H1B Visa Premium Processing = Higher Approval Rate?
By HSB On April 21, 2009;
Do you think applying for H1B approval petitions through Premium Processing ( additional $1000) will increase the chances of getting H1B Petition Approval? Most of the first time H1B Visa Petition applicants have this questions. Also, if you happen to read the latest approvals, only petitions submitted through the Premium processing got the receipt number and and few got approved.
H1B Premium Processing
By paying additional $1000 to the H1B filing fees, your application will be processed within 15 days. H-1B petitions received by USCIS within first 5 Business days of April 2009, 15 days premium processing window started from April 7, 2009.
But, for the cases received after that, 15 days will start from the day when USCIS get your application physically. This is what USCIS had to say
For cases filed for premium processing during the initial five-day filing window, the 15-day premium processing period began April 7. For cases filed for premium processing after the filing window, the premium processing period begins on the date USCIS takes physical possession of the petition.
Premium Processing and Approval Rate
PP service is just a faster way to get approval. USCIS will consider the application submitted through Regular Processing and Premium processing in the same way. Verification and checks performed by USCIS would be the same for both types of processing. PP will get your approval notice in 15 days, if there were no issues with your application and your candidacy. If they need more information, RFE will be issued.
- With regular processing,it will take 2-3 months to get the H1B approval notice.
RFE and Premium Processing
But what if RFE is issued to premium processing case, how does the 15 days period apply? Well, I don’t have he answer. For instance, if USCIS issue RFE on 10th day into Premium Processing window of 15 days and if they receive back all the required details after a week, will USCIS process the application in remaining 5 days or if RFE is issued 15 day period doesn’t apply?
Related posts:
- H1B FY 2010 – Cap Count – April 20, 2009
- H1B 2010 Cap Update – April 27, 2009
- Is Premium Processing Necessary for H1B Visa FY 2009?
- April Applied; May RFE; July Approval – H1B Visa 2010
- H1B 2010 – Regular Processing Receipt Numbers
- Would Living in US, Increase H1B Visa 2010 Approval Chances?
Hi All.
What is the average time taken by USCIS to send across the receipt numbers for Premium Processing? (PP). For example, if filed on 6th AUG 09, when should one hope to receive the receipt number?
I read the article, above but it does not seem to mention this number.
Hi HSB.
Thanks for the informative posts. Appreciate if you can share your contact (phone or email). I would like to get in touch with you personally.
regards
Vikash
(952 955 6338)
Could anyone refer any trusted consultants who can file H1B visa for me. I am working professional in India, have 6+yrs of experience in embedded systems..
I have applied for H1 transfer two weeks back. I am still waiting for my receipt to come by. I was under the assumption that receipts
for premium processing was done by email and later with a hard copy. I have not received anything till now. They have received my petition application. Has anybody have received email notification
from USCIS for receipt or approval by email before receiving hard copy of it for PP.
is H1B visa still available at this time? Ty
hello, like what was listed above, my lawyer sent me the receipt saying that USCIS received the application on the 7th of April but when i check my status online, it still says that my case has been received and pending and that they received my application on the 10th so i am very confused. if the processing times begins on the 10th, that means that the 15 day window ended on the 1st of May (friday). Still my status says: case received and pending. isnt USCIS supposed to send out the results by at least the 1st of May or is it that the website is not updated regularly? I haven’t gotten any RFE or anything. I am beginning to freak out a little. Please help. One last question, is the result that your application has been selected for review the receipt that they mail your lawyer? I have Premium processing. Thanks
Receipt number for my petition came on April 13th and approval on April 16th. My case was masters with premium processing (CSC). The usCIS online case status still shows the case as pending. So I am thinking that it is not updated real time.I got the Approval notice from the attorney on may 1 when I contacted him and asked about the update.
Ask your attorney about your case.
I also called the Uscis and talked to customer service at California Service Center and they told me that they have processed and approved the case. I called them on April 28 as I was also freaking out.
Guys could you please say what does this mean?
Current Status: Response to request for evidence received, and case
processing has resumed
I think that’s pretty self-explanatory
Snowbro,
I understand what this says, I wanted to know if somebody has such experience and what was the outcome.
I am PP and my online status is saying
“You should expect to receive a written decision or written update within 60 days of the date we received your response unless fingerprint processing or an interview are standard parts of case processing and have not yet been completed.”
Who has such status an who knows what are next steps?
Is this expected for PP?
Ok it seems possible from below Rays message :
———————————————————————–
I did apply using premium processing. I got a recipt numbers and RFE on 4/13, then case received and pending to review on 4/16, saying it might take up to 60 days to make a decision or another RFE.
However, I just got “Approval notice sent” on 4/20!!
Premium processing is much faster.
———————————————————————-
I don’t understand why people apply on PP(and pay the government more 1000 USD) for just getting the approval decision earlier.,
It doesn’t make sense, as either ways you cannot start your Official H1 before Oct 1st.,just waste off 1000 USD, which one could spend on some useful thing( else at least given to me…[:p] )[:) just kidding]
just wondering,.is there something which i didn’t know about PP?
i think for most people, waiting and keeping finger crosses gives more stress., or rather if some people consider H1 as their LIFE!!..that also makes sense to apply through PP.,(even for those, i think it doesn’t matter…as to how they apply..will just know approval or RFE earlier) Well this is just my thought!!
i had no choice …my firm does PP for everyone…i think if my h1 was rejeceted they wanted to quickly apply for l1…hence they didi PP
I got my H1- visa approved. This website has been really helpful for providing updates. I used to check status everyday atleast 10 times… I hope all ppl get there visas…best of luck..
