Today, 4/15/19 we received our first I-797 receipt notices in the mail for some of the premium processing petitions selected in the lottery that were filed with the Vermont Service Center. These receipts have a “Received Date” of 04/11/2019 and a “Notice Date” of 04/12/2019. Please remember that this is just the beginning. Don’t get discouraged if you haven’t heard anything yet. The receipting process takes a few weeks given the sheer volume of petitions USCIS must go through and complete data entry on.
Below you will find daily updates regarding the cap-subject H-1B receipt notices for petitions filed in the FY2020 lottery.
BEFORE commenting, please review the following FAQs:
- My premium processing email says that the 15-day clock begins on the “received date”. Does this mean I should hear back by April 26th?
NO, the 15-day clock does not begin until May 20th. The email template used by USCIS was not updated to reflect this.
- My checks have not been cashed/I haven’t received a receipt notice/SEVIS doesn’t show any update – does this mean I did not get selected?
NO, that does NOT mean you were not selected!!! The process of sending out receipt notices, updating systems, etc. takes time – remember: it’s only been a few DAYS! This entire process of notifying selected applicants will take WEEKS to complete. It’s still very early on, so don’t worry if you haven’t heard anything about your petition yet.
- My checks have been cashed/I have received a receipt notice/SEVIS shows a receipt number – does this mean I got selected?
Yes, USCIS only cashes checks/sends receipts to those that were selected.
- Can I find out about my H-1B through the new SEVP Portal?
Maybe. SEVP does update the employment end date to September 30th for those that are in the cap gap and have been selected. However, this occurs over time, not everyone is updated right away.
- Was my Advanced Degree petition selected in the Advanced cap or in the Regular cap?
USCIS does not disclose if an AD petition was selected under the AD cap or the Regular cap. There is no way to determine which cap an AD petition gets selected under.
- Why are we seeing receipts for AD petitions first?
USCIS tries to send out AD petition receipts first as these applicants are more likely to need the receipt notice ASAP for cap-gap purposes. This is not an indicator of whether the AD petition got selected under the AD cap or the regular cap – again, there is no way to determine which cap an AD petition gets selected.
- I’ve received my receipt notice but nothing shows up when I check my case status on the USCIS website/it doesn’t recognize my receipt number! Was I selected or not? What does this mean?
If you have received a receipt notice, your petition was selected in the lottery. USCIS only sends receipt notices to the petitions that were selected. The website most likely has not been updated or your receipt number hasn’t been entered into their system yet and that is why you cannot find a status update for your petition online. (Remember, these things take time!). You may want to try creating an account. Last year, many were able to view their case status through their account even if it did not appear in the USCIS website.
- Can you share the percentage of checks cashed versus the percentage of receipts versus emails received?
The difference between the percentage of checks cashed and the percentage of receipts/emails is so small that it doesn’t change anything I have already shared.
- When will I get my receipt notice/rejection notice/approval notice?
Check out my free timeline at: http://immigrationgirl.com/lottery/
I use the following abbreviations to refer to the different service centers and case types:
- AD/VT/PP = Advanced Degree or masters cap / Vermont Service Center / Premium Processing
- AD/CA/PP = Advanced Degree or masters cap / California Service Center / Premium Processing
- AD/VT = Advanced Degree or masters cap / Vermont Service Center / Regular Processing
- AD/CA = Advanced Degree or masters cap / California Service Center / Regular Processing
- non-AD/VT/PP = Regular or bachelors cap / Vermont Service Center / Premium Processing
- non-AD/CA/PP = Regular or bachelors cap/ California Service Center / Premium Processing
- non-AD/VT = Regular or bachelors cap / Vermont Service Center / Regular Processing
- non-AD/CA = Regular or bachelors cap / California Service Center / Regular Processing
5/24/19 UPDATE: No receipts came in today’s mail and no premium processing emails came in today.
5/23/19 UPDATE: No receipts came in today’s mail and no premium processing emails came in today.
5/22/19 UPDATE: No receipts came in today’s mail and no premium processing emails came in today.
5/21/19 UPDATE: No receipts came in today’s mail and no premium processing emails came in today. We may expect the last few receipts to come in over the next few days.
