USCIS has confirmed that more than 172,000 H-1B Petitions were filed beginning April 1, 2014 seeking an H-1B quota number for employment beginning October 1, 2014 (FY 2015). This number included cases under the general category cap (65,000) and under the Masters Degree cap (20,000). Thus, the large volume of filings will result in the rejection of approximately 50% of the Petitions filed. Rejected cases will be returned to the Petitioner along with all filing fees tendered.

Consequently, the Service completed a random computer-generated lottery on April 10 to select cases for adjudication.

We have begun to receive acknowledgement of the receipt of a number of Petitions that were filed requesting Premium Processing (with the additional $1,225 filing fee). Our clients are being notified as soon as we receive the confirmation email from USCIS. Adjudication of these Petitions is not expected to begin until later this month.

Thus far we have not received confirmation of acceptance of Petitions filed without Premium Processing; nor have we received any Petitions that have been rejected.

Please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions.