H1B Visa

Are you Ready for H1B Visa 2015 Lottery? Latest Updates from USCIS

USCIS published guidelines for H1B Visa FY 2015 updates for the first time yesterday. Here’s the snapshot from the update

  • Petitions Accepted From : April 1, 2014
  • General H1B Cap – 65,000
  • Advanced Degree Cap – 20,000
  • Expected Petitions : More than available cap numbers ( H1B Visa 2015 Predictions )
  • Deadlines to File: April 7, 2014 (if there is a lottery)
  • Premium Processing
    • USCIS Expects Increase in Applications filed under Premium Processing
    • Premium Processing Start Date – April 28, 2014
  • Multiple H1B Visa petitions by Same Employer : Denied and Filing Fees will not be returned
  • Not Selected in Lottery : Application Package will be returned with fees

Want to Learn More?

Changes to Premium Processing

Biggest change is the processing time for H1B Visa petitions that is filed under Premium Processing for FY 2015.

Since USCIS is expecting a large number of H-1B applications,  they have moved the Premium processing start time to no later that April 28, 2014.

This will give sufficient time for USCIS to conduct H1B Visa lottery.

How does this affect you?

Impact of delayed premium processing affects the H1B Visa FY 2015 processing time of  both applications filed using premium processing and regular processing.

Impact of delayed premium processing start date can affect few applicants if they were planning to travel outside USA in early May.

Premium Processing guarantees 15 day processing period. If you had travel plans to go outside the USA in First week of May, now, you may have to reconsider that.

Since, Premium processing is moved to End of April, I expect Regular Processing time will be much later. Expect about 3 to 5 months processing time for regular applications.

This change in Premium Processing impact only the H1B application submitted against FY 2015 Cap.

H1B Cap exempt applications and H1B Employee Transfer, Extensions will not be affected.

So, are you ready for H1B Visa 2015 Lottery? Even if you are not USCIS is ready. Now, the question is how many H1B Visa petitions will be submitted this year?

  1. H1B Visa 2015 Daily Updates (from April 1, 2014)
  2. [Video] What Happens Next After H1B Visa Lottery?
  3. USCIS Received 172,500 H-1B Visa Applications
  4. H1B 2015 Cap Reached
  5. H1B Visa 2015 Daily Updates (from April 1, 2014)
  6. H1B Visa 2015 Predictions

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9 Comments

  1. Raghuram, why do you say that we need to reconsider traveling plans? Will traveling outside of the US before approval affect our future H1B status?
    Thank you!!

      1. Thank you Raghuram! As I understand, I could still get my H1B on October 1, but I would have to do it in a consulate abroad. Right? It is not like I am totally forfeiting the H1B, just making it more complicated.

        (The thing is that I have to travel, I do not really have an option)

        Thank you so much for being helpful, it is very appreciated, as we are all nervous!

  2. Hi
    How soon would I know if I have been (or not have been) selected after the lottery result (if there’s one)? are the lawyers informed once the result is out or does it take time?

    1. It is a slow and long process. Attorney’s will get the receipt number of your application is selected in the lottery.

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