5/20/19 UPDATE: Today we received regular processing receipt notices for Advanced Degree (AD) petitions from California. They are dated 05/13. We may expect the last few receipts to come in over the next few days.
- AD/VT/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases in this category
- AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 66% of our cases
- AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases – may be close to the end
- AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 67% of our cases – may be close to the end
- non-AD/VT/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 11% of our cases
- non-AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 50% of our cases – may be close to the end
- non-AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 49% of our cases – may be close to the end
5/17/19 UPDATE: Today we received regular processing receipt notices for Advanced Degree (AD) petitions from California. They are dated 05/10-5/13. USCIS has announced today that data-entry is complete. Therefore, we may expect the last few receipts to come in over the next few days.
- AD/VT/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases in this category
- AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 66% of our cases
- AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases – may be close to the end
- AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 62% of our cases – may be close to the end
- non-AD/VT/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 11% of our cases
- non-AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 50% of our cases – may be close to the end
- non-AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 49% of our cases – may be close to the end
5/16/19 UPDATE: Today we received regular processing receipt notices for Advanced Degree (AD) petitions from California and Regular (Non-AD) petitions from Vermont. They are dated 05/09.
- AD/VT/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases in this category
- AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 66% of our cases
- AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases – may be close to the end
- AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 51% of our cases – more still expected in the next few days
- non-AD/VT/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 11% of our cases
- non-AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 50% of our cases – may be close to the end
- non-AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 49% of our cases – may be close to the end
5/15/19 UPDATE: No receipts came in today’s mail and no premium processing emails came in today. I do expect that we should continue receiving a few more receipts through the rest of this week. Last year, USCIS had announced that data entry was complete on May 15th and we received the last few receipts within 7 days after that announcement.
5/14/19 UPDATE: No receipts came in today’s mail and no premium processing emails came in today. I do expect that we should continue receiving a few more receipts through the rest of this week. Last year, USCIS had announced that data entry was complete on May 15th and we received the last few receipts within 7 days after that announcement.
5/13/19 UPDATE: Today we received regular processing receipt notices for both Advanced Degree (AD) and Regular (Non-AD) petitions from both service centers. They are dated 05/03 – 05/08.
- AD/VT/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases in this category
- AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 66% of our cases
- AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases – may be close to the end
- AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 49% of our cases – more still expected in the next few days
- non-AD/VT/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 11% of our cases
- non-AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 5% of our cases – more still expected in the next few days
- non-AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 49% of our cases – may be close to the end
5/10/19 UPDATE: No receipts came in today’s mail and no premium processing emails came in today. I do expect that we should continue receiving a few more receipts over the next few days. Last year, USCIS had announced that data entry was complete on May 15th and we received the last few receipts within 7 days after that announcement.
5/9/19 UPDATE: Today we received regular processing receipt notices for both Advanced Degree (AD) and Regular (Non-AD) petitions from the California service center. They are dated 05/02 – 05/03.
- AD/VT/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases in this category
- AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 66% of our cases
- AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 60% of our cases – may be close to the end
- AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 31% of our cases – more still expected, we seem to be only halfway
- non-AD/VT/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 11% of our cases
- non-AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases – these are still expected to arrive in the next week or so
- non-AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 39% of our cases – may be close to the end
5/8/19 UPDATE: Sorry for the late post! No mail today. Our area experienced some flooding yesterday evening and this morning so that is likely the reason.
5/7/19 UPDATE: No receipts came in today’s mail and no premium processing emails came in today. I do expect that we should continue receiving receipts over the next 1 week. Last year, USCIS had announced that data entry was complete on May 15th and we received the last few receipts within 7 days after that announcement.
5/6/19 UPDATE: Today we received regular processing receipt notices for Advanced Degree (AD) petitions from both service centers and Regular (Non-AD) petitions from the California service center.
- AD/VT/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases in this category
- AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 66% of our cases
- AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 60% of our cases
- AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 29% of our cases
- non-AD/VT/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 11% of our cases
- non-AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 35% of our cases
5/3/19 UPDATE: Today we received regular processing receipt notices for both Advanced Degree (AD) and Regular (Non-AD) petitions from the California service center.
- AD/VT/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases in this category
- AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 66% of our cases
- AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 50% of our cases
- AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 28% of our cases
- non-AD/VT/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 11% of our cases
- non-AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 20% of our cases
5/2/19 UPDATE: Today we received regular processing receipt notices for Advanced Degree (AD) petitions from the Vermont service center.
- AD/VT/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases in this category
- AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 66% of our cases
- AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 50% of our cases
- AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 25% of our cases
- non-AD/VT/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 11% of our cases
- non-AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
5/1/19 UPDATE: No receipts came in today’s mail and no premium processing emails came in today. I do expect that we should continue receiving receipts over the next 1 to 2 weeks. Last year, USCIS had announced that data entry was complete on May 15th and we received the last few receipts within 7 days after that announcement.
4/30/19 UPDATE: No receipts came in today’s mail (which is typical for a Tuesday). Last night at 11:29 pm, I received a premium processing email notification for an Advanced Degree petition filed at the California Service Center. I have not received any others since.
4/29/19 UPDATE: Today we received regular processing receipt notices for Advanced Degree (AD) petitions from both service centers.
- AD/VT/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases in this category
- AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 66% of our cases
- AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 46% of our cases
- AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 25% of our cases
- non-AD/VT/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 11% of our cases
- non-AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
4/26/19 UPDATE: No receipt notices came in today’s mail, and we did not receive any premium processing email notifications as of 12:30 pm today. Given that we have not received any premium processing emails this entire week, I think we may be at the end of premium processing email notifications. I looked back to the last year we had premium processing and found that they stopped sending emails around this same time. However, keep in mind that sometimes emails go astray and it may still be possible for us to receive hard copy receipt notices in the mail.
4/25/19 UPDATE: Today, we received only non-premium receipt notices from Vermont for Advanced Degree (AD) petitions. These have a Notice Date between 04/17/2019 and 04/18/2019. No new email notifications have come in yet this morning for any Premium Processing (PP) petitions. Also, it appears that the California Service Center is transferring some of its case load to Vermont. We received a few transfer notices today for AD petitions filed in California with Premium Processing indicating that the petitions will be handled by the Vermont Service Center instead of California.
- AD/VT/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases in this category
- AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 66% of our cases
- AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 11% of our cases
- AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 3% of our cases
- non-AD/VT/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 11% of our cases
- non-AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
4/24/19 UPDATE: No receipt notices came in today’s mail, and we did not receive any premium processing email notifications as of 2:00 pm today. I’m sure we’ll start receiving them again soon, things probably slowed down over the Easter holiday.
4/23/19 UPDATE: No receipt notices came in today’s mail, and we did not receive any premium processing email notifications as of noon today. I did receive confirmation that schools are starting to see some receipt numbers in the SEVIS system for both premium and regular processing cases.
4/22/19 UPDATE: Today, we received our first non-premium receipt notices from both service centers for Advanced Degree (AD) petitions. These have a Notice Date between 04/17/2019 and 04/19/2019. No new email notifications have come in yet this morning for Premium Processing (PP) petitions.
- AD/VT/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases in this category
- AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 66% of our cases
- AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 4% of our cases
- AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 3% of our cases
- non-AD/VT/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 11% of our cases
- non-AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
4/19/19 UPDATE: Email notifications have slowed down for Premium Processing (PP) Advanced Degree (AD) petitions filed at both service centers. This does NOT mean that it is 100% over for AD petitions filed in premium processing, but based on how many we know have been selected so far, I think we may be getting close to the end for this case type. Also, late yesterday we received or first email notifications for Non-AD Premium Processing from the California Service Center.
- AD/VT/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases in this category
- AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 66% of our cases
- AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/VT/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 11% of our cases
- non-AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
4/18/19 UPDATE: Email notifications continue coming in for Premium Processing (PP) Advanced Degree (AD) petitions filed at both service centers. Many I-797 Receipt notices came in today’s snail mail for petitions we have already received emails for. These have Notice Dates of 4/12/19 to 4/15/19.
