H1B Visa Lottery is Complete - Results in 4 Weeks (2008 - 2009)

April 14, 2008 by Raghuram

USCIS RUNS RANDOM SELECTION PROCESS FOR H-1Bs

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today conducted the computer-generated random selection processes on H-1B petitions, to select which H- 1B petitions for fiscal year 2009 (FY 2009) would continue to full adjudication. If approved these H-1B petitions will be eligible to receive an H-1B visa number.

USCIS conducted two random selections, first on petitions qualifying for the 20,000 “master’s or higher degree” (advanced degree) exemption, and second on the remaining advance degree petitions together with the general H-1B pool of petitions, for the 65,000 cap.

The approximately 163,000 petitions received in the first five days of the eligible filing period for FY 2009 (April 1 through April 7, 2008) were labeled with unique numerical identifiers. USCIS has notified the appropriate service centers which numerical identifiers have been randomly selected, so each center may continue with final processing of the petitions associated with those numerical identifiers.

Petitioners whose properly filed petitions have been selected for full adjudication should receive a receipt notice dated no later than June 2, 2008. USCIS will return unselected petitions with the fee(s) to petitioners or their authorized representatives. As previously announced, duplicate filings will be returned without the fee. The total adjudication process is expected to take approximately eight to ten weeks.

For cases selected through the random selection process and initially filed for premium processing, the 15-day premium processing period begins today (April 14), the day of the random selection process.

USCIS has “wait-listed” some H-1B petitions, meaning they may possibly replace petitions chosen to receive an FY-2009 cap number, but that subsequently are denied, withdrawn, or otherwise found ineligible. USCIS will retain these petitions until a decision is made whether they will replace a previously selected petition. USCIS will send a letter to the wait list petitioners to inform them of their status.

USCIS expects that for each of these wait-listed petitions, it will either issue a receipt notice or return the petition with fees within six to eight weeks.

Comments

104 Responses to “H1B Visa Lottery is Complete - Results in 4 Weeks (2008 - 2009)”

Dwirang Kasvala on May 2nd, 2008 8:09 am

Hi,
How can I know wheater my file has been selected or not?
Is there any online procedure to identify that?
when could the candidate will get confirm that you are selected or rejected?
Esther on May 3rd, 2008 11:36 am

When you receive your receipt.
The USCIS has indicated that it will send them out by June 2nd.
Anna on May 5th, 2008 1:54 pm

I have premium processing for my H1B petition. But until today, I have not receive a receipt number. What does this mean? Shouldn’t I be notified on Apr 29 regarding the outcome of my H1B petition?
Raghuram on May 6th, 2008 5:03 am

@Anna - Give it few more days. Until you get money back, you have reasons to believe that you will get through.
PrabhuDeva on May 7th, 2008 1:57 pm

How could I be sure that my employer(Manpower consultant) has even applied my H1B. He could simply get back to me saying that My case did not make it to the lottery. Is there a way to find this out.
PrabhuDeva on May 7th, 2008 1:58 pm

Is there any other Blog/Community/Group for H1B where there are more people who have applied for this years H1b Quota?
shobhit on May 8th, 2008 3:44 am

i applied for h1b through a us company . i didn’t receive any feedback . i will ask him, so he told me it will take a time and actual picture come in a month of july . My question what he is telling is correct or not ?
kak on May 8th, 2008 6:48 am

Hi,

i applied h1b visa through on consultancy in NJ
till now i didnt get the reciept number
when ever i asked the guy who filled my h1b visa for the 2008 to 2009 year…he was tellin that not recieved any information..iam still waiting for the recipet number ..
plz share the info if any body knows how many days it takes to recievs the reciept number
thanks
pk
Vinay Jain on May 11th, 2008 10:22 pm

Hi,
How could I be sure that my employer has even applied my H1B. He could simply get back to me saying that My case did not make it to the lottery. Is there a way to find this out.

Moreover, how much is the fee for H1b visa processing (General Quota)?

