H1B Visa 2015 Receipt Numbers and Processing Updates : May 7, 2014

There’s still hope to get receipt numbers from H1B Visa 2015 lottery.

I will be publishing H1B Visa 2015 Receipt Numbers and Updates, News  in this page day by day (sometimes multiple times per day).

Tracking H1B Visa 2015 Receipt Numbers and Updates

May 7, 2014

When you guys were giving up hope, on H1B Visa 2015 receipt numbers, here’s come a refreshing update straight from USCIS

USCIS said they may be issuing Premium Processing H-1 receipts till 21 May and non PP till 30 May or so. via Twitter @immigrationcom

May 2, 2014

20140502-161130.jpg

Official news :USCIS announced today that data entry of all FY15 H-1B cap petitions has been completed. USCIS will now begin returning all H-1B cap petitions that were not selected in the lottery. U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in occupations that require highly specialized knowledge in fields such as science, engineering, and computer programming.

April 28, 2014

USCIS Started approving H1b applications. First comment was in approval came today.

April 23, 2014

Update from Attorney : AD/Regular processing snail mail receipt was post marked April 10, 2014. Receipt was received last week. This changes the who processing math we had so far.

April 22, 2014

  • Premium Processing – Advanced Degree – Notification complete or almost complete (email notification)
  • Premium Processing – General Cap – Notification complete or almost complete (email notification)
  • Regular Processing – Advanced Degree – Receipt coming via snail mail
  • Regular Processing – General Cap – No Updates

Above is my observation based on receipt notices updates posted by readers.

April 21, 2014

  • People reporting receipt numbers for Advanced degree – Regular processing via snail mail ( no email ).
  • No updates Non Advanced Degree – regular processing.

April 17,2014

  • USCIS alert that on 4/28/14 it will begin premium processing for H-1B petitions subject to the FY2015 cap, including H-1B petitions seeking an exemption from the fiscal year cap for individuals who have earned a U.S. master’s degree or higher.

April 16, 2014

  • USCIS is notifying Premium Processing Petitions selected in lottery
  • Both Advanced Degree and Regular Cap Applications have received updates.
  • I haven’t seen non premium processing notifications yet.

April 11, 2014

April 10, 2014

April 7, 2014:

April 5, 2014 : 

  • I searched around for latest updates and none found.
  • Bye Bye Vancouver. We are driving to Seattle in next 30 minutes.
  • Went to university of British Columbia yesterday. Campus was Beautiful.

April 4, 2014 :

  • No updates from USCIS on H1B Cap Count Numbers.
  • Second petition can be filed if affected by delivery, but it should reach USCIS by Monday. (AILA).
  • Updated from Vancouver, Canada

April 3, 2014 :

Following updates is from AILA.

USIS informed AILA that due to the reported courier delivery problems with FY2015 H-1B petitions, USCIS will accept a second H-1B petition in certain limited circumstances. Specifically, for cap-subject petitions that were timely filed, if, upon inquiry, the carrier indicates that there may be a delivery delay or the package has been damaged, the petitioner may file a second H-1B petition with:

  • A new fee;
  • An explanation as to why the second petition is being filed, with supporting evidence (such as the notice from the carrier); and
  • A request to withdraw the first H-1B cap petition.

USCIS will return the withdrawn petitions with the fee, even if they have already been receipted.

Petitions that do not include the above-referenced items will be treated as duplicate petitions and will be denied or revoked, and USCIS will not refund the filing fees. Please also note that if the FY2015 cap is met within the first five business days of April, USCIS will reject all petitions received after April 7, 2014, including duplicate H-1B petitions filed in accordance with these instructions.

April 2, 2014

  • There is no update from USCIS.
  • Overnight Delivery companies reported to have delivered large volumes of applications.
  • Some H1B applications packages could have been damaged or delivered but not scanned. (AILA)

April 1, 2014

  • No Updates from USCIS

Immigration Attorney’s should have mailed the H-1B Visa package on  Monday (March 31, 2014) to California and Vermont USCIS service centers.

FedEx and UPS should have carried thousand’s ( over 100,000) H1B Visa applications to respective USCIS service centers for delivery today.

It’s not easy to process so many applications by USCIS in a single day. Typically private contractors are hired to handle huge volumes of H1B visa applications on month of April.

USCIS will give an update about

  • Number of General H1B Application Received
  • Number of Advanced Degree Applications received
  • When Quota was reached
  • When H-1B Visa lottery will be conducted

Last Year – Regular Processing

Last year, USCIS sent notices for Regular Processing only in June 2013. That’s 3 months wait time to even know if H1B petitions was selected in the lottery.

If you need an earlier update, then convert the application to Premium Processing.

Sometime early next week. Till then we will be in dark.

I’m sure if you have applied for H1B Visa, your hearts will be pounding to know the results of H-1B Visa lottery results.

Following the links below for related articles in this series

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

Similar Posts

4,682 Comments

  1. Hi,

    I have received a confirmation from my employer that my petition has been accepted in the lottery, but they have not shared the receipt number.

    What could be the reason for not sharing receipt number with us, if the employer has received it?

  2. Hi Raghu,

    I got selected in 2015 H1 B cap. I got RFE twice and 2nd RFE was received on Dec 5th and the status on the website showing that, case under review and you should get the decision by 3rd Feb. But on the website still today status is same.when I called today to employer he told me that, there are less employees in USCIS so the processing is getting delayed. I am not sure whats happening. Can you please tell me, did you find any of this type of cases in past. ? what is the chances of approving my visa?

  3. I got my h1b approved on Oct 2nd 2014 and my petitioner received the same on Oct 13th 2014. I asked my US sponsor regarding stamping. My sponsor told that till new year it is a holidays season, so there wont be any jobs, so there is no point of coming to US then, so i waited all along. I talked to them in Jan 1st week, they told me to forward my CV so that they will search for a client who needs an employee with my profile which might take a week. Its been 2 weeks. Is this normal or is he delaying my stamping which is scaring me?? Well this is a different scenario from the guys who go onsite. Any views on this guys??? Does delay in going to the interview effect my stamping approval chances???

      1. Raghuram Sir,

        Are there any chances that Employer is expecting money to send docs in this situation?

        At the time of filing petition, Petitioner is required to submit Client letter and other required doc otherwise petition won’t be approved. So if petitioner has already submitted client letter, it implies that Client is already available. So why employer has to find new job or client?

      2. i had the same question as the other friend had. If my h1 has got approved, at that time my petitioner would have showed the client details to USCIS for which i got approval right?? I can take the same documentation and i can go for stamping na?? then why is he arranging for new client?? Plz explain Raghu

  4. Hi;

    My Work Permit Petition got Approved during Oct ’14 and when I appeared for Consulate Stamping Interview, during Dec’14, the Consulate Officer had issued 221 G and asked me to submit the Document Via Email.

    When I approached my Employer, he had sent the Responses and the Required Document as an attachment, size of the attachment is around 100MB.

    Though I knew that sending 100mb file in a single mail is not possible, just thought of checking, whether is it fine to send them in 3 or 4 email parts. or is there any ways and means to send them in single email to the Visa Consulate Office.

  5. I’m Vijay previously i had filed my petition for H1 B visa
    and i had got my I-797c form and also I-129 during the year April’2008.
    I
    wanted to know from you whether my H1 B petition is still valid or not.
    If valid can it be transferred to some other company or my previous company would be
    able to provide me documents for attending the interview.

  6. I’m Vijay previously i had filed my petition for H1 B visa
    and i had got my I-797c form and also I-129 during the year April’2008.
    I
    wanted to know from you whether my H1 B petition is still valid or not.
    If valid can it be transferred to some other company or my previous company would be
    able to provide me documents for attending the interview.

  7. Hi Raghuram,

    My Case Status in USCIS website is Response To USCIS Request For Evidence Was Received and You should receive a decision or case update by October 13, 2014 but till now I did not get any update. My company is also saying to wait for some more time. Can you suggest me what should I do. Is this thing is normal, I mean the prolong time frame. or should I ask my company to raise a ticket.

  8. Hi Raghuram Sir,

    For H1-B stamping, Please let me know if Transcripts are required for
    the MCA degree (Masters of Computer Application) if MCA done from
    university in INDIA. I have only marksheets for each semester but no
    transcripts as university did not provide any. Please reply.

    Thanks!

  9. Can you share your time line of the whole process with dates?

    Applied –
    Type – General/Masters
    Processing – Regular/Premium
    Receipt Received On –
    Approved On –
    RFE Receive On
    Rejection Received On –

    Thanks.

    1. Applied – April 1st 2014
      Type – General/Masters – General
      Processing – Regular/Premium – Regular
      Receipt Received On – May 9th 2014
      Approved On – 28th October 2014
      RFE Receive On – 6th August 2014
      Rejection Received On – NA

    2. Applied – April 1st 2014
      Type – General/Masters – General
      Processing – Regular/Premium – Regular
      Receipt Received On – May 5th 2014
      Approved On – 21st October 2014
      RFE Receive On – 15th May 2014
      Rejection Received On – NA

    3. Applied – 1st April 2014
      Type – General/Masters – General
      Processing – Regular/Premium – Regular
      Receipt Received On – 30th April 2014
      Approved On – 2nd Oct 2014
      RFE Receive On – 7th July 2014
      Rejection Received On – NA

  10. What could be the better or appropriate answer to the question:

    1. Why do you want to go to USA or work in USA?

    2. why not other countries like UK/Europe

    1. my version would be….US has a wide exposure for IT…..many kinds of projects…can face many challenges there….that would be very vital for me to improve my tech skills….all the best….

  11. Hi All;

    My Work Permit got approved on 16th October, 2014. I am yet to receive the Approval Notice from my Sponsor. Yesterday while I was browsing through the website of USCIS and noticed that, they had mentioned a comment as If the approval notice was not received on or before 15th November, a Duplicate Copy of the Approval Notice can be requested.

    My Question:

    (1) How long will it take to get the Approval Notice, if the Petition is processed under Regular from Vermont Processing Center.

    (2) To whom will the USCIS will send the Approval Notice – To myself or To my Sponsor

    (3) Is it ok to raise a Request in the website for Duplicate Copy? As it is currently 18th November.

    1. USCIS will send the approval notice to the attorneys. My h1 got approved on Oct 2nd in the USCIS website and i got the approval notice from the my attorney on Oct 13th. You have to talk to both your attorney and sponsor. I guess they should have it by now.

      1. Hi Red;

        While I was browsing through the USCIS Website, they had mentioned that – Approval Notice had been sent, if it is not received by 15th November 2014, they had asked to raise a duplicate copy request.

        I am hoping that my Sponsor / Attorney would have already got the approval notice. As the HR Spoc from my Sponsor is on a Week Vacation, She would be back in Office by Next week.

        I am praying to god to get the Approval Notice before the End of Nov 2014.

  12. Hi,

    Finally the day has arrived to share the good news.
    Yes, my H1B visa got approved yesterday in Chennai consulate.

    OFC (Day#1)

    This was like a cake walk. They will just scan your DS-160 and passport and put a barcode sticker on it. Also they will take the finger prints.

    Question asked: Why are you traveling to US?

    Consulate (Day#2)

    Documents verification
    Question asked

    Who is your client
    How much money you make there
    Whats your highest qualification

    Thats it and then comes the golden word “Your visa is approved” 🙂

    All the best guys who are waiting.

    For details of my petition movement please read my earlier post.

    FYI: Mine was stuck in RFE for 2 months because of clint letter/MSA/SOW

    Thank you Raghu for this wonderful blog which let others know the status and process going on.

    Thanks!!

  13. Hi Raghu,
    My case status still displaying as Initial Review “On April 10, 2014, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case…….” My receipt number is WAC141xxxxxxx. I know no one can say anything what can happen later or by when I can expect the result, but just want to know, is there any one like me who has not received any response so far and waiting waiting waiting……

  14. Hi All;

    My Work Permit had got Approved on Oct 16th, 2014 – I got to know about this through USCIS website alerts on 22nd Oct 2014. The Petition was filed under Regular Processing in Vermont Center.

    Please find below my Timelines:

    Applied for H1B through Sponsor – March 15th, 2014
    Documents submitted to USCIS, Vermont Center – 30th March 2014
    Documents received by Front Desk at USCIS, Vermont Center – 01st April, 2014
    Got Selected in Lottery on 10th April 2014
    Received Receipt Number from Sponsor – 25th April 2014
    Status changed to RFE – 9th July 2014 (Deadline for RFE Documents Submission – 4th Oct 2014)
    RFE Document submitted to USCIS – 30th September 2014
    Status changed to RFE Review – 30th September 2014
    Work Permit Petition Approved on – 16th October 2014.
    Received mail alert from USCIS website on 22nd October 2014.

    THANKS to the Almighty for making this happen and also to all of my Friends and Family Members, who supported me in trying out this exercise.

    1. hi anandh, how do receive the mail alert. I could see the status through website. did you had your visa interview.

  15. Please let me know if there is anyone here whose status is more than 60 days showing as RFE response Review. Thanks.

  16. Hi Raghu,

    After more than 8 months starting from feb LCA/H1B application filing date to till date, finaly got denial notification on Oct 3rd (after we submitted the RFE response) . My employer still waiting for the denial letter. I talked to my employer and he asked me to wait till we get to know the reason and he is ready to to file a motion to reopen. So can you please help me to understand this:

    1. What exactly MTR is and what can be the reason generally they said?
    2. How long it will take to obtain decision on MTR?
    3. Possibility on approval for MTR.

    Please reply to me…

        1. I can not see those comment. can you please copy and paste that here or send me link of that comment.

          Thanks

  17. All the guys who are done with visa interview. Plz post your experience and what were the questions that they were asking so that it will be helpful for the people like me. One more question, I have been told that in US consulates like Hyderabad, interviews are tough and few of the h1s get denied for the same, so people prefer chennai or delhi consulates. How far is this true?? Plz some one throw light on this.Thanks

  18. Finally my Case got Approved on Oct 2nd 🙂

    My Experience

    – My case got picked in the lottery and got the receipt on 30th April

    – Status changed to RFE on 7th July

    – RFE documents submitted and status changed to RFE review on 25th Sep

    – Post decision activity (Approved) on 2nd Oct

    Good luck to all the applicants waiting for the decision. Hope all of you make it. Thanks a ton to Raghu for this wonderful website, whenever i was down i used to come here and check the updates and would feel satisfied that there are many others in my position. It was like a stress buster to me. Kudos to you.

    1. Hi Red;

      Could you please let me know, whether your Petition was processed under Regular or Premium.

      Mine was processed under Regular in Vermont Center and My Current Status is in RFE Review (since 30th September 2014). By looking at your timeline, i assume that Mine should be approved by mid of Oct 2014.

      1. Hi Madhavan, mine was done under regular processing in California centre. I guess yours might be done max by Oct 3rd week or may be later. All the best

  19. Hi All;

    My Case was turned to RFE during July 15th and when I approached the Employer and Attorney, they asked me to Prepare the Project Schedule / Project Itinerary for SAP FICO Functional Consultant and send it to them along with the Experience Certificates.

    Which I had sent to the Employer during 1st Week of August. When I asked the employer about the cut off date for submission of the RFE Documents, they told that it is on 04th October.

    The USCIS also requested for Client Letter, for which the Company said they would take care of the same. The Client had sent the RFE Documents, to USCIS in VT Center, through FedEx Priority Overnight by Yesterday (29th Sept) and it had Reached USCIS at VT Center by Today (30th Sept 2014). The Client is located in Secacus, NJ.

    Please let me know, when can I expect any update on my Petition.

    1. This depends case to case. Next step is RFE Response Review. And then Post Decision Activity. Overall this might take 1-2 months time. But as said, this depends case to case. Where I have seen it is on RFERR status for 4 months.

      Mine was cleared in a month after the employer responded to the RFE

      1. Hi

        My Case had got changed to RFERR (RFE Response Review) on 30th Sept, 2014 – after my Sponsor had submitted the Document on the same date.

        As per the Sponsor’s Comments he said that this might take another one more month in getting the response on RFERR. Hope it should be cleared before the end of Oct 14.

  20. Hi Raghuram,

    My H1B was approved but I need to go for stamping bcoz I don’t have valid I94 after sep9th.Now my H4 was approved..Can I reopen the case again to avoid stamping?

    Thanks in advance.

  21. Hi,

    Thought of posting my experience so far which could be useful for someone.

    1. Got picked up in the lottery
    2. Mine is RP in Vermont center

    3. Got RFE on June-12-2014. Asking for SOW/MSA/Client letter
    4. My client did not provide client letter. So my employer submitted below docs
    a. MSA & SOW
    b. Org hierarchy
    c. Letter from HR
    d. Letter from onsite manager (stating my work will be supervised by the employer manager not by the client manager)
    e. Letter from the employer stating the payment module, hire fire policy
    5. Status moved to RFE Response Review on 5-Sept-2014
    6. Status moved to Post Decision Activity on 22-Sept-2014

    Now within next two weeks I will be going for my stamping to Chennai US consulate.

    Wish luck to folks who are waiting for the RFE to move to next level

    Thanks,

      1. This is going to take 4 weeks to get the I797 + other approval from national visa center. Post that I can fill DS-160 and schedule interview. I have been told by the employer that to get the petition approval this will take 2-4 weeks.

  22. Hi raghu…Plz check the website…Sometimes it is not showing the typed comment so had to type 2 times….there is no delete option…..and even this updates link opens some times and its doesnot open sometimes…

  23. My case status is still in RFE. My petitioner and lawyer are not responding properly. Its 3rd week of september. I am worried. Any one else in the same boat as me? Is this normal or am I getting hyper???

    1. Attorneys do take time. I felt my attorney as the laziest person. Even when my petition got approved though online status didn’t changed he informed me after 1.5 days. It took 1.5 days for online status also to change to decision from Acceptance.
      My status changed after 1.5 months from RFE to RFE RR. That too because i changed it to premium processing. Vermont center has increased their processing time as well. No just wait.

  24. My status is still in RFE. My lawyers and petitioners are not responding to my emails. I am not sure whether they have submitted the docs for RFE or not. Now its third week of september. Are any of you guys in the same boat as me. Is this normal or am i getting hyper??

  25. We filed for my husband H1b and got thru lottery.
    RFE received: 6th June 2014
    RFE responded: 1st August 2014 (Date when Attorney sent it to USCIS)
    Status remains in RFE for more than a month now and haven’t even changed to RFE RR.

    Requested our attorney to change the Regular to Premium processing on 5th September.
    Can anyone help how much days it takes to convert the processing from regular to premium.
    Also, will there be any email indicating 15 calendar days time frame started ?

      1. Hi Raghuram- Thanks for your reply. Also, Is it normal for status to stay in RFE even when attorney has sent the response long back (more than a month back)?

      1. Because when I entered the question very first time as a Guest, it didn’t got displayed for almost 15 mins which is why I register myself and again entered the question. But later i checked both questions getting displayed. Seems some problem with the site.

  26. We filed for my husband’s H1b and got thru lottery.
    RFE received: 6th June 2014
    RFE responded: 1st August 2014 (Date when Attorney sent it to USCIS)
    Status remains in RFE for more than a month now and haven’t even changed to RFE RR.

    Requested our attorney to change the Regular to Premium processing on 5th September.
    Can anyone help how much days it takes to convert the processing from regular to premium.
    Also, will there be any email indicating 15 calendar days time frame started ?

  27. Hi ,

    I need your help regarding my designation.
    In I-797B and LCA, the designation mentioned as “Computer Programmer” and in employer offer letter and client contract it is mentioned as “Programmer Analyst”.

    So, what should I tell to VO when they asked me about my designation?

    Please suggest.

    1. I guess the VO is not much of a tech guy….just tell him that you are a programmer. I dont think he is gonna drill into that. Gudluck

  28. Hi,

    I have applied for H1B visa this year. Initially, I got an RFE for SOW,
    client letter. After the attorney has
    submitted the Response the case moved to RFE Response review. Today I see that
    the case has again moved to RFE state. Could you please help me to understand this and what are the chances of approval. Thanks.

  29. Hi All,

    My receipt # EAC141465****, I noticed that there was no change on my case status(On April 10, 2014, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case) as i have seen so many cases there is some change on case status(RFE or decision or post decition) ……. I am worried .

  30. Hi Raghu,

    As I mentioned earlier, there was an RFE on my case on 7th July and my petitioner and lawyer are looking into the matter. My doubt is, will all the h1b seekers get the approval/denial before oct 1st as the h1b period starts from oct 1st or else…..does it get delayed too(after oct 1st) ??? like in the case of RFEs….plz let me know…thanks

    1. Hi,
      There are possibilities it can get delayed beyond Oct 1st. Some people got thier approval in Oct,Nov,Dec and Jan also. So it depends on each case. But normally, once you have responded for the RFE, you have to wait for 60 calendar days. If you don’t get any status update and your employer can call USCIS to check the progress. Good Luck.

  31. Hi Raghu,

    My H1 processed for this year , was stuck at RFE.
    my employer sent response on Aug7th, i saw status changed on Aug9th.

    on Aug18 status is Initial review and aug 20th status is post decision activity.

    Does this mean It is approved or is there any thing else?

    Reason being got doubt is people say it takes 60 to 90 days to get update after RFE response.

    1. approved.. I am on the same boat and waiting for my application to move forward. Still this shows RFE. Can u pls share the application number masking the last 5 digit

  32. Hi All;

    My Case was turned to RFE during July 15th and when I approached the Employer and Attorney, they asked me to Prepare the Project Schedule / Project Itinerary for SAP FICO Functional Consultant and send it to them along with the Experience Certificates.

    Which I had sent to the Employer during 1st Week of August. When I asked the employer about the cut off date for submission of the RFE Documents, they told that it is on 04th October (As it is falling on Saturday, I persume that it should be sent to USCIS by 3rd October).

    The USCIS also requested for Client Letter, for which the Company said they would take care of the same.

    Please let me know, when can I expect any update on my Petition.

    1. Once your RFE is responded by your employer, USCIS might update the case as soon as they receive the response. Sometimes they won’t update at all. The processing time can be anywhere from 5 days to 60 days after the response. So you have to wait. If it crosses 60 days and still there is no update on your application, your employer can call and ask USCIS about the progress. Good Luck.

  33. Hi All;

    My Case was turned to RFE during July 15th and when I approached the Employer and Attorney, they asked me to Prepare the Project Schedule / Project Itinerary for SAP FICO Functional Consultant and send it to them along with the Experience Certificates.

    Which I had sent to the Employer during 1st Week of August. When I asked the employer about the cut off date for submission of the RFE Documents, they told that it is on 04th October (As it is falling on Saturday, I persume that it should be sent to USCIS by 3rd October).

    The USCIS also requested for Client Letter, for which the Company said they would take care of the same.

    Please let me know, when can I expect any update on my Petition.

  34. Hello Raghu,
    My H4 to H1B was denied on Aug 8th once after we submitted the RFE response. Still waiting on the denial letter. My employer has advised me to wait till we get to know the reason and he is planning to file a motion to reopen as he has some new evidence now. Meanwhile I have an job offer back in India which I should accept before Nov 2014 and they are also ready to file H1B for 2016. My questions are:

    1. How long do we have to wait for obtaining a decision on MTR?
    2. Will there be any issues if I travel back to my home country while the MTR is pending?
    2. Should I travel back to India and accept the job offer which could serve as a backup plan?
    3. Suppose If my MTR is approved, can I travel back to US on H4 and then apply for a COS for H4 to H1B? (or) Should I stamp my H1B before returning to US?

    1. Hi,
      Sorry for that. Could you please share your receipt no. masking the last 5digits? Did you get the denial reason and share what was your RFE about? It might help others. Thanks

  35. Hello, I got the RFE on July 23rd and till now I didnt the mail from the USCIS regarding the RFE documents need to be submitted..and on August 13th status has been to changed to “On August 13, 2014, the post office returned the notice we last sent you on this case I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER as undeliverable. This may have serious effects on processing this case.” The employer has not changed the address. My employer has called to office and asked them to resend once…
    Is this going to effect on my visa processing case…. I am worried .

  36. To All:

    1) What is RFE (Request for Evidence):
    Request for Evidence (RFE) is a letter or notice USCIS adjudication
    officer uses to request additional information for pending applications.

    2) Why and when does USCIS issue RFE’s?
    Generally, an application or petition falls into 3 categories:
    (1) record is complete and case is approvable;
    (2) is not approvable based on evidence of clear ineligibility;
    (3) its evidence raises underlying questions or does not fully establish eligibility.

    When there is a particular piece or pieces of necessary evidence
    missing, or there are questions regarding the evidence submitted, the USCIS officer will issue an RFE so that eligibility determination can be made.

    3) What should I do if I receive an RFE from USCIS?
    You should read it carefully and determine what kind of evidence or
    document is requested. Some RFE’s are more complex than the others; if you receive a complex RFE and do not think you understand what is needed or how to respond, you should retain a competent immigration attorney to address the issues raised in the RFE. Note that only petitioner and/or attorney on the case receive RFE’s on employment-based petitions.

    4) How much time does USCIS allow to file a response? Can I just ignore it?

    Depending on the complexity of the RFE, it may range from 30 days to 84 days, whatever the USCIS officer indicates on the letter. It is
    imperative you file the response by the deadline. Late response will
    not be allowed. If you ignore the RFE, USCIS will make a decision based on the submitted evidence, which generally will be unfavorable.

    5) After I file the response, how long does it take for the USCIS to render a decision?

    It varies from a few days to more than 60 days. After 60 days if you
    have heard from the USCIS you may file call the National Customer
    Service Center to file a Service Request.

    6) What is the difference between an RFE and NOID (Notice of Intent to Deny)?

    In an RFE, USCIS is simply seeking clarification on submitted
    evidence or requesting missing documents in order to make a decision;
    whereas in an NOID, initial evidence is predominantly present, and the officer is not convinced the evidence establishes eligibility.

    1. Its really easy to cut and copy this information from path2usadotcom but if you don’t know what you are posting, don’t plagiarize. RFE time is 90 days irrespective of the case. They made it standard 90 days for all cases after July 2011 as USCIS published an interim memo about this. Google rfe response time and you will see the USCIS official interim memo about this in the search result.

      1. Can you please confirm with somebody near your because mine status changed to RFE on 26 June.
        My employer is litle rigid and he is saying they are arranging the documents and they will update me once they are done with that.

        Its almost 50 days has gone after RFE and as per you only 10 days are left and if this is the case then its worry for me.
        Humble Request- Please get the exact information dear, if possible.
        Thanks

        1. Hi H1b Reqd,

          In the RFE letter, the USCIS mention the response due date to submit the asked documents. Example: for me the RFE was issued on June 12 and the response due date is on Sept 7th.

          So USCIS gives enough time for submitting the asked documents. But yes, if the documents are not submitted on/before the due date mentioned, they will cancel the petition.

          Also in the RFE letter, they mention it will take 14 days to 60 days to work on the RFE petition.

          Hope I cleared your doubts.

    1. RFE time is 90 days irrespective of the case. They made it standard 90 days for all cases after July 2011 as USCIS published an interim memo about this. Google rfe response time and you will see the USCIS official interim memo about this in the search result. So you got RFE on 26th June, you got time till 24th Sep. Don’t force your employer as it is not important how quick they respond it is important how well and appropriator their response is. Good Luck.

  37. I got RFE on my h1b on 7th July, My lawyers and petitioner have told me that they are working on it, but when i ask my petitioner what was the query about, they are not giving a proper response . How can I get that information??

  38. Hi All;

    My Work Permit Receipt # is EAC1414150183. It had been filed as Regular Processing at Vermont Center and got selected in the Lottery on 10th April.

    While I was browsing through the USCIS website on Yesterday, I noticed that the Status had got changed to RFE.

    Further I dont know what is the Additional Documents required by USCIS? When I inquired, with my Sponsor he said he is yet to receive the details from the Attorney on what is the additional document required and when I approached the Attorney they conveyed that there was an RFE Notice sent against my Receipt and that they had received it during 18th July.

    As Oct 2014, is nearly 2 Months away from Now, I am concerned on whether how much more time will it take to get my Work Permit Approved. Is there any Time frame for USCIS on approving the Work Permit.

    Please Clarify.

      1. It’s common for employers to not give the details of RFE . They will ask employee, if RFE required info that you have. RFE’s can be from company financials to client letters.

  39. My Case status is in Initial review as of 07/29 .Received date April 10th but my Employer says he got RFE 10 days back .Did any one of you faced this situation ?

  40. My Case status is till now in initial review but my employer said he got the RFE letter 10 days back .is the USCIS case status site is down for this long ?

  41. Hi All,
    I have got the approval notice. Do I need to go to the same consulate for visa stamping mentioned in the notice or can I go to any other city also?

  42. My petition was approved yesterday! Thanks for all the helpful information on this website. Good luck to you all 🙂

    Non-AD/RP/VT

  43. Hi Raghu,
    Its already Mid July and my employer says he hasn’t heard any thing on my case yet. No rejection nor approval. Its confusing and a lot of decisions are waiting on this. Could you please tell me if this is normal or am I overreacting? Am I supposed to hear anything by now? Is there anyone else in the same boat?

        1. If someone is applying for H1B, they are expected to have some degree of understanding about the process. If someone doesn’t want to spend time to learn what to expect or what’s going on with USCIS even after 3.5 months since this H1b season started , I can’t reply to a question that has been answered multiple times in this comments thread or in several other video interviews and blog posts.

          1. Dear Mr Raghu

            What degree of understanding you think the OP doesn’t have? What he asked was a simple question and it is obvious he is asking because he doesn’t know it. If it is already answered, post a link so that the OP can understand.Just because you are knowledgeable on something, doesn’t mean everyone else would be. If you are too frustrated and don’t want to respond, just don’t. That’s much better than posting some crap like this.

          2. Excellent reply Ashok. This process is not easy for any of us… insted of that crap.. we need help and support… if Mr Raghu hates to do this, then why create a page like this???? it does not made any sense….

          3. He could have searched in the blog with same keywords. Total article in the blog about H1B is over 1000. Most basic questions are answered in just this thread. Plus several video interviews explaining what to expect from the lottery. If the person had scrolled few more comments in this thread would be sufficient to find the answer. I bet there are over 500 comments in this blog post with answer with exact same question.

            I did my best to answer several 100’s of questions just in the thread. If the question is new, tough to find answers, then most times, I have responded. Few could have slipped. Unfortunately some folks want answers handed over to them.

  44. Hi Raghu,

    1) Have you ever heard Rejection after RFE ?
    2) is it possible for someone to get rejection after RFE status?
    3) What are the %age of getting rejection on RFE?
    4) What could be the reason for rejection after RFE?

    Thanks.

  45. Hello Ragu,

    Every one I know have received there rejection packages or acceptence.
    But still I never got my package back.
    Do you think my employer is bluffing?

        1. so, u started the process in May??? I thought all the ppl start after April 10. Congrats! I am in RFE status 🙁 so impatient 🙁

  46. @Reedy123

    Got RFE on Jun 17th but we received RFE letter after one week and they asked us to submit the supporting documents by Sep12th.

    Call USCIS helpline number.

  47. Hi,

    My case status changed to RFE on June 19th. Till now attorney did not receive the RFE letter . Usually how long it takes to receive the hard copy of RFE? Any one is in the same boat like me?

    1. I am on the same boat as you are. My application status got changed to RFE on June 12 and I got informed by my employer on June 24 on the supporting docs asked by the USCIS. And the deadline for submitting the asked documents is on Sept 30.

    2. for me it took week and a half. they dont email the RFE they send a hard copy to the lawyer. I called USCIS and they did not give any information, they said the only give information to the employer :S

  48. My receipt number belong to 144 series…On Monday(7th July) my Status has changed from Initial Review to Request for Evidence??? What is the success percentage of h1b after getting a RFE

    1. I am on the same boat. The RFE is raised to produce more supporting documents to process further. IN my RFE case, they have asked for below docs

      1. MSA/SOW
      2. Client Letter
      3. Letter from my manager stating my roles and responsibilities

      Once submitted, they will review it again for further processing.

      1. how long does it takes after u re submit all the RFE documents? I am on the RFE status and my lawyer just said that USCIS requested docuemts from my company not from me… they did not said anything else to me 🙁

        1. I am yet to submit all the docs. Trying to get cleint letter. Deadline given by USCIS is 30 Sept 2014 to submit the docs

    1. Me waiting for lottery results still..
      Just wondering if there are chances still?

      Has the attorney informed him now or the receipt has come just now?

  49. Hi Raghu;

    My Name is Anandhapadmanaban Madhavan, I got selected in the Lottery on 10th April 2014. My Receipt Number is EAC1414150183. It was filed in Vermont Processing Center in the Regular Processing Category.

    I checked out the status of my Receipt in the USCIS.ORG, it says INITIAL REVIEW. I Validated it just now (9th July @11:25 AM IST).

    Could you please let me know, what is the least possible date for getting an update on the Status of the Review that is being conducted by the USCIS.

    Is it wise enough to convert the processing into a Premium Process Now by paying an additional amount of USD 1500.00

    Please Clarify.

    1. Hi,
      Are you not following any of the blog post or comments? Not only Raghu, nobody can answer when the status will change. You have to wait patiently as like many others case are similar to you. You never know yours might be approved and the status will change soon. Don’t go for premium processing now as from your post I can see you are from India, you can’t start working anyway from Oct 1st. So wait for some more time as in some cases, converting to PP might lead to RFE. So wait for a month and you might get an answer.

    2. Hi All;

      A Quick Update on my Receipt, The Status shows as RFE (Request for Evidence).

      Raghu, Please guide me how to proceed further

      Anandhapadmanaban Madhavan

      1. Again take some time to read the blog posts else don’t be lazy enough to just post questions. If there are no answers, you can ask. But there are answers out there. You don’t need to do anything for RFE right now. Your employer’s attorney will get the hard copy of the RFE which will have the details about RFE. It takes 1-2 weeks for them to get the hard copy. If the RFE is about some docs from you, the employer will ask the docs from you else if it is related just to the employer, they will take care. Just keep checking with the employer about the RFE details. Once they respond it, again it takes its time and you never know. You might get approval in 15days to 2 months. Good Luck

  50. Hi Raghuram,
    Need your help in understanding the process.

    I have received the “Receipt Number” on 3rd July from the attorney, whats next?

    1. You got your receipt number on July 3??? Could you please provide more details like your receipt number and did your Employer provide any info as to why so late?

      1. Hi Mohit,
        I do not have any idea on why so late and all.. Even from then, i am seeing the case status and its not ‘Post Decision Activity’. But still now i didn’t hear anything from my employer about the documents and the updates. Any suggestions

  51. Hi,
    I have not heard anything till now from my attory,nor got any rejection package,pls suggest.

  52. Hi Raghu,

    Need your suggestion on below concern.

    My application was picked up in the lottery but the status shows as RFE and they are asking for docs like

    1. SOW
    2. MSA
    3. Client letter + many more

    I could manage to get all docs except end client letter. and client is reluctant to give letter and email also stating as per company policy they can’t provide client letter.

    Can you please advise what is the alternative of end client letter to move it forward.

      1. Thank you for your response.

        1) Will it work if I produce the recent email communication showing I am working in the project + org hierarchy.

        2) Will it work if I get an email from my colleague of same project where client manager is reluctant to send an email?

    1. Hi ST,

      Could you please let us know your complete Receipt Number. Mine is a Non AD / VC / RP.

      My Receipt # is EAC14141501XX. The Status as per USCIS website is still in INITIAL REVIEW.

        1. Hi ST; Thanks for providing the Details. Mine was under Initial Review since Last Week. I got the Receipt from my Employer on 25th April, 2014.

          Hope I should get the Result of the Review on or before the End of July 2014.

          1. Be patient, it can take more time as well. Hopefully you will receive it soon 🙂
            All the best!

          2. Thanks for the Support ST. Could it take time till next year’s Lottery.

            Its my Dream to come and work in THE UNITED STATES.

            I would feel lucky, if my Petition gets approved before end of July 2014.

  53. Hi Raghu,

    I heard that USCIS expects Detailed Experience letter to approve H1-B petition otherwise it issues RFE if we submit experience letter which only describes designation, start date & end date. Could you please confirm? Generally company doesn’t give detailed experience letter.

    Please reply!

    Thanks & Regards,

  54. Hi Raghu,
    I believe you would answer this query, please do. I have heard from lot of people that there are chances of people getting H1b approved or RFE without having any signs of receipt generation notification/ lottery results or check being encashed. Is there any truth in this?Should we be thinking in this angle at all?

    1. Good one Mohit … I am on the same boat or situation as of today … Look forward for a positive response from Raghu on this … Cheers !

      1. Got an email from my employer/attorney … Its a “REJECT” … Guess less hopes on cases like us !

  55. Finally our company has announced the H1B results, out of 42 people 16 are selected that too all are High level operational management level guys bad luck still ride on IT guys

    1. Yep Mohan .. Still waiting on it !! I am on regular process + cap subject ! Any hopes or is it just snail mail time wait for applications like us ?

  56. Hi Raghu, any new update from immigration girl . For my case I have still not heard anything from my employer ( huge MNC ) in India.

  57. Hi Raghu,
    Received a H1B petition approval however can I get clarity on H1B interview like how soon I can start attend the H1B visa interview .

    My LCA Employment start date : 24/01/2014

    My case recipient : WAC141445XXXX / Non-AD /RP

  58. I got email from my employer today early morning that my application was not picked in lottery 🙁 !! Its an end for 3 months long pain .. Thanks Raghu for all your efforts and keep going 🙂

  59. Hi Raghu,

    I have got the following email yesterday night from the lawyer that filed the H1B petition on behalf of my employer.

    “I apologize for the delay in response as your employer is in the process of handling your case at this time and I am awaiting their guidance. Please reach out to your recruiter regarding the status of your case.”

    does this imply that my case was selected?

    thanks a lot!

  60. Hi Raghu,

    I have a question.

    yesterday I got the following email from the lawyer that filed my petition.

    “I apologize for the delay in response as your employer is in the process of handling your case at this time and I am awaiting their guidance. Please reach out to your recruiter regarding the status of your case”

    does this mean that my petition was selected in the lottery?

    thanks a lot!

  61. Can anyone please give me information on how do we get to know if my employer has filed an application for H1B ? we havent heard anything from USCIS whether its selected in lottery or not. Is there a possibility to call USCIS to ask if they have recieved an application for me for H1B?

  62. Can anyone tell me how to identify if my application is regular or premium.. My status is post decision activity on May 23… and still same.. and employer says i have to go visa stamping in july last week

    1. Oh Man. No need to worry about whether is it reg or premium. Your petition is approved. Congrats.
      If you are in India, you need to get visa stamping and you can travel to US starts from 1st Oct.

      1. On or after July 3rd u can attend interviews fr stamping. 90 days or less should be the diff between stamping and employmnt start.

  63. I got my H1 petition go thru the 2014 Lottery successfully. The case status shows “Initial Review” with “On May 14, 2014, your Alien Registration Number was changed relating to your I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. ”

    It has been this way from the date – May 14th. Any idea how long it takes for it change? What should i be expecting next? Any help/suggestions guys?

    Thanks!
    BB

  64. I got an email from my employer that my package and cheque is returned but the notice of action says, “you mentioned wrong employment start date. if you think it is an error, please re-submit the case with all the previous documentation”. My employer said they are going to correct it and submitting the amendment forms through over night shipping and they confirmed with USCIS by calling them. my employer is hoping that it was selected in the lottery. The interesting point is the notice of action dated as May 14th but i received it on June 19th. Actually, I lost hopes long time back but suddenly the email popped up in my inbox on June 19th. So if you didn’t receive a notice, and no package returned , this could also be a possibility like it happened to me. I waiting for the acknowledgement of the resubmitted case. I will keep you posted.

  65. It seems most of regular petitions are getting approvals this week….waiting for mine – non-AD/RP….ANY PREDICTIONS???

  66. I still have not heard anything back from USCIS, neither a receipt nor the package (reject). Not sure if there are few others with the same situation.

    1. I was on same page till june 19th. I got an email from my employer that my package and cheque is returned but the notice of action says, “you mentioned wrong employment start date. if you think it is an error, please re-submit the case with all the previous documentation”. My employer said they are going to correct it and submitting the amendment forms through over night shipping and they confirmed with USCIS by calling them. my employer is hoping that it was selected in the lottery. The interesting point is the notice of action dated as May 14th but i received it on June 19th. Actually, I lost hopes long time back but suddenly the email popped up in my inbox on June 19th. So if you didn’t receive a notice, and no package returned , this could also be a possibility like it happened to me. I waiting for the acknowledgement of the resubmitted case. I will keep you posted.

    2. @disqus_fvLePgaTb1:disqus – Great ! Good for you. I got my package back saying “Missing LCA” as the rejection reason. My lawyer says he did include the LCA with the package and gave us a copy of the whole package that he sent. He has returned the package to USCIS again with a cover letter saying we did include the LCA and the rejection reason is wrong. I am not sure if USCIS is going to reconsider my case. We are just taking a shot at it ! Its a weird case for me.

  67. Hi Guys,
    WAC141445xxxx / Non-Ad/RP Case status is moved Post-decision activity..big relief and finally I got my peace of mind back too.

    Thank you Raghu !

  68. Hi, i believe my petition got approved because of the below message under ‘Post Decission Activity’ window, please confirm
    “On June 19, 2014, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. Please follow any instructions on the notice”

  69. Hi I have not got my receipt number yet…I was picked up in lottery and it was notified on 5th may .Just wanted to know if thr is a delay from USCIS or issue with my application

  70. Raghu how do i identify that my case is regular or premium.. my employer says they r changing from regular to premium… what hey do what is the procedure… canyou please tell… my status went into post decision activity on May 23… just want to know…please tell

  71. How we know that whether my name is selected in lottery or
    not. please let me know any body will provide this info.

    1. Hello Shankar,
      Your lawyer or your company HR should have information. Nobody else will be able to provide this informaiton for you.

  72. Finally, thank god… H1 approved …
    Non ad, premium process, WAC1413****,
    Receipt number received on April 17… Till June 10 status showed “acceptance”, June 11 status changed to initial review, June 18 status changed to “decision”
    Note: there is no rule that premium process status shows only “post activity decision” for approved cases. I am writing this as note Bcoz , I have read previously in this forum that premium process approved cases shows only “post activity decision ” .
    I came to know that I got RFE… Status didn’t changed to “RFE ” though. Only after uscis received my Response to RFE, status moved to “initial review” on June 11.
    Thanks to all of you …
    Thanks to raghu
    And all the best.

    1. Hello!! My status is initial review.. when it supposed to change? its no just 2 months for doing the initial review?
      thanks!

      1. Yeah … Sometimes uscis doesn’t update it on their website … For some it may be RFE when it is in initial review. I have seen such cases as well. I am just giving you an idea , I actually don’t know the period when it is going to change… Don’t worry all the best. It’s easy to tell but hard to wait… I have faced it…

    1. I think initial review takes 2 weeks, is not it? we supposed to get answer before end of June … I think!

      1. Hi H1b Wait,

        Could you please let me know the First Two XX as Mine is also in the same series EAC14141501XX

  73. Finally, received the status update from my Employer-“Rejected in lottery”. Game Over ! 🙁

      1. Don’t worry, sooner or later you will know. I was AD/PP/CA. Not decided on plan B yet. When does your OPT expire? Is this your last chance?

        1. Ya only reason I was concerned was because of my travel.But after consultation with attorney, thats not a problem. No, I have 2 more chances with OPT ext..

          1. whyus ..just curious Did lawyer say that you can travel with COS pending ?? that might triggera consular approval correct ??

          2. As answered by many attorneys as well, travelling when (and if ) your h1 with cos application in under process will cause the COS part of your application being abandoned (not H1 itself). So, your H1 will still be approved. The only thing you have to do is go out of US before your OPT expires (and after October 1st) to get H1 stamping to come into H1 status. This can be done by going to Canada if you have a US masters.

    1. Pooja, did you receive any notice mentioning “not selected in random selection” along with package. please confirm

      1. I haven’t. I emailed the paralegal the day I received the notification asking for a rejection notice (electronic copy) but haven’t heard back from them.

  74. Hi, I did not get any updates from my employer regarding the
    lottery selection, how to track to get the status of lottery whether I have got
    selected or rejected?, please provide your answer or share the related
    blog/discussion links

  75. Hi, I did not any updates from my employer regarding the lottery
    selection, how to track to get the status of lottery whether I have got
    selected or rejected?

  76. Hi, I did not get any updates from my employer regarding the lottery
    selection, how to track to get the status of lottery selection, whether I have got selected or rejected?

  77. hi raghu.

    AD/RP/VT.. EAC14137*****

    i got my receipt dated apr 17th on apr22.
    more than 2 months, still my status is “initial receipt”. i am little concerned as i see lot other numbers getting approve.

  78. Guys,
    Here is the scenario
    Person X is on OPT-STEM extension with validity up to next year. H-1B is approved..Can he/ She travel to India in August 2014 (before oct-1) and re-enter on F-1. What is jeopardizing H-1B status.???

    Please help.

    1. Hey Vito, I don’t know if you have already read the materials. But after the 2005 USCIS clarifications, if your H1B is approved and you have another visa (OPT) then you are free to go to India and come back on the same visa (F1). Your H1 will not kick in until 10 days before Oct 1. So, you are fine travelling in other visa status but not H1. (But it’s better not to get H1 stamping when visiting in Aug because, consulate officer may cancel F1 while stamping H1. Instead, come back in F1 and go to India again after October to get H1 stamping). Murthy’s has clearly described this case.

      1. Thank you very much whyus. for getting back.. I did read about this online but I just wanted to make sure and also i read something about jeopardizing H-1B status if I traveled before the start date but I guess that might something before 2005…
        Thank you again though…

  79. Hi Raghuram — Today my employer called me and informed me that , I am NOT selected in the lottery process. Bad luck. But I wanted one infmation from you. My status was updated withe receipt number VRN150500XXX. What does VRN means/stands for?. Just for curiosity . Thanks in advance.

  80. My status is still under “initial review”. I have read in some other site that it takes from 2 to 6 months to adjudicate under Regular processing. In case if it takes more than 6 month, what are the chances to get acceptance? were there any cases where people got acceptance even after 6 or 9 month?

    1. Same here buddy!
      Mine was also WAC141445xxxx under Non-AD/RP till now it’s initial review stage only however next to my numbers status are changed to other step (almost 70% numbers are changed ) but they haven’t done for anything to my case number..

      May be we need some expert opinion here.

      Hi Raghu ..Don’t fail to reply us.

      Cheers,VJ

  81. Dear All;

    Though it is understandable that the Work Permit Period will start only from Oct 1st, 2014 – Is there is any Time Frame before which we can get the Selected Petitions approved by the USCIS.

  82. Hi, I am AD/PP. My attorney tells they heard nothing back from USCIS. I am on F1 OPT (valid till next year) and am planning to travel to India this month. Now. I am not sure if it’s safe? I am seeing a person who got his H1 directly approved without receipt couple of days back.. I am confused..

    1. For some reason my post has not been posted.. I guess it had a link in it that is why…I have removed the link..

      until you receive the return package ,, you do not know if you have selected or not. I am not an expert just sharing my opnion, since your H-1B was filed with a particular Alien number when you exit the country USCIS ‘MAY’ perceive you as abandoning the peition

      just google abadonment of petition( I was not able to post the link)

      Again not trying to scare you. If this a family emergency or a function which you need to attend then you can go and should go. Now in case you do receive your rejection package then no issues and you can re-enter on valid f-1 visa, valid opt card and I-20 signature.

      if H-1b gets approved i believe the same opinion holds. Do get with your attorney and share what he say

      1. Thanks for the information. But my reasoning is, if at all they took up my case for processing, I should have long heard the result as it is Premium processing. So, only possibility now is it should directly come as h1b approved or come as rejected ? I don’t know if something PP is still under process for accepted ones.. Any thoughts on this? Thanks again

        1. Well the truth is none and none of us know how the USCIS actually functions did ny one expect the approval to come through without receipting first… Ye sI agree since it is PP you should have heard earlier but you should have also received the return package by now which you did not.. so we do not know exactly know what is happening..
          you might want to wait see till the end of the week may be to figure things out for sure..

          1. Thanks again for the reply Vito. Have asked the attorney again if they are receiving the rejected application submitted along with mine. Strange enough luck is not favoring me to even send a rejection mail. I have scheduled my travel this week and am so confused..

    1. Hi Pooja, what does your attorney say? I thought it was certain we got rejected.. but some guys are telling otherwise..

      1. @whyus:disqus: She told me that the packages have been trickling in since two weeks now, but she hasn’t seen my package yet. She told me that she’s never noticed a direct approval w/o any prior notice/receipt. She just can’t tell me officially that I’m rejected because there’s no news about my package.

        1. Especially being PP, I guess we can be certain of the rejection.. (I thought so and even made travel plans) but post from a guy below surprised me. At this point, I am just hoping to hear anything back from USCIS – rejection is fine too..

          1. Same here, just need an official update. But at this point PP or RP doesn’t really matter. Yes, the guy has posted the news of getting approval directly, but I need atleast 4 more to post the same to believe that this could happen to me. I’m emailing the paralegal now to verify if the check got cleared. Yes, I agree, at this point, rejection is fine too.

          2. I am same like you, Non AD/PP. my attorney said “it looks like you will not get H1B number”. he used word ‘looks like’ because as you mentioned, they cant use official firm language as nothing has been informed by USCIS. But I left hope as now at this time all PPs are in waiting list and chances are very very very less. if somebody rejected, then only possible.. better to go for plan B. we can always stop on plan B when we will be selected. Those ear of only one prosperous country of US gone now. Opportunities are every where in the Globalization era. Couple of my friends and relatives living in Canada. I have not heard any negative views from them about living in Canada.

  83. I got an update form my attorney that they got my petition back. AD/RP/VT

    Hard luck. I am the only one amongst my friends and colleagues who didn’t get selected in lottery 🙁

  84. Hi,

    My H1b was not selected in the lottery; I dont have OPT STEM Extension; I am unaware of colleges which offer CPT from the first day…

    I would be grateful if anyone can list colleges near Michigan which offer CPT from first semester

  85. Hi All;

    Its Good to Hear, that some of the Receipts are getting Approved atlast. Mine is EAC14141501xx, I got the Receipt Details from my Employer on 25th April.

    Can anyone tell me, when can I expect this to be approved. It is a RP / Non AD / Processed at Vermont.

    1. Mine is EAC141405xxxx (non-AD/RP/VT) and still is under initial review. It’s been a while since I’ve received my receipt notice, but the status hasn’t changed. Hopefully I will hear something back before the month ends! Good luck to you!

    2. Same with me. My EAC#EAC1414550XXX. This was shared by my project manager on May-20. Till today the status is under “Initial Review”. But one of my friend (not sure about his EAC#) got the status as “Post Decision Activity” and his processing has been commenced including dependent for H4

  86. Received rejection notice today… 🙁 in a way I am happy to have atleast some conclusion…

    Good luck to all !
    See you all next year

  87. I got an RFE. Raghu what are the chances of approval in case of RFE based on your experience. Receipt WAC14141*****

  88. Guys Don’t loose hopes those who have not received receipt yet. I was one of those who was waiting till today for receipt number. Just before some time my HR told me that your H1B is approved, I never received receipt number till date. I am RP/AD EAC14137#####.

    On May 30, 2014, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER.

    Even my attorney and HR never received receipt, and now its done.
    So i would say until and unless you do not get your packet back wait for it. 🙂

    1. Congrats Shekhar!
      Could you please let us know how your HR received this information (via email)? I believe there should be some date for your receipt, so could you please check and let us know the same?
      thanks for your help.

      1. Yes date was receipt date was 17th of April but neither my Attorney nor my HR received any receipt from USCIS. So we were thinking that petition has not been selected in the lottery.

        1. 1. Did you happen to check if your cheque was encashed earlier?
          2. How did your attorney/HR come to know of your status now, vide email/mail?
          3. And congrats for you getting picked in the lottery, you seem to be one lucky guy!!!! Hope u make good use of this opportunity…

          1. Its true that encashment of cheque does means you are selected in the lottery but there are cases who are picked up in the lottery but their cheque isnt encashed. Mine was encashed on 3rd June. where my h1b got approved on 30th of May.

            About status, Attorney received mail from USCIS about h1b approval. Packet is not yet received.

            And yes I am lucky as i have seen people having tough time. Yuupp definitely ..proud to be part of innovation team of a company pioneer in #Cloud #Flash#storage.
            Thanks for your wishes. Good luck.

            PS -I am trying to get more information from Attorney and USCIS why i never received any receipt or cheque encashment updates or DSO SEVIS updates. If i get any i will post here which can be helpful to someone who was floating in same boat like me.

    2. my lawyer also informed me the same as i havent heard anything back , no lottery result nor have i recieved the rejection package yet. I dont know what exactly to expECT.

    3. Yes. It is quite true. I am from CTS and one of my friend got the receipt 3-4 days back only. Immigration team does not hide anything and inform candidates as soon as they receives the notice. It was Non AD/REG case, no idea about processing center. Current status is in RFE .

  89. NON AD/RP EAC14144XXXXX got approved on 9th June. Thanks to Raghu for such a great forum. All the best to all who are waiting for approval.

  90. I am on h4 and want to start work on f1 or anything, can anybody tell me how to get college admission which can allow me to work.

    Raghu, couple of days ago, I have posted this in new forum but I am unable to see my post there.

    Please help me in this. How can h4 guy work in USA, getting f1 or study work visa , anything like that 🙂

  91. Did your employer/lawyer receive it today? Or had they received it a long time ago and decided to inform you now?

  92. Hi,

    My H1b was not selected in the lottery; I am on OPT STEM Extension and have about 4 months left; I am unaware of colleges which offer CPT from the first day…

    I would be grateful if anyone can list a few colleges which offer CPT from the first day… My only aim is to keep my current job going.

    1. Goldey-Beacom College, DE
      Lamar University, TX (?)
      University of Texas, TX
      Sullivan University, KY
      University of Florida, FL
      South Florida University, FL

      I found this info from comments in this blog, you’ll have to scroll all the way down to find them. i wish there was a way to sort / filter the comments to find things easily. i don’t have details on these universities, you’ll have to do your own research. FYI, i am in the same situation as you. i just haven’t heard back about my petition yet. at this point, i’m pretty sure it was not selected.

      1. Thanks a lot. I will touch base with the Goldey-Beacom College tom; its the closest to my place of work and I see that it has weekend classes… Thank you…

  93. I got a mail from my employer, that i got selected through H1B.
    He sent me the receipt number too. So glad.. I literally lost all my hopes and was not even thinking about it

        1. Did your employer/lawyer receive it today? Or had they received it a long time ago and decided to inform you now..

  94. Today i got the mail from attorney that my H1 was returned stating “not selected in the random process”. But my DSO college official has provided me a receipt number a month back stating my SEVIS has been updated.

    Can anyone faced a similar issue before..Greatly appreciate any help..

    1. Ask the attorney for the scanned copy of the notice from USCIS that says your H1-B case was not selected in the lottery process. If they provide you the notice then you have to trust the attorney and accept the fact that your case was not selected.

      1. My attorney has provided me the scanned copy of the rejection and similarly my college official has also provided me the screen shot of my SEVIS page which has the receipt number.

        1. If your attorney provided you with the scanned copy of the notice from USCIS that says not selected in the lottery then you have go with the attorney’s word because the attorney gets H1-B approval/rejection notice, not DSO.
          Try entering the receipt number that DSO gave you into USCIS website and see what you get; I suspect it will say the case not found.

  95. Received my package back. Just got an email from the attorney this morning. Went through the rejection notice and it says “USCIS received your petition during this time-frame however it was not among those randomly selected for processing.” Surprised by the fact that a random computer generated process decides fate.Thanks Raghu for this forum and all the guys posting their updates. Signing off.

  96. Finally a closure from attorney – “We have received confirmation
    that the H-1B filed on your behalf was not accepted for
    processing under the Fiscal Year 2015 H-1B quota.”
    Currently, I am on OPT-STEM extension which expires on October, 14th, 2014. My H1-B case was filed under Advanced degree with Premium Processing.

    1. Congrats, mine Non AD / RP, WAC14141XXXXX is still in Initial Review stage. How it’s possible?

    1. Congrats, mine Non AD / RP, WAC14141XXXXX is still in Initial Review stage. How it’s possible?

  97. Hi, as i have not received the receipt# till today , i accepted the fact that my case has not been selected for H1 – B this year, now i would like to know my options. I am currently on I -94, is it possible to file a fresh L1-B from US itself, or i need to go back to India and then only can apply for Fresh L1-B through the current employer ? Any suggestions ???

    1. I am on L1B too and now visa for only 6 months. You said fresh L1B that means I assume you have used total 5 years duration. if not then it will be an extension of 2 years. In that case, I think you can apply for L1B extension from here as the extension is basically for getting new I-94 for another 2 years but no need to stamp visa if you are in USA. But if you go outside US before expire of current I-94, then you have to file for L1B extension + visa stamp from India. LIFE IS HARD EVEN IF WE ARE IN AMERICA.

      1. Thanks KK, can i ask my employer to file the L1-B extension even though i am currently on I-94, as i was told that extension cannot be filed on I-94 and ext on L1-B must be file atleast a day before L1-B VISA expiry date. Is this not true ?

  98. Guys,
    Any H1B Approval letter on WAC 143 0R 144 series receipt numbers under Non-AD/RP.

    Finger crossed 🙂

  99. Hey Raghu bro!!

    my receipt is wac14143*****

    i just checked today that the person who is two no. less and who is two
    no. more than my no., have been approved yesterday. and many more near my number have been approved or given RFE.

    What does this mean? When will i get my approval. My status is still showing “Inital review”

    How are they approving… is it random or based on company or name?

    is Approval process still not decoded till now by you or any expert 🙂

    1. It’s serial Random Selection process includes background check feedback and other formulas in it, don’t worry and too early to pay attention but according me , you will need wait another 15 days to hear a response from them.next update for WAC 143 & 144 Series on June 16th 2014.

  100. I just emailed my attorney regarding any update on my petition. In her own words “I received two rejected H-1B packages for other clients yesterday. I anticipate that within the next week, I will receive all rejections.” Such is life. I believe its over 🙁 All the best and congrats to the one who are selected..!!

  101. Non-AD/PP Packet received today.. 🙁
    Good luck to all those who got selected..
    thanks to happyschools.com for your help.

      1. This blog has been truly helpful during these tough times. Raghu, are there any colleges providing CPT from day one in the Bay Area (apart from ITU)?

  102. my receipt # has been on “INITIAL RECEIPT” FOR 1.5 MONTHS

    EAC141375****

    Have ppl started getting “approval”? should i panic now of getting RFE bcoz of delay?

    AD/RP/VT

  103. Hi, i am still waiting for lottery result. don’t know the status as of now.
    Still there is a hope for positive result??????????

  104. Hi, i am still waiting for lottery result. don’t know the status as of now.
    Still there is a hope for passitive result…

    1. No more hopes , its time for plan B. U shud get the rejection package now soon, all rejection packages have started to reach the attorney all lottery results are already anounced

  105. Hi Raghu,
    I’m currently on H4 visa. Got thru H1B lottery this year Non AD/Regular processing, 4 year engg degree in Biotechnology) I received a RFE(saw online) yesterday but yet to get it in mail.What kind of RFE can I expect?Thanks
    Aishwarya

    1. Thanks for your response. I will send the RFE once I get it. Can I also know if this is a situation that people in the past has gone through succesfully or a tough one to go through !non IT engg grads in IT esp one’s like me 🙁

        1. I can guess right Raghu! Education and experience evaluation in details would be reqd like my case.

  106. my h1b details
    approval oct 2007-
    stamped aug 2008
    expiry oct 2010
    Will I be cap exempt can I apply for h1b now?

  107. Some guy named Mohan below asked for this receipt number “Wac1417151048”. If its H1B application or not. (I am not sure if its H1B extension or something else)

    When i checked case status belonging to that receipt number i found this.”On June 3, 2014, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. “

    1. Hi,

      Mine is EAC14147XXXXX and it is still in Initial review. Dis you mean all 147 series got decision yesterday?

        1. mine..EAC141375**** got apr 14th as selected lottery. can u tell you next 3 #s. after 141? is it at initial review still as mine?

          1. They are not doing in order of receipts many friend 147 141 RP got approval mine 140 hence its random.So we have to wait!

    2. Hi,
      Mine is EAC14147XXXXX and witth gods grace got it approved yesterday .. now how do we get appointment for visa stamping interview .. normally how long from here will take for that interview ?

      1. U have to get they 1 797 form from ur employeer and book visa slot in usa consulate u need to book 1 month prior since it will be booked soo u can get ur stamping by july mid.

  108. AD/RP: The attorney do not have any update of my petition. We are still waiting for good/bad news. Does any of you know a School, that provides CPT from the every first day in Florida? Now I am outside US, but I really want to relocate to there, and I would like to figure out some plan b. Thanks in advance of all help.

          1. if u dont have a masters now , and u are out of US then u need to apply for F1 visa then CPT is granted after 1st semester only if you have chosen a field which requires CPT from sem 1. Every college has its own rules and regulations of giving CPT for a particluar field . i wud suggest you speak with the admission officer and get more info before making any decisions.

          1. No, I dont. I am out of US, but I am planning to start a masters and try to find some work with CPT authorization.

      1. If this is H1B receipt then this is strange, Check this status.

        “On June 3, 2014, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you.”

      1. This one can be extension or cap exempt or transfer of H1B visa…… not a new H1B Under Cap.

  109. Hi,

    I got a receipt EAC14147XXXXX with notice date as Apr 29th and the status says initial review. Please advice when the status generally change.

      1. I got the reciept today from the company who had filed for me. I am not sure when they received. As per receipt the notice date is Apr 29th and received date 10th Apr.

  110. Hi, my status is:Request for Evidence. could anyone please tell me what kind of evidence they might want? thank you very much!

  111. status: Request for Evidence. Could anyone please tell me what kind of evidence they might want? thank you very much!

  112. AD/RP/CA : Got the rejection letter today from the attorney. On Opt extension and looking for an alternative. Hard to find a School that provides CPT from the every first day in St Louis Area .

    1. Sullivan university provides CPT they have admissions for this summer session starting June 2014. They are in louisville KY.

      You can contact
      Vinay Patel, M.A.
      International Admissions Officer
      Sullivan University
      Admissions Office
      3101 Bardstown Rd
      Louisville, KY 40205
      [email protected]
      Phone: (502) 413-8537
      Fax: (502) 456-0040

      1. I am on OPT Ext and didn’t got selected in lottery. Any schools near Charlotte, NC that provide CPT from first day.

        1. Try for
          Goldey-Beacom College it is closer and they give CPT from day 1 how ever students must live and work near Washington and new york area
          This is what i recieved when i inquired about CPT with Goldey beacom college.
          CPT can be approved for full time employment once the Change of Status has been approved, but not before that. When CPT is approved, permission to work is posted to Page 3 of the I-20 and the student is enrolled in a one-credit-hour CPT internship class, a net cost of $773. This has a one-year duration, and can be renewed the following year. Students must live and work within the Washington DC to New York City area.

          1. This information is really helpful. thanks Sakhu!
            Do you know of colleges in NJ, NY, Boston area that allow CPT from the first sem? thanks so much!

          2. Goldey beacom in Delaware they allow u to work in NY and Washington DC. You dont have to attend college every day it will be once a month i guess. You can email the
            Admissions Representative and ask any questions you have, she will email you all the details.
            [email protected]

          3. I spent last week in NAFSA conference for Educators. I spent few hours talking about CPT, OPT with the person who actually handles applications, I-20, admission for international students in GB college.

          4. Hello Sakhu,
            Do you know any colleges in Michigan which can offer CPT from day 1?

          5. this is what i recieved when i inquired with GBC for CPT currently i am on L2 and if i change to F1
            (If your COS is approved before the session starts, the earliest CPT can legally begin is the Monday after your first class. If your CPT is approved in the middle of a session, you are welcome to apply as soon as you submit your approval notice to your academic advisor.)

          6. yes i already have EAD card and i am working since 10 months on EAD, how ever my status will change to H4 IN OCT becuase i didnt get thru in lottery this year hence this is my plan B

          7. i have a question, currently i am on L2 i can start my first sem on L2 and request for COS which takes say 3 months , college is ready to give me CPT after i complete first sem . this is possible even if i am on L2 in first sem and then change to F1 from second sem and while on CPT? My college is asking me to do first do COS and then only i can start my first sem on F1 which is actually not correct because as per USCIS on L2 i can study full time

      2. Thank you so much for the Help. But my place is around 260 miles away from Louisville. Most colleges provides CPT for the companies located in radius of 150-200 miles. This one exceeds that. Is it a good idea to talk to Mr. Patel about the first day CPT.

        1. yes it does not matter where you work. i have a friend in st louis who travels once a month to louisville she is in same college doing MBA and on CPT working in st louis. And as you already have a degree from USA u will get CPT from day 1 its the same with my friend who is attending same college

      3. Sakhu do you know any university in Texas that offers CPT from Day 1? Any information would be really appreciated

      4. Thanks, Sakhu. Do you know of any colleges providing CPT from day one in the Bay Area (apart from ITU)?

        1. California state university… u can inquire i am not sure if they give CPT from day 1. Its most unlikely. Colleges give CPT from second sem or after third sem min. Sullivan givens CPT from second SEM .And only if u have a US master degree and if ur course qualifies for CPT then u can get from day 1

  113. Hi All;

    I got my H1B Receipt from my employer on 25th April. My Receipt Number is EAC14141501XX. Received Date as per the Receipt is 10th April 2014 and the Notice Date as per the Receipt is 22nd April 2014. I had filed my Petition under Regular Category in Vermont Processing Center.

    The Current Status as per USCIS Website is INITIAL REVIEW.

    Please let me know, when can I expect the result of this Initial Review.

  114. Even I haven’t received anything back yet. I think, we should wait for one more week as package return process is still in progress.

  115. I applied my H1 in premium and i did not get my return package yet, is there any chance to get selected?

  116. My employer has not yet shared the lottery results with anyone.
    Is there any other way that we can track for the results ?

    Guess there are no options until the sponsor reviles the information. am I correct ?

        1. Same here…..Haven’t heard anything yet about the lottery result!! Filed Under Premium Processing…

          1. I checked with my Manager but he too said that there are no updates from Immigration team.

            Have you received the receipt & when did u receive it ?

            Please help me out. They are not disclosing any information..

      1. No, your employer has to share your receipt details with you. After that, you can track your status on the website of USCIS.

      2. If you are on F-1 Visa then you can ask your DSO about any changes on your Sevis Record. If you are selected it will show Pending H1B Status.

  117. IS any one got receipt number recently .
    Do we need to wait till June end or it is closed .( rejected )

    1. Approval is case to case basis. I know someone (Non AD/RP) in 14147 series getting approved last week. While there are people from earlier series yet to be decided on. Keep calm and enjoy your lottery selection.

    2. There are some people I know (with series 148) who got their receipts recently. Courier services take unduly long at times to deliver your receipt to your employer. Please keep checking with your employer at the same time!

  118. How to know receipt number provided by company is yours as in status checking uscis website don’t give give any information about you.

    1. Ask your employer to send the scanned copy of the receipt. It should have your name along with the receipt number.

  119. My case status is in post decision activity and it says on May 6th the petition I129 was processed and sent to address on file. It does not say approved or rejected. What does this mean? Does anyone else’s status say this?

    1. My case is in initial review state only. Don’t worry. Btw your receipt number starts with what WAC or EAC?

  120. Hi…My case status is in post decision activity..it says on May 6th your I129 petition was processed and sent to the address on file..It does not say approved or rejected..What does this mean? Does someone else’s status say this?

  121. I have got receipt number today from my emplaoyer Non-AD/RP WAC14141XXXXXX. Its in initial review state. So do i need to any thing now to get to Post decision Activity state

          1. No they don’t give such information. They have given receipt number only.

          2. How much time It could generally takes for application to be in Initial Review state

        1. Hi, Can you please tell that is your employer told u anything about your cheque getting cleared?

    1. what is receipt number. i think wac1414XX is long back generated number. kindly check and let me know

        1. 141 determines number of days starting from 1st October 2013….obviously working days!! 141 means either 21st April or 22nd April was the notice date of your receipt.

    2. 141 is old its generated in april 11 only 141 means 141 day from october 1 soo u shld get approval by june 10 wait for status change once ur status approved u get a form and go for stamping congrats ur 90% work is done

      1. Hi;

        My Receipt Number is EAC14141501XX, I got the receipt from my Employer on 25th April, 2014.

        Please let me know, when can I expect update on my Receipt. The Current Status as per USCIS Website is INITIAL REVIEW

  122. I work for an IT company and we filed a pretty large number of H1B petitions. Got receipts less than 1/2 of our filings — no new receipts in the past 2 weeks. All the remaining petitions are still unresolved — presumably they will returned due to lottery but we haven’t gotten ANY of those rejected packages yet. Very frustrating. I don’t think anyone has gotten rejected packages yet have they? In the past week we began to get RFEs as well as approvals on the petitions that were successfully filed under the lottery.

  123. Hey Everyone ,

    H-1 returns of cases that were NOT selected in lottery will start end-May to beginning-June.I read it on Twitter account of immigration com . Why didn’t Raghu Post it here , i think this is an important news as far as H1 waiting candidates are concerned . Raghu too is getting bored now we understand

      1. I’m back. Hope you guys had a chance to see the photos and videos from the blog.

        Caught-up with sleep and ready to write/comment here again.

        So, what did I miss here in last week?

        1. Hi Raghu;

          I got my H1B Receipt from my employer on 25th April. My Receipt Number is EAC14141501XX. Received Date as per the Receipt is 10th April 2014 and the Notice Date as per the Receipt is 22nd April 2014. I had filed my Petition under Regular Category in Vermont Processing Center.

          The Current Status as per USCIS Website is INITIAL REVIEW.

          Please let me know, when can I expect the result of this Initial Review.

          1. Raghu,
            Mailed you on happyschools id regarding RFE of my petition. Should i send you the notice?need your help urgently.

          2. Thanks. I believe you hv recvd the rfe notice sent in a seperate mail. Please let me know.

    1. Btw the return packages had already began to be sent …… the process is slow now. End may it might just pick up.

    2. I was in conference at NAFSA in San Diego. I have updated where I was and what I was doing via live blogging ( videos and photos). Will check what’s going on in H1B world today.

      1. Raghu. my employer still says they havent received any status on our receipt. can we still hope to receive a receipt notification or should we wait for rejection notice.

  124. One of my friend who got through H1B lottery this year now is
    shifting to kuwait and doesn’t need or lets say not interested in H1B
    and is quitting the company.

    I didn’t get through H1B lottery this year and the same company has applied for both us via Fragomen.

    Can the petition be transferred to me ? Before the petitions are sent back ? can anything be done?

  125. AD/RP Still waiting and Frustrated.. On EXtension right now.. Is it advisable to travel to India right now…

          1. Mine is ending on 1st June This Sunday. Haven’t heard anything about my h1b case. I am enrolling for school for MBA. This system just sucks.:(. Regarding Travel, i don’t think you will have problems unless you carry all the information as in employment letter, pay stub, i-20’s.

          2. Kaos man I cannot agree with you more…this whole process is frustrating..
            Are you looking at options where you can work while you are studying as well like CPT or something else.??
            Some ppl i know are looking at community colleges which let you work with a CPT from first semester.
            Thanks for the reply htough…

          3. vito, can u plz share names of the community colleges you are referring to?
            thanks.
            also, i don’t know about india, but i’m from nepal and it is not advisable to travel unless you have a good reason to enter the US again. For example, if you already have an I-20 issued for your masters, you could travel back & forth without any issues, however, if you are currently on OPT which is expiring soon, it is doubtful that they would let you enter US. its best to consult an attorney.

          4. I will have to get back to you on some of the names of the colleges.. I am not sure..So thanks for the heads up .. I will get with an attorney

          5. I haven’t heard anything yet too, AD/RP. Did you get chance to get the college names, VITO?

          6. You have a year left so it won’t be a problem. Carry all your i-20s, employment letter, paystubs. Don’t understand that my prev comment was deleted or it didn’t got through 😀

          7. I don;t see my comment either.. this is wierd. that was a whole big rant i had written up there..

  126. People are getting approval notices.
    Can anybody explain what are the next steps involved after approval.

    Thanks

  127. Hi Raghu,

    I am AD/RP . I haven’t received the receipt from my attorney till now .But my college DSO official has informed me that my SEVIS status has been updated to pending and provided me a receipt(EAC14136*****).I couldn’t find the status of it online(No case found).What does this mean??pls let me know..

      1. almost 20 – 30 days back..precisely April 23rd.She also checked few of my friends and all of them who are in pending status have got either receipts or approvals by now..

    1. Should not be worried at all.

      If your SEVIS status has been updated with the receipt number, then you are selected. I had a same situation although I had received the copy of receipt from my attorney. I could not track down my case on the web-site until the day it got approved.

      So I would not be worried.

        1. I would not be worried about too much, I expect the check should be cached anytime soon.

          If your SEVIS status has been updated along with receipt number, you should be good to go.

  128. I am an associate of TCS. When I inquired the status of my petition, visa processing team said they are awaiting lottery status, what does this mean lottery long back most people got receipts. Any thoughts? or my petition did not went through this lottery process.

    1. I am also on the same page ( I am Not from TCs though). At this point of time, it is highly unlikely we get a receipt number than a return package.

    2. Most likely it means, they have not received the receipt indicating you have been selected in the lottery. Also since they have not received the return package, they officially can not state you have been not selected lottery yet. You still have a slim hope.

  129. Are receipt numbers still coming out.
    Raghu as per you please let us know the last receipt number.
    We also have EAC141167999 for I129 h1b application just accepted on 23rd may.
    There are many more accepted on and around 20 may.
    So can we expect them to release soon.

  130. Hello World;

    Hearing News from People, whose Petition had been filed in California (WAC) getting Approved congrats to them.

    Is there any one, whose Petition had been filed in Vermont (EAC) got Approved. Please let us know your Receipt Number (EAC – 14 – 141XXXX)

      1. I guess yours was processed under Premium Category. Please let me know. Mine was processed under Regular Ctegory

          1. Could you please let me know the First Two Numbers of the Last 5 Digits of your Receipt Number.

            Mine is EAC – 14 – 141 – 50XXX (Non – AD / Regular Processing)

    1. Hello Mr. Govind,
      Hope you are having a good sleep now a days !
      Yours Non-AD/RP and moreover 144 series I think you need to wait for some more days / at least June 16th 2014 in additionally, this time most of my friends / relatives received a RFE request for few small information documents also under both RP/PP request I request you to check your all documents once again .If you feel any semester marks memo or marketing/ sales experience or reliving letters are missing in your H1B packet please arrange the documents on ASAP instead of their request on your case number.
      According my experience and observation on H1B getting approval on first time itself < 40 % after RFE status is < 65% .

      All the best 🙂

      Cheers,
      Peter Adora

      1. Hi Peter;

        My Receipt # is EAC141415XXXX (RP / Non AD / Outside US). I had received the Intimation from my Employer on 25th April 2014.

        Please let me know, when can I expect result for mine.

          1. Thanks for the Info Peter.

            Pray to the Almighty for getting a Quicker Approval for my Work Petition

      2. Hi Peter,

        Could you please let me know how mych time it would take for RFE notice to reach attorney or employer?

      3. What do u mean by 40% ?? Inorder to get selected in lottery for non Ad /RP we had only around 40% chance , now out of this 40 we have again only 40% chance to get approved straight without RFE ? Does that mean the overall chance to get approved without any trouble is just 16% ?? Thats too slim ..

  131. @happyschools:disqus It would be helpful if you share your thought on how approval process will be and war is current status? because 20 days back i received mail from my employer saying my petition got picked up in lottery and it is in approval stage , but till today no updated . I am following your blog as well as USCIS twitter …!!

  132. hi raghu, i have received my receipt on may 7th , Right now i’m in india .. what are the next processing formalities ? i dont really get the part where visa is approved .. then what about visa stamping interview ? how do we get notified its date ?

  133. Hi raghu , I have received my receipt around may 7th . Right now i’m in India . what are the formalities ahead? learned my visa will get approved only after visa interview .. how long will it normally takes to get interview date ? how am i gonna get notified ? is it through my employer or does USCIS email us directly ?

  134. It seems Two people got the pckage back, its better to know the status atleast early instead of waiting then get disappointed later, this is better.

  135. Need Suggestion…

    IN USCIS portal, my receipt status changed directly from Initial Review to
    Post Decision Activity.

    The description is like “On May 22, 2014, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER…. ”

    So, is it confirmed that my application is approved?

    Thanks.

  136. Got my receipt notice number today: WAC-14-144.

    There was a screw up at the lawyer’s office and they didn’t notify me I was selected until now… although they had the receipt for 3 weeks!!

    Maybe you should ping your lawyers to check they haven’t forgotten about your case 🙂 like it happened to me.

    Good luck to all still waiting!

  137. Petition approved on 5/22.
    RP, Non-Ad.
    Got receipt number on 4/24.
    WAC141395xxxx
    Good luck to all.

  138. Right now y wife is on L1 visa and my self on L2. We have validatiy till March 7th.

    We both applied for H1B this. My wife application got selected in the lottery.

    If the H1B approved for my wife, if we want to continue on L status till March 7 2015.

    What is the process for it?

    1. On 1st Oct your wife will be automatically convert to H1-B and has to work with H1-B employer and no longer work with L1 employer. You have to file COS (Change of Status) from your L2 to H4 otherwise you may be without status from Oct 1. To prevent and continue on L1, L2. Your wife need to travel outside US and re-enter US before Oct 1. The easiest way is get Canadian visa. Visit Niagra fall, get out of US and make a U turn and re-enter. You will be back on your L1 and can stay with your L1 even after Oct 1.

  139. Hi,

    FYI , I got my Petition Package back today. I guess , my employer received it yesterday and informed it to me today . Whoever gets their packet back , do not worry be happy 🙂 . God might have some other plan in store for you .

    Thanks,
    Sandhya

  140. Guys, I think there is some link wher we can update our receipt numbers with the status to track every body’s status.. any idea.

  141. last receipt number from VT on 19th May EAC1416650001. There is no new number is generated after that.

    1. Please do not post whatever you find on USCIS website by trial and error method. There would be people like me who would be looking for important information, posted by blog viewers. This receipt # you posted is not even related to H1b.

  142. Basic question … Is it possible to get the personal details like name, etc.. with receipt number. My question is how can i know the receipt number shared is mine..

    1. If you look into the Scanned Copy of the Receipt, it will say about your Name and who had Filed the Petition for you.

      I had got Mine from my Employer, who shared the Scanned Copy to me by 25th April

  143. Hi All;

    I had got selected in the Lottery and On 25th April I received Mail Notification from my Employer on the Same. My Receipt Number is EAC – 14 – 141 – 5XXXX. Received Date as per the Receipt is 10th April, 2014 and the Notice Date as per the Receipt is 22nd April 2014. My Petition had been Filed under Non AD / Regular Processing at the Vermont Service Center.

    A Brief about my Background: I already have B1 Visa and had travelled to US Couple to Times and also travelled to Canada, Poland and Nigeria.

    I am eager to work in USA from 1st Oct 2014. Currently My Petition Status shows as INITIAL REVIEW in the USCIS Website. Kindly let me know, How long it will take to get to know whether my Petition had been Approved.

        1. No once visa is approved you r ready for stsmping. Right your visa would be under initial review status. If all docs etc r as per their expectations ur visa will get approvd. U will be left with stamping.

  144. Why USCIS does not disclose whether application get selected in lottery or not and publish on website with application no. Such that people get life rather thinking all the time whether they are in or out? Are USCIS people dumb, having great technologies living in ancient age

    1. In Green Card Lottery conducted by USCIS, the system is simple that one can enter their application number, name, date of birth and instantly find out whether they are selected for Green Card Lottery or not. I dont know why they cannot implement such system here for H-1B visa Lottery.

  145. Could I be right in assuming that all receipts have been given out to fill the cap, and USCIS are not sending back packages yet because they are now considering refusals from the selected application and the number of refused applications will soon be replaced with other waiting applicants? …sort of like a waiting list phase

  146. I think the consensus is that no answer == NO.

    since nobody received an explicit negative yet, this is what a negative appears to look like. nothing.

    unless i am mistaken.

    is there a single instance for PP with a negative electronic reply (or postal?)

    1. It could be …. the rules might have changes not to send a return package or something, not sure till USCIS announce anything or atleast someone to receive return package.

  147. Today Morning when I was sleeping I got a from my company. I was happy and I thought that it will be a good news but they informed that , they didnt get anything from USCIS once they get , will update me 🙂

  148. Hi Raghu
    if we have applied from two companies at single time. if both the receipts are selected in the lottery. can we get/demand return payment for one filling fee?

      1. RFE isn’t rejection. They usually go thru. Moreover,the case is legal and you get rejected due to lack of proper proofs. RFE gets thru if u come up with proper docs etc.

  149. As per comunication issuing of all premium receipts are completed in yesterday.

  150. Hi Raghu, first thanks for all the updates and answering the questions. You’re doing a great job!

    My employer is a large software company based in Seattle. They applied for H1B with Premium Processing. However, they haven’t received any reply from USCIS yet so they are unable to confirm success or failure. Now that it’s taken so long, is it fair to assume that the application has been rejected? If not, then how long would you expect them to take? Cheers!

  151. Any AD/PP guys out there who have not received receipt numbers or any communication (return package) from USCIS … lets see how many of us are still there

  152. I haven’t still got the receipt number 🙁 And mine was AD/PP do you think I can still have some hope?

    1. i dont think we have any hopes specially for PP … its time for plan B i guess … i have lost hopes because its been really long and PP shud have recieved a yes before regular and since we havent that means we have not made it and we will soon get our rejection package.

    2. Mine is also same and i have started my plan B – OPT extension. But didn’t write off my hopes completely.

  153. Hi Raghu,

    Currently, I am on h4 and I want to get F1 visa, could you please tell me how to get F1 visa.

    1) Do I need to go to any school/Unversity? ( I have done B.tech in Computers).

    2) Can I work on F1 visa, if yes then how much hours per week and how much salary I can get.

    3) what is the minimum fees of study

    4) How much time to get F1 visa – from joining the school to get the visa.

    Please reply to me or send me link where I can get full information about this.

    Thanks.
    God bless you all.

  154. Finally, my employer (Accenture) has communicated that I have been selected in the lottery but they have not shared receipt number yet. So Accenture has started communicating to their employee about lottery. They might have come to know lot earlier but were not disclosing till the date. Never understood logic behind hiding the stuff.

  155. Emmily Newmann as rightly pointed out innumerable number of people are getting RFEs for having done their engineering in a branch apart from Computer science and want to work in US in IT or softwares…..quite a bizarre situation!!

      1. But why do people with single application get an RFE? BUT RFE is almost routine or common. This year difference is that people are suffering RFE for a new reason. Its nt that people with multiple appls r facing it.

      2. But why do people with single application get an RFE? BUT RFE is almost routine or common. This year difference is that people are suffering RFE for a new reason. Its nt that people with multiple appls r facing it.
        Could you plz elaborate?

          1. Ok. But how does giving RFE helps thr applicatn processng of USCIS? Those RFEs will be replied and eventually they go thru.

    1. I disagree, there are different type of engineering.

      For example, Computer / Software / telecommunication engineering major covers all of software development class although computer engineering also covers hardware portion of it.

      Technically all those majors should be qualified to apply for software jobs in IT.

  156. Raghuram Sukumar

    Upon randomly searching for receipt numbers in the USCIS, I came across some receipts with the following message:

    “On May 15, 2014, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER, and mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Please follow any instructions on this notice.”

    The status is “Initial Review”. The receipt number is EAC141615*

    Does this mean they issued the receipt on the 15th of May or was it issued much earlier?

    1. Dude it has been discussed n number of times about this. Why can’t you go through the blog for answers? It means USCIS generates receipts everyday for different cases which includes cap-exempt h1 like H1 transfer. That May 15th receipt may be a H1 transfer. All new H1 receipts will have Apr 10th as received date because that was the day lottery was conducted. So before posting such questions, read the blog. Raghu has already answers for such questions.

    1. Varu,

      I have applied through vquest and got a negative response. Can you send a test email to my id [email protected]….I will add you to email thread where in there are people like us who got negative response from vquest

  157. Sometimes I feel jealous whenever if anyone say my H1B approved like that ,since we ddint hear anything back. Is it anything wrong with me for this jealous.

    1. I would rather say it was wrong if you weren’t jealous. Cos this selection isn’t even based on skills a stupid lottery to decide for your fate. Due to lack of immigration reforms Obama has gutted the IT industry not only in US but all around the world. I work for a New york based client I hardly see any skilled or Hardworking workers on the client side apart from few exceptions. I bet if the efforts of people of Indian origin were to be taken out US economy would come crashing to a rock bottom.

      1. I doubt that as they still hold the knowledge but yes they will be impacted badly if the so called Indians are taken out of IT. They have a mixed bag of feelings about giving out knowledge to Indians.

      2. Well, it’s so hard to evaluate “skills”. why do you think the big corporations spent so much money on human resources? I guess if USCIS select H1B by skill, the application fees would be 10-15K each.

        1. As a matter of fact they do segregate application based on different fields of occupations, doctor, engineer etc. They will never make it public. YOU BET.

          1. In USA, the main criteria is cheap labor and profit for corporations. Skill or training comes afterwards. This whole process also is based on that.

          2. I am guessing these countries evaluate application by occupation and certificate. I don’t think the government of these countries have the ability or budget to evaluate skill.

          3. then the application fee must be huge. their government won’t be paying it anyway. I don’t think the US government is going to pay this amount of fees either. after all, we are talking millions of dollars.

  158. Today I reached my case manager thru email and am feeling sad , seems every1 around is frustrated , I asked her if she has received any update on my H1 , she replied badly that if you have not received reciept number from us then we have no update as if for now. On top of that she replied that they don’t have update as USCIS is still sending receipts and they have not stopped sending receipts but neither they have sent any package back. So I am really confused and dont know what’s happening in USCIS :(( :((

  159. Hi Raghu,

    How long would it take to get approval my RP. Receivd date April 10th. Now it was showing status initial review. Please help me.

    1. Mine as well. I had received mail from my Employer on 25th April, with the Received Date as April 10th (AS per the Receipt).

      My Receipt Number is EAC – 14 – 141 – 5XXXX. Please let me know, when can expect approval of mine. It was Processed as RP / Non AD / Vermont / I am in India

      1. The date that matters is the “Notice Date ” and not the “Received Date”…as mentioned above, about 2 – 3 months from the Notice Date is when you can expect a decision (Yes/No/RFE)…I know a few folks who already got the outcome..this only means their applications were somehow opened first…no specific priority as such…plain random…

  160. My Receipt Number is EAC – 14 – 141 – 5XXXX. Please let me know, when can expect approval of mine. It was Processed as RP / Non AD / Vermont / I am in India

  161. I had applied under PP, under Advanced degree. I still haven’t received any information from my Lawyer on receipts, or denials or RFE’s or whether, USCIS just dumped the application in the shredder? any others who are in the same boat as me?

    1. We have to figure out the receipt mailing date. Is it posted in May by USCIS or employer delay. Applicants in USA get updates directly from attorney ( most if them) but MNCs in India will have to get it from HR.

  162. Hey Guys,

    I have
    received receipt number (WAC14-144-xxxxx) and employer sent me a form I-797
    Notice of action document (Case type I129), Do u think this my H1B approval or
    else after review they will approval my petition and communicate in a separate
    email to my employer.

        1. Joydeep, pardon me asking, but are you answering on his or her behalf? how would you know the case? 😀

    1. I believe ur employer have sent this quite late to you. They might have received it long ago. Ur selected in lottery. It is under initial review I guess.

      1. Thank you for the update.

        Yes, even my thoughts also similar like you anyhow I’m
        waiting for next steps of H1B approval

    2. Hi Capgemini_Bangalore,
      Did any of your colleagues got the receipts earlier i.e. around May1st week / before ?
      or your Company just started sending receipts which they got earlier??

      1. They are communicating to employee since April 24th on daily basis initially and now weekly basis they are doing the same.

        Numbers wise I don’t know

  163. i am still waiting reply from employer. i did not received any news till now yet. In h1b receipts are entered in 17th date also so we have to wait few more days.

  164. Hi RSK. Still no word from my Employer reg the status of my H1B. It non AD/RP. Should i keep waiting?? Any imputs.. Thanks in Advance

    1. WHat is the receipt number? Apart from the last 4 digits could you please let us know the same?

      1. My Receipt Number is EAC – 14 – 141 – 5XXXX. Please let me know, when can expect approval of mine

    2. Hi, What is the receipt number? Please elt us know apart from the last 4 digits…..what is the notice date?

    3. Congrats dude 🙂 me too from Infosys and still waiting for update on my case. This is becoming very frustrating now for me 🙁 please share any info you know on the visa updates in infosys. Thanks in advance.

  165. My petition has been approved, status say – Approval notice sent on 17th May(Surprisingly Saturday)

    WAC141405xxxxx;

    Notice Date – 21st Apr;

    RQ /RP i.e. non AD/nonPP

    1. Congrats. Hope My Petition which was processed in EAC would get approved before end of Jun 2014.

      Request the Forum to Pray for me

    1. Very good one Raghu.
      Raghu could you plz let me know why i have stopped receiving updates regarding this blog thru emails?

  166. I wanted to say ”I got the receipt number today”’ like that last few weeks, But unlucky, anyone other than me wanted to say the same?

    1. Let’s us just forget about H1B for a moment and think about Kangana Ranaut. Eases a lot of pressure and slowly makes you forget your pain like a wine.

  167. Hi Raghu,
    This is Sam. One of the employer applied me a H1B VISA in April 2014.Still I didn’t get any update regarding lottery whether my application is picked or not from USCIS.
    Please let me know still is there any chances to hear good news..?

    Waiting for your reply, thanks in advance

    1. No one has answer other than USCIS, hope this week we will get some news from USCIS. Lets see.

  168. ImmigrationGirl***Update 5/19/14, I sound like a broken record, but no new receipts and no rejections as of 12:00 pm today***

  169. ImmigrationGirl:May 19, 2014

    “I think there is still a chance based on our experience in previous years”

  170. Hi,

    On May 5th I had received an email from my employer that “your application has been selected in lottery”. But till now I have not received the receipt number. Please advise should I wait further?

    1. right now USCIS is concentrating more on approvals after lottery it seems, u have recieved the receipt thats how ur employer knows u are selected in lottery and now u have to wait fr the final approval. All the best

      1. Thanks…does USCIS send the receipt notice once picked in lottery? or how the employer knows that the case has been picked? Or does that based on the check clearance?

        1. USCIS send a receipt once u are picked up in the lottery and then the check is cashed , it may happen that check is cashed before hand and then ur lawyer recieved the reciept.

  171. Hi friends,

    How long would it take to move from initial review to decision. Please let me know. I am nod AD/RP/WAC.

  172. It seems USCIS is concentrating on approvals than sending the return package…”””Emily Neumann‏@immigrationgirl May 16
    Excited to see over 70 approvals of H-1B petitions filed in the April lottery! “”

      1. and that perceptions still works on the basis of their old belief of “USA is everything, we don’t care”, patriotism, and we all are “Aliens”.

  173. I have seen few members mentioned they got the package back like that, is it true? since most of them telling no return package as of now.

  174. We all are waiting to hear YES or NO, how do you feel if you hear like ” there is a lottery again whoever got rejected to get a Green Card’.

  175. Hi if anyone could please clarify on this I enquired about my petition status around a week ago and the employer told me they “were still expecting receipts”..Does it mean that the Cheque has been en-cashed but the receipts hasn’t been generated? Which one comes former? receipt or encashing of the cheque? Or do they come simultaneously?

    1. Well first receipt has to come and both are mutually exclusive steps and also one strictly follows the other ,that is IF receipt generated THEN DO en-cash cheque.

          1. I sincerely hope you get selected and your luck remains soft and not hard like mine.

  176. @ Raghuram Sukumar

    Is there any one, whose Receipt
    had been processed under Regular / Non AD / Outside US and got selected in the
    Lotter, whose Work Permit Petition had got Approved.

    Mine was Processed under Regular /
    Non AD / Outside US in Vermont Center.

    I got the Receipt Number from My
    employer on 25th April, 2014. Received Date mentioned in the Receipt is 10th
    April, 2014 and Notice Date is 22nd April, 2014.

    My Receipt Number Reads as EAC –
    141 – 415 – XXXX

    I have the Below Questions:

    1. Though I understand that for
    the Regular Processing, the Time for taking Action based on the Initial Review
    would be around 2 to 4 Months. Please let me know, From when will this Time
    Period will be calculated.

    2. I heard that If the Receipt is
    selected in the Lottery, then there is a 99% Chances of the Petition getting
    Approved for Face to Face Interview at the Indian Consulate. Is this True?

    3. I wanna
    work with my New Employer from October 1, 2014 – Hope this would happen?

  177. Hi Folks;

    Is there any one, whose Receipt had been processed under Regular / Non AD / Outside US and got selected in the Lotter, whose Work Permit Petition had got Approved.

    Mine was Processed under Regular / Non AD / Outside US in Vermont Center.

    I got the Receipt Number from My employer on 25th April, 2014. Received Date mentioned in the Receipt is 10th April, 2014 and Notice Date is 22nd April, 2014.

    My Receipt Number Reads as EAC – 141 – 415 – XXXX

    I have the Below Questions:

    1. Though I understand that for the Regular Processing, the Time for taking Action based on the Initial Review would be around 2 to 4 Months. Please let me know, From when will this Time Period will be calculated.

    2. I heard that If the Receipt is selected in the Lottery, then there is a 99% Chances of the Petition getting Approved for Face to Face Interview at the Indian Consulate. Is this True?

    3. I wanna work with my New Employer from October 1, 2014 – Hope this would happen?

    1. Congrats!! Much quicker this time….! People getting receipts, getting their approval etc are all happening at the same time now.
      I believe from 1 st October 2014, you are entitled to work for your employer not before that. Your petition is already approved by the probability of 99% I am not sure whether it holds or not.

      1. Congrats…!! Mine Non AD/ Regular/ Outside US…!! Got through lottery selection and recd. email from my employer on 9th May 2014…!! I am not sure if the application is selected through lottery gives 99% assurance on petition getting approved, but there are rare chances you getting rejected…!! However, there is very good possibility that you get RFE and also if your employer falls under BEP category there are good chance of approval. This is what i am aware of….!! Thanks

        1. Hi Arjun;

          Could you please let us know what is that BEP Category is all about.

          Also let us know, how long it will take for the Initial Review to get completed

  178. Has anyone received receipts from ODC today at Syntel? A friend of mine got his receipt on Friday May 16 at 5 PM. Went chatting with ODC they said they are still getting 10-15 receipts packets daily. no return packets yet.

  179. Hi All,
    Today i received email from my employer that some of my company employee received lottery status as selected but for me it is still “Awaiting” and since results are coming in batches, i will be inform later on June end.
    Please confirm me that lottery results are really coming in batches or not.

  180. Hi,
    I have not recieved any update from USCIS till now. Neither approved nor rejected. What would this mean ?

  181. Hi Raghu, I keep checking this forum to keep me updated
    regarding H1 B 2015 status.

    I have applied for Regular, I have checked with my employer
    regarding my H1 B status and they are still waiting for response back from
    USCIS. My Question, is there any hope where I can still believe my petition got selected?

  182. I have not yet got my receipt no….few things I would like to point:
    1. You say if not received til yet…its game over….but one of my colleague got the receipt in Aug last year (with even less applications received)
    2. My company attorney told me that they get both approval (receipt) and rejection notices from uscis and they communicate the same to employees immediately…but I have got none from them yet
    3. I personally believe getting receipt in May or Jul-Aug will not make much difference(except for STRESS) as the validity will start from Oct only

    having said above things and reading ur post what should be assumed, should I keep hopes till I get either updates (+ve or -ve) or should I go ahead with plan B …… please let me know

    1. read ur reply saying “we can expect receipts for no PP till 30th May or so” later…..please let me know if we do get any intimation for not being selected in lottery

  183. Hi Raghu, As i am AD/PP/VT applicant, and as I have not got any update from employer/attorney regarding check cash or SEVIS update from DSO, can I assume I am not selected and try for job change? I am currently on OPT extension with 1 year left. My packet has not been received yet by my company, so can I try to change job, I have one offer in hand, I am planning to have start date from June 1st week. Is it safe to do so? if I change my job, then my employer would ask USCIS for H1B Withdrawal right? But if it is not picked up, can they still withdraw? I will be giving them 2 weeks notice on this Monday/tuesday for leaving job based on your advice. Please advise what to do, I am not hopeful about H1 and I have got good job which I really dont want to lose. Thanks.

    1. Once I tell them that I will be leaving job, then I will also have to tell them in case if my application gets picked up and they get receipt no. and if I have left the company, I will have to request them to withdraw it , right? Because technically legally, I cant change job with H1B processing undergoing. so before I get into trouble, I would have to ask them to withdraw, is that correct? So I can safely work on OPT.

      1. Legally you can use OPT and leave the company as long as you are not bound to any contract. But you need to ensure that even if they don’t withdraw, your H1B don’t get approved and go unnoticed by you. Otherwise, you will lose your OPT status after Oct 1. You need to check the status closely as long as employer hasn’t withdrawn and do a transfer if its approved immediately.

        I am in similar position. I received my case number. I requested for premium processing and employer seemed to be less interested asking for justifications. I got an offer from another company. I accepted the offer and joining on June 1.

        I decided to not ask them to withdraw or retain, because if i remind them it could go either ways. Its a gamble, hoping to get H1b this year or next year and also hoping HR15 to pass before April 1 2015. I keep checking for the status everyday and just leave the rest to itself. The way I see it, I at least doing a favor to people who are on waitlist, if the petition is withdrawn. It may sound bad for people who didn’t selected in the lottery. NOM!

        It would be great if Raghu can throw some light on this topic. Does case status gets updated, if employer withdrew the H1b petition? How long does it take for USCIS to put a stop on the processing? Thank you for your help

        1. Why are you taking this risk? You shouldn’t be putting trust on USCIS processing delay. You should know how difficult to get H1 with lottery. I would stay put with my current employer till H1B start date and give no room for them to consider withdrawing.

    2. I am also curious as in my company one guy who got selected in the lottery just resigned from his position. What happens in such a case?

      Company withdraws the petition perhaps. In 99% cases? Would like to know more opinions on this!

  184. Hi Raghu,
    I wanted few information.Always the check is encashed and only then the receipt number is received is it? there can be scanarios where people get their receipt numbers without their check being encashed right?

  185. How active was this forum few weeks back, only few unlucky people with hope watching and commenting without knowing the future. Waiting is really killing , just we need answer YES or NO. This is really sucks. When USCIS sent most of the receipt, they can announce or send the package back. Without any answer really killing anything like that.

  186. My check got cleared on 5th May, but still I have not received
    receipt number. Your valuable suggestions are welcome for below
    questions.

    1. If check cleared then am I going to get receipt number surely?

    2. What will be the rejection ratio although check cleared?

    3. Usually how long time it takes to get receipt number after check cleared?

    4. Anybody else in same basket?

    5. Till how long time USCIS sends receipts?

    Thanks.

    1. 1. Yes
      2. if all information is accurate and well supported by docs then passed
      3. no idea , depends when uscis has dispatched it
      4. people here are travelling on same boat not basket 😉 LOL , just kiddin as most of the people are commenting they are on same boat which one I dnt know :)) any ways there are many people who got there cheque cleared but still waiting
      5. Till they internally decide that they are done for fy15 and now lets put a period , last year RP got to know till June also

      1. I registered for the webinar last week. But was unable to make it. I have already paid the registration fees. Is there any way that i can view it. Thanks

  187. Hi I have applied H1B this year. My lawyer did’t get any update on my status. Are there any hopes for receipt number? Its already May 17

  188. Hi Raghu, on may 7th you have posted as USCIS said they may be issuing Premium Processing H-1 receipts till 21 May and non PP till 30 May or so. via Twitter @immigrationcom, means still RP has a chance right. if no, please update. thanks, RP

    1. Hi Raghu,

      I missed this webinar as I am in india and did not know about this.
      Can you brief the details how can we do h1b self sponsor?
      Really appriciate your efforts :).

      Thanks,
      God bless you n urs family

  189. ImmigrationGirl: ***Update 5/15/14, as of 11:00 this morning, no new receipts came in the mail today and also no rejections yet.*** This is the last update, no update today.

      1. It means Regular processing ppl should wait for 60 days from Apr 1st and should follow up. Chances are there for RP till May end for receipts to come in. But very slim chances for PP.

    1. From this my understanding is :- Called USCIS to know the premium application status, Got the answer ‘ if no receipt as of now that means not selected in the lottery”. Called to know the status of RP application status, got the answer ‘From tomorrow(April 1 + 30 days) onwards can email to USCIS to know the status of the application.

    1. Have you applied through that? Do trust them? I have seen bad comments abt them in immhelp forum.

    2. Do you think he has files H1b for you? I dont think so. Anyone got receipt from them? I dont think so. Not sure u will get money back.

    1. Raghu i hv stopped recving updates frm this blog thru mail. Do u know the reason?
      Moreover is the video available?

  190. In what time period is the application expected to be returned if not selected in lottery for Premium Processing?

        1. Yeah even for PP. Because they are now focusing on the selected applications. So their priority is approving and they take their time to send back the applications.

  191. Hi Raghu , couple of queries ,any idea what is the buffer % like Wait List guys ! How this buffer is selected I mean is lottery run for 95000 people in total and then first they review 65000 and 20000 and then if any case rejected or refused they start taking from buffer !!
    Also any idea generally what is the rejection/refusal % from the people who are selected in Lottery !!! If any one else has some idea they can respond too !!