- AD/VT/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases in this category
- AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 64% of our cases
- AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/VT/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
4/17/19 UPDATE: Email notifications continue coming in for Premium Processing (PP) Advanced Degree (AD) petitions filed at both service centers. No I-797 Receipt notices came in today’s snail mail
- AD/VT/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 52% of our cases in this category
- AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification in 56% of our cases
- AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/VT/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
4/16/19 UPDATE: Email notifications continue coming in for Premium Processing (PP) Advanced Degree (AD) petitions filed at both service centers. No I-797 Receipt notices came in today’s snail mail (this is normal as we usually don’t receive much mail from USCIS on Tuesdays)
- AD/VT/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 42% of our cases in this category
- AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification in 46% of our cases
- AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/VT/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
4/15/19 UPDATE: Email notifications started coming in last week for Premium Processing (PP) Advanced Degree (AD) petitions filed at both service centers. The actual I-797 Receipt notices have only come in the mail for a few petitions from Vermont today for AD/PP
- AD/VT/PP: We have received email notification and/or I-797 receipt notices in 15% of our cases
- AD/CA/PP: We have received email notification in 7% of our cases
- AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/VT/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA/PP: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/VT: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
- non-AD/CA: We have received I-797 receipt notices in 0% of our cases
I will update this information daily as we get more receipts in.
Please remember to keep your comments helpful and positive. And read the above information before commenting! I will delete comments that are not beneficial to readers here. There are usually quite a few duplicate comments or just general comments about making the lottery. I will try to remove those just to keep the feed clean, please don’t take offense if your comment gets deleted! It is just to keep the page as clean as possible so that it can be more informative. Best of luck everyone!
~ImmigrationGirl
BEFORE commenting, please review the above FAQs


Ankith
July 25, 2019
Hello Sir/Ma’am
This year I applied for H1B which got picked but there was an RFE. My last date for OPT is sept 30 2019. I was thinking to apply for CPT just in case as a backup option. So I know I have 60 day grace period for transfer of SEVIS once the status expires.
My questions are:
1) I can get SEVIS transferred any day I want right (any day among those 60 day grace period)?
2) I need start going to classes(along with CPT) with 5 months period of sevis transfer right?
(paragraph (f)(8)(i) in https://www.nafsa.org/_/file/_/amresource/8cfr2142f.htm ).
3) The main question is should I join a college for CPT this fall(august) or the spring(January)?
I found the information online but I am not confident enough whether it is right info or not. Please help me out with these questions. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Thank you,
Warm Regards
ImmigrationGirl
August 6, 2019
I don’t recommend joining a school for CPT.
4th timer
July 22, 2019
I got an Rfe about speciality occupation, and beneficiary qualifications, and I am not sure whether lawyer filed my cos with old I-539 or new I-539 form. Did any body submitted the bio metrics for cos from f1 to h1 ?
ABC
June 19, 2019
My receipt number is not valid on the website. It says, “Receipt not found”.
Some say here not to contact USCIS for that. What do I do?
Texan1313
June 26, 2019
You can try and check on https://myaccount.uscis.gov/
I had the same issue when I registered for an account here and added my case and I was able to see the status
Hey
June 19, 2019
Hello,
My H1B (first time) approved, and USICIS has sent me the approval notice.
My wife is in India. She needs to apply for H4 visa. Can she do it now or does she need to wait until October, (since my H1B starts from Oct) ?
Please advise.
Thanks
Non AD Non PP
June 17, 2019
Hi,
Did anyone got rejection notice , still waiting to hear from Fragomen , no updates
PM
June 14, 2019
My company says I can work until I do not get rejection notice from USCIS, but my STEM-OPT EAD expires on June 26th, 2019 and I haven’t heard anything yet on my lottery results. My school will not give me new I20 unless there is a receipt number, I mean I am totally confused. Emily can you please help me understand how this works?
My application : AD/PP/CA, last chance.
PM
June 14, 2019
Let me add this, my attorney is unavailable to answer at this point and I am running out of time.
3rd Attempt
June 17, 2019
I feel like I am reading a comment about myself! Last chance and stem Opt expires on the same date. But working beyond June 26th is grey area. My school has explicitly stated that after stem Opt expires , your work authorization expires and you are only authorized to stay for 60 days.