Can the visa get approved and stamped before October 2008???
Matt on May 12th, 2008 8:46 am

Hey,

I have applied for a H1B visa (premium process) but still didn’t get any respond. USCIS didn’t take $1000 for the premium process, and 15 business days after 14th of April is over right now. Does it mean that my petition was rejected, or I still have to wait until USCIC will announce something.

Is anybody there who already received the receipt number?

Thanks.
sudhakar on May 12th, 2008 10:43 am

i applied for h1b through a us company . i didn’t receive any feedback . i will ask him, so he told me it will take a time and actual picture come in a month of 15thjuly . My question is really it will know in july or not?
sudhakar on May 12th, 2008 10:43 am

i applied for h1b through a us company . i didn’t receive any feedback . i will ask him, so he told me it will take a time and actual picture come in a month of july . My question what he is telling is correct or not ?
a on May 12th, 2008 11:54 pm

I have applied for H1B Visa . When i will get the result .
haider on May 13th, 2008 11:58 am

I applied too.. did hear anything from the consultant. I don’t know he applied or not. he did’t give me any receive number. any one receipt copy or reference number. I just want to know my application was submitted or not . any idea
satish on May 13th, 2008 10:35 pm

Hi All..
I came to know thru my consultant, that my application was picked up in lottery. And they told the cheque attached to my application was debited that means my application was picked up. They also informed that it will take time to get the receipt number may be by june2nd every one make sure whether they are selected or not.

Regards,
Satish Narra
Aki on May 15th, 2008 7:19 am

Hey, nice info Thanks!
venkat on May 16th, 2008 12:16 am

how can i know that my h1b was picked up, my employeer said that i got h1b lottery. any info please
Bala on May 16th, 2008 8:02 am

I have applied and has been filed successfully by consultancy.Afterthat i didn’t get any information regarding the same

what is the status in Random Selection.If anybody know please update me
Hemant Kantilal Jadav on May 17th, 2008 2:34 am

I want to know status of h1b visa 2009. Of Approximate date.
Thanks..
Kavita Jain on May 17th, 2008 9:46 pm

Are all the results out? I did not hear back anything from the consultant….
Do anybody here, have a Plan B.. in case, we dont get through the lottery. Actually, I feel this lottery a complete crap..
vijay on May 18th, 2008 5:57 am

Hi,
I got to know from my lawyer that check which we have sent to usic has been encashed by NIS but still he didnt get I-797C.He said wait for few more days for official notice. Does it mean that I got selected in lottery or there is any doubt?

Awaiting for promt reply.

Thanks
Vijay
dhiraj mishra on May 18th, 2008 11:21 pm

hi
can any body tell me that my h1b visa is selected or not ?
how can i know that?
my employer said that they filled my application
and still not got any receipt number
then what should i understand
pls
help regarding this
thanks
lal on May 22nd, 2008 1:38 am

hi,
can anybody tell me that till when we will be recieving receiot no?
Raghuram on May 22nd, 2008 5:15 am

@lal if you were selected in lottery you will get receipt in next few day/weeks.

@dhiraj: Read other H1B articles in my blog to understand more details about the H1B process.
Kavita Jain on May 22nd, 2008 5:45 am

I doubt if they have already sent confirmations to all the selected applications in the lottery. Did any body receive confirmation yestarday or today?

Vinay
balamurugan on May 24th, 2008 9:48 am

Hi,
I had applied through a consultant and till today no calls from them.Still did not get any receipt no…

when is the final result announcement date ? if any one know please inform me …

Regards,
balamurugan
sagar on May 25th, 2008 6:48 am

Hi ,
Once your H1Visa is picked, you will get the notification from your employer or consultancy.

Though My visa is picked on April 29 , I got the notification from my employer and receipt number of visa on May 20.

I think By June 2 all H1 Visa picked application will get notifications.

Thanks,
Sagar.
Kamal on May 25th, 2008 8:18 am

Hi,

Will we get the notification even if my petition is not picked.