    1. Nobody knows the % if they have a wait list and also not sure if they will have this wait list year. Not every year they have wait list. And sometimes, they won’t fill 85,000 even if there are rejections/refusals.

  192. Looks like they have started approving for RP, my status shows Approved last week. That was fast for RP, I thought they will take time until July/August for RP

      1. me too in same boat, I am really Jealous also, how lucky they are, They are God’s child , I think I am not.

    1. They started approving RP/AD in April itself. Mine got approved in last week of April. My 7 friends RP/AD too.

      1. I think he is talking about Non-AD/RP. Because I saw ppl got approved for Non-AD too. That is so quick for Non-AD/RP.

        1. I do not know how they differentiate it but after all its RP which takes usually lot of time. No matter AD/NONAD

  193. Comments here have come to almost stand still. Folks who received receipt numbers are waiting for approval and others without updates are still not sure about their status. As you can see from some comments, attorney’s are not expecting receipt numbers any further.

    1. Hey Raghu,

      I just checked that USICS still generating PP and RP receipts, I randomly checked for WAC14-158 and EAC14-156.

      WAC1415850002

      EAC1415650001

      Can you verify , is there still hope?

      Also,I called my attorney and they said wait and said application not rejected I did not understand whether I in wait-list or he asked me to wait. I can not ask again same thing.

      1. my attorney informed me the same, she said there is a reason why PP have not recieved receipt nor a rejection package. She has asked me to wait to as it may be in waiting list. And there is still 10 % chance very little thou

          1. clearly even i am not sure about this, this is what my attorney informed and most of the time they dont know what they are talking about. USCIS can do anything which no one is clear

          1. my check is not encashed …. this is what my attorney informed me. They dont have any clear undestanding too.

    2. It might also be due to the fact that there are way too many comments in this thread around 4K and the thread isn’t loading for many.

      1. This commenting system has pros and cons. I have seen loading issues. Pop-up blocker is preventing it from loading for few. Hope it will continue to work. Have seen disqus handle several thousands of comments in other sites.

        1. May be you can change to something else please? I have to refresh 10times to load the comments. I have seen in other forum which has 13k + comments loading with ease. Really appreciate your work. Just a feedback about the commenting system. If you fix it, I think loads of comments will come in.

  194. Hi , anyone here from companies in Bangalore like Infy , TCS , Cognizant etc , how is the status , I mean are receipts still coming or stopped ?? Anyone , someone …What is % of people getting receipts ???

    1. Hi, I am from infy and till now only 40-50% people have recieved their receipt numbers. The receipt numbers are still coming but very very less in numbers. Mostly the status are being updated on friday. The case leads have asked us to wait for 2 more weeks as the updates are coming batch wise. Not sure though ! I am also waiting for my case.

      1. Thanks man for sharing this but it’s a pain to wait ! Same here , around 50% of people in my project have received it and still everyone is confused what actually is going on as one of my colleague got petition approval also , we all are NonAD/ RP , so confusion , confusion !!

  195. I think considering the number of rejections in the lottery which is directly proportional to the number of petitions filed around 1,72,000 the US Immigration deptt. will be sending out rejection packets very late even in June end or July start, honestly they wouldn’t really be bothered about sending rejection packets quicklly as going forward with processing of those selected is high on priority rather than informing the unfortunate ones. Guess how much time 80,000 -90,000 rejections would take to be informed when 85,000 selections have taken over a month and still going in small numbers right now.

    1. That’s a very good point! However I hope we won’t have to wait that long to know our fate, I’m hoping that USCIS will announce when all receipt numbers have been issued to selected applicants. The waiting time is becoming unbearable and since the likelihood at this stage is rejection I would prefer to have that clarified sooner and Plan B can be put in place.

      1. Exactly, those who got their packets returned already or in coming 2
        weeks are actually luckier than those hapless chaps getting in June end :
        /

  196. Hi Raghu,
    I notice that you have deleted one of my comments I posted it just to have some lite moment as everyone was getting too serious. I know everyone is serious and even I am waiting myself , but it doesn’t mean that here you are running ICU(intensive care unit) for H1 queries, every1 need to have a moment of fun and by the way u forgot to delete entire thread which followed my comment … :))

  197. One of my friend was informed that check on his name was encashed on Apr 22nd and his attorney got his receipt only on May 12th. It took 12 working days. So wait for your receipt if you were informed that your check was encashed. This wait is killing. Goodluck to everyone. Keep your hopes.

  198. Immigrationgirl:”***Update 5/14/14 ,still no new receipts and no rejections as of 5:20 pm today***”

  199. Fragomen just now: “We have not received any rejections yet. At this time, we are no longer receiving receipts for H1B Cap. Unfortunately, the information we provide is the most up to date information we have.”

          1. faith, that everything happens for a reason. so whatever that’s gonna happen, it will be the right thing

          2. the way I read it: “life isnt over yet” there are still receipts to come 🙂 there are still people on the waiting list, etc

          3. I second that MSFT. Lets keep hope until we receive packages or obama passes the reform 😀

          4. Last week I was trying to contact the white house through their website just to inform them about the disappointment and anxiety people like us who are facing, and after completing my message when i clicked on the submit button, i found that i exceeded the no of characters in the text-area. I knew it wouldn’t have reached him but just a try 😀

          5. It was a petition about allowing AD applicants for H1b to stay. the petition has expired today with only 6,000 votes as opposed to 100k required

          6. I have started working on Plan B already but even I kind of get a feeling that people will get receipts till May end or early June….

    1. Me: “Thanks for the update. So you are not expecting any more receipts further on but only rejections?”. Fragomen: “At this time, yes.”

  200. Hi,
    Any updates from SplendTek? Someone posted their check got encashed. Did you receive the receipt number update? I heard from my friend who got approved through them last year that they inform us as soon as they receive the receipt. Please post if you got any updates.

  201. Here is the information obtained from Immigrationgirl. The sample size is about 600. She is not my attorney and I came to know about her recently.

    – The numbers seems right for the AD category. My attorney said that it was about 90% success last year and he predicted about 80% this year. I too believed that it would be about 80% success for AD (FY2015).

    – We all know that the success rate for non-AD would be about 40%.

    – I think those who applied directly through company/company attorney would have received receipts by this time. There is no hope now. We just need to wait for returned package (just like hitting a final nail in the coffin)

    – Those who applied through MNC could wait for few more days. I heard that MNC’s generally delay communicating the information to the employees.

    BTW: I am assuming that the number of AD applications were 25,000-35,000. Hence, 20% unluckiest means 5000-7000. I am one of those unluckiest ones (5000-7000) who applied under AD/PP/VT category and haven’t received a receipt yet. Philosophically speaking, to be really unlucky, one is sufficient to be kicked out. Here we are talking about 5000-7000. Right now, I am actively working on Plan B (other visa), C (other job) and D (going home).

    ————————

    Source: Immigrationgirl

    ****Update 5/13/14, here is where we stand today: no new receipts, no rejections. The percentage of our selected cases are as follows:

    Vermont, Premium, Masters cap: 80% of cases were selected

    California, Premium, Masters cap: 86% of cases were selected

    Vermont, Regular, Masters cap: 75% of cases were selected

    California, Regular, Masters cap: 75% of cases were selected

    Vermont, Premium, Bachelors cap: 38% of cases were selected

    California, Premium, Bachelors cap: 33% of cases were selected

    Vermont, Regular, Bachelors cap: 48% of cases were selected

    California, Regular, Bachelors: 33% of cases were selected

    The discrepancy between Premium and Regular receipts for masters cap cases may indicate that more regular processing receipts could be on the way. Fingers crossed!

    1. for the Bachelor’s cap, lets assume that each one of the 4 had (PP/CA etc) had 100 entries.
      the STD for 40% is sqrt(n*p*(1-p)) ~= 5.

      all cases fall well within 40% +- 2* STD.
      could you ask here, how many she had in each category to begin with.
      (to check the assumptions. ) e.g. if there were more regular processing than PP this may indeed indicate that california is slower to process.

      what would fit in better with the data is an acceptance rate of 35% for the regular cap and a majority of PP

    2. If this is true, then next year there would be increase in the ad category for sure unless the government pass the immigration reform.

    3. Quick Update : I spoke with Attorney Emily and she agreed to do a video interview. I’m in the process of scheduling a video a video interview. Hope this will help you guys. Give a Like to this comment, if you are looking forward for the interview.

    1. Not yet. atleast not me yet. but .. I know from a freind that he received the return package on may 22 last year.. So i am guessing we can anticipate the same trend perhaps this year as well.

      1. So I am thinking the by the end of this month we should know most certainly as to what will happen…

        1. correction buddy , not what will happen but in fact we should know certainly what has happened 🙂

  202. i have seen few receipts are generated on last week also.
    This is meaning less entry is completed all the petitions.
    Guys we can wait few more days for receipts

  203. Aaj mere pas paisa hain , gaadi hain , bangla hain , haan or maa bhi hain , tumahare pass kya hain , mere pas , mere paas H1 hain … :)))

    1. If you can’t post in English, what you will do having H1?? This forum is used by different language people. So stop posting in your language so that it helps others to understand and helps them in someway. Thanks

      1. Dude here is the translation but not worth it , it’s a famous dialogue from a Bollywood movie , added some twist , don’t worry , Indian friends will know it for sure :)))) , sorry if it bothered you !

  204. Hi Raghu,
    I don’t know if this is a valid question or not but still interested to know. Does age has to do anything with the H1 visa selection ? I know question may be vague but why I am asking is in my project almost everyone less than 30 have got receipts but 3-4 people including myself are more than 30 in fact 32+ and none of us have got it till now , so just this question popped up !!!!! ……

  205. Folks, clear my doubts please
    1) I got a call & email from my employer saying that my check got cleared on 08th May 2014 however no receipt number yet..Still I ‘m waiting for it. My brain got doubt like ” after getting check clearance also USCIS don’t send receipt number, this situation happened to any one in the past history( I’m praying I won’t be one of them) , this is question is making me more irritation then happiness , some one answer my query please ?
    2) after we get H1B approval letter , do you think still he/ she need to attend the interview around in US immigration office or else still any other formalities will their to clear.
    I wish my petition flow like this
    1. Petition submit >2.Check clearance >3. Receipt number > 4.Initial review >5. H1B Approval > 6.Happy end
    3) I have been in NZ more than 24 months and currently also in NZ since 4 months , do you think I need to carry police clearance report .

    1. depending if a legit company applied for your, or you paid a some consultant to apply for you. in the second case, they are probably scamming you, in the first case, no need to worry.

    2. There is one other person who posted the same scenario. Check is cleared and no receipt number. I hope you get the receipt number soon.

      2) Approval. Then visa interview at U.S. Consulate/Embassy.

      1. Petition submit
      2. Receipt number
      3.Initial review
      4. H1B Approval
      5. 50% Happiness
      5. Visa Interview
      6. 100% Happiness

      Police clearance is not required for H1B. But, get it before you leave NZ. Just in case.

  206. Folks, clear my doubts please
    1) I got a call & email from my employer saying that my check got cleared on 08th May 2014 however no receipt number yet..Still I ‘m waiting for it. My brain got doubt like ” after getting check clearance also USCIS don’t send receipt number, this situation happened to any one in the past history( I’m praying I won’t be one of them) , this is question is making me more irritation then happiness , some one answer my query please ?
    2) after we get H1B approval letter , do you think still he/ she need to attend the interview around in US immigration office or else still any other formalities will their to clear.
    I wish my petition flow like this
    1. Petition submit >2.Check clearance >3. Receipt number > 4.Initial review >5. H1B Approval > 6.Happy end
    3) I have been in NZ more than 24 months and currently also in NZ since 4 months , do you think I need to carry police clearance report .

    1. depends, if you have a legit company that applied for you then you are selected and do not worry.
      if you paid one of the consultancy companies, there is a big chance that theyre scamming you.

  207. This Comment section is so addicting.. i read it in the morning before go to work and then during lunch break and finally at night… and it starts over next day… i refresh my email, txt and calls 10 times a day to see if there any news from my employer..

    Feels like all of our return packages are in the transit. 🙁
    I lost all my hopes, but I believe that GOD alone knows what best work for us in the long run than what we think !! so lets accept it !!

  208. AD/PP guys who have not yet heard anything from USCIS – no receipt/no reject return package…please reply here.. lets see how many of us are there

        1. same here.

          though my lawyer emailed me and said that the stream of receipts had stopped.

          maybe they get sent in batches.

          15 days have gone by since the 28th of April

      1. Did you finalize in your mind about plan B….? The only option to stay in US I think is 1) find H1B exempt jobs 2) further study

        any of you have in mind..?

        1. No, I haven’t finalized anything yet. And I don’t think we have too many options. Each option has it’s own risk and drawbacks.

    1. AD/PP/CA still waiting. Haven’t got a receipt nor the return package!!! Lift just sucks at this point…

      1. Same here Bro… wondering if they are waiting to deny some petitions and fill those up with the waitlisted ones….
        I cannot agree with you more.. Life does suck especially when you are the only one in your freind circle not to have the receipt….

  209. Hmmm, It seems all hot conversations today because of the disappointment for lottery results from all, cool guys, move forward.

  210. OMG, I got the receipt today but …….. I didnt file the H1B , what a GOD, Thank you so much God, still you exist.

  211. I recieved yesterday the following e-mail:

    The Vermont Service Center has approved the following
    I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker
    that had been filed under the Premium Processing Service:

    ….

    Although when I check my case status on the website is still ‘Acceptance’. Is the e-mail above means just that I’ve been selected on the lottery or this is already visa approval.

    Thanks!!

      1. last week I’ve been told by my company that I was selected, and now they fwd me this…so I’m not sure whether this refers to the lottery or to the final result.

        1. Hi Gabrial;

          Congrats!! on your petition being approved.

          Could you please let us know, did you received the mail from USCIS or from your Employer.

          If you received the mail from USCIS, could you please let us know, whether you found the mail in the Inbox or in Junk Folder

  212. Just I came to know that, In India many Desi consultancy which is in US , collect money from many for H1B then wont file a H1B , later they will tell , you are rejected then deduct the attorney fee and return the remaining amount, no proof for anything , just in case if any one ask or have idea to do that, just avoid , then your wish. Like that if they collect money from 100 people and deduct 800 to 1000$, they will earn 1 crore. Great idea but ….

    1. yup me also paid to desi consultency first they said PR after paid the money they said its regular they cheat me i paid for Non-AD /RP 5000$ till now i dont know about my H1b still waiting

      1. Its really sad, now a days all used find a way to cheat in decent way… since we are professional we wont be sharing this info to others or we will hide ourself thats the benefit for them. If it is un-educated people they will fight and get the money back. So try to get your money back also put that desi consultancy name in the website or blog so that others will come to know. next time they cant cheat(still few will try to apply by them even after that). But this will be bad for them if you put the info in website or blog. 5000$ is toooooooo much, filing will be within 2500$. Also paying is illigal then all will be silent. if they get money they need to be true but you have rights to fight and get back.

      2. to be honest, you deserve what happened to you, why would you go to a consultancy company to get an H1B, and then ull go to the states and start looking for a job, other people have already got jobs, did tremendous efforts to pass interviews with employers, didn’t sleep at night preparing, and then people like you come and steal their chance of getting a H1B. I hope you get your money back… but still, this what happens to people who try to cheat and take what not theirs!!

      3. Screw you if you’ve applied multiple petitions. Sorry, but I don’t really think that it’s fair for people like me.

    2. to be honest, you deserve what happened to you, why would you go to a consultancy company to get an H1B, and then ull go to the states and start looking for a job, other people have already got jobs, did tremendous efforts to pass interviews with employers, didn’t sleep at night preparing, and then people like you come and steal their chance of getting a H1B. I hope you get your money back… but still, this what happens to people who try to cheat and take what not theirs!!….

      1. Hi MSFT, Could you clarify below points….

        1. Why you are jealous abt the Desi
        consultancy? USCIS there to check rt also most of them in US like that only went, now only rules are strict….
        2. So much competion in this world, all will try all the way to get and survey why are you blaming others? If you have LUCK you might have selected in the lottery
        then only your talent.
        3. Do you think they are not talent? Its not
        that….. they didn’t get the good company somehow, then they tried whats there in that???

        Its all your fate and fact, don’t blame others if you can you try get ….. There is nothing illigal outside US. No one will tell the truth the fact is ‘everything
        money money’.

        1. you’re totally wrong. if we apply your logic, then thieves should steal, because they have no chance, so its their fate to steal, and murders should kill people, so they can have chances to survive. you should not go and pay money to companies to get you a H1B, because you are STEALING other people’s chances. the world is a worst place because of people with messed up logic like you!!
          Its all about competition, if you and I apply, you get rejected by a company and I get selected, this is because I am more talented than you are!!! not because I am lucky! for real people like you are so messed up, thinking its okay to go there and stay in a street looking up a job. all you do is get the stupid Visa and then you go there, unemployed!
          there is nothing illegal, or “illigal”, as you call it, outside US? see, you have no morals if you think so!
          go compete in a good, “legal”, way, show your talents rather than showing your money!
          sorry to say that but get lost buddy.

          1. these corrupt $$$$$$$$s won’t realize that people already in US would loose their jobs…. if they don’t get visa, they have nothing to loose…. because they haven’t earned anything yet….talking about luck….. wtf

          2. thats why this world is full of thieves and stupid people like the guy who replied talking about luck and money… so yea

          1. this needs a cross compiler to be understood “3. Do you think they are not talent? Its notthat….. they didn’t get the good company somehow, then they tried whats there in that???” LOL

    1. Was it a duplicate petition?? I believe If that’s the case then you won’t be able to get your cheque back. You might need to check with your attorney regarding that.

  213. I got a call from attorney saying that my cheque got encashed, but I am still waiting for receipt number!!!!!!

  214. I ddint get any response from GOD,My company and USCIS, totally blank? what to do Non AD/RP, when return package will come?

  215. Oh God, At end I got the receipt EAC-14-159-5XXXX, worth for waiting… Got shocked and surprise when I lost the confident and got that today. God is Nice.

          1. Pradeep, who cares :), When Game is Over :)(me too still waiting but which is already an END)….The message and names tells that it is true or Lie, that checks how much hurry you are …. if u check the message without checking the name .. that teach the about the LIFE also:)

  216. My employer informed me that he received back the package and I am not selected in the lottery. Mine was Non AD/RP. At least better than waiting.

    1. I agree. I wish I received the same by now so I can formally talk to employer about alternative options.

          1. ya but i havent recieved anything at all. Not even the lottery result . If i am PP i shud atleast know if i am selected or not. As far as i am aware for PP they let you know by email the outcome of ur petition.

      1. My case is non-ad/pp, I am still waiting, no reply. I asked to my employer, they said they will inform me if anything comes up. how we can ensure that they really waiting OR just lieing me..?

          1. are you planning to hold a webinar exclusively targeted towards the non-AD folks in US?

  217. aren’t we supposed to get approved/denied by today 5/13? it is supposed to take 15 calender days for premium processing, right?

      1. you can’t count from April 28. They are going to begin processing and will start precessing new ones every day since then but not all in one day

  218. Is it possible to apply for GC from OPT? I have only BS, and my employer is willing to do that. Is EB3-ROW be an option for me at this time give that my OPT will expire in October? Feels like it is really time for plan B
    Thanks

        1. hey this is original Curious here , somebody stole my name LOL…, well my friends have got it today as well , latest series I know is 145

  219. Tier companies and mid size companies have started informing their employees one by one….(TCS,Mindtree)…
    If (application==lottery_Selected)
    {

    email = your application is selected in lottery…

    }
    else if (Application == No_Intimation_yet)
    {
    for others=WAIT_FURTHER_UPDATES
    }

    // Dont loose hopes till you get your packet back…

  220. H1B Visa Plan B : Webinar Registration Link : http://bit.ly/1hIu7Co

    This webinar is targeted towards applicants with Advanced Degree. I will go over Pros and Cons of several different options in “DETAIL”

    Specially the biggest Pitfall to avoid in #1 Plan B option that most advanced degree folks have in mind.

    When – Friday 9:30 PM ( May 16, 2014)
    How Long – 60 to 90 Minutes
    Type : Paid
    Registration Link : http://bit.ly/1hIu7Co

        1. I am not AD or not studied here. I am on L1B, married, expiring Dec 2014. So with this, does this webinar includes anything other than (1) Canada direct PR option (2) take course in US from Dec to April and apply H1B again if employer agrees (3) NZ/Australia PR process (4) transfer to employer’s Canada branch and come back (5) if wife can get H1 then stay H4 (6) go to some desi consultancy and do some manipulations

          Above what I can think off if you could give another option, of course I would like to join..

          1. Options you have listed above is known to all, but what problems one can face is is what I want to highlight.

            I will go over specific set of courses and colleges.
            Why certain college is better than others and why you need to avoid some colleges.

  221. Thats a clear bug in the website if you see that… first of all I am not RP… I am PP. I had clearly mentioned it in my comments above and I don’t think its possible to change your name after posting the comment.

  222. man, it sucks, I am frustrated of waiting, those screwed up lawyers tell you, Oh we appreciate your waiting, no you freaking don’t, you’re not the one whos life depending on a stupid lottery, so shut the heck up and call the USCIS and ask for an explanation! those people suck! “We appreciate your patience”! appreciate my butt!

        1. NON AD/Regular ..its for my husband…its his last year on L1b 5yrs, we need it badly this time

    1. Abi, you got ur receipt number today or ur petition itself got approved ?? If your petition is approved today, then when did u get ur receipt number ?? As you say u r NON-AD / RP , I just wanted to know how much time it took for your petition approval..

      1. Employer had mentioned on May 2 that the cheque was deposited. They received the approval notice today. They dint inform me abt the receipt.

  223. Hi Raghuram, I have been following your blogs since long… Its a great platform to get all queries answered. I came across a scenario and would need your input. What if a person filed H1B from 2 different employers and both got picked up in the lottery. What are the options with him in that case and what should be done?

      1. If that is the case then why USCIS allows people to file from 2 different employers.. Logically, a person can be offered a position to work with 2 or more employers and it is upto the employee to choose which is the best offer for him/her..

        Guys lets talk logical and get view point on these things as these things are imp..

        There is rule that single employer cannot file multiple H1B for a same employee but nowhere it is mentioned about 2 or more H1B from different employers.

    1. Both will not get rejected as this is filed from two different employers…. As per my understanding, two petitions filed are rejected ONLY if they are from the same employer

      1. NO. both will get rejected for such guys playing with the system & wasting putting in drain some qualified’s H1.

        1. HI Raghu,

          Would appreciate if you can give your comments on this? What should be done and what is the best option?

      2. if two petitions follow the same person at the data entry day, they get filtered out.
        they get a rejection

      3. That seems logical and correct and based on other blogs it is mentioned one can get approval for both H1B’s as well as they are 2 different petitions and not at all related to each other. There cannot be an RFE asking why employee filed 2 petitions for 2 different employers though there can be RFE for any other reason. Ultimately, employee can join only 1 employer and other employer may wish to withdraw it at later stages.

        Raghu /Sam you comments on this?

    2. Raghu – Can you please throw some light on this?? What happens if someone has filed H1B from two different employer?

    1. They had a waiting list in 2008 lottery. They clearly mentioned it on their site during that period. They dit not mention any such thing last year or this year. So we do not know if they follow the same format.

    2. Depends on whether there is a wait-list and what the USCIS wants to do with it. Wait-list is a case where a few of the petitions successfully selected in the lottery get rejected during the process of approval (due to whatever reason(s)) and those slots have to be filled-in. To my knowledge, this is a grey area and none knows what really happens in such a case.

    3. That must be the reason that PP not selected applicants hadn’t received their documentation back yet, as supposedly it must be over the processing time for PP.

      It seems they’re holding the applications to see if there are any rejected selected applications.

        1. hmmm, When game is going to over and so much disappoinment , just trying to come out, just be fun and forget 🙂 no other way… nothing in our hand

    1. I can’t even do that. My wife (CA in India) left her career and came here to see that I am not lucky to win a lottery…. LOL

  224. I checked on USCIS twitter account there is nothing like this posted saying about receiving the receipts till 21st may or 30 may. Can you please let us know where did you got this information from?

  225. Hi Raghu,
    I have asked this question to you today 2 times , please can you respond that if you have any update from attorney regarding return of packages !! Please refer your featured comment , I want to know if do you have any latest update that now has number of returned packages increased in last 3-4 days, or still receipts are coming in ???

    1. I know some of my friends whose employers got rejected packets alongside receipts…and this was last week…the numbers aren’t very clear since the USCIS is not transparent in this regard..

    2. Receipts almost stopped coming. Very few ( like 1 or 2 reporting), and that’s due to delivery delay or delay in employer reporting to employee.

      Not many people are reporting return packages yet.

      1. i am PP non AD should i atleast recieve an answer yes or no sooner then regular ? or is it same process for both PP and regular? for example i am PP , shud i recieve an answer from USCIS atleast reporting about the outcome before the regular ones started … thats wht PP is for right?

  226. For PP, USCIS said they could start the process of PPs from 28th April, So that means 28th April +15 working days = 16th May (<21st May). This week perhaps last week of decision of all PPs and posting of any receipt or return package. — I think.

      1. Hi dy, I know USCIS cannot start ALL PP cases in same day but they said no later than 28th, that means they could start before 28th but on and after 28th they have work on untouched PP files to provide answers to those applications…. So, we may think that by late 28th April they will work on PP files and be able to decide in 15 days from then…I am assuming 15 working days.

  227. Raghu – Thanks much for your blog… i was not that much silent in this but yes i use to wroite few comments
    … finally finally and yes finally……… I got picked..

    Wat a happiness… was in pursuit of happiness.. guys patience patiences.. hope you all get through..

    SO wonderfullll…….. thanks all for valuabl comments… raghu i will owe you and your team a lot

      1. Hey Raghu , did your attorney(s) I mean whiom u r in touch with gave any update on return packages or anything else ??

      2. Hey Raghu , as posted by you earlier did any of your attorney friend whom you are in touch with provide any update on returned packages or anything else!

    1. congrats!! can u plz provide your info – PP or regular? general cap or advanced degree? receipt date? thx!

  228. Inteha ho gayi Intezar Ki , Ayee na kuch khabar mere yaar* ki , yeah hume hain yakeen , bewafa who nahi , fir vajah kya hui , intezar keee… 🙂 🙁 🙂 🙁
    yaar* receipt

  229. Hi Raghu;

    I got selected in the Lottery. I had applied it through a company in NJ. They had filed my Petition in VSC under RP / Non AD. I got the Result from the Company on 23rd April about my Receipt Number and that I got selected in the Lottery.

    My Questions are below:

    (A) Currently the status says “Initial Review”, how long will it take from here for getting to know about the status of the Initial Review.

    (B) Can I try out for other companies in USA with this Receipt Number.

    (C) Supposing if my Employer is not able to find me a Project and put me in Bench, can I try out for other Companies in USA and get a Job over there.

    Please let me know your inputs.

    1. Hi Anandhapadmanaban M

      Could you please share the name of the company in NJ, through which you applied?

      Thanks!

        1. Anandhapadmanaban – Thanks for the response! Actually, I wanted to know the name of the company. Do you mind sharing the name?

          1. I really hope you get a rejection, because you deserve it, people like you are taking other people’s chances. I really hope you get your deeds back on you sooner or later.

          2. It’s okay we know such cases the embassy know them, let’s just not be negative!

      1. those people should be banned from everything. they buy the visa through fake companies, and then they fly to the states to look for a job. what a spam!

        1. And after reading this people are trying to apply some logic that makes sense! there is not sense .. it’s a broken system abused by butts

        2. I still didn’t get anything but i know it’s rejection and I hope my company can send me to Buenos Aires for a year and try again next year

    2. To be honest, no to be mean or something, if you apply through a company that has nothing for you, you pay for them to get an H1B, just stay in your home country and do not screw the H1B for people who already found jobs with legit companies.
      don’t worry, if you oppress someone, sooner or later it’ll get you 😉

        1. read what (s)he has written and ull know, obviously (s)he paid some “company” which is a consultant to get an H1B. then look what (s)he is doing, looking for a job 🙂 how come a company would get you an H1B and then (s)hes not sure of the company has some tasks for him/her. it does not pass together

    1. What difference that will make. At least for the lottery selection process, they won’t go through your profile.

      1. Well that’s the thing, I believe though it is indeed a lottery but there is a method to it…if it is totally random lottery what if all the engineers got picked and not the doctors? or some other occupation for which US is in need of? I FIRMLY BELIEVE THEY KEEP SUBCAPS..for different fields and occupations just like Canada does!! So the profile you come from does make a difference or at least your designation/position does matter in the lottery.

          1. That’s your opinion 🙂

            What’s makes you confident against the existence of subcaps?

          2. all assumptions here are speculations (subcaps, experience, background, PhD, worthiness of a candidate etc.) but by looking at profile of people picked vs. those who weren’t you can’t explain it by anything but a random pick that doesn’t make much sense.

          3. I think there is…if US has a shortage of say 6000 doctors, they wouldn’t wanna pick 300 just because it was a purely random selection.

          4. Well that’s another case if Obama administration has decided to to be impervious to common sense :-]

          5. If Obama had the guts the immigration reform would have already been here and hundred thousands wouldn’t try to squeeze in a minuscule cap

        1. So I take that you haven’t got your receipt as yet!!

          Same here. None of the QA guys have got receipts yet but the whole DB team got theirs :-s

          I am also working on REST API automation BTW :-]

          1. I am not sure if it is just me but why does your title read “Still Waiting”? :-s

          2. You just posted a reply to Rakesh Agarwal above saying you are “Still waiting” Stop trolling man! :-/

          3. Man… I don’t know what to say… you had a question and was trying to give you an answer…. sorry if you didn’t like it. BTW… I never replied with the “still waiting” to anybody. Its up to you to believe it or not.

          4. Its a website issue, right now i can see all comments made by you ie. Hard Luck. and by the way If everyone started thinking like that then there is not point following these threads, Its just for getting updates.

  230. Hi Raguram, need some advise. I filed H1 application thru some consultant and on 25th April they told that mine application has been selected and provided me case number starting with WAC. As mine was premium application, i was assuming the case would be processed within 2 weeks starting 28th April but till now there is no change in the status on USCIS site, i am not sure what needs to be done. Also i dont have any copy of the petition filed by the consultant, i assume they wont have provided me wrong case number of someone else, is there any way to check if the case number belongs to me and whether it was filed with premium option?

    1. Also the status still shows as Acceptance only, does that mean its not applied under premium category?

  231. Inteha ho gayi Intezar Ki , Ayee na kuch khabar mere yaar* ki , yeah hume hain yakeen , bewafa who nahi , fir vajah kya hui , intezar keee… 🙂 🙁 🙂 🙁
    yaar* recript

  232. Finally the wait is over. Got informed by my employer that i got picked up in the lottery. For other folks information

    1. I am from Bangalore MindTree
    2. I am yet to get the receipt#

    Thank you Raghu for this wonderful blog where people get interacted on the H1B status. All the best for other folks who are waiting for the lottery result.

        1. Well I am not in MindTree even if I were and I could know your name, don’t think it would make any difference. Lol MindTree filed H1B petitions for about 55 Project Leads, guess how do I know that? *_*

          1. Anyhow! Congratulations and thanks for posting. Good to see that people are getting receipts still.

  233. Non AD/RP/VT. H4 to H1B. Got the scanned copy of my receipt notice I-797C (Notice of Action) from my employer today. EAC1414750*** Received date: April 10th and Notice date: April 29th. The case status is : Initial Review. All the very best people. Don’t lose hope.

      1. If you really have the skillset and work experience. Yes. They apply on your behalf. I have done 7 years in IT project management.

      2. I think your question “WHO IS YOUR EMPLOYER?” is very inappropriate. I believe you are not well educated about H1B filing for H4 visa holders. Be advised that anyone can apply for H1B provided they have the right skillset and a job offer from an employer in US.

        1. I know all the if and but’s , all i wanted to know was who is ur employer? and how did u find someone to apply for ur H1 from H4? employers mostly dont wait that long considering the H1 is approved in oct and u can only start working post that. My status will also change to H4 if my H1 is not approved this year. Hence just exploring my options.

    1. Congrats SJ ….:)
      Mine too was a COS from H4 to h1, but luckily/unluckily i still have not got my receipt…..

      @Sakhu — i have 4 years of exp in sw and two companies were ready to file h1 for me from which I chose one. so it basically depends on your skillset and your employer’s faith in your competence.

      1. i have 9 years of exp .. do u mind giving me some more info like when did u start searching for an employer and how was the process like? if u are on H4 u cannot work untill you get your H1 approved so are they ok to wait?

        1. Not sure of your back ground… but mine is mobile communication technology.. i had 4 yrs of exp from a reputed company whose head office is in CA. it was not very difficult for me to find h1b sponsers. there is always demand in our field. i was able to find my sponser in a month after coming to the US. yes evry1 knows that you have to wait till oct dats when you can work… so you better be worth that wait !!

  234. hmmmm, last 2 days not much comments here, it shows the progress, it seems we are done. no luck.

      1. Got it, Lets see tomorrow, Any assumption about out of 85k receipt how much might have delivered? I know other than USCIS no one cant predict extacly, but any assumption based on some calculation?

        1. I don’t think you can make an assumption we know more or less how much they generate each computer day but we don’t know if they mail it the same day. …i would think 95% are either already delivered or still in transit

          1. u have mentioned “we know more or less how much they generate each day” , so what’s the approx number per day…, also any1 has idea does sorting happens based on last name that too descending order..!!!??

          2. Read back this thread of comments and you will see a couple of computations as well as discussions about sorting. I don’t think they sort by surname. Also per day generation doesn’t matter anymore. They said last week that data entry is completed. I am still waiting for my rejection package. AD/RP/VT

  235. No updates from my employer after last week. Few people got the receipt numbers and then everything stopped. No one has a definite answer except for saying ‘ keep waiting’ which makes it even more frustrating. Dont know what to do.

  236. HI Folks, I got a call from my employer and informed me” my check got cleared USCIS ” any idea how much time i need to wait for receipt number .

