…>”<
She told me non-AD/PP/Vermont has little hope…
I just got my reciept notice for a Non-PP/AD/VSC petition
Good luck to you all, this site is gem, keep up the hard work
Uscis on apr 17 announced that they will start premium processing on 28th. Earlier they announced ‘no later than 28th’. Does this mean they r behind on sending receipts and updating databases for pp petitions? If yes, then pp guys should not lose hopes until 25th
I have also been a silent reader. Thought Id share this.
My employer received my receipt this morning from my lawyer. My application was through the Vermont Center. I was under Regular Processing/Advanced Degree. My receipt comes with a date received by the Vermont Center of April 10th and notice date of April 17th.
Keep hope everyone!
Ditto, California has started sending out the regular processing (Master’s degree in my case), way ahead of my expectations.
Hey there Guys,
I am not from India but have followed the page since all this started. I just got an email from my attorney AD/RP/VSC picked in lottery.
God bless you all and hope everyone can get the good news. My personal believe is that there may be some sort of cap rise within the following months as there was one on 2001 and 2002 following the applications of 200,000 visas in 2000.
AD/Regular/Vermont. 🙁
No news yet. Attorney in Columbus. I have seriously no idea what would the result be. Tensed, worried, anxious not able to concentrate in my work too. Personal and professional life completely depends on my selection. Both are gonna get ruined if rejected. 🙁
I know exactly what you are going through… I’m in the exact same state… And it’s hard to concentrate on anything and people around me have started noticing that
Atleast people around you have noticed it. People in my company dont even know what I am going through.. 🙁 Dint think my life would change based on a lottery. 🙁 Feeling like I m in hell.. 🙁 Nervous all the time.. 🙁
People around me dont know what i am going through ..i really dont like talking about these things …but it sure as hell is distracting …praying for a last minute miracle.
Seriously.:( Good luck. 🙁
you too bud !!! Worst part is i have not heard a word from my lawyer since filing 🙁
AD/RP/VT
Hi. I`ve been a silent follower. I got a confirmation from my lawyer today. They said they received the paper receipt notice today. Advanced degree & Regular processing. I am from Texas so my service center should be Vermont.
I don’t think USCIS has got it in yet. One more person in my firm got in under the same processing category.
Congratulations bud 🙂 glad to know the anxious wait is over for you….. My lawyer has not told me a thing 🙁 losing hope…. Every second now
Congrats dude.
Receipt# pls?
**Bad News**
Kind of, sort of. I am an AD/PP/VT
I spoke to my lawyer at Fragomen today and he said they received very little receipts since the past Wednesday, and seemed like he was trying to tell me thatI didn’t get selected.
I’ve been losing hope day by day, but now I only have 0.5% hope left.
called my lawyer and she told me that since I filed PP, and most of PP got the receipts…mostly likely I’m not selected… 🙁
but she said coz I’m non-AD, there’s still hope…wait till the end of this week…
Does it indeed mean that AD cases are given a preference over non-AD cases atleast when it comes to sending out receipts and notifications.
Don’t understand why, but looks like that’s the trend !
Starlite,
The only reason I can think of is that AD lottery happens prior to regular cap. So AD are notified first and then others.
Can we encourage applicants to use the redbus2us tracker, they have setup an excellent tool to track the date and help everyone else in being informed.
The more ppl we have there, the more useful is the data pool
Grad Student,
I just made an announcement about this in the main FY-15 page. Let’s see if that increases the traffic to that tool.
All, is there any announcement or prediction on the total number of AD Applications received?
Did any AD/PP people still receive receipts today ??
Hi Guys, I have applied H1 under Ad/Regular processing , heard many people are getting updates in this category, I am currently on opt ext so i called my school and asked them if my sevis had been update recently and looks like its not update at all..does that mean my h1b application is not picked 🙁
@RD,
It’s too early for you to get worried if you applied under Regular processing mode. Please be patient and prayerful for at-least one more month.