Regards
bhak on May 25th, 2008 10:09 pm

do we get notification for rejection of petition?
justeager on May 26th, 2008 4:16 am

Hi,

Everybody is just asking questions. No one is there to provide useful information except Sagar. But still the question is,
1. Is there any initial receipt at the time of submitting the application just to know if our case is applied through our consultant or not?

2. How can we get lottery results?

Regards,

Justeager
Mahesh on May 26th, 2008 4:28 am

If a cnadiddte did not selected in Lottery when USCIS start the returning the petitaton to the emploryers.

Mahesh
Bechara Ballu on May 26th, 2008 1:38 pm

Hi ALL,

Please let me know as to anybody has recieved any rejection or a Waitlist Notification from USCIS as i don’t think USCIS will have any more H1B application Notifications to be sent as today is 27th and USCIS always winds up its work a couple of weeks earlier.

Balluz applied for second year in succession and got rejected t wice hence please help me with my Query?

Regards,
BalluBalram
Bala on May 27th, 2008 8:24 am

Hi,

is there any last chances?

Thank you,
Bala
saba asrar on May 28th, 2008 8:58 am

Hi Guys,

Congratulations to the one who got through….my fingers are still crossed…please suggest are there still any chances…or its all over…I mean are there any more results to be announced yet.
Darshi on May 28th, 2008 1:29 pm

Hiii Guyss

I am also in same boat….Is there still some chances to get H1B now? Do u have any idea @ it?
Bechara Ballu on May 28th, 2008 4:52 pm

Please let me know anyone who got an acceptance or rejection notifications in the past few days
Bala on May 29th, 2008 7:01 am

Please wait all upto June 2
Gan on May 29th, 2008 4:25 pm

June 2 is the last date. Either your employer would receive receipt or returned cheque. Everything is with the Employer.
torri on May 30th, 2008 12:40 pm

Mine is not yet as of today…
Bechara Ballu on May 30th, 2008 3:54 pm

June 2nd is the D-Day Guys but what i think is the Ship Sank alreday hence get into a disater recovery mode think of other options
Vinay on June 1st, 2008 1:35 am

I’ve got the receipt number and waiting for the notification from USIS. Guyzz its the matter of pure luck. so dont get disappointed if you donn get. May be it takes 15-30 days more as they are conducting it in sessions.

By the way, the market is very down at the moment and expected to be same until the US elections. By then i suggest everyone to concentrate more on improving their skills. Its waste of time think about the status of your file.

They will definetly let you know if you get.

thanks

vinay
Vinay on June 1st, 2008 1:40 am

By the end of this month everything will be cleared up.. so donn worry.

some times there will be no luck even if we get a visa. there are soo many people(indians) in newyork who are dying with the cost of living from past 1yr and could’nt find a job yet
chethan on June 1st, 2008 10:23 pm

Still have’not got the lotterey results.My employer is telling that it will take another 2week. Is there any body who already has got this.?
Man on June 1st, 2008 10:27 pm

I have received the ‘Receipt Number’ back in 29 April, and have been checking the status online almost 5 times a day.

According to the USCIS website, the final annoucement date is on 2 June, but I doubt if I would get the final ‘Accept’ as there are so many cases who have received their receipt numbers but still haven’t yet heard anything.

My receipt number starts with a ‘W’, and my case should be proceed the very late period.. I know it’s not gonna help but i kept checking it everyday anyway…

Some blogs said once you received the receipt number, you should be okay… just hope things work out this way.

For those who don’t even have the receipt number, you better check with your employer or the immigration consulting firm if they ever received it…

Good luck to me and whoever who is deadly waiting from the USCIS.

And think of alternative plan: I believe there is a type of VISA that you help your US employer working at your own country for 1 year, and under his payroll system for 12 months, then you could apply it and go to US next year.
prem on June 2nd, 2008 5:00 am

Hi All,

1)Am also waiting for the Lottery result,when will be last
date to get final selected name in the lottery.

seniors can u put some more light on this,your answer much
appreciated. Thanks
torri on June 2nd, 2008 6:52 pm

still not yet…
Man on June 2nd, 2008 8:07 pm

guys, what’s the first letter of your receipt number?