I did premium processing…some of the guys in my firm got RFE…so I think the process is subjective…depends on who looks at ur case in the service center …also I think california center takes more time
—————————————————————————
Receipt Number: WAC09XXXXXXXXX
Application Type: I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER
Current Status: Approval notice sent.
On April 21, 2009, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.
You can choose to receive automatic case status updates, which will be sent via email. Please click here to create an account online.
Congratulations!
I got my Receipt Number on 4/10 (sent on 4/9), but my case is still pending (in california center).
Are you in US and under advance degree cap?
i am in bachelor category
HI nzomniac
could you please say what was the receive date for you?
it is interesting dose USCIS send result on 15-th day or it sends earlier, for PP.
Thanks
my recieve date was 9 th april…so yes they do send approval before 15 days,…also i think if its rfe case then u will know it quickly…again these are my speculations and not documwnted
thanks nzomniac
Mine is April 9 too but the case is pending.
That is interesting my number is WAC too as yours.
Also in notice email it was written 04/07 in online it shows April 09 is that possible?
I have the same situation as you.
my case is pending in california service center and under 65000 cap and Premium Processing.
In the notice email, it’s “Date Received: 04/07/2009″.
Online status is “On April 9, 2009, we received this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER”.
it seems the 15-day time window is over….
Jon
if we believe to online date then the 15 day window is not over.
from email date yes you are right the window is over.
But i have seen following
when i got an email about receive i checked online and the online was showing there is no such case. After some time my case was showing.
It seems that online and email were not same.
(((
So It is a question which one is more valid
Hi Realist,
Till now, the online status is still “Case received and pending.”.
Since the 15-day time window was over, I had to contact the lawyer office for checking the update of my case yesterday.
And the lawyer notified me that actually my case has been approved!
My experience shows that you cannot only reply on the online status. It is not updated in realtime!
Hi Jon,
Thanks for information and congradulations!!!!
2 ppl from my company (incl me) have filed under advanced degree quota and not heard anything – nor receipt notice nor approval/denial. Ironically people who filed under the general quota have all recd conditional approval via emails.. I dont know what to make of it! Isnt masters quota supposed to be looked at first?? Does this necessarily mean that we are going to get rejected??
don’t be discouraged as there maybe other things they look at or even that your H-1B petition as gone to the general visa quota. I am sure you will be fine and have your H-1B visa in no time
CJ
e3visa.info
Thanks. I heard from HR yesterday that attorney recd my approval notice .When I checked the case status online it says pending but also says that they received my I129 on April 14..!!! This prob means that they sent it late right?
I did apply using premium processing. I got a recipt numbers and RFE on 4/13, then case received and pending to review on 4/16, saying it might take up to 60 days to make a decision or another RFE.
However, I just got “Approval notice sent” on 4/20!!
Premium processing is much faster.
Plz tell ur education and years of experience.I have 3 yrs exp and applied without PP thro a small consultant in CA. I hv not received Receipt no. yet
Hi Prachi
I have 2 masters, MBA and Master of International Management and about 5 yers of experience.
My work is international trade having branch in the U.S. Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and some EU.
I guess education, experience and job wouldn’t matter to get receipt.
I hope you’ll get soon.
Just received a receipt notice, filed without premium processing! USCIS are on crack this year!!! Long live econ recession!!!
wooow… so they are starting to process the regular one?
Hi HSB,
You mentioned that “For cases filed for premium processing during the initial five-day filing window, the 15-day premium processing period began April 7.”
But on the USCIS web site I found that “The processing period that is used to determine whether or not USCIS meets the 15 calendar day period will begin when the current version of Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, is received by USCIS at the correct filing address noted on the form. ”
So I think if online status is “On April 9, 2009, 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 starting date should be April 9 instead of April 7.
For Premium Processing, when RFE is issued and paperwork is receieved by USCIS, another 15-day period will start from the date they physically received additional evidence. So, things start over again. That’s why it sucks to have RFE for Premium Processing petitions.
Um…no, PREMIUM Processing DOESN’T suck… Imagine how long it would take to get your approval if you have an RFE using REGULAR processing…
You would wait months to get the RFE. Then, you would wait months again to get an approval after providing the additional evidence.
15 days + 15 days = MUCH better than 2-3 months + 2-3 months
Lessee, 30 days max vs 4-6 months
I think it is a no-brainer…
I have applied through PP at CSC. I got receipt notice on 14 April and today it is 22 April. People with NON PP at VSC get started to receieve receipt. whats the deal? THIS CSC sucks!!!
GUYS I NEED YOU ATTENTION HERE:
FEB 17 – NOR
FEB 27 – RFE
UP TO MY STATUS IS REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE SENT!!! I WAS FILED UNDER CALIFORNIA SERVICE CENTER UNDER PREMIUM PROCESSING.. ITS BEEN 2 1/2 MOS NOW SINCE THEY EMAILED MY EMPLOYER RE MY RFE. ACCORDING TO MY EMPLOYER THEY ALREADY MAILED THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LAST MARCH..IM LOSING HOPE GUYS….PLS ENLIGHTEN ME!!!!