@RD,
No worry at least for now. I got the receipt this morning though my SEVIS is not updated and the check has not been cashed. So there’s a chance that your paper receipt comes first.
Ho do you know about your checks? How do you see it?
@Gameoflucks
I asked my boss to check if it was cashed.
Hopefully, thanks a lot for the information..its a breather for me
Thanks, I will be
Saurabh,
Ideally, it ll take some more days for getting receipts for Non-AD/Regular right?
But, some people said, they already got mails! Do you know any cases like that?
dude..I just read below…
non ad non pp getting receipts numbers….
is it true ? man come on
Hi small jk,
Lets wait for Saurabh to get back on this. 🙂
JK
Saurabh, rut?
JK,
Yes, there are folks who have reported receiving receipt numbers through postal mail (non-PP). It is possible that based on last year’s long delay, USCIS have updated their process and handling the situation more effectively.
JK lets hope tomorrow you and me bro both hear some good news. I think its long due.
My attorney and employer both are in Ohio. Which center do I have to expect my notice from? And how long does it take to reach to Ohio?
Vermont!! but check with attorney if possible that if they have send your application to Cali.
California center apparently started sending non-premium / non-advanced degree, so I guess there’s no much hope left for AD/PP and non-AD/PP
Wow USCIS is really hurrying up this time. I know 2 people + me, who got the receipt numbers today. This is for Non-PP, Non-Adv…heres my first 10 hopefully its useful to some others: WAC1413650XXX
Is it? NonAD/Regular?? That’s really early!
I am waiting for mine. Lets see, wat happens..
Good luck buddy!
Thanks Man! And my best wishes.. Enjoy your day with your family n frns. 🙂
@JK
I’m also waiting with lot of hope 🙂 let’s see what happens…
Hope we both will hear good news soon by god’s grace. 🙂
Are you guys waiting for California as well?
Mine is Vermont.
Same here, non AD / RP @ Vermont
Hi,
I got to kno from my DSO that my status was update on 15 April. They even had the receipt number.
But it has been 6 days after that and my attorney has not received anything.
I am AD/PP/CA
My attorney says that there could be a glitch in SEVIS DB. It is not confirmed till I get the receipt.
Also when people say
the three digits after 14 are the day of the year. How do they count it?
How is 133 or 137 a day in April?
Same thing happened to me last year. I got the news from DSO with receipt# and attorney didn’t get anything. Turns out my application was not PP at all. I would say if you have updated SEVIS with receipt then u r selected. No glitch.
Hi “Gameoflucks”,
Has the check you gave as Premium Processing fee ($1225) been cashed?
@Optimist:
I did not pay the check, it was through my attorney/employer. I am assuming they paid the check. My attorney is Egan LLP. They wont tell me if the check was encashed.
@PP_Notreally : my attorney / employer say it was PP. And I think it would be PP as they do PP for every one at my firm.
Attorney says there could be a glitch. SEVIS has often had problems.
:\
Some one explain me how is this 133 , 137 etc day of receipt generation?
133 is not a day in April
Also ho can so many people see the check status? Is it now what goes through your employer?
Gameoflucks,
It points to the 133rd and 137th working day of FY-14. USCIS fiscal year starts on Oct 1. So it will be 133rd and 137th working day from Oct 1.
Hi Guys,
Received the notice by mail to Employer. Mine is Adv Degree/Regular Processing.
Received date: April 10, 2014
Notice date: April 17, 2014
Receipt Number: EAC-14-137-XXXXX
Hope all get their receipt numbers soon.
Congrats Man 🙂
We r still waiting! Non-AD/Regular.
Congrats h1b-2015_application, where is your employer located?
@hopeful_h1b
-Georgia
Any one got receipt for Non AD / Regular / Vermont ?
Waiting, I know JK and a couple of others here are waiting too !
Follow this at your own risk – if you are too desperate to know the status of your case (only for those who got their receipts)
Get a friend (whom u can trust) .. call USCIS… they won’t tell anything to the beneficiary (you), tell them your employer is with you and would like to talk. They will just ask him/her his/her name and position – that’s it and then you can ask whatever you want and they are bound to answer.
did anyone try?