Mine is starting with a ‘W’, which i believe should be process in very late period.
Bechara Ballu on June 3rd, 2008 10:18 am

Somebody please tell me if i’m rejected
Suresh on June 3rd, 2008 10:10 pm

Hi,

Friends I applyed h1b visa for the fiscal year 2008 -2009.I Picked up in the lottery,I got reciept number (EACXXXXXXXX) from my employer. But my problem is recept number shows “Case recived and pending” in USCIS what does it mean when i will get the approved status and how many days it will take to approve.
lal on June 4th, 2008 2:43 am

Can anybody tell me that what is the excepted end date for recieving reciept notices?
deepak on June 4th, 2008 7:17 am

Sir, when did the results of h1b visa for the year 2009 were out?
Bechara Ballu on June 4th, 2008 1:17 pm

Hi,

It is my second year in succession that i’ve applied for this illogical and opaque lottery based H1 where in there is no space for transparency at all and it is already over the D-day and nobody has a clue as to what happend to the majority of the people who applied are they going to receive rejection or waitlist Notifications my employer himself doesn’t have any clue as to when he can give me a clear picture about the same.

Can some one keep me posted by letting me know if anyone recieved any kind of rejections from USCIS.

Regards,
Ballu
Radhiga on June 6th, 2008 2:56 am

I have applied for my H1B visa this March through a consultant. But when I asked them on June 2nd 2008, they told me that still few more days are required to publish the result. Is this true or can I know the real status of my application. Please advise on this.
h1b visa lottery on June 7th, 2008 8:01 pm

[...] year 2008 -2009.I Picked up in the lottery,I got reciept number EACXXXXXXXX from my employer. …http://www.happyschoolsblog.com/uscis-h1b-visa-2008-2009-lottery-is-complete/Should U.S. Scrap H-1B Visa Lottery? - CIOs Uncensored Blog …InformationWeek writers blog on a [...]
kbh on June 9th, 2008 12:53 am

I have not received any accept/reject notification, neither my cheque has been returned to me. Are there still chances to get selected or the process is over?

Regards
Bechara Ballu on June 9th, 2008 10:27 am

Please tell me anybody here who have information of returned packets from USCIS or waitlist notification
Raghuram on June 9th, 2008 10:31 am

@Bechara : I’m not sure you will get to know about rejected application for other 2-3 weeks. People selected in lottery are in regular processing are just getting their receipts. So, once that is done, I assume USCIS will send out the rejected application packets.
lakshmi on June 9th, 2008 1:09 pm

hi all,
my check was encashed on may 20th, but till today i didnt get my receipt…can anyone tell me when is the last date.
thx
lakshmi
Sam on June 9th, 2008 3:18 pm

Hi

My check supposedly cleared back at the end of may, but i have yet to hear anything regarding if my application has been accepted. Do they ever cash checks and then return them?

Thanks
Raghuram on June 9th, 2008 4:28 pm

@ Lakshmi, Sam: I can certainly understand you concerns. But at this time, there is one one other than USCIS will be able to answer your query. Its something beyond anyone control. So, you will have to wait. If I come across anyone similar to your situation, I will post here in this blog. Till than patience is the key. Good Luck
lakshmi on June 10th, 2008 10:19 am

my question is …are any one still getting receipts from USCIs
Bechara Ballu on June 10th, 2008 10:38 am

@raghu thanks bro for ur concern just wanted to know one more thing here does anything as a waitlist exists
lakshmi on June 12th, 2008 11:37 am

hey guys a good news…my consultant called uscis….they gave the receipt number for tracking…for those whos check has been encashed can call USCis for receipt numbers to track online…
they informed it may take a month to get the receipts(hard copy)
Mahesh on June 16th, 2008 1:37 am

Hi Guys

My employwr infomed me today that my applicatioin has picked up and provided me the receipt no.

Process is still continue.

Please wait.