Whats your back up plan if any?
HappyME
June 13, 2019
Hi All,
Anybody’s who’s H1-B got approved. Did you received I-797 Approval notice?
When can we normally except to receive it?
Thanks,
Ashritha
AR
June 11, 2019
Hi Emily,
Is there any possibility to know approval/RFE statistics, the way we got to know about lottery pick up ups?
Thank you.
DD
June 12, 2019
IG have another forum where she posts approval and RFE percentages. You can follow here http://immigrationgirl.com/your-h-1b-was-selected-in-the-fy-2020-lottery-what-happens-next/
H4 genuine
June 11, 2019
Hi
My h1b got picked in lottery non advanced category. I got rfe. Attorney not sharing rfe notice but says it’s speciality occupation rfe. My concern is that all my bachelors and masters degrees are international. I never did a education evaluation for that. I expected the rfe to be in that category for equivalency and education evaluation. Attorney says it’s speciality occupation. Is that possible to approve a petition of foreign degree holder without a equivalency and education evaluation
DD
June 12, 2019
Education evaluation has nothing to to with specialty occupation RFE.
AD/RP/CA last timer
June 11, 2019
Hello, my H1B was selected this year and I have applied for the CAP GAP I20 (original one expires on 8/8). For possible future immigration application like green card, do I need to apply for a new EAD to prove my work authorization between 8/8 to 9/30 or the expired EAD + CAP GAP I20 are enough? Thank you!
Claire
June 7, 2019
Hi emily
My H1B was not selected this year and I’m on L1B which expires this year. When I moved to US i was an associate but in last 5 years I was promoted to Manager/ Vice President in a major US bank. Do you think I can get transferred to L1A or i meed to have i ternational managerial experience for 1 year to do that. Pls let me know your thoughts.
ImmigrationGirl
June 7, 2019
The L-1A does not require managerial or executive experience abroad. You can qualify based on your specialized knowledge abroad and your new managerial or executive position in the US. However, you would not qualify for the EB-1C green card because that does require managerial or executive experience abroad.
KC
June 12, 2019
Emily,
Your answer is very helpful to me. I have same situation. My company apply for my L1A. I am Project manager in construction company and I have 6 matrix reportee. I was lead engineer with 5 matrix reportees in India..my attorney told i will not qualified for EB1C. Any way I alredy have I140 throgh EB2.
KC
PLEASE_HELP
June 7, 2019
COuld someone please help me with RFE response for Multiple years of practical training on same education level.. I am currently pursuing my second masters (Day 1 CPT) and got an RFE on H1-B petition. Need some help on the set of documents we need to add while responding to the RFE.
ImmigrationGirl
June 7, 2019
In my experience these get denied. I would recommend converting to consular processing.
PLEASE_HELP
June 7, 2019
Hi Emily,
Thanks for your response..one follow up question Do you recommend to convert to consular processing first and then respond to RFE or is it ok to both together?
PLEASE_HELP
June 11, 2019
Hi Emily..could you please help whether Is it recommended to change COS to Consular processing after receiving an RFE. I am currently doing my second masters (Day 1 CPT) and the RFE is all about maintenance of status and multiple years of practical training on the same education level.
Emma
June 7, 2019
Hi immigration girl –
Quick question: could you shine some light on why working under cap gap past June 1st without receipted H1B notice is a gray area?
The employer applied timely, however OPT expires after June 1st, is one allowed to keep working unt the application package is received back? USCIS statement reads “or if the petition is not selected”. One won’t know if it’s not selected until the application package is received back?
Thoughts? Thanks!
ImmigrationGirl
June 7, 2019
The problem is that your school won’t give an I-20 for you to document your cap gap beyond June 1st. The employer needs this to comply with the I-9 requirements.
H1b is mind game
June 6, 2019
Hi Emily,
My Initial H1B is expiring on 6/17/2019 & I-94 expires on 6/27/2019. I work for Non-Profit ( H1b Cap Exempt)
My employer is still working on putting together H1B extension but I am feeling they are going to be late. Could you please provide some information below questions:-
1)What is the deadline to apply or in other words by what date should USCIS receive the extension petition ? 6/17 or 6/27
2) If the deadline is 6/27 ( I-94 Expiry Date) – What happens if USCIS receives after 6/17 but before 6/27.