Yes, I did. As I was too desperate to know the status.
What did they tell ?
Did they give you the information that you wanted.
Hi All,
Just want to know if AD/PP/VSC or CSC still receiving receipt# or not. Is there anyone on forum with AD/PP who has received receipt today? Please reply. It will help people like me to get some idea of the situation.
Has any one got non-AD/RP/ receipts today?
Any one still waiting for AD/ non PP? will all AD / non PP know if they are picked by end of this week or next week?
+1. AD/Regular – Waiting.
AD/Regular ….waiting and losing hope ..i wanna be positive but the wait is killing!!
Waiting.. Holding some hope still.. 🙂
Any one from Texas ?
NON-AD/REG/
i know we still have time but not hearing any one from TEXAS.
SRC ?
I am from houston TX AD/PP…. but still no updates….
I am from Austin. But as far as I know our processing is done on either Vermont or California regardless of which state we live in…
Yours is Adavnced or Regular
Advanced-PP
So, REGULAR NON-AD will start only after 28 or when can we expect that process ?
I am from Austin, so ours will be processed from VERMONT or California center ?
When can we expect ours ?
From Houston AD/PP
my checks are not being deposited yet…
don’t know if that means I didn’t get selected…
(non-ad/pp/vermont)
AD/PP/VT..My lawyer called up USCIS and said they they were significantly backed up in regards to issuing PP email receipts, as well as with data entry. I don’t know if it changes anything but a little something to keep our hopes alive.
how nice! your lawyer is actually willing to call USCIS!
thanks for this comforting news!
Thank dude.. means a lot to us.. AD/PP/VT… i hope you and your employer are right.. dnt wht to blv and wht nt at the moment…
Thanks. I hope that we (PP applicants) get our receipt numbers soon. Sooner the better……….
That might me the reason that my school SEVIS record for me was updated on April 15 but I did not receive the receipt so far
AD/PP/CA
Thanks “Slow death”! Your post leaves us with some more hope to stay in this game. And it makes sense too. Because if USCIS sends all the premium receipt at once they are very sure that they can’t deliver all of them within 15 days. So perhaps they are taking a break for premium ones , and doing non-premium for a couple of days.
I really wish what USCIS told my law firm is true. I am on my OPT Ext and this is my last chance. I can definitely feel the anguish and pain of the guys who are in this quandary. Praying for everybody.
thanks for this update,,,really means a lot at this hour…
Yayyy…I am AD/RR/Vermont center…
Just got an update from my employer..
My application is picked..
Congrats Papa!!!
Do you know what is the processing day on the receipt?
Congrats Papa! 🙂
Have you go your receipt#? If so, pls share the first 10 digits of it. Also, the processing date..
hola,
my receipt num first 10 digits..”EAC1413754″
I m not sure If I can share my complete num..:(
So gave the first 10 as requested
Thanks a lot for sharing Papa.
Celebrate your gr8 day 🙂
Since Vermont already started issuing RP/AD receipts is there any chance still left for Non-AD/PP ????
i hope so!!!
i’m non-ad/pp/vermont too!
my lawyer said she received 6 AD and 1 non-AD so far… (on friday)
usgrad,Arun,KS,SD,Anu,optimist,
Did any one of you get reply today? How many ad/pp candidates are still waiting?
I can count 7 … assuming we are all still waiting… 🙁
I am also waiting.. looks like its almost over.. still dnt want to accept the fact somehow.. mine AD/PP/VT..
Still waiting under AD/PP/VT. Some times I feel that we should keep hope until Apr 28. Other times, I also feel that our game is over.
Same here dude… losing almost all senses.. this is my last chance. my stem extension OPT expiring in June.. dnt knw wht to blv and wht not.. as many of the AD/ regular processing started to get receipts from last Friday..
My status will end in Aug 2014. Still keeping my hope under AD/PP/VT category.