Mahesh
manu on June 17th, 2008 8:24 am

I am the first one to inform this news here.My long wait is over.My application has come back to the consultant.I am not selected in lottery..I am on H4 ,leaving my job in IBM,Bangalore.I am waiting to collect my cheque.Please dont lose hopes and please dont be desperate.God has kept a good plan for all who are not selected.
torri on June 19th, 2008 12:01 pm

I got a rejection letter yesterday, too.
It says I was not selected in lottery.

I wish you all a good luck.
Mabe on June 21st, 2008 7:12 pm

Any rejections?
Sam on June 23rd, 2008 2:06 am

Any more info on rejection ?
Suganya on June 23rd, 2008 2:30 am

When is the cut off date for all info about an application? We still have not heard anything about our application - selected or rejected???
danilo on June 23rd, 2008 11:03 am

rejected, good luck to everybody
Bechara Ballu on June 23rd, 2008 1:19 pm

Rejected Finally best of luck to others
jon on June 25th, 2008 8:26 am

Is there any way I could see/get a sample recejected notice that USCIS files?
Elizabeth on June 25th, 2008 1:54 pm

I haven’t heard from USCIS either…My lawyer has no clue …He hasn’t received my application back or any receipts whatsoever…He sent me some info from AILA that some applications might be “wait listed”…is it possible that there is a chance of receiving a positive outcome..please anyone…and also when rejected do you get your money back??? Thank you
Elizabeth on June 25th, 2008 1:56 pm

I forgot to add…My lawyer said that the check has not been cleared….Thank you for any info
kbh on June 26th, 2008 10:09 pm

Same with me. Neither Accept nor rejected
Suganya on June 27th, 2008 1:37 am

Yeah, when do we get to know whether it is accepted or rejected?
Mabe on June 29th, 2008 4:00 pm

Any rejection? Elizabeth, can you tell us where AILA stataed that there may be waitlisted applications?

Thank you for all your information. This blog keeps me more abreast than lawyers do….
shubha on June 30th, 2008 2:58 pm

Hi Guys,

My consultant told me ,my application did not make lottery ,now what are my options ,can I r-apply for reconsidration of my application?
Thx,
Shubha
kbh on July 1st, 2008 4:40 am

You can apply again in the next year process.
Elizabeth on July 1st, 2008 8:37 am

I have no idea where my lawyer read that…He just emailed me part of the blog from AILA and that is what it read here is what it said
”
We have received back some, but not all of the non-selected BA H-1B cases.
Has anybody heard about a “wait list” as reason why the other ostensible
non-selectees have not been returned.”
Hope this helps…
Maria on July 1st, 2008 10:56 am

Is there a waitlist? Why haven’t some returned? Will there be a miracle, and some of the non-returned ones could be waitlisted? Is this true, any insider news?

Please anyone!
Raghuram on July 1st, 2008 12:28 pm

There are not waiting list. More details about h1b visa wait list
GNK on July 2nd, 2008 4:16 am

I applied for H1B through my current Employer. i didn’t receive any feedback.I didn’t receive wheter accepted or rejected.Is there any hopes on my application.
please reply somebody..
luck on July 2nd, 2008 9:48 pm

My wait is over …got the rejection on June26th
Falgun on July 3rd, 2008 2:33 pm

@ TORRI & LUCK SAID

Can you please tell me that is your name specified in the rejection letter you got? My rejection letter only shows name of my employer and lawyer who filed it. It does not have my name on it. I was just curious, how can you relate that letter to yourself.
Bala on July 4th, 2008 2:27 am

I didn’t receive whether accepted or rejected.can i expect +ve result .please advice me
Detapterbert on July 6th, 2008 10:33 pm

Hi all, have anyone know of someone who has received a notice from their employer that they are selected in the lottery?

Are we just waiting in vain? I have applied with 3 different employers. One employer has received a notice of non-selection from USCIS but the other two have not receive any from USCIS.

Is there any hope in our waiting?

Can somebody shed some light to our anxious and ‘forever’ waiting?