    1. Congratulations! Sometime next week is ideally when your employer should get the snail mail receipt :)…worst case, the week after the next…get your receipt number from your employer so you too can track it…if possible, ask your employer to mail you a scanned copy of your receipt…

      Cheers,
      Bharath

  237. Hi Raghu,

    Can you please let me know the status?m on H4 and gave applied for H1B COS.Do I hold any chances.

  238. Hi All,

    I am on H4 and applied for h1B under Non ADRegularVT.I have not heard any thing from my employer,reg receipt no. or clearing of cheque.Are there any chances as I have not heard anyone with COS getting receipt no.

    1. Hi, I have also applied for H1B and I am on H4. I have also not heard anything from my employer. We can just hope for the best and wait.

  239. Hey folks,

    anyone with Microsoft? did you hear from them?
    Tandslaw firm, Tafapolsky and Smith, California.

    Please keep us posted.
    thank you, praying for you all

    1. MSFT , I dont think you get answer. whover got receipt they are busy with Party and further dream they wont look at our comments. No idea abt next , no hope no faith on anything almost got over, it could be few miracle for few, still no idea no words.

  240. No update from employer too..asked me to wait for 2 more weeks. But is it worth to wait … ? I personally feel that game is over..but still waiting for any miracle to happen..as I had a plan to switch the firm last year in May only since hike was below average…but employer promised me to file petition…but now can’t blame them as well…! I am disappointed..and speechless..I have wasted whole year ..and found nothing in hand..! If I would have switched….at least i would have a good hike now..!

    1. …please wait till your employer gets a rejection in your name…I know it can be maddening but it is definitely not the end of this world…be positive and good that you still have a chance to shift to another company and get a nice hike this year..

  241. Hi ,

    @happyschools:disqus I am following this forum for quiet a long time. I have applied H1B this year, through Indian MNC but not sure what category they have applied. Can you please let me know if Indian master’s degree is considered/can be applied in AD H1B quota , or AD H1B quota is only applicable for master’s or above degree holder from US universities.

    Thanks in advance

      1. Yes, Very Sad news. Where you located? just to know the delivery time and despatch days etc.

        1. Hi Raghu,

          I have a question here. I am not sure though but I came to know from LinkedIn that there are some or a single people in USCIS who gives out visa at the expense of others, that is visas given out to people from the rejected ones. Obviously it is not free. Is that true?

          1. I dont think thats possible in US, if it is rejected means rejected thats all. It could be someone making rumor to earn money or something. US rules are very very strict. Stay away from these. If you have luck you will get it, Have hope.

          2. Right…I understand your point and took the words as some fraud as well.
            Thanks.

    1. Hello sa,

      Very unfortunate regarding this – just make sure you try to come out of this…definitely not the end of the world right? You may have other options too, as suggested by Raghuram Sukumar…

      Cheer up!
      Bharath

  242. Hi Raghu,

    My Application is ADV/PP and Status showing “case can not be found at this time in My Case Status”. Since its PP,if i don’t hear anything by 12th what is the next step I have to do. Please suggest

    1. There could be chance that , your case will be found with approved satus soon, it happend for few, check the previous discussion for the same.

      1. Do u mean for PP if you didnt recieve any confirmation about the lottery outcome, there is a possibility that you might get the result with the approval status directly instead of the lottery result ????

  243. Hi,

    I have received receipt number and it’s in “Initial Review” status. What could be this mean? will my case get approved?

    Please clarify me this, thanks in advance.

  244. Even thought there’s hope, it’s slim and is getting slimmer as day passes. So, does anyone know any college that offers immediate CPT for an online degree?

  245. Raghu I have one question , I am Non AD /RP and I was waiting with patience since 1st April till 28th April as during this period only AD/PP were receiving receipts so was having patience and waiting. Also in this forum only AD/PP people were sharing comments and all. But now I am wondering it took 3 weeks to notify only 20K receipts and we all NonAD/RP are losing hope in 1 week only , is it correct?? Because practically speaking notifying 65K receipts should take more time than 20K receipts ..!!!!!! but still everyone is saying that it’s over , I mean at this point of time it does make sense for AD/PP but NonAD/RP started coming from last week only and we all are saying it’s over , so confused between notification time range of AD/PP and NonAD/RP , 20K and 65K ..!!!!!! Oh God please help !!!!

    1. Yes, Totally Agree with you. The confusion because of the ‘Data entry completed’ messages that means data entry completed and lottery completed on April 10th then to send a receipt wont take time like that our assumption means waited May 2nd to 8 days. But even from this forum receipt receiving news got reduced toattly last 2 days only 4 to 5 people got that also some delay in snail mail and attorney didnt inform after received etc. You can have hope till u get ur package but chances now reduced to 5 percent, means out of 1000 , 1 may get next week. This is my openion.

      1. Hmmm.. my friends received yesterday also, series is 142 and from WAC (non AD/RP) and people are now getting 148 as well so means still next week receipts will pour in and reason I think is here news is getting reduced because not sure whether this forum is popular with guys from India who apply thru India becoz else this forum would have been flooded more . Looks like this forum is more popular with AD/PP , AD/RP guys : ) , just guessing 😀 though !

          1. Still, It could be a delay in communication between attorney and India office, I dont think any other reason. If really we getting receipts after May 2nd from USCIS I will be the first person to be happy but not.

        1. Yes, but non ad RP guys like us are also chipping in now… though we came to know about this forum late….! It happens as we are getting to know or learn things slowly…. developing nation after all!! 🙂

    2. The first few days notifications were for AD/PP and non AD/PP. We don’t know how many non AD PP got picked up in among the 65000.
      Second point, while the AD and PP notifications we sent out in initial few weeks, that does not mean that other administrative work were in halt. For e.g sorting, verifying all appliications etc could be done parallely. However as USCIS has themselves specified no one should lose hope untill they receive their package back. There is still hope till 21st and 30th May. Enjoy the weekend.

    3. Agree wiith your assumptions , USCIS can only able to asnwer your questions. Wait you get your package back or wait for next USCIS news/alert.

    4. Logically speaking you are right…. Moreover PPs were notified thru email and RP people through email. So it should take this month for all the receipts to get delivered.

    1. Yeah just came back from lunch…. The guy gave me receipt when I paid……….That too, right away…….

      1. its not fun time..if you don’t know the pain of people waiting for receipts try to know or at least don’t make fun

      2. its not the place to make fun..If you don’t know the pain of people waiting for receipt try to know or at least don’t make comments like this..

      3. @TP, I love your reply. Tough times but we should have a laugh every now and then.
        @Non AD/RP/VT: No offense, we all are sailing may not be the same raft but same waters.

  246. Has anyone had a case where you received an employment update request in SEVIS? I’m not talking about ‘pending change of status’ update but just employment update request? i got an email from my DSO yesterday regarding this request, but cannot comprehend what this means. I checked with my employer about the checks but they have not been cashed yet. @happyschools:disqus, could you please provide any insight you may have?
    thank you

      1. I got this email from my DSO: “Hi, there is an
        employment update requested for you in SEVIS to be provided within a week’s
        time. Please confirm your current employer name and complete address.”

        1. If you are on OPT or OPT STEM extension then every 6 months you have to inform your DSO about your current employer name and address so that they can update your SEVIS record. I think that is what it means.

          1. are you sure? do they check every 6 months? i am currently on OPT extension and i have had this status for almost a year now, they did not ask me to confirm my employer information before.

          2. My DSO contact me every 6 months if I fail to do so when the deadline is approaching. They did not ask me when I was on OPT (I guess) but definitely asked me when I was on OPT STEM extension. The reminder e-mail to me was something like the following –
            “According to our records you are currently on the STEM extension of OPT. While on the STEM extension you are required to submit a report to OIS every six months to confirm you residential address and employer information, among other things.

            Your six month report is due today. Could you please go to OIS online and update your employer information there? Also, please log-in to XXXX and confirm your SEVIS local address is still correct.

            Please do this immediately and let me know when you have completed the updates so I can process the report in SEVIS.”

          3. Oh ok.. I was getting excited for no reason then.. mann, i’m so deflated now… ughhhhhh. Back to plan B now 🙂

          4. I apologize for deflating your happiness but from what you said your DSO wrote, I can only justify with what I said above.

          5. No, thanks for letting me know. i just got excited when i saw the email regarding update on SEVIS. i did not think through things. i wish my DSO had clarified this to me, all he said is call USCIS to inquire.

          6. I would encourage you to double check with DSO to confirm my inference. However, if there is a change in SEVIS due to H-1B petition then your attorney should be notified, not DSO.

    1. Thanks Optimistic.

      @Waiting: I wish I could do something for u but we all are helpless against this lottery system. U deserve more than me.

  247. Hi Folks,

    An hour ago my attorney informed me that I am picked up.

    PETITIONER: XXXX
    BENEFICIARY: Pawan Shishodia
    FILLING TYPE (Regular/Premium): Regular
    RECEIPT NUMBER: EAC-14-149-52XXX
    RECEIPT DATE: May 1, 2014

    As mentioned in my last massage..I would happily love to go to India..If i could not have been selected.

    cheers and best wishes to all.

    @ ghmd: Answer to ur question is in my receipt number.

  248. I checked with company, They told me that you can have hope until you get your package back bu mostly after this 99 percent you wont get it. So stop thinking about H1B like that. I started the H1B process Jan 1st week after that I never slept even single day , Half part spent time to find a good H1B sponsor second half waited and checked my mails 24/7 for the Receipt. I used go to temple and prayed for H1B each week Daily I prayed to God for H1B without fail in the morning, I used pray to all the Gods in the word without relegion. I have only posted earliar Post(Game Over!!!) its not hurt anyone or loose your hope. I have personal reason to get H1B apart from workin in USA. In my llifemany times the chance came to my hand for US but all the times I have lost the chance. God promise I prayed and worked for this H1B this time anything like that. I really disappoined so much. But we have to digest the truth and move on, no other way. I am unlucky. I only used to post under name ‘waiting….’ and ‘Just for Fun :-)’ One time I wite one post to Raghu also for answering to Girl only just for Fun. Really this forum helps for all and share and get the useful info. Thanks for you all and your support. All the best whoever won the lottery most of the time when luck come to situation I never used to get that. Whover winning and won by Luck i used to feel most of the time they are GOD’s child but I am not , dont know why? When I prayed so much and begged so much for this H1B to God (for my personal reason), he didn help me even didnt care . This is the truth. I dont know whats the meaning of trusting the GOD and having hope on something. If god not exist them how i will have hope and trust in LIFE. Blind and Blank, Fact and Fate. Wish you a Happy life for you all. Good LUCK :).

    1. All the best(Dont want to say ‘Best of LUCK’) …. Hope you may get this year itself.

    2. I am also in same situation like you. Lets have hope but very very less percentage, God can make the miracle any time, who Knows.

    3. Yes, I have seen your posts and enjoyed them a lot. But don’t worry sooner or later you will achieve….One thing I can say if want to achieve something keep trying for it….Don’t give up!!

    4. Hey, the game is definitely not over! I know no matter what, this is frustrating but your patience will pay off some time sooner than later…if not H1, maybe another route and if not the states, maybe another country! What matters is that you should continue being spirited and keep the positivity alive :)…take time, wait till you get the rejection and if you actually get it, no problem – fall down, get up, buckle up and move on!

  249. our attorney told that they did not receive any receipts after Monday. Can we still wait for Non AD/RP/VT?

    1. that’s exactly what my attorney said. “We haven’t received any rejection packages yet. And, unfortunately, we haven’t received any more receipt notices for H-1B cap cases.”

  250. I have been waiting and waiting and waiting !!!
    It has ended today, got my receipt number and status is in “Initial Review”. I hope it means I am select in lottery. Today is 09 May and it seems lottery number are still coming. So keep fingers crossed.
    Thanks Raghu for regular updates, You have kept me hooked up here and kept my hope alive 🙂

  251. If a cheque has not been cashed yet is it likely the case did not get selected in the lottery?

  252. Hi Everyone,
    I had applied for H1b this year . My company filed for AD/RP/VT. Haven’t heard anything as of now. Still have some hope until my packet comes back. My OPT Stem extension expires this June, 2014. My current company can’t afford to loose me as their employee, Because I am the only technical guy who works in the company. So if i register for a new course (degree), I went through different forums and found that I you can’t work on CPT in your first semester as it is considered as abusing CPT unless it’s made an exception by the DSO. I don’t think so that will happen in my case. So if i ask my employer to sponsor my education and work as a volunteer in the office without any paycheck , will it be considered as abusing CPT although I am working as a volunteer??? I appreciate your thoughts on this.

    Thanks.

    1. From what I heard, if you don’t go to school for a higher degree, you won’t have CPT/OPT anymore. If you have a BS and then study for a MS, then you do.

      1. Hi boris,

        Thanks for your reply. I already have a masters degree. Now was thinking of applying for another masters due to this kind of circumstances 🙁

        1. you should be able to do that. i’m planning to do the same thing. work as a volunteer and have your employer sponsor your education, apply for h1b again next year and once you get the visa, have your employer pay you the difference back as bonus, etc. However, there are some (very few) schools that do allow CPT in the first semester. i know San Jose allows.

          1. Yeah i have heard. But i have also gone through the forums which say making use of CPT in the first semester is considered as an abuse. And suppose in future if my petition get selected in the lottery next year then if USCIS runs a background check , then I would definitely get an RFE if i am doing a CPT in the first semester.

          2. if a school allows CPT in the first semester (that is if you can find a school that does allow) it is legal, you are not doing anything wrong.

          3. Sorry I just saw this conversation.

            @kaos: Yeah choose whichever works for you

          4. does san jose allow CPT from day 1? and is it for first master or for second masters? i am looking to enrol for first masters and get CPT as i am working currently and cannot afford to lose this job. I am on L2 visa and my H1B update has not yet come. If i stay with this employer they will try for H1B again next year hence i need to enrol for masters now as a plan B

          5. yes, that’s what i heard. you should reach out to the school to confirm.

          6. I had a talk with the attorney. they said that you are not allowed to work as a volunteer, unless it’s a church or a hospital or mostly non profit organization. I don’t know what to do.

          7. It’s your call. like i said earlier, a friend/colleague of mine volunteered to continue to work after 1 semester of CPT at a financial firm while he was doing his masters because his graduate program only allowed CPT for 1 semester. I believe if your employer is willing to work on these detour routes for you, you should be fine.

          8. I already had 2 semesters of CPT in my first masters. So how much CPT if it’s allowed for the 2nd masters? Do you have idea about this?

          9. What I’ve heard is your next CPT is not concerned with your CPT during the first degree. I have also done my CPT during the first degree.

          10. Thanks Pooja. But i believe the only matter concerning me is that working as a volunteer. I know its risky but its not easy to get caught. 🙁

          11. I haven’t read this thread yet and I for one don’t plan to do any volunteer work.

          12. I will be doing volunteer work only when my company sponsors for my second masters and actually they can’t afford to loose me now. So its like they need me and vice versa..

          13. I will respond to you this weekend. Currently at work. Thank you for your understanding. I know how it feels to go through all of this.

          14. Apologies for the late reply. I don’t believe we have too many backup plans. These are what I’m aware of: 1. Find a job in a non-profit organization (NPO) as they’re cap exempt. 2. Enroll in school for second Master’s. 3. Move to Canada if your company has an office there (Not sure who this works, but I’ve heard there you can become a PR in a year or so). 4. O visa (Don’t know much about this either, these are for highly skilled people who have patents, publications, etc.) 5. Go on dependent visa (H4) and then have find an employer who can file your H1. I hope this helps. I’m not sure if there are other options but that’s all from my side :).

          15. Pooja .. u were AD/PP/CA rite?
            Did you hear back from USCIS – receipt /reject…anything?

          16. Hello,
            Yes, AD/PP/CA for me. Haven’t heard anything yet. And I’m not hoping to hear anything positive.

        2. First of all if you already used your OPT under the 1st master you cannot have another OPT under the second master. You can only have OPT now again if you finish PhD. Second, working as a volunteer if scruitinized by the labor authorities may not stand as they will question why such highly skilled work is not being paid. Then CPT might be possible for you since the first semester because you have already studied in the US before but i am not sure if this CPT is going to be full-time … I am thinking about this alternative as well but I dont know yet

          1. People told me that if you have CPT, the time you did the CPT will be reduced from your OPT. If he do another Master, he won’t have an OPT. I guess he won’t have CPT either? correct me if I am wrong.

          2. no he will have CPT. If he does PHD this time he will also have opt but only if his full time CPT doesnt exceed 12 months in total

    2. If you can afford other expenses (like living and others) and if your employer is paying for your fees, get second masters. At the same time, it won’t be legal as you are not allowed to do it. As per my knowledge, you are not allowed to work offcampus until you finish one year (Full-time) at school as per USCIS, paid/unpaid. I would say just go for CPT, earn and save money by taking admission in cheap school.

      1. volunteering can be done. you are not getting paid, there is nothing on paper. some of my friends did that, no one is going to come looking for you. but getting advice from an attorney would be the best.

        1. Exactly… You would do it as no one is going to come looking for you…. But probably he wants to know if you can do it legally…. which I think we can’t…
          And if he is doing something like this, why not do CPT which some schools offer officially from day 1.

          1. yes, you are right. but we are talking about the scenario where you can’t find a school that allows CPT in the first semester. and the thing i said about volunteering, what i mean to say is that it can be done. i am not commenting on whether is it legal or illegal, but it can be done. my friends have done it. it is possible. like i said earlier, getting advice from an attorney is the best thing. i am only laying out my ideas.

          2. can u tell me which schools offer CPT from day 1? i am also looking to enroll in masters and get CPT …thanks

  253. Guys important update –
    wait for 1 week
    rejected packets are expect next week – dont loose hopes until you get it
    selected receipts are sent in two or one chunks every week
    last chunk was sent on friday EST so monday IST all got to know
    next chunk we can expect this friday EST
    So god bless you all including me
    I am RP/non ad..

    I still have hope i will win this lottery for sure.. let be optimistic.. thank you

    1. can you please tell us how you got to know of the mail being sent out in chunks on Friday EST?

      1. I just checked with my HR and i have just conveyed what she said.. please please i need hopes now.. yes come one i will be through..

    1. We need to wait until receive our packages back. Last year some folks got package until mid june, so, dont lose hope.

  254. HI Raghu , today afternoon I have received an a email from my employer saying my H1B petition given check has cleared in the bank and not yet received receipt number , do you think I haven selected in the lottery

      1. you should be considered as “selected” in the lottery. Congratulation. You should receive the receipt soon.

    1. Hello All I’m Mallik from India.. I was told that my file got returned
      yesterday!! I had lot of hopes on it!! I guess game is over by now!!
      All the best who have got receipts!!

  255. It Seems From today Game is over,almost receipt stopped only very very few got today(could be yst night). Also return package received. I am also waiting without any hope, ooooooo lalala lala ………………laga laga laga….

    1. It seems whoever filed in April 1st(Fools day) , USCIS concidered as fools and rejected that :), Next time file after Apr 1st 🙂

    2. Really this is a feature comment? I don’t know recently Raghu has gone mad and becoming mean. He likes to say to all people Game over. I thought he is not doing intentionally but he is. Crazy. @Gameover Who got their return package? Do you have any proof?

      1. Raghu’s life is not dependent on lottery so he can comment without a single emotion attached. Would be different if he were one of us although thanks for running this forum

      2. Hello did you filed your petition with Raghu or USCIS , move outta here dude ! He is the moderator , he can feature any comment and instead of replying this crap you have an option to vote it down also ? right…, have problems join forum which is commenting Game Started you will find more sensible people :)))

      1. They need to act on people who file multiple petitions. Others have to suffer because of such people. And the worst part is, they don’t care. They live in denial.

  256. My employer informed me today that the check has not been encashed yet. Is it safe to assume the H1B did not get picked in the lottery ? non AD/RP/SRC

    1. Still bit early to lose all hope for RP but it sounds like you are looking at very slim chance ( considering it is AD ). If I were you, I would start looking for plan B.

  257. I always wished to post interesting stuff here.. Finally my wish came true.. I got my packet back… Yes you read it right…. I got my packet back putting an end to this wait… I think my post will be a featured post as mine will be the first case to get the packet back.. 🙂

    Now I can happily think about other options… 🙂

    1. Did you post this just to feature in this blog? Can you prove that you got your return package? Can’t believe people started posting fake things and started playing

  258. @disqus_GmP7z8oGZp:disqus
    you got yours ? or still waiting ? My husband’s last year of L1B ..we desperately need H1B this time ..

    1. I didn’t get mine yet.
      death is the worst thing that could happen to someone, every problem other than that is nothing, it can be solved, so cheer up.
      stay hopeful!
      what company is sponsoring your visa?

  259. guys some body on the forum was applying some of his logic in receiving receipts based on series number , I am not able to trace that post. If he reads this question to him , yesterday he was saying that 147 is on and left are 148, 150 , god knows what logic he is using 🙂 but just to share with him today my friend received receipt from WAC and series is 142 (NonAD/RP). so I think he need to debug his logic :)))))))

  260. I got an approval yesterday! Thank god! But that was quick! Good luck to everyone else!! AD/RP/Cali

    1. did u just get ur lottery result? or is it after lottery ur H1 is approved? i am checking this so that i understand if USCIS is still sending lottery results

          1. Not many as they have started sending packages back as well, so chances are pretty low unless your’s is one that they didn’t inform on time and it got delayed.

  261. @disqus_GmP7z8oGZp:disqus and @dy

    Stop using this blog for your crappy chat. You can use your hangout/other crap to have fun. We refresh this blog every 10 mins for any updates and you guys are messing with your comments. Please understand lot of people are waiting for updates. Even though you guys are waiting, have fun outside this blog. Don’t mess with tons of comments. Thanks

  262. Hey Guys,

    These all are unofficial rumour so don’t believe them , the one that was posted saying Data entry has been completed that can be taken as true because it is official . Even i can create a twitter account with any name immigrationcom and can tweet false rumours and say that i have name and identity of the officer who gave me this information upon enquiry .

    1. Immigration dot com is a renowned firm who process more than 1k application everywhere. They don’t have to simply lie. They are getting nothing from it. So believing is upto you. Optimistic ppl will believe it and can have hope. People like you should not follow this blog if you are not having hope, at least don’t spoil others hope.

      1. I am saying thi because i received my returned package , moreover not only me three friends of mine who didn’t receive their receipts until now received their packages back yesterday and today . I was just trying to alert you guys if you want to keep false hope you can , no one is stopping you from doing so .. Rest is up to you . By the way wait until you or your friends get the package back next week and then comment the same thing . Sorry if my words breaks your hopes

    2. This Rajiv guy is a legitimate lawyer. He has been invited by the US government in Congressional hearings and cabinet reviews. I doubt someone with such reputation will frivolously tweet. Look him up– he is as reputed as it gets in US immigration law.

  263. Hi Raghu ,
    I am a bit confused about the “Data Entry for FY2015 completed” what exactly does it mean , Does it mean all the selected applications check has been en cashed and receipts notices have been sent?

    1. No. After May 2nd, many people got their receipts and also check has been encashed even yesterday. So keep your hopes alive for some more time. Good Luck

      1. hmmm so looks like a little ray of hope is still there.. I wish to hear the good news.. better late than never!!

          1. ME TOO , i am non AD/PP and haven’t heard anything, are they still sending lottery results for PP?

          2. yea because some employers hide the response from candidates until they get their case “accepted and approved” not only selected in lottery

          3. oh , no but not the same with my employer because there are people who have been informed when they got selected in lottery or been approved.

          4. I am non-AD / PP. i got an update on my SEVIS today, idk if this means my application got selected in the lottery, but just wanted to let you all know

          5. That means you got selected in the lottery. Considering your case is PP, your lawyer should have gotten the email 4 weeks ago.
            Check with the lawyer again making sure if they have received the receipt via email or ask them to see if the check has been cashed or not

          6. my attorney has not received any receipt for me, and the checks have not been cashed yet.. idk what’s going on with my case…….

        1. Hello sakhu,

          We don’t know how big or small the data-entry set is – if it is big, it means there is still a small chance for PP and RP receipts (AD, I’m frankly not sure so I won’t comment).
          That said, the USCIS seems to be moving slower than the last couple of weeks – please hang in there and only lose hope after your employer or attorney receives a rejected application package in your name.

          Cheers,
          Bharath

  264. WOW, I MADE IT THROUGH!!!!!!!
    I just got the receipt number from my attorney and my case is in the initial review stage! What a relief this is! The past month has been tough, but the wait was worth it. Words can’t describe how I feel right now. I definitely am lucky and blessed. God does answer your prayers I know for sure now

    It took about 11 days to get the receipt notice from the day my checks cleared. Mine is non-AD/RP/VT.

    I wish all of you who are still waiting the best of luck and God bless!

        1. So You are saying it took USPS 17 days to deliver your notice from VT to TX? :OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

          1. Pretty crazy, huh? Well, I would say 14 days maybe and that’s assuming that they sent the receipt on that day. My checks cleared on the 24th and my attorney got the receipt notice on Monday or Tuesday, but she didn’t bother to tell me… Lol

          2. That’s exactly what I was thinking! But I guess their workload is pretty heavy? Idk haha I’m sure they are working very hard! Have you received yours?

          3. Meh I wish .. If my reasoning is correct my lawyer is in CA and if VT to TX takes 2 weeks what it takes VT to CA? This gives hope and dispair at the same time … meaning I will know for sure for any result at all by June only in best case

      1. Well, I did say that my case was in the initial review stage which means that it hasn’t been approved yet.

    1. Hey can u tel me who will tell abt ur check cleared or not either attorney or employer pls reply me i also do the same

      1. Yeah who possess the info about the check clearance? This waiting is driving me nuts and I am not on OPT so cant bother DSO

        1. I feel your pain. I was actually on my OPT until last December, but had to come back to my country as I didn’t get the visa last year. Well, it was my employer that informed me about it and it should be the same for you. Your employer is supposed to pay for all the fees so they probably wrote your checks, too.

          1. Your company’s accounting dept would know it. That’s how my HR lady got informed. My attorney didn’t even know until she told him about it

          2. Ok , does that mean for all the selected applications check has been encashed??

          3. Honestly, I don’t know because I don’t know exactly how they process this whole thing. But my lawyer did say that if the checks cleared the bank then the chances are almost always on the side of favorable.

          4. yes that’s pretty much there, I also checked with HR and they said the same, IF checks are cleared than definitely selection in Lottery ,
            So the thing with “Data entry completion” is actually very confusing, really don’t know what they mean by that.. if someone can throw some light….

  265. Oh God just now I received my case number and approved also, Non AD/RP, Got shocked sooo much. Anyone want my case number let me know

  266. guys, lets throw a party in here…. you’re all invited 😀
    to get in write your employer, which cap, if PP and your lawyer name…. would be helpful to put also your full name, date of birth and your email and password if possible lol joking 😀 cheer up folks!!

  267. H1B approved. Yay! AD/RP/VT. I applied regular processing and never expected it to get approved this soon. Still keeping my fingers crossed just in case if this was a glitch.

          1. I will send you a pack of 12 … hang in there … but my take a long time ..or forever 🙁

          2. oooooooooooooo ok Where in Germany? I used to live in Frankfurt for 2 months in past

          3. then be ready to be humiliated by caps and lottery or allure some american guy (girl) depending on who you are I am honestly thinking about starting a “marry me” haunt lol

          4. i am already here and I love it so I am not going to Germany without trying all my plans b,c,d,e,f and zs lol

          5. I did think that landing a job offer with reputable american MNC would make it but “hey not so fast girl .. you havent seen the life yet”

          6. @ 50% rate 😀 🙁 You should talk to my friend who want to give up his green card that he won in a lottery because US government taxes his income at 35%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

          7. he’s crazy… he should live in Germany to see what tax really mean 😛

          8. You see what people become of when they are given too much too soon without any effort .. and this is guy who is from a little village in Benin … People are jumping over heads here just to know if they have been selected in H1B lottery … I wish green cards could be traded on OTC market lol

          9. LOL if that was possible!!
            are you a Female or a male? my German manager sucks at English, he thinks Female is written “Femail”

          10. is your employer on the west coast? maybe we can get to know each other and become friends haha who knows, and then ull buy me a cola everyday 😛

          11. my employer is in VA close to Washington DC where these vampires can’t agree on immigration reform

          12. what could we say 🙁 lets just keep our hopes up 😀 with every hardship there is a relief

          13. no I am Jordanian 😀 no Indian
            learned German in Germany, working here… paying half of my salary to mother of Germany 😀 screw them lol

          14. I know … Do you as a non-citizen has right for all the great pensions and benefits that those taxes are supposedly going for?

          15. “supposed to” 😀 means they tell me yea, but I rly dont believe it.
            anyways, Germans are so sneaky, they trick people who dont speak well German… and they hate people who aren’t German. imagine in an Emergency room, they told me we speak only German 😀 wow 😛

          16. Do you have to pay yourself for emergency room or you are covered? Med bills is a huge drain in the US

          17. 🙂 I guess there are pros and cos among countries … and we folks from developing world will have to put up with whatever if we decided that we wanna be in the developed crowd OR get married 😛 ultimately I think it’s the solution to all problems .. at least here in the US .. screw the lottery

          18. Well I am not a software profile 🙂 even if I were … lottery again next year?

          19. uha!. I work in management here in Germany… so its not only software… maybe, you never know, maybe a H1B Transfer… they should make H2B and H3B… H10B lol there is tremendous mount of people

          20. I would say raise the cap or put up some limitations on countries participating in lottery … this is work visa .. i dont get it

          21. I was telling everyone else there should be a limit for each country, like imagine Jordan 9M people competing agaist inda, 1.4B people!! its not fair

          22. There you go … it’s only logical!!!!! You can’t squeeze the whole “china” in needle eye 🙁

          23. its not 😀 take it easy,,, ill still propose, and you can come to Germany lol

        1. Am I supposed to make any decision before I hear about my package?
          Lol, just kidding. I can’t wait, I’m exploring my plan B.

          1. we can throw in an “Agonizing waiters” tea party …. that’s an idea! and have all these people meeting each other 😛

  268. LOL is it only me who can see that “LA” is replying to his own comments or there is some problem

        1. haha 🙂 he is probably hitting against the wall with all the people trying to reach him for comments… I would love to ask someone about this check thing but I don’t know whom. Lawyer? Employer?

    1. no problem , user can give any name as a Guest login , just see this comment you have replied to yourself :)))))

    2. So, I think this is a website issue, lol….for me shows that “Sumo” is posting and replying, for others “LA”, lol

  269. Hey Guys,
    One of my friend got receipt yesterday evening only.
    Receipt number EAC14147******. So guys don’t loose hope.
    By looking on his details.. there is no alphabet and all thing there in receipt generation and all…..

  270. Hmmm… last year petition number was 124000 , so some forecast websites claimed that this year number is expected to go high as lot of left out guys will try luck again and bingo they were right this year it’s 172500, Now next year more worse case for H1 expected , so this process of US in allocating H1 is wierd. Instead of messing up things doing lottery like as if it’s not for work but some disney-land family ticket winning show, they should go like all other countries do that is process visa on case/arrival basis. What if someone has to start work from mid year , no chance , first apply then your application should not reach even 1 day before i.e. on 31st March or it will be not accepted , then lottery, then RFE or blah blah , then you cannot start before October. I will be straight and blunt guys here the only reason why US conducts lottery is they do not care about talent or skills migrants etc , it’s a simple economics balancing act ( small portion though in macro-economics), so reason is H1 US employers need low cost temporary labor to manage there budget and at same time achieve cost cutting and they know the reality that it doesn’t matter someone is AD or Computer engineer blah blah blah they know these immigrants are capable and will do the work( I mean get the work done) somehow. It’s a known and proven fact for them especially skilled labor coming from China , India , Philipines etc etc.So it’s a win both ways for US only that is keep the number limited to avoid over crowd, fetch low cost workers supply to US H1 employers randomly and make them happy and also at same time protect local workforce of not losing too many jobs. But at the end it’s there country so there wish nothing much can be done. Feeling bored will continue this later if I feel like…., happy waiting guys…

    1. i hear you … the system is a joke … I should have invested my time in landing a husband that worrying about my grades … will probably focus on that next

      1. sorry to say but they want everything to be perfect from our side : ) . Like precise and accurate information , documents , education , grades , timings , skills and blah and blah and blah , so again sorry but you still need to worry about grades too 🙂 . I hope you got the point I am trying to make…but as said they are land owners so there wish .As I said supply is surplus so they play it they cash it. But good for us who get selected also… LOL

        1. how you say grades are important if they won’t even look at them if computer doesn’t pick you up? Land owners is fine but I don’t get the idea of lottery for work visa. You can kill me but I don’t get it …

          1. no killing just chilling my friend , arey simple yaar , why USCIS will need grades for lottery. What I am saying is they make sure that the person has genuine degree and genuine identity and genuine blah and blah blah that’s it. Now grades will come into picture once you are selected and you are giving some interview for top university or top company job , where your competitors will be your( in fact mine too) people only that is the LUCK ONES H1 holders LOL :))

          2. meh … lottery is demotivational 🙁 … i want to lay on bed fold my arms and stop moving …

          3. I am an Indian but I think we should a bit introspect here, we are talking about skilled people or high grades people etc etc.. that is our mentality we grown up at our homeland. But for US and US policy, everybody are same. None of people are big or small or clever or dumb etc…. Lottery might be the reflection of such attitude that they would consider everybody same and to meet the national interest of controlling immigration, they have to do Lottery to limit their cap..

          4. Put cap on countries! 85,000 quota is by 90% occupied by Indianans and everybody else chill out? I am not Indian but I have no chance to clear through this crowd trying to squeeze in the needle eye.

          5. I here you too. i feel sad that your application did not get picked up but that does not relates to countries and all. Its lottery so not in our hands.

          6. sorry to correct you buddy KK no need to introspect here , if you are talking about visas like H1 and L1 then these visas are categorized for Skilled workers only PERIOD. There are many other classifications of US visa where special skill set is not mandatory. If H1 or L1 then it is only for skilled migrants.