3) If the deadline is 6/17 (Initial H1b approval expiry) – What happens if USCIS receives after that date.
My spouse is currently on STEM OPT with H1B starting on Oct’1
Thanks
SR
June 7, 2019
Hey Emily,
I applied for H1 last year and I got an RFE and it was submitted to USCIS by March but haven’t received result yet, so my company has submitted a service request to USCIS.
Where can I see the status of my service request now?
I checked the following link: https://egov.uscis.gov/foiawebstatus/
Thanks.
ImmigrationGirl
June 7, 2019
you would need to make a myuscis account
SR
June 8, 2019
Hi,
I have a USCIS account, but it didn’t get updated there.
and my service request number starts with initial SR.
Can you please help where I can check the status my service request?
Thanks.
SR
June 11, 2019
Hi Emily,
Can you please provide some update, where I can check the status of my service request?
Thanks.
SR
June 14, 2019
Hi Emily,
Can you please provide some update?
Thanks.
ImmigrationGirl
June 7, 2019
1. 6/17
3. You will be out of status and not eligible for an extension of stay. You’ll have to leave the US, apply for a new visa stamp, and return to get back into H-1B status.
TooManyQuestions
June 6, 2019
Hi Emily,
I’m in a confused state. Can you please answer these questions?
1. What are the disadvantages of joining a Ph.D. program (No CPT) after completing Master and using OPT?
2. My student visa is expiring in June. Do I need to go back to my home country for F1 Stamping if I need to pursue a Ph.D.?
3. If my employer is willing to either offer a job back in India and apply for H1B or apply for H1b next year if I pursue my Ph.D.(without CPT) What do you suggest the better option to be? and why?
4. If H1b gets approved and student discontinues his/her Ph.D. Does it affect in the future?
Thanks in advance.
ImmigrationGirl
June 6, 2019
There is no disadvantage to it if you have the financial means and want to pursue further studies. You do not need to travel. Once accepted, your SEVIS record will be transferred to the new school and they will need issue you a new I-20 by the end of your grace period.
H4 genuine
June 6, 2019
Picked in lottery non AD pp.
I am working full time for last 9 months on h4 ead. So I submitted my pay stubs. I am married. But in public stubs the tax status is single. Will this be a problem?
H4 genuine
June 6, 2019
It’s pay stub tax status single
ImmigrationGirl
June 6, 2019
not for the H-1B process
Nikhil Hegde
June 5, 2019
Hi Emily,
My H1B new is selected in lottery. I’ve 4.5 years of experience as Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) in a leading IT Consulting company in India that face a huge denial in 2018.
I’ve a bachelors degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering.
Will my area of Engineering be a problem for approval
ImmigrationGirl
June 6, 2019
If the position was filed under the Software Developers SOC code, you may anticipate a request for evidence regarding beneficiary qualifications.
Andrey
June 6, 2019
Hello Emily, For mathematics the same for Software Developers SOC code ?
H1B_Cap_Exempt
June 5, 2019
Hi Emily,
I already asked this question but I could not understand your response.
At present I am working in OPT ( expires in June 2020). I have an unused stamped H1B visa which I got in August’ 2013 and stamped in August’2014 , expired in October’2016 without using or entry. I came to USA in January’2016 in F1 Visa. My question is can I use this unused stamped visa for cap exempt or I need to apply in Master’s cap next year. Please advise.
Your earlier response:
You should be considered counted in the cap as long as the petition was not withdrawn before October 1, 2013.
My Response:
Petition was approved on August, 2013 and I got my visa stamped in my passport on August,2014. However I never traveled/ worked with this H1B visa. Can I apply with this existing H1B as transfer of employer from F1 to H1B now?
H1B_Cap_Exempt
June 7, 2019
Hi Emily,
I am waiting for your response. Please advise.
Shitanshu
June 4, 2019
Stop ignoring, Emily!!
DD
June 4, 2019
what is your problem???
Divya
June 4, 2019
Are you paying for these services!?