Thanks a lot in advance!
mikki on July 10th, 2008 11:32 am

Hello All,

I recieved my packet back saying that i was selected in lottery but got rejected as there was not one check but the check they are asking for i am not suppose to give so it was supervisior mistake as they havent seen form proprely so i have resubmitted my papers….
Did it ever happen with anyone that its uscis mistake and if resubmit do they consider it and give us H1-B…
PlZ someone reply if any idea….i have send in premium process again last week…
Raghuram on July 10th, 2008 1:36 pm

@ Mikki : Can you bit more clear on what was the issue, why you got rejected.
mikki on July 10th, 2008 8:41 pm

Hi Raghuram,

Thanks for your response.
I am a teacher and work in primary secondary instituation so my lawyer as well as other of my collegue teachers didn’t paid $750 as we are excempted for that and on I-129 form we added that thing but the packet came back saying that check is missing so rejecting the case…so now my attorney had send explanation with all papers back. but attorney says we dont know whether they will consider or no, also i m shocked my other 2teachers got H1B and they didnt pay that check, so please if u have any idea responsod to this situation.
Elizabeth on July 14th, 2008 9:48 am

Hi everyone:

Got my papers back..my appl. was rejected…I guess I was not one of the lucky ones…good luck to everyone else…there is always next year…good luck to all of us “rejected” in the next year!
Sajal on July 21st, 2008 3:55 am

Hi,
If any one knows how to apply for a H1B visa and where to start for this, please help me about it.
Is H1B 2009 still open?

please anyone help.
Raghuram on July 21st, 2008 5:20 am

Originally Posted By Sajal
Hi,
If any one knows how to apply for a H1B visa and where to start for this, please help me about it.
Is H1B 2009 still open?

please anyone help.

I have written about H1B Visa in detail. You can look under H1B Visa Category. H1B for this year is over, you have ti wait till April 2009 to apply.
aakash on July 27th, 2008 9:49 am

Hello!!!!!!!!!!

Can anyone suggest, which Evaluation Company would be best for evaluating my degree in USA,i know FIS but if anyone know other than this please suggest it.
Thanks
neha m on July 28th, 2008 4:47 am

hi !
My friend got selected in the lottery process and now is waiting for the final approval.I would like to know why do they take so much time in sending the final approval? Generally on what basis do they accept /reject the application after getting selected in lottery but before the final approval..
please reply..
Thanks
Raghuram on July 28th, 2008 5:00 am

@Neha: It would take 2-3 months from the receipt date, but it could take longer. Usually, rejection after getting selected in lottery is least possibility, unless they have made mistake in documents.
neha m on July 28th, 2008 9:18 am

Hi Raghuram!
Thanks 4 replying!
neha m on July 28th, 2008 9:25 am

Hi Raghuram!
Thanks fr replying!
What kind of mistake in documents are you talking about?
About their authenticity of documents or something else?
Raghuram on July 28th, 2008 9:27 am

@Neha: Read the article about RFE H1B Visa you will understand more about the H1B Rejection and RFE process.
aakaash on August 1st, 2008 3:37 am

Hi all, have anyone know of someone who has received a notice from their employer that they are selected in the lottery?

I have applied with 2 different employers.Both have not receive any info from USCIS.

Is there any hope in our waiting?

Thanks a lot in advance!
Sam on August 5th, 2008 12:10 pm

Mikki,

can you please though some light on how to gert h1 being a teacher. Currently i am on dependent’s visa and since im in no way relted to IT world just wanna find another way to get work permit.my email is musical_simsam@yahoo.com
Thanks in advance for your help.
varsha on August 20th, 2008 8:33 am

Hi!!!
I have applied through some consultancy and they told me i got selected and in between some quary came and I submitted my educational certificate but my cosultancy is not giving me my E.A.C.no. as it is not their company policy to give , I am littile worried till now nothing came up .. plz let me know are they just telling me like this or how much time it will take to get approval
HarshitKumar D. Patel on September 3rd, 2008 9:39 am

I have been Applied for h1b 2008/2009 but i do not know about my case, Wather my name selecteed or not please tell me how cen i know about my case.
RAHUL on September 7th, 2008 1:35 pm

WHEN I WILL KNOW ABOUT MY REJECTION FOR H1B