          7. So why skilled people are treated worse than a dog? and are humiliated by caps and lottery? May it be better to cross border with mexicans and stay illegal until mr. obama grants you amnesty to stay

    2. You are correct buddy…. none of are like Albert Einstein. This is developed country, they know when it is really required to attract talent, they will do quickly…. right now for them, from their point of view, it is just a business, get money through immigration process, keep some officials in work, control crowd, allow US based employer to offer a bit less wage and protect their budget (so bankruptcy), balance relation with India, china etc… This is their process not ours, ours if just our choice, nothing much. very smart people.

    3. If H4 EAD is approved then you will see reduce in number of filing for H4 to H1. It is good for the AD kids.

  271. I have not seen any receipt updates for AD/Regular recently. as per lottery AD guys gets preference, i mean both pools AD/Non-AD. Does it mean that in first lottery for AD 20k quota its all over ??? and if at all there are any chances then its for them who are not selected in first lot.. 🙁

        1. RIP I think it’s time to blow this forum and make it farce and scorn just as the lottery system itself

  272. I am seeing a lot o guys losing hope already. Hey, stop it!!! I know how hard is too wait for news and keep confident but UNTIL you do NOT receive any package back, still has a hope. So, keep your fingers crossed and wait for the best. Cheers!!!

    1. I just don’t know if I should wait for rejection or go talk about alternative options with employer straight away. Waiting for a rejection may take another couple of months 🙁

      1. In my opinion, you can do both of things. I think it is a good approach try to figure out some plan B/C/D, lol…but in the end I think is better wait for the final position from USCIS before you start doing something for real. Just keep in mind what you should do if your petition be declined. Again, this is my personal opinion.

        1. Yeah I was asking if I should act or wait until the rejection. I have a very short laundry list of back up options, doesn’t take long to figure out

    1. i am waiting for a rejection … So i can go and talk to employer about alternative options officially (AD/RP/VT)

        1. Seriously. I am also pissed off now. Atleast they should let us know the decision quickly so that we can explore alternative options.. AD/RP/VT

          1. if AD/RP guys are feeling pissed off then what would be NON-AD/PP guys felling?? you have no idea about it.

          2. We are in the same boat..I don’t understand what difference it makes if you are Non-AD. Everyone is restless and eager to know their result.

          3. My bad. You are right atleast PP ppl should hear it earlier than regular. I hope everything turns out well for you all the best 🙂

  273. I don’t get it, if they announced they completed data entry on May 2, how come it will take so long for receipts to reach us? receipts released on may 2 should reach us max by 10th or 12th may? right?

    1. Hey Guys,

      These all are unofficial rumour so don’t believe them , the one that was posted saying Data entry has been completed that can be taken as true because it is official . Even i can create a twitter account with any name immigrationcom and can tweet false rumours and say that i have name and identity of the officer who gave me this information upon enquiry .

  274. Does it mean like, USCIS will be issuing the Receipt Number till May 30 for Regular Processing. My Petition got Selected in the Lottery and I had got the Receipt Number as well. Mine was processed under Regular Category.

    Is there any time frame, for the INITIAL REVIEW to be completed and go for the further steps.

  275. Hey you guys! I just got an email from my international student adviser saying that there is an employment update request for me in SEVIS. Based on what I have read in this blog so far, I am assuming that this indicates that my application could be selected in the lottery, but I’m skeptical to be happy right away… Does this really mean that I am selected in the lottery?? Could this really be happening to me???

      1. Thanks! I asked him but he said he is not sure if this means my app is selected in the lottery. i have reached out to my attorney, lets see what she has to say.
        FYI, I am non-AD/PP, VT center

        1. Reply from my DSO was” Your SEVIS record shows a change of status pending. The receipt number is EAC141375xxxx”. So i am presuming employment update request meaning you got picked in the Lottery. Hope this helps

          1. Is it the DSO who will send you an update on their own?? Do they automatically get an email that a student’s sevis has been updated? Because according to my university procedures I have to fill up a sevis request form and it will take them 3 -5 business day to notify me.

          2. I asked my DSO if there was any updates and he replied the next day. I suppose the DSO checks our SEVIS. Dont think they get automatic e-mails if there is an update.

    1. You got it don’t worry. It happened to me on 23rd April and i got my receipt on 5th May. Time to go out and have a drink.

      1. thank you! I would be so relieved if this were true :))). do you mind telling me what exactly your SEVIS record said? My DSO said “there is an
        employment update requested for you in SEVIS to be provided within a week’s
        time. Please confirm your current employer name and complete address.”

  276. Is it possible that USCIS said they may be issuing recipts till21st and 30th may , is for wait listers ? if any applications will not approve, then they will send receipt numbers to them ?? plz reply…

    1. they have actually been as high as 26% some yers, according to the congressional committee that looks into immigration/foreign policy.

  277. Hi All,

    I received Receipt Number, so please be patience,
    you all will receive shortly.

    All the best!!

  278. Raghu you please dont give hopes.. we all are dependent on you.. thanks much for sharing this great news..

  279. Thanks for removing the Game over comment. That was really annoying. Your previous update would be been much better. I think you can do a better job. Thanks for this forum, it helps everyone for sure. But try not to be blunt and please improve you language. Cheers.

  280. NON-AD/RP Got the information that the application got selected , so guys we still have time for getting updates for may be at-least few days..Be hopeful Good-luck!!

  281. PP- Game over. you(we) should get your packages next week.
    RP- you guys still have chance until mid (may be end of ) next week.

    how ?
    based on my research/stats/finding for the past one month.

    if you agree hit up, if not hit down !!!
    lets see what everybody say/think

    1. Immigration dot com said PP can expect receipt for next two weeks and Non-PP can expect their receipt till May 30th. So don’t lose hope and Good luck.

      “H-1B premium processing receipts will continue for next TWO WEEKS, USCIS informed us today upon inquiry”

    1. If this is true, then may be we’re on wait list (if people get rejected) unless we get our packages back.

      1. Thanks Raghu really its a great news and sigh of relief. At least our hopes are still alive.

  282. Hi Raghu, You have mentioned about Canada work visa, can you post the related link here pls.

          1. Ok, Thanks,Now we have count 6, also twitter discussion giving some hope. Lets see.

  283. Hi All,

    I am on L1 visa and my dependents are on L2.
    Employer has filed my dependent’s COS for L2 to H4 conversion along with my L1 to H1 COS in this year cap. Got Receipt with WAC-14-143-XXXXX for my dependents in postal mail for L2 to H4 change of status. Employer is not responding and leaving me in the dark or may be he has not received anything yet. What does it mean? Am I got selected in the lottery? Is it possible to separately file L2 to H4 for dependents without primary applicant selected in the lottery? Loosing my hope here. Can anyone please confirm or advise?

    Thanks,

    1. Yes …you have been selected man. I am on same boat and my wife H4 COS receipt came much earlier. I got my receipt after 10 days. I539 apllication is inside the I129 application. They notify only when primary applicant is selcted. Enjoy !!!

      1. @Somu–> Thank you very much. I will keep my hope alive. By the way, by which mode you got your primary receipt after 10 days? I mean by postal mail or your employer communicated that to you? The I539 receipt for my dependents says I-797C. will the primary receipt have same name like I-797C or is it I-797A?? Is your I-129 (primary) and I-539(dependent) has same date??

        1. My employer sent my reciept no. yes H1 receipt will have I-797C but receipt no will be different one.Both will have same date. If you have paid $290 for your wife then you can check if money has been deducted or not. So dont worry … my friend has same case and both were in your state as yours. congrates!!!

    2. Please have a look at the discussion related to this before. Lot of people asked the same queastions before.

  284. Hi everyone,
    anyone with Microsoft? did you hear from them?
    Tandslaw firm Tafapolsky&Smith.
    I emailed the lawyer, but they say no update yet and the receipts started rolling slowly two weeks ago, dont lose hope people!
    maybe your employer has already got the receipt and keeping it for some administrative stuff, or until they get the accepted status on the USCIS.
    keep your hopes up 🙂
    I am sure there are also some delays, hassles in the processing and contacting your lawyer/employer.

    good luck everyone, praying to you all!

        1. No I am with PwC but lawyer is in LA, CA as well and application for VT. I called today and they said they are still getting receipts

          1. Thanks man you too, but frankly I don’t hope … i just want to get one mail that will end my 24-7 waiting / hoping agony

    1. 147-148sh series still flying in. Wait when people start posting 150 series receipts and rejection packages shortly thereafter … I am distressed to the point of apathy myself already

    2. In the same boat; Waiting for the rejection package or reviving the hope. I just want it………

    3. From my attorney today morning…”We haven’t received anything yet but should probably know within 1 week or two”

    1. wow! great ! I wish I can write that soon here..still waiting..Non AD/RP. I don’t think I will make it..:(

  285. Non ad/rg/ca….

    anybody getting receipts from california centre?? i dont see anybody getting it in last 2 days!!!!! i m still waiting”……. pls confirm

  286. Hi Raghu,
    Last Thursday my Employer told me that my check has been cleared from USCIS but I’am still waiting for my receipt. Does clearing of check mean a sure shot pick in the lottery?

  287. Hey Raghu , I have 1 more question here…..

    Am here on L2 Visa ( which expired this month) and my Husband’s H1B got picked up last year , but Still we are in the change of status (I don’t why its getting delayed)…So, Right now Am in L2 and can be in H4 in any moment.
    Now, I got picked for H1B in this year’s lottery and I have to wait till October to start work on that…In this confusion My EAD got expired, So now is it good to renewal my EAD? I have my I-94 till 2016…Please answer this ..it clears a lot of confusion

    1. hmmm, L2…H4…H1 !!!!! still worried??? We dont have anything…. 🙂 , Please post this kind of question in some other topic in the this Forum itself.

      1. Yes!!! as well as all folks who cant track their status for h1b …. we are dying here to get either receipt or rejection 🙁 🙂

  288. Any more hopes for PP ( AD/non-AD ) receipts ? the deadline for 15 day processing is on 12th May.
    seems like only RP are getting their receipts last few days.
    Any PP got their receipts recently ( within a week ) please update .

    1. Reply from other forum: “AM May 6, 2014 at 7:24 pmTry 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..”

        1. Reply from other forum: “Thank God!!! May 7, 2014 at 1:44 pmI 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!!”

          1. I thought all chances were over, so I wrote to the legal firm doing this for my future employer (cc’ing them) asking if they had any more info (no receipt, no change of status in their website) … and they didn’t answer yet.

            So I don’t know what to think, but still looking everyday once or twice in their website.

    2. It is unofficially over for PP because supposedly you guys should have received the email if selected.

  289. Raghu – I’m still yet to hear from my lawyer about the application. I understand that if an application was selected for the lottery one would have received a receipt number by now, but what happens if it’s not selected? Do you still receive a rejection notice? Do you receive your application back in the mail?

    Thanks a lot in advance!

    (Also, your blog and posts have been REALLY helpful)

  290. Hello Raghu, May be this is not the place and time to ask about this, But I have emergency regarding this question, Please help me…

    My L2 Visa status got expired on 04 May 2014
    My EAD got Expired on 02 MAy 2014
    My I-94 Expiration date 02 June 2016

    Can I apply for EAD extension with my I-94? Please Help me

  291. guys is it true that in US the postal ground mail takes lot of time , just asking as some people are posting that they received after 12 days of receipt , 10 days , 7 days etc etc….

  292. Finally! Today I received my receipt#.My company applied through fragomen attorney .EAC14147xxxxx series.Don’t loose hopes!!

    1. Hey congrats I also applied through fragomen
      So it means your receipt was sent on April 29 and it took about a week for receipt to come from Vermont to California?

        1. Thanks and congrats man, I am also applied in same category but still not getting anything. Not sure should I still alive my hopes or not

  293. Applied with AD/PP. Got my receipt number on April 11th, but haven’t receive any approval or petition documents yet. Still I am in acceptance stage. How long should I wait? Please advice me. Thank you!

    1. as long as you need ( your case will be resolved : either approved – RFE at latest by May 15 )

  294. Wow! the amount of time and effort that everyone in to the details of h1b application and approval process. PEOPLE! you all have commendable lawyers and legit companies (hopefully) backing your applications. DON’T STRESS OUT! If it gets selected be happy, if doesn’t, well, so be it. World doesn’t end, not even yours! and there is ALWAYS a solution for each and every problem. Take it eeeessssyyy! Pheww!

  295. Hello Mr.Raghu,

    I am a H4 Dependent, Applied for H1B this year through Regular. I am basically a S/W Engineer worked in in India.

    Still
    now I did not get any updates from my consultant. The Consultant says
    50% of people whom they applied got selected through Lottery.
    They told they didn’t get any updates from USCIS that the rest 50% of applications got rejected.

    So
    my question is, As I didn’t get any updates still from USCIS does that
    mean I didnt get selected in Lottery? or there is still chance/time for
    that?
    As you have posted by May 2nd all the Data entry got over I am really worried. can you kindly clear me?

  296. Hello Mr.Raghu,

    I am a H4 Dependent, Applied for H1B this year through Regular. I am basically a S/W Engineer worked in in India.

    Still now I did not get any updates from my consultant. The Consultant says 50% of people whom they applied got selected through Lottery.
    They told they didn’t get any updates from USCIS that the rest 50% of applications got rejected.

    So my question is, As I didn’t get any updates still from USCIS does that mean I didnt get selected in Lottery? or there is still chance/time for that?
    As you have posted by May 2nd all the Data entry got over I am really worried. can you kindly clear me?

  297. Hi everyone,

    who is in Microsoft boat? did anyone hear from them?
    lets try to make a compiled list, so we have better understanding :)…

  298. guys any one here who know if Infy , TCS , Cognizant from Bangalore has received receipts Regular/Non AD

    1. Yes I am from Cognizant. Receipts have started pouring in frm last week. Kol,Chennai,Bangalore Etc have started receiving the receipts.

  299. Seems like that who have not got their receipts yet are not selected in the lottery. Seems like the game is over.
    Hard Luck!!
    Has anyone got the rejection package yet??

  300. Feeling unlucky here as well, don’t even know what to think at this time. Not a word yet from my company.

  301. My friend has a theory that USCIS sends out the receipt by last name. My friend’s last name starts with ‘X’, and she got it last week; another friend is ‘Y’, she got it today. My friend whose last name starts with ‘Z’ hasn’t heard back. Can this be the case?

  302. I have one question, if H1 visa holder has more than one wife? Can he able to get H4 for all his wife 🙂 .

    1. According to US law, it is illegal to have more than one wife at a time, so you have to play by the rules of the country that you wish to reside in.

      1. Why? if H1 visa holder married outside US ? also whats the situation for 2 wife H1 holder?

    2. Yes, they will directly give you GC or Citizenship for prison, no need of H1B or no worries of lottery :-).

  303. Hello All, I just saw this information,

    EAD for H4 Eligible Criteria…

    ” Eligible individuals would include H-4 dependent spouses of principal H-1B workers who:

    Are the beneficiaries of an approved Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker; or

    Have been granted an extension of their authorized period of stay in the United States under AC21 . AC21 permits H-1B workers seeking lawful permanent residence to work and remain in the United States beyond the six-year limit.”

    It would be really great for lot of people (including me) If this rule gets approved!!

    Hope for the best

  304. Hi Raghu, I have a question , please if you could answer or any other forum expert. Due to the fact I have not received receipt notice yet, I have very less hopes now.. I am non.AD/PP case.. I am not in US right now. However I have accepted an offer from a fortune 100 company who has sponsored my H1B VISA.

    My Question is , if I am not selected in H1B lottery, can L1A/L1B or may be some other VISA can be helpful in this case or not…

    Thanks in advance for feedback.

    1. You can get an intra company transfer on L1A/L1B only if you have worked overseas (outside of US) for more than one year.

        1. Thanks.. But if I want to join a new company directly in US , then L1A/L1B would not be an option, right?

          1. No, L1A/L1B are strictly for intra company transfers. You can join that company in India for one year and then move to US on completion of that tenure. You can also apply for H1B for next year’s slow when the window opens up.

          2. Many Thanks.. I am not sure whether offer would be valid until that time, but yes applying other year is also an option…Thanks again..

  305. Haven’t received anything till today, am still hanging on to the hope that anything comes in by end of this week. Tried another method: enquiring about Sevis updates from the Univ international office, don’t know how reliable it is. Although he said that there have been no changes, one thing he did mention was the date of my last sevis update which was the date my OPT_Extension was approved. So I’m thinking that the only time any changes would reflect on the Sevis would be in the event of H1 approval, not for receipts. Has anybody tried this method? Is there any credibility in it?

  306. Hi Rahguram, if girls ask any questions in the forum, I can able to see your answers without fail 🙂 compare to others… anyway have fun but answers to Guys also 🙂 anyway get married soon 🙂

    1. Dude he is married and he is having a kid and he is spending time to help all of us. So don’t talk rubbish

      1. Yes we should appreciate about his efforts, at-least we have free spoon advice… But just for my curiosity – How Raghu earning from this blog if he is giving advice (majorly) free of cost..?

      2. You no need to take so serious, Just that was for fun,if you dont like, away from the fun 🙂

    2. I answer questions that are not posted before. It just happens guys are posting the questions for which there are answers in this thread or elsewhere in the blog.

      I will pass on this to my wife and my 4 year old son 🙂

      1. Nice to know about your family, Wish you a happy life. Just I was kidding to make the forum to forget about the waiting pain for the receipt…. I am also still waiting lets see.

  307. Today 148 series but receipts are generated only 149 series soo tom last day or max this week end

        1. Might be with transfer according to usa twitter update i found only till 149! Yes may b this friday!

  308. today few of my friends received the receipt number. No luck for me yet…I am losing my hope now. Don’t know if few will be lucky tomorrow also. God please!!

  309. Hi Raghu,

    I want to know how these desi consultants are taking money from people to apply for h4 to h1and also showing the proof that there is a job waiting in next 6 months starting from oct 1st and getting reciept numbers after getting picked in the lottery.

    Some of them when I used google are also getting approved totally(H1 and COS) and some of them are getting denied of COS but H1b approval.

    What is the new strategy that these people have started using to misuse the freedom to apply given by INS?
    I also read some are giving receipt numbers, meeting people and showing they are genuine to say that if picked in lottery, they will keep the entire money they took from people and finally not even sending the receipts. I want to know how they can fake reciept numbers too?

    Archie

      1. I am not sure of fake reciept numbers. But they can criss cross the reciept numbers and finally just vanish without even applying and not returning the money.
        In other cases, h4 to h1 is actually getting picked and people are getting approved. I see some posts here too. How is it possible? Which client waits for 6 months?

        1. One thing I can tell, No one waiting for someone to join , But they need few in future so they can apply H1B and have them for future. Even if apply only few will get selected. As per my understanding all need opertunity for growth few of them paying for that, few of them utilizing it, I dont think anything wrong unless someone cheat others. Just all looking for the chance thats all. This the truth, its upto you to digest. I am not sure I am correct, Guys anyone correct me if I am wrong.

          1. I am not judging..Just want to know how they are playing with the system without respecting it. Also, how many h4 to h1 cases are getting picked and succeeding like this. What is the guarantee?

          2. I dont understand your questions abt H4 to H1. My understanding that already their spouse working in H1 , they will help for them. Married a H1 spouse and got H4 , they might have worked already but because of H4 not working, whats there to get a H1 and work? it could be spouse compnay or in same location etc but Double Income. Company can have confident they will join since they are in US also H4 will add value to get H1 unlike fresh H1B.
            I hate H4 to H1 since it will give chance for someone life this is my personal openion since all need to get a chance to grow.

          3. Again, I am asking how people are doing it and INS approving…especially when H1b is for jobs that are posted with requirements, not desparate people going in search of jobs and paying them reversely and buying visas. I am not judging anyones situation.

          4. People in India think H4 visa holders shouldn’t get H1.

            People in USA think, IT companies can use L1 to send them to USA.

            People with AD degree think we have done what very few of millions of engineer can can do ( put the efforts to come to USA for education) and we need not have cap.

            We can have emotional debate on this. But, what you and I say is not going to change who get’s H1B. Lottery decides.

          5. To Archana Niar: A good eg: My wife was working as an Architect while on L1, we got married then she resigned and moved with me as an H4 on Nov 2013. The client (not the L1 sponsor) asked her to comeback but we asked for wrk from home option for 3 weeks and 1 week at client location. They agreed and filed H1 ang got selected.
            She has great experience than a fresh Master degree holder. So wait for your chance in the lottery. Meanwhile she wrote GRE and got a good score as abkup. Don’t single out H4s. They are sitting at home because they have no option other than applying H1.

          6. R u doing the same thing? Why you are so concerned about H4 to H1? Did u get your receipt or still waiting? Never be jealous of what others get. Just pray for what you want in a good way. Karma will answer everyone.

          7. hey! I am not jealous. I dont like playing with the system and so, didnt apply this time via consultants being loyal to the system. With so many people getting approved, I am thinking it will be a norm that INS wont identify and probably could hve applied. So, want to know how it works.

          8. Raghu,
            Thanks for your response.
            However, whats the success ratio of h4 to h1b within US for people that have not worked for years sitting at home. Is it that easy to fool INS?
            Have you seen any h4 to h1 with small consultancies succeed? with a prrof that suddenly there is a client for someone working at home?

            i want to know my chances next year.
            Archie

          9. Raghu – I m waiting for your response on how these people are misusing the new system to get h4 to h1 approved within US?

          10. If a company can prove employer-employee relationship and provide end client letter or prove there is a project, then USCIS will approve the application.

          11. But how are they getting the client letter? Which client will be ready to wait for a candidate for 6 months?
            I feel like its an unfair situation for people that didnt get picked.

          12. Also, have you see such cases being approved after being on 4 years of h4? How many of them have you seen?

    1. Anyway just want to know? whats your actual problem? are you worried abt your receipt? or approval? or Just worried abt the misuse of the system 🙂

  310. TODAYYYYYYYYYY I RECEIVED MY RECEIPT NUMBER AND THE STATUS IN THE WEB SITE IS INITIAL REVIEW! I GUESS THE HARDEST PART HAVE JUST ENDED… IT WAS SOOOOOOOO STRESSFULL FOR ME!! I HOPE EVERY ONE GET THE H1B AND HAVE THE SAME FEELING I AM HAVING NOW! ( DONT FORGET TO TAKE A MINUTE AND BE THANKFUL WITH GOD!, WE ARE DEFINITELY BLESSED PPL!!!!!)

      1. yesssss GP, yesterday I was soooooo sad… I felt that bad that I was just in my room looking the white ceiling. Today I wake up happy, pray and at 9am I got the good notice!!!!!!! what is for u is for u!!!

        1. ok, I got it…COS is change of Status, like F1 to H1, L1 to H1 or H4 to H1, for people who are already in USA. Anyways, congrats to you.

    1. Hey Angelica.. Yesterday you were all stressed out and all.. I hope you are having a good laugh at it now..
      Congrats and good luck.. 🙂

  311. I lost all my hope and done, There is no response from the employer yet. I know few are receiving the receipts. I am not that much lucky from my life and past experience to get the positive result. All the best for you all. Be positive but I knew my fate and fact thats why I am done. This is first time I applied which I never tried before since I knew my LUCK but still wanted to check my LUCK one time.

    1. I get your viewpoint on the issues of the student community wrt h1.
      BTW I wrote that big big comment after seeing a lot of stressed out people. My intention to write that piece was to make everyone focused on plans and alternate plans and not getting bogged down with frustration.

        1. hehe thanks..i used the same emailId before i created my account so is there anyway to connect that to my id?
          BTW my application got picked up in lottery.. 🙂

  312. Hello Raghu, my H1B was approved on 3rd May and my attorney received an email notice, but my SEVIS still indicates H1B application pending and my OPT expires on May 20th, when does the SEVIS gets updated? what should I do? Please help!!

  313. @happyschools:disqus, non-AD/RP, cheque was deducted as my employer said on 30 april, didn’t get receipt so far.how many days should I wait to receive the receipt.

  314. If not selected in Lottery else can I apply for a green card? If I can apply for green card else how much wait? if not selected in lottery else what options?

  315. @happyschools:disqus I have a question to you or anyone who can answer.
    I am currently working on OPT. I did not make the lottery I think. I am going to do Masters in September. I need to change OPT to F1. Do i do that here and stay till then or do i have to go home first?
    Thanks! Please help!

  316. Hello friends… yesterday my employer informed me that check has been en cashed on my name like that.. I am expecting the receipt number this week…

  317. everyone is getting picked except me.. my employer not responding proper im worried if he did file for me.. i will be in loss.. pls help..

    1. this is one ridiculous question people are posting , arey yaar what benefit your employer will have if they don’t file after saying they filed it. It’s not make a fool game right . After filing no one has a clue till the package is returned or your receipt number is provided and both are provided by USCIS only. Your employer is right unless they have exact information they are helpless and cannot provide any answer other than asking you to wait.

      1. Ridiculous thing is he charging me amount for H1. If i get H1 my amount will be refunded else no. Hope you will understand now. Dont ask me why you paid.. they dont file if i don’t pay…

        1. This is highly illegal, and doesn’t make sense. on all levels.
          If you are not selected nothing is paid. if you are selected the fee is paid but it is illegal for you to pay it, is this a bona fide job? is it an employer?

        2. What do you mean by that ? This is a strange post Vandana , if you get H1 then your amount is refunded else no , oh are you sure what you are saying because it never works this way . By the way is your employer registered employer ???? Which employer puts this kind of condition , something fishy ??? RAGHUKUMAR can you comment on Vandana post PLEASE… What I know is attorney fees is non-refundable what ever the case may be but refund of H1 fees if selected , strange??

    2. Vandana.. We are all on the same boat.. The truth is there is nothing any body can actually do to help you out. You can talk to your employer and attorney to get any updates and to know if they did actually file and if the package is returned they might have some official communication from USCIS..
      Be strong and the accepth the facts and MOVE ON..
      People can sugar coat it for you but this is the truth..

      1. vandana even i was thinking the same that my employer not filed and cheating like that.. then he only told me that it got picked… dont worry god will be there wit u… u ll get the receipt .. maybe he got frustrated with the calls from all the people who applied for the H1 … be patient ..

    3. I am another one in the same boat, why this cruelity against us?

      Is there anyway to check that the petition has been filed in my name by the employer?

  318. Hello All,

    After a harrowing wait and bidding good bye to my H1-B application this year, bang came my receipt number yesterday mid-night!

    My processing center: Vermont (EAC – Eastern Adjudication Center)
    Year: 14 (2014)
    Day sequence: 148 (backtracked from Oct 1st 2014)
    Date when my receipt was post-marked: April 30th

    Overall: EAC-14-148-XXXXX

    Please keep your hopes intact till your employer/attorney actually gets a rejected packet on your name – the last batch of receipts sent out with the postmarked date being May 2nd may have yours in it!

    Cheers!

      1. Many thanks Raghuram! Your post indicating the possibility of the issuance of receipts till this month-end is a real breather for many people out here! Thanks to you for that valuable comment on behalf of all folks following Happy Schools!

      2. Many thanks Raghuram! The latest post by you indicating the issuance of receipts till this month end is a real breather for many out here! Thanks to you on behalf of all the folks actively following Happy Schools!

  319. Hello folks!

    who is with Tandslaw, TAFAPOLSKY & SMITH in California.
    I called them and asked for an update, they keep saying we do not have an update, and they are not welling to call USCIS to get an update on my case.
    who else is with those people?
    they told me they applied for my H1B Visa as a Premium application, regular cap.
    until now I didnt hear anything from them.

    im soo full of hope 🙂
    all the best to you all.,
    can you please send an update which lawyer you are with and if you are selected, or waiting?

    thank you all!

        1. they are paid whether the application is picked in the lottery or not, so they can easily say it was not picked, and still get paid, even though they didnt even apply

          1. this would be fraud. if the employer is legitimate why would he not use a reputable law firm?

    1. Nani did the Employer get information from uscis only today or he updated you only today, i am just asking to know if uscis is till in the process of sending the receipt numbers.

  320. @happyschools:disqus As an advise to a moderator, I would like to comment on your featured post. Please do not discourage people if you are not certain about it. “Data Entry of all FY15 H1B Cap Petitions Has Been Completed”, by this statement how did you inferred that everybody who hasn’t got the receipt till now, its game over for them. Do no state your opinion as a fact, it surely discourages people. Guys be hopeful and believe.

    1. I totally agree with you… I have been following these updates from day one, but recent featured comment of “game over….” is some thing I was not expected. The featured statement is more of discouraging.. As an Admin, please post the facts not the assumptions….

    2. +1. Even I was shocked when @happyschools:disqus posted such a discouraging post. I used to thank him for creating such a wonderful place for ppl to share their updates and other things. But really disappointed when he posted such a discouraging post. I think he knows how ppl will feel and how many are waiting. And after that post, many ppl have received their receipts and it is coming slowly. So please Raghu, in future, don’t post your assumptions and play with emotions. I know you didn’t do it intentionally, but it means for many ppl with hopes. Other than that, thanks for the wonderful job.

      1. Ever since I started this blog, I have seen this behavioural psychology that is common among we Indians. I used to be like this and I living in USA have changed my thinking to be more practical and facts based and realist.

        I read the facts and present them. No sugar coating.

        Did anyone read this : Official News

        USCIS announced today that data entry of all FY15 H-1B cap petitions has been completed. USCIS will now begin returning all H-1B cap petitions that were not selected in the lottery. U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in occupations that require highly specialized knowledge in fields such as science, engineering, and computer programming.

        In plain simple English : Some receipts can be in transit. Which will take about 3 to 4 days to reach the attorney. Unlike last year, USCIS sent receipts till End of May/Early June.

        If you get notice in this week, then its good. but, chances of 50,000 notices mailed on last day of data entry is ZERO.

        You can hope for the best to one of those receipts in the mail. But, be a realistic.

        1. True but it doesn’t mean that game is over from everybody. You have seen the turnaround of 12 days before did you? My lawyer is in California filed for Vermont. After reading that mail from Cali to Chicago takes 12 days how can you say anything definitively???

          1. My friend got receipt last Friday that was sent on Monday from Vermont to Virginia. Delivery times are clearly not 3-4 days unless its Vermont to Vermont

        2. In simple plain English, it is not mentioned they stopped sending receipts. So you posted on May 2nd, that game over if you don’t have receipts. What does that mean? And the comment is featuring.

        3. GUYS, I GOT MY RECEIVED NUMBER TODAY! MAY 6. AND I WAS VERY FRUSTATED AFTER RAGHU POSTED “GAME OVER” BUT FINALLY I GOT SELECTED. PLEASE KEEP THE HOPES ALIVE… DONT GIVE UP…. JUST WAIT.. “EL TIEMPO DE DIOS SIEMPRE ES PERFECTO!!!” BESOS!!!

        4. You are not correct accept the fact and stop stating your assumptions. Its ok you made a blunder, accept it. You are doing a good job otherwise. Just be cautious and be more responsible and btw I’m not from India.

  321. Hi, My employer filed for my H1B this year, but unfortunately no updates
    on the case yet, there were 4-5 other guys whose petition was filed as
    well, they all got their receipts of lottery selection barring 1
    :(……So I guess it’s over for this year for me. Though I have heard
    that people say they get receipts till May end. But I think this blog is
    really helpful and raghu is doing great work. The lottery system is
    kinda cruel and in my view US should seriously think about increasing
    the VISA cap…

    1. Same is the case with me. Its only me who has not got the receipt yet. Out of 4, only I am left. Seems like the game is over for me .
      At least US should announce the list of selected candidates on some site. This waiting time is really annoying.

      1. YESSSS!! THE WAITING TIME IS FRUSTATING!!! but please keep waiting.. úntil u get the rejection u can be already selected.. just be patient a Little bit 🙂 Good luck!!!!!!

        1. Except being patient, there is nothing that we can do 🙁 I wish I get receipt number today so that this waiting time gets over for me. I am not able to sleep even because of this.

          1. I know the feeling,… I was exactly the same for more than 2 weeks.. ad today morning I got the received number.. so.. try to relax a Little, listen relaxing music and pray.. believe that u can get it!!!!!!!!!!

  322. Dear Raghuram,

    Few clarifications:

    Has USCIS sent the receipts for all selected 85000 visas? Are still it is sending one by one?

    If we have not received the receipt then it is finalized that our petition is not selected?

    Thanks,
    Sankara K.

  323. Hi All;

    Could you let me know, the timeline on when will the USCIS will start to process the Petitions, which had got selected in the Non – AD / RP Category.

    Also, let me know the chances of H1B Transfer, when we are in USA. Say for Ex: If I want to change my Employer in USA, with my H1 Work Permit and my current employer is not having enough project and I want to move to another company – what would be the procedure and till how long can i live in USA with my Work permit and searching for Job.

  324. received the confirmation from employer about the selection in lottery. Receipt number awaited.

  325. guys not sure whats stopping us to reveal the company details if we have been selected in the Lottery system. I am just curious to know if people from Wipro, Infy, TCS etc has anybody received +ve updates yet?

    1. I think people are weary because if they are found out to have applied through a job shop, and breached the rules (e.g. by paying for it themselves, as opposed to having an employer pay) they may be revoked in favor of people who actually have a job waiting for them and not a “pending contract”

  326. Some of my friends have received their receipt numbers yesterday. Nothing for me yet….losing hope now ! 🙁

    1. dont do it! keep waiting… u may be selected and the paper is coming… good luck!!! 🙂

  327. 3 employers have filed my L-1 to H1-B COS this year. 2 out 3 has also filed L-2 to H-4 COS alongwith my H1 filing. Today I have got a receipt I-797C for my dependents in mail with receipt number WAC-14-143-XXXXX. Does it mean any 1 of my primary petition got selected in the lottery? No news from any of the employer so far. Can anyone please answer?

    1. Hi Raghu,
      My question above is: Is it possible USCIS will generate Receipt for Dependent’s I-539 L1 to H1 even though Primary holder’s H1 petition not selected in lottery? What does it mean to get I-797C for my dependents but not yet the primary H1’s I-797A ??
      Can you please answer, if possible? I am loosing hope.
      Thank you.

      1. its not possible that your dependent get h4 visa if you are not selected in lottery.. because it is dependent visa for h1. if h1 is not approved , and how they can give dependent visa ? so dont worry and keep waiting .. congrats !!