Bryan
June 5, 2019
Wow, pretty rude, dude.
lasttimer
June 5, 2019
people like you just start demanding too much when some one helps you out of their goodwill…I know its difficult to be patient during these times but have some decency to the one who is helping most of us here.
VSM
June 8, 2019
Whats wrong with you!
Samuel
June 4, 2019
Hi Emily
I’m on H4EAD working as FTE. My H1B petition got picked this year in NonAD/regular processing. If I convert to PP and if my H1B gets approved, can I still work on my H4EAD until Oct 1st?
ImmigrationGirl
June 4, 2019
Yes, assuming your H-4 and EAD do not expire before October 1st
H1B_Cap_Exempt
June 4, 2019
Hi Emily,
At present I am working in OPT ( expires in June 2020). My company applied for H1B visa under Masters cap this year but so far no lottery result. I am amusing it is ” No”.
I have an unused stamped H1B visa which I got in 2013 and expired in October’2016 without using or entry. I came to USA in January’2016 in F1 Visa. My question is can I use this unused stamped visa for cap exempt. Please advise.
ImmigrationGirl
June 4, 2019
You should be considered counted in the cap as long as the petition was not withdrawn before October 1, 2013.
H1B_Cap_Exempt
June 4, 2019
Petition was approved on August, 2013 and I got my visa stamped in my passport on August,2014. However I never traveled/ worked with this H1B visa. Can I apply with this existing H1B as transfer of employer from F1 to H1B now?
Divya
June 3, 2019
Hi Emily,
I got picked up in the lottery, but because of changed circumstances, I’m withdrawing my petition before my original OPT end date (Cap-gap hasn’t started). Will the 60-day grace period still apply to me, given that I am withdrawing my petition?
Thanks in advance
Ak
June 3, 2019
Hi Emily,
The job role matches the applicants qualifications but the job description for the role was very general and not specific to the actual responsibilities and qualifications to be considered as “Specialty Occupation”. Can Job description and requirements be updated after a RFE has been issued ?
Thanks !
ImmigrationGirl
June 4, 2019
They can be expanded upon, but not changed. It is a very fine line.
AB
June 3, 2019
Hi Emily,
When can we expect approval notices( via snail-mail) for 24th May approves?
KK-STEMOPT
June 4, 2019
Same here ,My case got approved on May 24, waiting for approval notice.
AD/Regular/ VT
ADVT
June 3, 2019
Hi Emily,
2 queries-
1. If my petition was approved on Change-of-Status basis, what’d be the ideal time to go for Visa stamping? I know it’s not required but since I need the stamp anyway anytime I travel outside US and return, figure it’d be best to get it done sometime. Is it necessary to apply for the stamp in my home country (India) or can we just apply in a Canadian consulate?
2. I know that Consular Processing applications still have to be approved after interview at the Consulate during which time the Visa Officer can deny/ issue 221G request for further evidence. Is there a chance for this to happen at a COS Stamping i.e. is there an interview and document scrutiny and other issues/denial even during COS stamping?
Thanks in advance!!
mrsgnh
June 5, 2019
1) Suggested to work on COS atleast few months before stamping. India is preferred. Jun-Aug is preferred.
2) Yes. Even in COS case, some background check happens. Reserve/plan some extra time for it to go through. If your records are straight forward, then also 15 days is a must after interview.
ADVT
June 5, 2019
Thanks MRSGNH, much appreciated!
Shitanshu
June 3, 2019
Hi Emily. Two quick questions:
1. Should my petition be approved as Consular Processing, is there a requirement that says one CANNOT apply for the visa before August, September etc. (i.e. would I be able to apply as early as July for example). And I know I cannot enter the US before Sept 20.
2. Would having a passport issued after the date of last entry in the US but before the H1b petition was filed be grounds for USCIS to deny a Change of Status within the US. (current information on i94 shows a passport that is no longer valid). Have you seen anything like this happen?
DEEPAK AGRAWAL
June 2, 2019
I haven’t received a receipt notice/SEVIS doesn’t show any update – does this mean I did not get selected?
ImmigrationGirl
June 3, 2019
If the filing fees have not been cashed, unfortunately it means yours was not selected.
H4 genuine
June 1, 2019
Any one with non AD with RFE here?