It looks like AD/non premium guys started getting receipts.Do we have any chance left or game over for us?
Make that +1. My husband is also waiting.
+1
+1
+1
+1
Still wating AD/PP/VT
Count = 10.
Count me in. AD/PP/VT
Count me, NON AD, PP, CSC.
12 guys are still waiting. any ad/pp still waiting?
Me too waiting AD/PP/CA
approx count=15.Let us not lose hope
+ 1
My Wife is still waiting …AD/PP
Not yet 🙁 I was browsing at PHD schools today since morning. BTW I am AD/PP/VT
Hi Hope,
I too haven’t received any reply as of now.
Has any non-AD/PP/CSC got receipt today?
Should all PP cases loose hope already? 🙁
Any TCS people, updates on Lottery selection?
No man.. Just VTS updated with petition filing
My employer just received the receipt number by mail! I’m AD/Non-PP/CA. Bless you all!!
Congats KI 🙂
Any Non-AD / PP / VT !!???
non-AD/PP/Vermont
i’m still waiting…anyone too?
me too waiting. but loosing hopes…
Waiting tooo ….. 🙁
Same! ;(
did any non-ad/pp/vermont got receipt today though?
waiting
SO is it the end of PP processing ???? since Regular started getting mails.
Hi,
Employer received my H1B receipt mail today. MASTERS/REGULAR PROC/CALIFORNIA. Wishing Everyone Good Luck !
Hi All,
My employer received the receipt through USPS mail today.
AD/non PP/Vermont
Congratulation AK. I just wonder why your employer got the receipt, not the attorney? Just a bit confused about who will get the receipt. please help. thanks
Congrats AK!!
Do you know what is the processed day on the receipt?
Just wanted people to know that I got a picked up in the lottery. This is No Premium, Advanced degree, California.
Just called my school and I got my receipt number today. VSC Npp Adv.
EAC1413651xxx
But I could not find my receipt number in USCIS website
Congrats, Joyce. You got the receipt from your attorney or school? What is your university?
I got my receipt on the 11th from VSC but it still says that my case cannot be found on uscis.gov case tracker..anyone else having this issue? It’s been 10 days already and I have PP so technically shouldn’t I get an approval notice this Friday?
Is there anybody who have got their receipts but hasn’t seen any SEVIS update?
Yup my DSO checked my SEVIS record and it hasn’t been updated. I need to get my cap gap extension but she can’t do it until she see’s a change in the record..so ridiculous.
So you got your receipt notice? Are you AD/Regular?
Yea I got my receipt 10 days ago, I’m AD/PP/VSC
Does any one know the last WAC number?
I think it is WAC1414051659, the last i checked
Sorry wait, now it has become – WAC1414150970
Does any ad/pp candidates got receipts today?
Exactly haven’t seen anyone getting receipts today here. Dont knw why is this the case..
Does that mean the game is over for ad/pp guys?
May be coz of Easter I suppose. Not sure though whether it is closed today or not.
i can’t see any updated comments on the board…only if i posted a new comment. any ideas?
Has anyone received the message saying that they actually were NOT selected?
Just trying to figure out if they are already dropping the hammer…
I need to know this too.. Has anyone been known that they are not selected in Lottery?
First they will send out the receipt numbers to the selected ones, premium processing, then selected regular processing, and then returned petitions. It will take time to confirm about someone not selected.
Any update on non-AD/RP/VSC petitions? Heard that they have already started sending mails to employers.
Am waiting too.. 🙁
Count me in too ! Mail you mean e-mail or snail mail ?
BTW does notifying decision on cases follow a priority sequence –
AD and then Non AD in that order ? Wonder why USCIS would do that
Any AD/ regular processing reciepts are out from today morning?
The last Number generated was EAC1413254030. After that Is it
EAC1413354031 or EAC1413554031 ?
Does any one know the last WAC number?
WAC1414150970
It will always be – EAC-14-132-5xxxx. The 14 is the year, 132 is the business day from 10/1. and 5 is always there. Last 4 digits is the application number for that business day processed.