    2. since u applied 3 for one visa, chances are good you getting rejected eventually.. bcoz of u, ppl dont get a fair play.

      1. @vk–> Thank you and god bless you. I understand your feeling. I was feeling the same last year when I heard the same thing from others. People are bound to do this due to the lottery process for increasing their chances. In spite of this not sure whether got selected in lottery or not?

  328. Got receipt notice today for my wife(H4 to H1B) with received date 10 Apr, Notice Date 29 Apr, Receipt No: EAC-14-147-54XXX.
    Last Friday cheque was cleared.
    Thanks all and all the best.

  329. Non AdvanceRegular – L1 to H1 COS…California Center….God is Great..My First Lottery and Selected..Received a receipt today from Fragoman..WAC141455XXXX…Good Luck to other lottery mates…don’t lose hope guys…you will hear the good news soon…

  330. Has anybody started receiving the their reciepts telling them they have been unsuccesful with their application?

  331. Non Ad/reg/ca….

    Is there still any hope for me??? I am planning to get into college admission tom as application dates are soon gonna get over. I am sure if I should wait for another 2-3 days more to exoect a miracle to happen.

    to all others…. lets us lose hope!!! This is not END OF THE WORLD!!!!!! cheer up ppl!!!!!!

    and AD folks… you guys have the degree to support you anywhere in the world!! just be proud to have completely it successfully. Dont get disheartened!!! you guys deserve a pat on your back!!

  332. Received date April 11, 2014, Approved, AD/PP/Cal.

    Hope is a good thing, but keep working on plan B.

  333. Hello Friends…When exactly they en cash the check? So far they have not en-cashed. Any ideas?

  334. My petition was filed under Regular processing. I have an advanced degree, and today three of my co-workers with similar credentials got information about their receipts simultaneously, while they still haven’t received any news about my petition. I read in various forums that the Data Entry has been completed, and if a receipt does not come in by the end of this week chances are very slim. Just trying to get some clarity on this. This whole will it/won’t situation is stressing me out in a major way!

  335. My petition was filed under Regular processing. I have an advanced degree, and today three of my co-workers with similar credentials got information about their receipts simultaneously, while they still haven’t received any news about my petition. I read in various forums including yours that the Data Entry has been completed, and if a receipt does not come in by the end of this week chances are very slim. Just trying to get some clarity on this. This whole will it/won’t situation is stressing me out in a major way!

  336. AD/Non-PP:

    I received a new I-20 on April 25 . It has receipt number included in it. But the receipt number does not work in the USCIS website. I asked my attorney, they say that they have not received any update from USCIS. They are also wondering how the university counselor can have access to my updates and send new I-20 . I called up USCIS, but i could not get much information from them unless the attorney or employer calls them.

    Any body facing similar issues ?

  337. Hello Friends…When exactly they en cash the check? So far they have not en-cashed. Any ideas?

  338. Hi All.. I have applied H1b FY 2015 under Master’s / Premium and got selected in Lottery. Currently, I tracked my petition status on uscis portal, status updated to ‘ Request for Evidence’. I work to Client through Prime vendor (ie.. Client > Vendor > Employer). My client has policy, they cannot provide client letter to Contractors. I have an email from my manager saying ” It is not our policy to provide letters to contractors” and i have attached the printout of this email to my packet while sending to USCIS. But Still i have RFE now. I am sure, my manager cannot provide any letter stating about work agreement. I am in a Confused state, Please help me with your suggestions on this kind of RFE..
    Any help would be highly appreciated.. !

    1. Many get the RFE. I suggest you keep some current project work documents like emails from your lead and your day to day assigments. This would help. Also you can try requesting for another email with all projects details and end date details where you work all those in your email to your project manager that this a compulsion from USCIS and request atleast get a reply from you lead project manager saying that we can issue any letter but your are in the project for proposed duration of time like 2 years from now. Establish all the project things in your email and get a reply to that email. And attach that copy with signed by some company associate so that it is known fact. This would help mostly.

  339. My employer just informed me followed by a mail with receipt number . NON AD / RP EAC1414753XXX . Vermont . My employer said notification mails are flowing in both AD and NON-AD / RP now . 147 146 145 lot other series are coming mixed up for them. They expect it to continue till mid may . Guys don’t loose hope lots of notification mail on transit via snail mail . I have been with this forum from day1 kept on refreshing as i was badly in need of this. Thank you raghu and all folks . Keep praying hard. No need to loose hope got enough time . Thank you

      1. For sure .. I know on how much pain folks are going thru ..thanks raghu .. You are doing a wonderful job .. God bless ya

  340. Can we call USCIS ourselves to inquire about our application status? If yes, what info would they need?

    1. Same Question on my behalf as well…I gues if there was a way people would have already written about it.

      1. If you are in US, Directly visit your company and ask for the evidence abt your filing even it is returned you can able to see the return package or ask the money back if no response then write abt the company in forum that will spoil the compnay name and they wont do this for others in the fututre.

  341. My employer filed my H1B, i am not getting response from employer how to know the status. Someone please help. i paid so much money.

    1. Vandana, I hope your application do get selected in the lottery. Why did you pay money? H1 fees should be strictly paid by employer. If you are asked to pay for H1b application fees then this is illegal and fraud. I think only premium processing fees can be charged or shared with you.

        1. Yes Raghu.. going by many posts i too felt the same. But I am sure this is not legal, and the employees are being taken advantage of by the employers. I don’t want to sound rude, but I feel as moderator and owner of this popular site, you might want to feature a comment to avoid any wrong doings. However if payment of h1b fees by employee for h4 to h1b CoS is legal then please excuse my ignorance.

    1. My check got encashed and I got a call from my employer last friday. Waiting for the receipt no. Non AD/RP/VT

  342. Hi ,

    I haven’t got any update from my employer about my h1b lottery results .. from whatever recent comments I read in this forum it seems like the possibility to get selected is very less.Now i would like to know if my employer really applied my h1b petition . .

    if the employer says that my application is not selected in the lottery, is there any way for me to confirm whether they really applied ? what should I ask them for . . like a letter from uscis with my name saying my application is not selected in the lottery ? Any details on this would be really helpful.

    1. I am also in same boat. for my employer, very few people got the receipt number and a larger lot is still waiting. I am from the larger lot which is waiting for receipt number. Don’t know if i have any chances…i will be 2nd time unlucky 🙁

    2. I am also Non-AD/PP.. but nothing I got from lawyer or USCIS. my lawyer clearly said if anything comes up, he will let me know. Also one of my friend in another company waiting, he is same like us. keep posting if you get any updates…

    3. As above, this is second time I am applying for H1B and there is no news yet for my Non-AD/PP application. The lawyer anticipates to wait till end of May for rejection package.

      1. same boat, my lawyer said :” this week, but that since no email was sent chances are slim.”

  343. Email from University official:

    Your SEVIS record indicates you are in ACTIVE status. There are no other updates on your record at this time.

    -Received this email on April 28th.

    Does this mean – end of hopes of getting picked?

  344. 5th May 2014.
    I got receipt from employer today 10.48am my application selected. Regular Process/Vermont. I hope this week everyone will get real statuses.

      1. Hi,
        Receive date: April 10, 2014. Notice date showing April 30, 2014. Application EAC-14-148-XXXXXX

  345. i also not have received the receipt number yet. Does that means not selected in lottery OR still there are some chances

  346. Anyone got return package? or any other update from USCIS?. I am not getting any response from my employer from last week. I dont know i can wait or give up. Confused.

  347. Got my receipt today. AD / RP / CA. Received Date is 4/10/2014 and the Notice date is 4/23/2014. It took 12 days for it to reach my attorney. My SEVIS record was updated on 04/28/2014.

      1. They are located in Chicago. But doesn’t 12 days sound a little too absurd.?
        Seriously, more than me being happy, i feel for everyone who is struggling with sleepless nights waiting for their attorney to get back them. There has to be something that is fishy here.

        1. would you think snail mail from vermont to california would take around 12 days ‘ sh as well?

          1. meh Vermont is even farther from california than california is from chicago 🙁

        2. my only guess is when they say the use snail mail it means they don’t do air mail … because if air delivery were used it would take not more than a couple of days in any direction. So they are using ground mail?

  348. My employer got 25 receipt numbers on May 2nd. He also confirmed that all the cheques that were collected got the receipt numbers.Is there any chance of getting any more receipt numbers in next 2 or 3 days?

  349. how amazing is that for people getting receipts today! What a luck day!
    Yesterday I read in a forum a Girl applied 10 h1b , 7 got selected, she was asking if she can sell rest 6 to her friends? What an irony ? How unjust is that ?
    NON AD/Regular , no new yet…:(

    1. Love ur Nick! Keep with optimism! ( I am trying to do the same … I know its really hard 🙁 but… 😀

  350. Congratulation to all whose application has been picked up in the lottery. And all the best to all remaining, I hope you do get selected or otherwise excel in your alternate plans.
    This site and Raghu’s updates surely has been helpful to many to control the nerves. However reading through some of comments it feels as if Raghu and naturally most of advanced degree applicants feels that the AD applicants are more suitable for H1b than the applicants from service industries. Many of us are keep complaining that the numbers are too low, the process is bad, there should be more AD quota than regular, big consultancies should not be allowed etc etc. However we tend to forget that USA as a country has all the right to define the acceptable number and process. Most of the h1b quota is taken up by tech workers. The very fact that tech jobs salary hasn’t been increasing exponentially speaks for itself that the number 85000 is not way off the industry needs.
    Coming to advanced US degree vs others in H1, What we are missing is H1b is meant to reduce gap of workers supply vs demand. So the country’s focus is on to get the required worker’s with the necessary ‘Skill’ to fill in the demand. Like in most corners there are consultancies which doesn’t follow the right path. Similarly there are schools which are there simply to provide cpt. But the good thing is that US authority is aware of these and so they are blocking/closing such consultancies and schools. There are poor quality schools and bad practices from certain consultancies. Once again H1b is a path to reduce gap between workers demand and supply and it is just one of the many ways the USA authority gets the necessary man power. Please do not forget that working in a good field for top X firm doesn’t make you better candidate than an advanced degree student or similarly studying and spending resources in USA doesn’t make you stronger candidate than a person with experience. Each visa and its previous processes including interview are on a case to case basis.
    I just realized that comment has taken shape of a mini article !!!
    Before you start judging me let me something about myself. My work has required travel and fortunately or unfortunately we have stayed in 9 cities across India/Europe/America in past 9 years. Last year my project ended and we got ready for another movement after staying in USA for 2+ years and then realized that we are expecting a baby and my wife can’t travel. So struck in USA, opted for sabbatical after a good 9 years of service. My earlier company filed for a h1 as my current companies project ended here in USA and I hope it gets picked up!!

  351. Hi , I am daily follower of this site .. today i received my receipt notice. EAC141465**** From lawyer. its a regular processing.

      1. I think its April 29 but my HR told yesterday..HR told they are yet to receive more receipt notice by this week end. its non-AD/RP

  352. Non AD/RP VT two of my friends got notified today. Don’t have receipt details yet. Keep up the hope.

  353. I got my case status updated to RFE today. For RFE, do we receive email or snail mail requesting the additional documents?
    Any comments..

  354. I did not hear so far from my employer for my non-advance/regular application. I waited many years to find a good employer and then apply for H1 but probably I am not picked up. I come many times on here to check others status and tried to guess my own status. Now I have admitted somewhere in my heart that I am not in winning crowd.

    I think sometimes..shud I be sad? Sud i complain my fate? But in fact I am as cool as I was before applying for H1. Life never ends… This this is the beauty of life , we give most importance to those things which are not achievable sometimes. I am still kool and I will focus on what I am doing right now and I would request others to do the same.

    It is not loss of life just a VISA…I am not in India but in North America but everyday I wish I could be in beautiful India and I will move to India soon…..

    1. Nice to see your positive comments but you are in US now others trying to be there at least one time in their life after that even they may feel same like you .

    2. Also worst part which I have seen my life in my 12yrs exp, Once get US chance they will treat others bad that make other to win and be there . Thats worst attitude of whoever in US once they reach but not all of them but most of them, This is worst part in this.

    3. dude…before i got the present job…..i was rejected by 35 companies…..u have seen right…..35 companies…..only mental strength keeps you going…..keep hope….

  355. One Qucik Question, If compnay filing multiple H1B , is there any difference in the check to find the check speicifc to one person incase if we need to verify the check clearance?

    1. Yes, each check will be in your name. There should be three checks if your company filled regular processing and each will have your name on it.

      1. Thanks, I have asked my company to verify the check clearance on friday they didnt come back, I think silence means not yet cleared rt? still waiting for the answer from them. Lets see but I lost my hope

    1. I think there is, you can also ask your DSO if there have been updates to your SEVIs record, that way it might be faster to know.

  356. Just received a mail from my employer that my application got picked. He given receipt number WAC 141xxxxxxxx

  357. Raghu, I have a question. Does the logic you explained earlier…..If { Premium Processing & No Notification & No Return package }
    Then { maybe waitlisted ….. still implies??

    1. Yes, till you get your package back you can have hope but only less chance, miracle can happen at any time.

  358. Hello, I have one question about H1B that I heard first time…

    Suppose if the first time applicant of H1B not selected in lottery and he got back his package, then would his application be considered for the process in next year H1B without any lottery draw..?

    I

    1. Same here but surely when they get the update they will let us know but for them we are one of them they wont worry much abt our problems:) Wait with Patience(Even I dont have :-)).

  359. hi kumar….gmrn.. got lottery selection …h1b applied with indian ppt.
    Now got dutch citizenship…………pl.suggest procedure for visa stamping
    after petition approval

    1. God Please send me the lottery result ASAP . My eyes are gone from Last 2 weeks by keep eye on my mails 24hrs and eager to see the new mails for Receipt but at end I didnt get anything and disappointed. Please send me the lottery update ASAP if it is possible with Approval. I know you knew how much I am expecting this lottery result for my life. I know surely you will send me. Thanks GOD.

          1. Oh Ok God, I will wait for your answers I think you knew why I am looking for this. If anyone hear my story surely will feel sad and bad then why not you? I think you will answer surely I am waiting for you God with Patience.

          2. Hi God, Still I am waiting for your answer for my lottery result, waiting is killing me anything like that,Please respond ASAP. I know you are so much busy.

          3. Hi God, Why you are silent? why no reply? what happend to you? Can I wait?

          4. Hi God, Why you hate me? you are not giving any chance for my life? even I am not able to find a way since all based on LUCK? when I will get , I lost faith on my life and you, Dont know what to do next? If you are not exist then how I will have hope? I am Blind and Blank..

  360. any one from Pace solutions Inc got selected in the H1b lottery?????It seems I am not selected as till now I have not received any message from my employer and moreover the USCIS has started returning the receipt of the candidates who are not selected.

    1. I think USCIS will start to return from today not sure its started already!. Lottery not based on the company , Check with your company for update, they are your source to know your update. Me too in same boat.

    2. The best way to know if you got selected in the lottery is, 2ways.
      1) through your employer
      2)Just call to your university and ask for any sevis update on your sevis, infact I called to my university for this reason, and they updated me with the receipt number that EAC1413852XXX which was updated onapril15th in university, but still my employer did not receive any information yet. so I suggest from my side, better call to your university and ask them for sevis update. I think this might be helpful, Parying god from my side.

      1. Hi Raghu;

        I am from India and currently working in bahrain.

        I have applied for H1B visa through my friends brother who has consultancy in USA.

        He told you are selected but my question is how I can get a job in USA?
        When I can start giving interviews for USA companies.

  361. i got selected and yesterday my company informed me..out of 30 application 3 got selected till date..It is normal category.I am from India.

  362. Hi There, Can someone please confirm me, i have got this reciept number WAC-14-143-XXXXX, what does this mean?

      1. Thank you, i have recieved it on 10th, but i haven’t noticed it earlier, i came across it today itself 🙂

  363. I work in a large India based MNC from where more than 1K people gets h1b every year. I didn’t get any updates yet. My employer told that they have not yet got any receipt and it may take the whole May month to get the receipts. So, please keep hopes

  364. Hello Raghuram!

    So my employer has informed me that the checks cleared on April 24, but we still haven’t received an official receipt yet. Do you think mine was selected in the lottery since the checks cleared? Mine is RQ/RP/VT. Thank you!

    1. yes it means the petition has been selected, if you want to make sure, you can check with DSO from your school to see if the servis record has been updated.

      1. Well, I was on my OPT until December of 2013, but had to return to my country since I didn’t get a visa last year. So I guess the only way to find out is to wait til the receipt comes in?

        1. if that is the case, yes you probably have to wait until you receive the receipt. If I were you, I would be considered as selected from the lottery

      2. PippynMatty has filed h1b under Non-AD. No DSO here.

        I spoke to DSO at school and i have my SEVIS updated. But no receipt yet.

  365. as per USCIS official news on May 2,14 “USCIS announced today that data entry of all FY15 H-1B cap petitions has been completed. USCIS will now begin returning all H-1B cap petitions that were not selected in the lottery.”

    Does that mean no more receipts from 05/05? Have not received receipt yet.does it mean I am out from lottery selection?

    Can any one please let us know inputs 🙁

    1. It means all receipts were generated and sent out via mail. It means it is game over for all PP ( since they are receiving the result via email ). For RP, there is a still hope.

    2. No receipts wont be generated but will be dispatched till this friday have hopes till 9-10 may after that not much hope

  366. Anyone knows, Even rejected petition will be entetered into the system or selected petitions only.

  367. I heard from attorney that the data entry alone is completed.. Nowhere USCIS has officially announced that they have dispatched all the selected petitions.. Please have hope and lets wait for 2 more weeks.. We cannot predict anything unless we get our packet back saying that it is not picked up in lottery.. Lets be patient and hope for the best !!

    1. Thats correct but chances are very less now, thats the worry now I am sure few will get receipt in next few days but it will be very less. I am also waiting with hope(very very less).

  368. H4 to H1. Got a call from my employer yesterday that my check has been encashed and he has asked me to wait for 3-5 days for the receipt no. Feeling so blessed. Best of luck to all other aspirants.

  369. My non AD/RP got approved, I got the notice today only, no Receipt mail before one mail with approval, Amazing and got surprised.

    1. one of the luckiest person your on this earth.
      Happy for you ..GOD I’m also ready for this kind of surprises.please plan for me also

    2. If you are lying, then stop it.. Its not a forum to play with everyone’s emotions.. If your statement is true then u r a lucky person..

  370. Hi all, I have not got receipt yet and usics announced that data entry is over. Does that mean no more receipts??
    Please let me know.

    Anyone still getting receipt??

  371. Does anyone know which graduate schools (MBA) allow internship in the first semester? possibly in Massachusetts, New Jersey or New York?

    1. If you meant CPT… there are a bunch of schools that you can pay for just to get CPT within the first 3 months when school starts. Very similar to the all-mighty ITU in San Jose…

  372. Indian company files h1b wats the process of receivong update…. We have branch in US too… US attotney send daily receipts to india or altogether?

  373. Hi Raghu/Other Experts,
    I (AD/PP/VT) received the approval notice from USCIS. What is the next step? Will they send Employment Authorization Document (/EAD card)? Thanks.

  374. When shall i get the update on NON AD/RP? My employer filed 7 petitions in that 4 were rejected as per my employer. Shall i keep hope still?

    1. Very bad luck, because statiscally, as a maximum only 3 out of the 7 petitions should have been not selected (42%).

  375. I don’t know whether my employer filed my H1B petition or not. But he had provided one UPS number for me. When i track the UPS number it is showing Delivery on so and so date..Does it mean my file got filed through lawyer? Please reply friends..

    1. @Ibo:disqus
      At what time (IST)you received the receipt. kindly let us know the first 5 digits of your receipt.

    2. hi… did ur employer told u before getting the receipt number that the check has been encashed on ur name?

  376. got receipt number EAC141445XXXX. Non AD/RP/Vermont. Does it mean I am selected in the lottery?

    1. NOOOOOOOOOOOOO, u have rejected in lottery. Receipt number to receive ur return package from courier office check with fedex courier 🙂

    2. what r u asking man ???? Duh….. Not to offend u but this question is barf….., anyways congrats..

  377. Hi All, Can you please let us know till what time we can expect receipts to come for applicants(Non AD/RP) who filed from indian companies in india?

  378. Raghu , my petition was selected in 2014 cap lottery. Later petition withdrawn due to RFE.can I re- apply under cap-exempt using the same petition? Mine is Non-adv/regular.

    1. As per my knowledge, receipts for all those selected in lottery were sent to respective petitioners/employers. USCIS will now start returning the packets back for those not selected in lottery.

    1. Its up to you , wait or Go, why u r asking others???? u decide urself 🙂 no need to wait 🙂

  379. Does this means that no receipt numbers are remaining ? all receipt numbers are already dispached ?

  380. Till now, I was waiting for my turn to post… “Non AD /RP is picked up with ….. series”. But it seems there are slim chances..

    1. I can understand ur feelings,cool I have no word other than this since I am not god(Dont know if he really exist). LOTTERY = Selection of 50 fools(who files on Apr 1st) + 50 Talent , U could be reamining 50 Percent talent to serve for ur country ot for US as SLAVE 🙂

  381. Hello All, I know how serious everyone about their H1 Visa’s , I know how hard it is to apply , I know how patient you must be to know whether you got picked up or not , Even though you got picked up there is a chance that you can get rejected… So, Please always keep your hopes high and try to maintain the same attitude, belief though you didn’t get selected in the lottery.This is not an easy thing , but please try to think in a positive way and get your plan B done…Now we all left with the other options to stay here(USA) and should clear our debts back in India which is not easy.
    WE all came here(USA) with an attitude showing the world that we can do something better in our life and we have a purpose for every step.Please try to maintain the same attitude…I am going to keep my hopes high and will try to do my work with more focus and will always look for the other options…I hope everybody will do the same!!! All the Best

  382. Hi my visa status is H4 now i didn’t here anything about my H1b Non-AD/RP almost i give up my hopes …. can u suggest may which is best university in San Francisco CA

    1. no H1 for H4 since you are already in US with your Partner, one income is enough:) Give the way to others 🙂 Money should flow everywhere not to one place , LOL

  383. Hello all, I want to congratulate all those who got selected. For those who didn’t, don’t lose hope. This is just a hard phase and will too shall pass. I know what it feels like as I have been there. But, I managed to survive. You WILL figure something out. These is always a solution. So, don’t lose hope. Take care and all the best!

  384. Employer just confirmed that cheque has been encashed today for my wife’s H1B case and receipt number will come soon. 99% its confirmed now. Great relief. Best of luck to all.

  385. My friend just got her receipt. Ad/RP/VT lawyer in reston Virginia. Her lawyer told her one el more of wait and that’s it

  386. Finally its over:Data Entry of all FY15 H-1B Cap Petitions Has Been Completed twitter update from USCIS..So by next friday it will be notified! For PP chances looking slim!

    1. Me too have same question, After seeing todays message really confused. I had lot of hope and confident but Bad Luck. I have lot of reason to get this H1B, I am disappointed so much.

    1. but my company ( an indian MNC) has not shared anyone status till yet…i dnt know wat is there plans..stressed..

      1. Did you ask for a copy of the petition that was mailed to USCIS? If they avoid sending you a copy, then they have not filed at all

      1. I think u can still wait 3-4 days, incase lawyerrs got the receipt & yet to communicate with the applicant.. Or the snail mail in on d way which they would have sent already….

          1. What is the checks haven’t cleared yet. Does that mean you would know immediately that you didn’t get picked in the lottery?

          2. Can’t say for sure, my check cleared 1 week after getting the receipt

      1. Rachuram Sukumar,
        do you know the checks should be cashiered , or/and SEVIS status updated by now? THANK YOU!!!!

      2. Honestly, I don’t have much respect for this lawyer – whoever he is.
        “most” receipts are “probably” out…
        Well…. “mostly” you will “probably” win a million dollars some day.

        Do me a favor – tell the lawyer “mostly I’m thankful for his wisdom …but probably not” …

        Also, remind him that he is talking to folks with advanced degree from USA as well.

        So if there’s nothing substantial of a comment to contribute with…. then I guess.. it would be wise.. you know.. to keep mum… that’s what my parents taught me. “mostly they could probably be wrong”

        -My Opinion, Free Speech, Feel Free To Delete!

        1. First you need to learn to talk. I don’t think your advanced degree helped with your wisdom. You learned about free speech, bit not how to talk. Did you attorney send an update to you with 20 minutes of USCIS posting this update on Twitter?

          Did you even know what data entry means based on USCIS twitter update?

          Did you get any explanation from your employer/attorney on what is data entry within 20 minutes of this update in Twitter?

          Try asking this same question to your attorney or any immigration in USA. Let me know if you get a concrete answer with certainty.

          If you are boasting about advanced degree, then you should know by now how USCIS operates.

          This reply was posted even before the official email/alert was mailed out or received by several folks.

          Believe it or not your life in USA is 100% depended on the immigration attorney that you will be dealing with yourself or via your employer.

          You will know their value when you happen to get a 11 Page RFE that wouldn’t make any sense to you. Just ask others who have ready received RFE in this discussion thread.

          So, stop boasting about your advanced degree and learn some common sense.

    2. I believe USCIS have generated receipts till today , so we should be hopeful for another week or so.

    3. Hi Raghu ,

      I received an email from my employer on 2nd may stating that that the USCIS receipt notice for the petition has been received. Does that mean I am selected since its received on 2nd of may? Non Ad/RP/California

        1. even i received the same mail from my employer, but in the mail they have mentioned that (this does not means that your petition has been approved, just confirmation it was received). I got that receipt no starting from EAC**** . Does it really mean selected or still i have to wait ?

          1. The receipt notice means that you were selected out of the 172,500 applicants to have your H1B processed. Those who are not selected will have their packages returned. Now your case will go through the different review stages – initial review, decision, post decision etc or request for evidence. Once it is filed well by a competent attorney it should be approved. All the best!

    4. hi raghu gd mrng i am still waiting for h1 update but i want to know in a mean time i have 10 years b1/b2 visa so i can come to us and find better university and get a admission and join college? or i have to go back to home country to stamp f1 i am streesed

        1. thanx for u r info raghu and one small doubt? when i am in us i can change my status to f1 or i have to go back to home country or any near us consulate

          1. thanks for u info raghu and i want to know which university is better near harrisburg,pennsylvania and virgina beach,virginia and plz send me the fee structure must be reasonable too and it cover both cpt and opt

          2. @suhasinienaganti:disqus U can do change of status once you R in usa from B1/B2 visa to F1. Time will vary depends on the individual case. for stamping –you have to do in your passport once you go out of USA!
            stamping also won’t be a prob as long as you maintaing f-1 rules!

    5. Hi Raghuram – By this statement “So looks like game over. If you haven’t received the receipt number.” Do you mean that whoever has got selected should have got their receipt numbers by now? If not, does it considered as not picked up in the lottery? I also hear from people, selected regular processing petitions will get their receipts even by May end, June or so. Please clarify.

        1. What he meant is that almost all should get notification about selection by now. However there would be very few cases who will be notified as late as in May end/June first week. Last year a known associate of me got notified in June first week. However if the file is returned then don’t hope for any selection.

          1. so, Sourav.. base on what they take that long time for sending the notification? This is crazy! so stressfull for us 🙁

          2. Angelica..
            I am not sure but only logical ‘guess’ i can make is that they keep a certain number in stand by or waitlist. But then I can’t say for sure.
            I do not know your situation, but please don’t stress out. I hope you get some respite from stress and you hear the good news soon. But even if you dont get selected please try not get demotivated. Very soon you will realize that it is just a visa and you can still excel in your field somewhere…including your home country.

          3. Sourav, thank you so much for your words!! Its hard to keep calm even more when this is a dream you have had for years.. and everything depends on LUCK… thanks for the hopes..I will keep waiting…. I hope the best in life for you amigo! 😀

          4. Last year did USCIS mention about the data entry completion like this time? Also did anyone receive receipts after this update? Any idea?

        1. Do you have any info regarding , How many petitions got selected.Did you get any approx count?
          Based on the package delivered..

          Applogize if my question is unrealistic..

    6. Hello Mr.Raghu,I am a H4 Dependent, Applied for H1B this year through Regular. I am basically a S/W Engineer worked in in India.

      Still now I did not get any updates from my consultant. The Consultant says
      50% of people whom they applied got selected through Lottery.
      They told they didn’t get any updates from USCIS that the rest 50% of applications got rejected.

      So my question is, As I didn’t get any updates still from USCIS does that mean I didnt get selected in Lottery? or there is still chance/time for that?As you have posted by May 2nd all the Data entry got over I am really worried. can you kindly clear my doubt?

      1. My guess is they never even applied on ur behalf, this happens all the time! Did you get any sort of documentation regarding your case? Like a copy of the application package that was sent? If not, you’ve been taken for a ride.

        1. Hi Bhaskar..Thanks for the Reply.
          No, they didnt give me any copies for that…but they asked me for all the documents that they need,and they said they applied and still now they didn’t any update. So what do you think? Is there a chance still to get selected?..I lost my hope though!

          1. Who is this “Consultant”? How much money did you pay? There are a lot of “Consultants” that take large amounts of money and promise an H1 but later people realize they were duped. Try asking for a copy of the package they sent. If they say they forgot to take a copy and don’t provide you any document whatsoever, you can be rest assured they never even applied for an H1 on your behalf!

          2. Ask them to give contact details of few of the people who got through the lottery from them, if they avoid giving you such information, again you know they are lying.

    7. Hi my case. Check is deducted and petition is picked but consultancy tells that they dint received the no yet. Should I think I’m selected or not.

    8. Hi Raghu,
      if data entry is completed, how come we can find some of the Rep# with WAC 14 163 ***** which is may 23 2014

    9. Hello Raghu,
      It’s June start and i have not yet received the receipt number. Also no update from USCIS as well. Are there still hopes?

  387. USCIS announced today that data entry of all FY15 H-1B cap petitions has been completed. USCIS will now begin returning all H-1B cap petitions that were not selected in the lottery. U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in occupations that require highly specialized knowledge in fields such as science, engineering, and computer programming.

  388. what does this means? those who have not got the receipt till now , not selected in the lottery/?

  389. “USCIS announced today that data entry of all FY15 H-1B cap petitions has been completed. USCIS will now begin returning all H-1B cap petitions that were not selected in the lottery.”

    1. @happyschools:disqus, what does this mean? so the people who have not received receipts yet are all rejected? do you know?

          1. the way i read it is : “today was the last day we generated receipts” so however long it’s going to take now to reach (5-7 days) is the last time so i guess one more week of waiting. If you dont get the receipts it’s a safe no

          1. yes the agony will end soon… It’s important to move on and not fall in depression…saying this more to myself as self phrophecy

  390. USCIS ‏@USCIS 2m
    Data Entry of all FY15 H-1B Cap Petitions Has Been Completed……vai twitter

        1. Yes, Thats true but not a week , Could be 3 working days (not included saturday) to receive the mail if it sent today.

  391. Non-AD/Regular/Vermont, got my receipt today morning. Hope for the best guys! the receipt are still sent.

  392. I just got the following update from USCIS in email: Can someone explain?

    “USCIS announced today that data entry of all FY15 H1B cap petitions has been completed. USCIS will now begin returning all H1B cap petitions that were not selected in the lottery.”

  393. AD/RP/VT waiting – I have been following this and another blog. I have noticed that there are many candidates from VT waiting for receipts. My Immigration specialist informed me that she has received receipts from CA like 2 weeks back but has not received any receipts from VT. All applications from my company are RP. So I think everybody from VT, at least, should be hopeful. I am not sure if everybody knows this already but just wanted to share.

      1. Thanks Jerry! It is amazing how absolute strangers, bound by a common hope are leaning on each other for support. None of the thousands of comments on this blog can change the final outcome for anyone. We are all waiting for closure one way or another, but until there is closure there is hope and …the agonizing wait. Staying together and sharing somehow makes the agony more bearable.
        I have been following this forum from day 1 and want to thank everyone for sharing, commenting, hoping and some even despairing. I come here often when I have no other tangible news…to hope, despair and sometimes even rejoice vicariously when people say “I got it”!

  394. Guys just got happy news.
    I got selected Non-ad/RP/VT
    dont have the receipt right now.
    My manger was moving in for some meeting will contact once i have it.

  395. regular/Non AD still waiting…(
    My husband need it most this time. He deserved it but I doubt we should keep false hopes now. I don’t see much responses from people getting receipts now. Lawyer said by mid May or end packages will start coming back.

  396. Honestly speaking , the guy who needs or deserve should get H1b , whether he is inUS or India. Also AD or RP should not matter. I have seen people who needs it are still waiting, and few useless People already got abd that too very soon without any pain or any wait. I am not against them but they should wait longer than deserving guys and get that.

    Its very painful to see deserving person to wait.

    Truely saying, I also got my receipt last friday but one of my known person deserve more than me , still waiting but I can not do anything for him. I deserve it but litle lesser than that person

    1. I agree with you, It is not based on the experience or knowledge its based on the LUCK that decides your Life :), Thats fact and fate. Even Life teaches the same thing whoever win it is not that they have knowledge or who loose its not that they dont have knowledge, 99 percent hard work 1 percent LUCK that makes the Life or anything successful again This is the FACT and FATE, also this is my personal openion. I am waiting for the result means to get that ONE percent LUCK to make sucessfull:) Lets se what GOD decides, Trying is our duty , Happening is by God means LUCK:) .

      1. Actually Lottery process USCIS might have decided based on becoming neutralised OR avoiding any lobbying of one or two businesses for Immigration…. They simply want to handle immigration system purely by their own, not by lobbying… Someone’s deliberate strategy becomes someone’s luck or life — The world is not fair

    2. It would be $10000 per petition if USCIS investigate if each person is deserving. The world is not fair.

    3. Who are you to decide who is deserving or not? I think each and every person who has applied is equally deserving, not more not less. Your friend might have something else in store for him. Sooner or later he will get what he deserves.

  397. Attorney just gave Big BS about how much of a big effort it is for he accounting department to check the status of the checks to see if it is encashed or not, when i asked him to check that ..
    Still not received the receipt AD/RP

  398. @happyschools:disqus do you know what happens if one person has multiple H1B apps from different employers and more than one app gets picked in the lottery?

      1. I agree. I just hope the duplicate app gets discarded and one of us gets picked up. so one app per person.

          1. I agree too… i had two offers to choose from and I selected only just to play fair…. hope God is seeing this

    1. It seems , receving receipt got reduced last 2 days based on the update here from others, I am also in same boat dude with hope and patience(easy to say :-). Lets see how it goes.

      1. Yeah Patience.. That’s what i am loosing now. I don’t understand why they take so long to send receipts. Or at least declare a list who all are selected.

    2. One of my friend got his receipt today. No further details available. He applied under AD/RP/VT

          1. Yeah.. But still its painful to wait for so much time. Some of my friends last year received it in mid may. They told me to be patient. Lets c how it turns out to be.

  399. Plz let us know the receipt Dates of the receipts being recvd today for AD or NON AD regular cases frm VER??

  400. Just got the confirmation from the employer that I have been selected in lottery..Non-AD/RP/VT

  401. I got a receipt for Non AD / RP Dated 24th April…..With in how many days will I get the Approval???

  402. Hi I got a notification from my university that my opt cap gap ext is approved & updated in sevis but I have not received any notification from my employer that my h1b application is selected. What does it mean that my app is selected
    ?

    1. Hey Priya, Sailing on the same boat here…I got to know from my immigration adviser at school that my SEVIS has been updated to Change of status pending. And she said this indicates that my h1b is pending. I haven’t got the receipt yet. I am on AD / RP/ CA.

      In your case how has the CAP been approved ? It should say pending. Only after the h1b is approved the cap gap is approved.

  403. Hi,
    My employer filed petition under Premium processing.I haven’t received any receipt notification Yet.
    What would be the maximum time do we need to wait in-case of premium processing?
    Really tensed …

  404. Please reply by when they will disclose all the results any idea if one employer have got 4-5 yes for the participants from 10-15 and others have not received yet..
    We are keeping the fingers crossed so that it can happen & selected or it’s happening employer wise, once the employer’s person is been selected they go for other employers

  405. No one from my employer got the petition number or receipt. Does this mean it is over for us? Non-AD, Regular.

        1. this is of concern..none of 8 to 10 going unselected kinda gotta raise eyebrows..i am not entirely convinced this is a random draw…well if none of you guys were drawn that is..

          1. they weren’t rejected either , the answer is not in.

            unless they disqualified the employer. is it a job shop?

  406. How much time does it take to get your visa to get processed under regular processing? Mine is AD/RP

  407. Hello,

    Anyone please help me.
    I have applied for H1b in regular quota. My employer was saying we have time to get the receipts till may 2 nd week. Today i have got an email from them stating ” Please find the attached receipt”. The attachment is “Form I-797C with receipt number EAC-14-144-****”
    any idea what is that? is it just an acknowledgement for the petion that they received or mine got selected in the lottery?

    //Murali

    1. You as a candidate got email?
      Does any of the form submitted to USCIS even have candidate email?
      Except if on your resume.

  408. @happyschools:disqus: Hello Raghu, is it true that if we decide to go with finding a job in some NPO (plan B), then that NPO “has to be” affiliated with some university? Please let me know. I appreciate all the help this blog has provided so far. Thank you.

    1. Hey, How does it matter if they are affiliated to a university or not, the H1B will be cap-exempt, it doesn’t matter if it is related or not related to university. The nature of your job in that NPO should be related to ur field of study.

      1. Thank you for your reply. I just heard it from someone and wanted to know everything related to this particular option.

    1. same boat, according to the paralegal i was in touch with today.
      chances are slim, but we can’t know for sure.

    1. @Sweety, so you mean they did not get receipt notice and directly got approval notice.

    2. Ohh strange …!!

      Can you please post the receipt Number series like 141 or 142 … ? so that we can have some idea what series is going from VT center.

      Thanks.
      FYI … Mine is NON AD/PP/VT … waiting to hear back something from USCIS.

  409. Does my employer at this point should definitely have an update (even if is just selected or not selected in the lottery)? They didn’t give me any so far.

    Tks

    1. Yes your employer or attorney shld have update bout u or atleast others who they have filed!

      1. Is a small company….they just filled mine….so maybe there is a chance they haven’t got any update yet, right?

  410. Approved 🙂 …AD/PP/CA on May 1 …It went directly from Acceptance to Post Decision…All the best to those who are still waiting ….keep your hopes up and be positive…..its not over till its over….make sure u do have a plan to fall back on… I pray that everybody who deserves it gets their petitions approved. Thank you all and Thanks @happyschools:disqus for this Blog…It helped me when i needed it most.

    1. Congrats… so did you not get receipt first..? did you get direct approval notice without getting receipt earlier..?

      1. I did get the receipt number from my DSO at my university and not my lawyer/employer…infact i ended up sending them a notice to say that i have been selected in the lottery and now sent them the confirmation that it has been approved…my HR is useless…They did not know getting the receipt number meant that I was selected in the lottery….apparently they had received the receipt weeks before i had found out from my university and they didnt even bother to notify me even when i asked them…that could be the case for a lot of ppl here…Ur HR/lawyer may not know better…

    2. Congrats !!! Did you get the receipt number? I also waiting under AD/PP/CA but didn’t get the receipt number

  411. Will USCIS give us real time update if I have my employer or lawyer call and ask about the status of my petition? I just thought this because now its more than 30 days since I applied on April 1st.

    1. I was thinking the same!
      There is a toll free number.
      My employer will definitely call if I request but I’m too chicken to do that.

      1. No, you can only call if you have a receipt number and ask for status. And they typically tell the same status you would see online. What would they call and talk about? Doesn’t make sense. If you’re in Regular, then wait , that’s the best thing u can do.

  412. Some guys who’ve emailed me haven’t included their contact number. I will need it so please send it my way. Please also include your status: e.g. AD/PP/CA and whether it’s your last chance or not. Hoping to communicate tonight. Thanks.

    1. Hi Pooja, Seen your posts and feel the pain. It;s one of the stupidest systems ever – what use if they can’t distinguish between an AD living in US and a jobshop fraud? I have no regret in using those words. I am AD/PP and it’s my first attempt. Not heard back anything yet.. But, just read somewhere that last year AD/PPs got it even till mid May and there can be a waitlist. Are you aware of any waitlist like that and if rejected, when would they send rejections?

      1. My friend, every morning I wake up and ask the exact same thing as your username: Why me? Or, why us? I totally agree with what you’ve written here but when things are not in our control, we have to let go and do
        whatever we can. From your post it seems like you still have another chance. That’s good and I’m happy for you. People like me, it’s their one and only chance. Imagine doing all that crap (plan B) after work. It’s not impossible but the options are not easy either. Anyway, no use discussing it. About waitlist, people say that USCIS has never officially said that they do something like that. But, if people have received positive responses from USCIS last year, or earlier, then you might wanna wait as you still have another chance. I have no clue about rejections either. Honestly, I’m no expert but just a victim of this stupid process. It stressed me out to the point of becoming delirious. I’m feeling a little relaxed today. Anyway, thank you for your response and good luck to you.

        1. Thank you for the reply, and with today’s announcement of data entry ending, I guess the chances are very slim.. (max till May 13th.) I see hundreds of people responding “keep tension away and think about plan B” – I think you are able to say those words when you have your h1b approved..otherwise i know what kind of uncertainity you face when it’s last attempt. So, I wish you all the best in your efforts and sincerely hope worthy candidates don’t lose out (dumb guys- there is something called point based system in other countries). Just curious, your company providing you any Canada, Europe or other options?

          1. Thanks for your wishes. And good luck to you too. I’m not gonna wait any further for the receipt. In my opinion it would be foolish to have any hope. Atleast for the PP people. My employer has no clue how H1 works. They don’t even know that we had lottery because of this insane number of applications. I believe my company has an office in Canada and even Europe. But I’m not willing to move in these countries. I’d rather go back home.

  413. So Guys from other blogs what I have collected is :

    Seems like people have started receiving receipts for the series
    EAC14144, as far as I know they did generate 1000s of receipts with
    series EAC14145,146,147,148 …

    since 144 was 24th April if I am not wrong it took almost 4 business
    days + 2 weekend days to have the receipt delivered … so on an average
    it takes at least 5 business days for the snail mail.

    on that basis

    EAC14145 – Estimated delivery May 2nd
    EAC14146 – Estimated delivery May 5th
    EAC14147 – Estimated delivery May 6th
    EAC14148 – Estimated delivery May 7th

    So by next week Friday May9th all receipts should be delivered.

    Again these are just random calculations.

    Good luck everyone,
    FYI I am waiting as well.

      1. I think Yes. My lawyer emailed me saying that this year is strange and they are sending some receipts out before cashing checks. there is still hope! she said till end of May.

        1. My employer told me that they had some of the checks cashed but yet to receive the receipts. Asked me to wait till 10th for the receipts. Quite a confusing stage…. hope not cashing checks and not receiving the receipts won’t lead to hopelessness…..!

          1. My employer received the receipts of some and none of them had been cashed, so there is hope I’ll say

    1. I know you probably don’t have a sure answer to this, but the 45, 46, 47, and 48 series, are all for non-AD, Regular? Or does it include AD and PP people too?

    2. is any hope left for Non-AD/PP guy also or you are talking only about RP cases here??
      reply reply

      1. Following your method, i also noticed that series 150 available too.. and there is no 151.. This seems to be the last number available in that series is : EAC1415054736

        And this number: EAC1415054735 says it recd on May 2nd. All receipts should reach max by 9th May assuming it takes 5 Working days.

  414. My lawyer says that decision notification of accept/reject will take as long as June 30th, 2014. So just keep your hopes up guys. Anyone whose OPT started this year and applied for H1B under Advanced Cap ?

      1. Did any of your friends in similar situation got any receipts?
        I am assuming, if you still have an OPT STEM extension and filed for H1B petition during initial OPT, they are not accepting. At least none of my friends who applied this way got theirs picked up.

        But some of the other people who applied from same companies who were in STEM extension got picked up. So, USCIS does check before putting it in lottery ?

        1. No it doesn’t matter. It basically luck.. I am on stem extension yet i havent heard till now. I am on AD/RP/VT. Last week i checked with DSO they said they havent seen any update. So i don’t think that’s the case, if it was i would have heard till now.

          1. I agree with you. What I was implying is, people filed for H1 in their initial OPT, none didn’t get any receipts. But those who are in STEM and applied, at least few of them got their receipts.

        2. This is not true. My friends got picked in his first attempt of opt and he wasn’t even under ad cap!

    1. is there any hope left for Non-AD/PP guy also or you means RP guys only when you say accept/reject will take as long as June 30th, 2014

      1. I meant in general, all the notifications RP or PP will take as long as June 30th. At least that’s what my Lawyer said.

        1. you are lucky that your lawyer is at-least saying something:) mine even not responding even after repeated mails:)

          1. There is nothing they could do until they hear from USCIS. Just have patience. You can try in other ways like, checking with DSO or checking if your checks are cashed….

  415. AD/RP -Still waiting…Amazing how many of us including me are doing the same thing.. checking email every minute. Bugging the lawyer and HR…
    I guess These things are beyond our control. Just focus on work and hope to hear the good news….

    1. My HR said last year they received notifications in the month of June, as USCIS sends hard copies of notification for regular processing and email notifications for premium processing.
      So until and unless you do not receive your packet back, there is a chance.

  416. Does USCIS send receipt through Email or postal mail for RegularProcessing/Non-AD.

    How much it will take to deliver if it is postal mail.

    is Postal mail is snail mail?

    Please anyone who is sure, reply me……

    1. Postal mail or snail mails….it takes 3-5 days to be received…in some cases it had taken longer as well….!

      1. @Joydeep
        For RP cases: USCIS sending physical receipt through postal or snail mail to all of the attorneys/employers/concern persons, right?

        @happyschools:disqus

          1. Thanks a lot Joydeep.
            So we still have chance to get it in a day or 2.

  417. Dear All, One of friend’s employer has informed him that they have received a good number of Non-AD/RP receipt and in-progress to notify people. so keep hope!

  418. Guys, Any hope for Non-AD/PP cases. Is it correct that by 13th May all PP will know the result , even if not selected.. Raghu or some other person can you please answer this query.

    1. In my view, I think it s correct because USCIS says from 28th April they will start processing on PP and we know some of PP guys still did not hear back from USCIS, no receipt nor rejection. It may possible that USCIS would process file and take decision before 13/15th May even sending receipt number first…

      1. Thanks KK, so which means still one case is possible that even if there is no receipt notice received until today, USCIS can process it further and notify directly with approval , even without sending the receipt notice… Does it make sense or I am writing all crap 🙂

        1. Normally USCIS should send receipt for PP and then process on file. But some guys in blogs/forums said that in past some of PPs were directly processed and approved on and before 12/13th May. It may possible that those are just not selected in lottery but still by that time, some of RP guys also receiving receipts. So, in my view in general processing on PPs and sending receipts of RPs are overlapping. This year they got 172500 receipt and again USCIS may scrutinize this in detail to check why so many applications even if economy is not doing that much great as during booming time.. So, this year is critical for H1B process than previous..

  419. Letter to lawyer: “Dear, Given that I haven’t heard anything about my case yet, does it mean that my application was rejected (not picked)? Thank you.” Answer: “No we are still receiving receipts.”

      1. you need to ask your lawyer to be sure. based on all the comments i have read so far, regular processing people seem to have been getting receipts in the past few days. there have been only a few PP receipts that were received very recently.

        1. So far I asked three times to my lawyer, last time one week before, every time he said, nothing has been received from USCIS, they will notify me as soon as they get anything…. Now this time I am thinking not to bother them everytime by asking same and same question. I am assuming nothing they received. My HR also told me yesterday that for other guys of my company, nothing has been received by USCIS.

          1. were there a substantial number of applicants from your company? approx? reg/prem?

          2. my lawyer doesn’t provide this company but it’s on behalf of pwc so I assume there were a bunch of them. Fragomer (lawyer) does other large companies as well (i know of Amazon, i.e.)

          3. “My HR also told me yesterday that for other guys of my company, nothing has been received by USCIS.” how many are we talking about?

          4. I am not hearing anything abt AD/RP or PP. Its just non adv degree/RP . I have been hearing abt.

          5. @AD/RP/VT:disqus – Mine one is PP and there are I guess total 3 of us with different field (Mech/Civil and Ele) all are PP/VT and Non AD

          6. I can understand even i am in same boat, we dont have any other option other than waiting with hope till we get receipt or return package, No one has answer other than assumption what can attorney or Raghu can asnwer? only from officiallly from USICS we can expect, wait with hope, you can claify in fourm or attorney whether still getting recepit or not any one got package return etc. wait with hope.

    1. According to my employer we need to wait till 10th for the result on receipts…..regular processing obviously.

    2. Ha ha I used almost exact wording in my email and they replied back yesterday “We have not received any information from USCIS, so we are unable to track your application”

  420. @RP:disqus
    @Jerry:disqus thanks for keeping hopes alive! I hope we get to hear soon. 2 Lawyers i contacted said 2nd week of May should be last, other one said may end should confirm fate of Regular ones..

  421. Hi all,

    Some of my AD friends (PP/RP) who follow this blog have requested to form a group and get connected as we haven’t heard anything yet. There are some people whose OPT/STEM extension is expiring as early as June. If you want, you can connect with me at [email protected]
    and then I’m going to form a group on whatsapp. (I have a few people who’ve already contacted me). It will be good to explore options and help each other out in any way we can. Thank you.

  422. hopes are already dying Non AD/RP….How unjust this is! My husband’s L1B last year…what stress we all go through!

        1. Instead of saying it’s over because the check is not encashed, can wait for the definite answer that is waiting for the package, no use in panicking till you know for sure.

          1. Well at some point you just gotta be realistic….holding on to hope when no receipts are even being generated for new H-1Bs today is foolish. I still haven’t gotten mine and no update on SEVIS nothing, time to come up with a plan B

    1. I think there is, until we get a notice, which I’m sure we will in the next week or so and sometimes mid week of May or June like last year, I’m AD/RP as well

    2. Surely there is. My Sevis has been updated but i haven’t received any receipt yet. So if my SEVIS update is real, the AD / RP receipts should be still flowing in.

      1. Hi Vinay, I have work authorization extended till Oct 2015 due to STEM Extension, can I still ask DO if he can see it shortened to Sep 30, 2014? Is that how u find out?

  423. Guys, what is the latest EAC series you have heard in Non AD Reg? Any idea what could have been the series generated?

        1. I wish that was my receipt number I am still waiting, just saw that one on another forum and that it was generated today “149”

          1. ahh..hang on there. Just did a quick check. It appears many in the 149 series are not for I129 (h1), rather for CRI89. Not sure what it signifies though.

    1. I believe the frequency has dropped….. Any news on the latest series from Vermont or CA would be helpful.

  424. EAC1413554031

    Pleas see the above case. It is showing post decision activity.

    Any idea this activity falls after stamping or before stamping?

    I feel it is after stamping. In that case how it is at post decision.

    Please clarify

  425. If my OPT expires on May 31 and visa on July 31 and still waiting for H1b lottery decision, can I still in the country until July 31 to find alternatives?

  426. When does premium processing check will get deducted? After lottery selection or after processing?

  427. I’m confused how uscis will handle this multiple petitions per same person after lottery. Will all of them get approved?

  428. Three people in my office each a applied for two petitions per person and one even applied three petitions , all together 7 petitions all were got selected. They ruined 4 persons opportunities. How com UICIS will not consider these as duplicates ?

        1. Yeah, thats what. If it is from the same company then it is illegal. But if it is different companies, then they still have to pick one petition and move ahead with that. One person, cannot have two H1B approvals under his name.

      1. whoa..7 out of 7..got helluva lucky these folks… I was wondering if USCIS back fills these (in this case 4) positions using the additional entries they keep in the wait list. I hope USCIS takes this into consideration to ensure they fill the cap.

    1. If USCIS can do random selection for H1B applications, it should first find the duplicate petitions and should ban those people and company from applying visa!! This is just ridiculous!!

  429. Hi Friends.. lucky day today… My application got selected in the lottery. mine is non AD/ Regular processing/General CAP. All the best…

  430. Does USCIS send receipt through Email or postal mail for RegularProcessing/Non-AD.

    How much it will take to deliver if it is postal mail.

    is Postal mail is snail mail?

    Please anyone who is sure, reply me……

    Raghu, I am sure you know the exact answer , please update me Bro…..

  431. How many are there with Receipt starting with WAC14145******/WAC14146******/WAC14147******
    This will really help me to take a breath…

      1. I am asking anyone got receipt starts with :
        WAC14145******/WAC14146******/WAC14147******

        1. Yeah Same here…anyone with receipt dates of 24th, 25th or 26th,28th from CA or Vermont centre?

      2. Hey Vikas,
        Help me understand this… so 150 will be last on series? What does 148 have to do with 85k? Or 60k?

    1. can you please explain me how does these numbers help you? I am also waiting for a receipt 🙂
      I was told that it helps the notice dates, but how?
      thank you!!

  432. GUYS AS RAGHU HAS MENTIONED , PLEASE DONT BREAK YOUR HEADS AND HEARTS FOR “GETTING OR NOT GETTING RECEIPT” . USCIS SENDS OUT SELECTED RECEIPT NUMBERS AND THE RETURNED APPLICATIONS (NOT SELECTED) IN NO FIX ORDER , IT’S NOT A SEQUENTIAL PROCESSING. IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOUR FRIEND FROM SAME COMPANY GOT IT BUT YOU DIDNT GOT IT SO NO QUESTION OF “HOPE OR NO HOPE”. VARIOUS TEAMS WORK ON APPLICATIONS PROCESSING. LOGIC IS IN FACT THUMB RULE IS UNLESS YOU GET YOUR PACKAGE RETURNED YOU CAN HAVE HOPE THAT’S IT. THERE IS NO PRECISE OR FIX TIME FOR YOU TO HAVE HOPE OR LOOSE HOPE. LAST YEAR SOME PEOPLE CAME TO KNOW UNTIL JUNE ALSO. SO RAGHU IS RIGHT TILL PACKAGE IS RETURNED TO YOUR ATTORNEY/EMPLOYER DONT BEAT AROUND THE BUSH , THANKS AND CHEER UP . B READY WITH YOUR PLAN B OR C OR WHATEVER JUST IN CASE :)))

  433. Hi Raghu/All,

    I am in very strange situation here.

    I am Non-AD/RP/CA. My employer said like the cheque which was on my name is debited to USCIS and did said he still did not get any receipt number.

    What should I take it from this.

    I am in totally confused state.

        1. come on! he made a joke. we should congratulate you for being selected.
          they cannot cash the check unless they are processing your petition

    1. It shows that you are selected in the lottery and your employer will get the receipt very soon. Wait for good news.

  434. 14-145 series running today have hopes still 146 147 148 series to come today I saw even on 30th April ie 148 series receipts generated for H1..So have patience dont loose hope

  435. Non AD / Regular processing receipt received dated 24 april….Got the email from employer yesterday……Thanks to the almighty….hope i get the visa too….Gud luck to all of you…..

        1. 144s are still flowing in, there’s still hope with 145, 146, 147 and who knows may be 148. just hang on there. Was wondering if any 146s and 147s have come through?

      1. how come have you seen O’s and M’s ? is it by the company’s name or by the beneficiary’s name? thank you

  436. Just received mail from my employer that they have received receipt of my non AD regular application.

  437. does uscis send recceipt numbers based on alphabetical order of surname please reply me i am in high tenion

    1. Same boat, Non AD/PP/CA, I havent seen many people in the same position. if someone is in the same boat please comment, whereas received confirmation or not, please comment!!!!!!

      1. Same here, waiting without any news. No updates so far on the web app of the firm which is carrying all the visa applications for my “future” employer.

        I think I’m out.

        In addition, from a friend who is already working in California I’ve known it seems many small firms didn’t wait so many applications, and they are now really in a bad situation as they’ve lost many hires they thought were secured to start on October.

  438. Any AD or PP, still waiting, please leave a comment if you hear anything. Any info will really help the rest of us out!

    1. non-AD/ PP/ (how would i know the processing center ?)

      didn’t hear anything either way yet.

      does anyone know when PP rejections should arrive?

    1. Sadly, they still get picked and people like us with single petitions don’t. The whole process is an even bigger let down!

    2. i’m pretty sure that if you file multiple petitions, it gets counted as one, and it is either all rejected or all approved.

    1. Is your Receipt number have 14145…….?
      Is anybody got receipt having eac14145 or WAC1415XXXXX?
      PLEASE REPLY FOLKS

  439. I guess I am the first one writing about an RFE. My wife got an RFE today. Lets see what questions they have.

  440. I don’t know why ppl here are asking whether today is the last day for RP. USCIS started sending RP receipts only from Apr 22 if I am not wrong. Its normal for them to send at least till mid May. So please don’t lose hope until at least mid May. According to experts here, its normal to receive RP receipts till late May. I know its anxious when you see many people posting they got their receipt but we have to be patience and keep hope alive till May. Good luck and stop posting its over for RP.

  441. Just received my receipt number from IBM. I am really very thankful to God and all my well wisher.

    My receipt number is EAC141405****

    Non AD/RP/VT
    I am thankful to all the guys here who provided me crucial information.

    1. Did you receive a email with the receipt number or is it updated in inszoom?

      If email who sent the email, Attorney or travel ops?

  442. Hi Friends,

    Those who are unabel to track in the USCIS, no need to worry. It indicates that they are processing and you will get the status as post decision activity with approval status directly.

    I have seen many cases and mine also got approved directly from not found status.

    EAC1413554174

    For regular processing guys, not at all worry, they will release the receipts till May 2 nd week.

    Sab Ka Malik Ake

    All the Best.

    1. hey post decision activity apears before scheduling interviews or after? does it mean that case is approved for visa ?

      1. If PP, post decision activity will happen with in 15 days of receipt and if no RFEs, they will approve the case immediately. No such interviews. Interviews are only after approved the case and for stamping.

  443. Hey guys, can any one who applied for Premium Processing – General Cap see their status as accepted on the USCIS website. I got the reciept on the 16th from my employer but still cannot view the status on their website. Mine is at Vermont center.

    Does getting that reciept mean I got selected in the lottery? I thought so but now I’m confused.

    1. Yes it means you are selected. I couldn’t see mine until this morning as well. There is some issue with the Vermont center, but it will come up soon I’m sure

  444. Hi. Just talked to my lawyer (well, the contact that I had) to
    see if there’s any update. She said nothing yet. Since I’m on STEM extension,
    she told me that she will talk to the attorney (I was like, what? Aren’t you
    the attorney…but, anyway). So, she will ask the attorney to email me the
    options that I should look for given the fact that they haven’t heard anything
    yet. So, that’s one thing. Secondly, I asked if the check got cleared. She said she would ask
    the accounting dept. next week because there were cases where she did receive
    the receipt but the check wasn’t cleared. Yes, she said that! I’m pretty sure
    mine did not get through but she said that let’s still have a little hope, the
    reason being…(she said something like this…) She got to know that the automatic
    system of USCIS is/was not working properly (may be this is true) and she did
    confirm that she received snail mails for some applications that did get
    through the lottery. May be this will give some (PP) people a little hope but
    not sure. But people like me need to prepare for the worst. (Not being a pessimist
    but people like me should act realistically now, keep your hopes up but plan
    something else as well).

    1. Thanks Pooja for your note. Since you and me are on the same boat (AD/PP/CA), I have been following your comments in last few days. I am a MBA graduate and dont have STEM extension and this is my one and only chance. Still cant accept the fact that this lottery is taking away everything I achieved so far!!

      1. I know. Trust me, I feel your pain. There are many people
        like us who will be forced to work on plan B. (This requires a lot of struggle and hard/smart work, again). Not sure what our fault is. It makes my blood boil to see people file multiple petitions for the same employee. It’s unfair. I’m
        sick of it now. Totally bored! All I want to say is that me and you don’t deserve to go through all of this!

    2. WELL, MAYBE THE CONTACT IS A ON-HOUSE LAWYER IN YOUR COMPANY. THEY HIRE OTHER ATTORNEY TO DEAL WITH THE IMMIGRATION ISSUES

    3. I wouldn’t be surprised if USCIS systems were down and PP folks are being sent letters. When ever something huge like this is taking place systems crash. Look at obamacare. Hahha.
      My only suggestion is “patience with a dose of reality” Work on plan B to keep your brain constructively occupied.

    4. 14-145 series running today have hopes still 146 147 148 series to come today I saw even on 30th April ie 148 series receipts generated for H1..So have patience dont loose hope all the best

        1. Go to uscis website and randomly check EAC14-147-5XXXX.Before April the xxxx will e in range 0 to 2000 But H1B season xxxx will be around 0 to 5000.Hence I am sure still receipts are getting generated.Some PP got receipts EAC14-145 series monday .By this logic I said have hopes.

  445. I received confirmation from my employer on Monday 28th that I got selected in lottery.
    yet to receive my receipt number but my consultant confirmed that check in my name was submitted by USCIS.
    Best of luck everyone

  446. Hi,
    Can anyone please help me?
    Yesterday my employer (consultant) called me and said that he got email from attorney with my name in the selected list. When I asked him about receipt number he told me that he will send the details in one week. Can I consider myself as selected in the lottery.Mine is Non AD/RP. Could you please clarify my doubt?

    The reason why im asking is just 30 minutes before i received the call from him I emailed my consultant asking as how long can i wait as I am on LOP and will rejoin my office if i dont get through in lottery.

    1. If your employer said that u got selected in lottery that means they got ur receipt. I wonder why do they need 1 week to send receipt.

  447. I see folks are doing math and coming-up with ways to find if they are selected in the lottery or not. When the receipt was sent, receipt issued per day, time of receipt, time between receipt mailed to received by attorney, cut-off dates, etc All those doesn’t matter.

    Here’s one simple logic to use.

    IF { H-1B Package Returned }
    then
    {
    Not Selected in Lottery
    Good luck next time or Plan B and C
    }
    ELSE
    {
    HOPE and PATIENCE
    }

  448. Hi Raghu,
    Yesterday my employer (consultant) called me and said that he got email from attorney with my name in the selected list. When I asked him about receipt number he told me that he will send the details in one week. Can I consider myself as selected in the lottery.Mine is Non AD/RP. Could you please clarify my doubt?

    The reason why im asking is just 30 minutes before i received the call from him I emailed my consultant asking as how long can i wait as I am on LOP and will rejoin my office if i dont get through in lottery.

  449. Everyone … Should I have any hope left for Non AD / Regular / CA anymore or are we done now probably?

  450. Hi Raghu,
    Yesterday my employer (consultant) called me and said that he got email from attorney with my name in the selected list. When I asked him about receipt number he told me that he will send the details in one week. Can I consider myself as selected in the lottery.Mine is Non AD/RP. Could you please clarify my doubt?

    The reason why im asking is just 30 minutes before i received the call from him asking as how long can i wait as I am on LOP and will rejoin my office if i dont get through in lottery.

    1. As per my Openion , I dont think he got the lottery info if he got then he no need to wait 1 week, Since you are in hurry to know the lottery result and join the old compnay to make you wait 1 more week he might have told.

  451. I think the hope is reduced now for all day by day. The hope for PP – 15 %, AD/RP – 20 % and Non AD/RP 25% what you guys think abt the % left for getting the receipt. I am really disappointed for so much for waiting, also checking my mails keep on since others getting the receipt but nothing happend 🙂 its making all get so much stress abt the lottery result if we know the end date atleast we can have some happiness to wait till that date. Most of them got receipt and few of them got approval also. Just blind and Blank abt the next.

    1. I am also in the same boat. Checking mail, this blog for new comments.. just cant do my work.. But don’t loose hope. I still believe in my luck and GOD…

  452. my h1 got picked and got the receipt number. mine is non-AD/RP/VP…can i do it premium processing now and if i do so, when can i expect the result?

          1. how does the receipt series helps you?
            since his receipt number si 14-142, what does it really means? thank you in advance

          2. This would help to undetstand the notice dates of the receipts being received till date.

  453. My employer informed me few mins back that my check got
    cashiered/en-cashed but he is yet to receive my receipt number. So Is that mean I am in??

          1. Magical indeed..I got the receipt number-
            EAC-14-144-XXXXX
            Case status is Initial Review
            All the best to all 🙂

          2. Firstly, congrats to those who got selected. For AD/Non-AD Regular people there is still some hope. Miracle would happen when some AD/PP person gets notified of selection in the lottery.

  454. Is it possible that there is waiting time till 15th May (15 days from 28th April) until USCIS takes the decision on PP application without sending any receipt number before taking decision..?

  455. hi ,
    my receipt number eac141335XXXX was not showing up in case status till yesterday , today in the morning it got updated to post decision ,approved . for H1B do we get a card like opt EAD or my status just gets updated ?

    1. Just gets updated. Identical situation with me. Didn’t show up until yesterday and then got approved this morning.

    1. It is either email or snail mail,where snail mail means regular postal mails , lick and stick stamps LOL..

    2. smail (from snail + mail)—named after the snail with its slow speed—refers to letters carried by conventional postal delivery services(USPS in our case)

        1. Through email for Premium processing and postal mail for Regular Processing

  456. To everyone who sees their status as ‘case not found’, I just managed to access my case and it has been approved. Seems like USCIS is going straight from nothing to approvals/RFEs, so hang in there!

  457. Hi Raghu, Please share some information on NON-AD/REGULAR cap. How many days the updates can span across? Thanks in advance.

    1. Ragu and friends, i heard from my employer that the update on NON AD/REG can take end of May. Is that true? From the discussions here, understand it is till only Mid May. Please throw some light.

      1. I can understand…its really painful to be in this status and waiting for it. Hope we hear a good news soon….

  458. When does the USCIS cash the check? If my SEVIS hasn’t been updated yet and check isn’t cashed either, does that mean that I am not selected in the lottery?

    1. not, as far as I know the check will be cashiered the same day that your receipt was sent. So it could either mean that you are not selected or it could also means that are getting things ready to send you a receipt notice. just be calm and wait. I am in the same exactly situation then you .
      I have been checking with my employer if the check was cashiered and with my school if my Sevis have been updated. Although I am loosing hopes, I know there is still a chance for us

    2. This is what my lawyer told me on 4/23.

      “USCIS will not cash any checks until it starts working on the applications. We are still getting receipt notices. However, if USCIS started returning the applications, and we still did not receive anything about your case, we will contact our accounting department for the check status. It is still too soon to
      check. I can almost sure the filing fee checks are not clear yet.
      There are about half of the applicants are not selected. We understand your anxiety.”

      I tried to get in touch with her after that. But no response.

  459. Non-AD/ RP still waiting…although I know that it’s almost over, every day starts with some hope that I will get to see that email in my inbox

    1. Please stop saying its almost over. USCIS just started RP LAST WEEK and as Raghu said, last year they received till mid June. At least we can expect till May End. So don’t lose hope and be patience. Be positive. Good luck

  460. Hi Raghu,

    My employer started notifying about H1b receipts ( non AD/regular) to many of my colligues…do H1b receipts come in bulk with the employer who has filed bulk petitions ? or they come one at a time and then employer informs employees one by one …

    1. I dont think it’s in bulk. Some hear back really early and some have to wait anxiously. It is like that in my case

  461. Quick question for te folks whose H1B is processed by the indian service companies like tcs, infy, wipro, mindtree, HCL..etc with Non -AD/RP. Has anyone got the receipt ?

    1. yes some of my colligues in above mentioned category started getting receipts from yesterday…but my qn is “do H1b receipts come in bulk with the employer who has filed bulk petitions ? or they come one at a time ??”

      1. not sure ..but i believe this will be random..does not matter they will be sending as bulk to a company in a single shot!!

    1. Thank god, we are not working for the same employer(I did a search for ‘Radjesh’ in our directory :)). Hope none of the employees of my employer are not yet notified by employer.

  462. Hi Raghu, Till what date people will be getting receipt numbers for non ad/ RP H1, Such that i could ask my employer after that date whether they received/Not-received my receipt number. I dont want to disturb them again and again due to anxiety