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March 30, 2022H1B Visa

3 Ways to Check if H1B Visa is Selected in Lottery

Table of Contents

  • 3 Ways to Check if H1B Visa is Selected in Lottery
      • (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
      • If you have already had your H1B visa application filed, you can quickly and easily check the status of your application through the official USCIS status check system.
      • 2023 H1B Visa Lottery Guide
        • Here are 3 ways to check if our H1B Visa is selected in the lottery:
        • H1B Fees Check is Deposited
        • SEVIS Record Update
        • Receipt Number issued by USCIS
      • You probably saw that USCIS announced 199,000 applications were filed. USCIS confirmed that the lottery was conducted on March 27 2023. – Full H1B 2023 Details
      • Watch Video for H1B Updates : April 2023
    • How to Find Out if You Were Selected in the H1B Lottery

3 Ways to Check if H1B Visa is Selected in Lottery

If you have already had your H1B visa application filed, you can quickly and easily check the status of your application through the official USCIS status check system.

2023 H1B Visa Lottery Guide

* the USCIS is the official US Government Immigration Department that processes H1B visa applications

Note, to track the status of your H1B you will need the receipt number for your filed H1B visa application.

* if you do not have the receipt number you will need to contact the employer / sponsor company that filed your H1B visa application to get it.

Follow below mentioned steps on uscis.gov website to check your visa status.

Step 1: Launch https://www.uscis.gov in your browser.

Step 2: Next, move mouse cursor to Tools option and then choose “Check your Case Status Online” under Manage your Case section (or you can directly go to https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do )

Step 3: Within the search box enter your 13 digit alphanumeric receipt number and press “Check Status” button

H1B visa status can also be checked by calling USCIS Service Centers. Four USCIS service center telephone numbers are as follows. Keep receipt number ready before calling USCIS service center.

  • WAC–California Service Center (949) 831-8427
  • EAC–Vermont Service Center (802) 527-4913
  • SRC–Texas Service Center (214) 381-1423
  • LIN–Nebraska Service Center (402) 323-7830

    H1B Visa Application Tracking and Status Check System – Click Here

    * you will be directed to the H1B visa application tracking system on the USCIS website

Here are 3 ways to check if our H1B Visa is selected in the lottery:

  1. H1B Fees Check is Deposited

  2. SEVIS Record Update

  3. Receipt Number issued by USCIS

1. Check is Deposited by USCIS

In the past, USCIS deposits the fees check from your H1B application. When check clears, its an sign of H1B selection in the lottery.

Who to Ask?

Ask your Immigration Attorney if USCIS deposited your H1B application check.

When USCIS deposits the paper check, they would print the receipt number on the check before depositing.

Sometimes, when your attorney looks the deposit copy of the check, they can find the Receipt Number as well.

These days, I believe USCIS uses ACH (electronic payment processing) to deposit the check. So, there wouldn’t be receipt numbers in the deposit snapshot. Then your attorney can check if amount is cleared. That’s an sign of H1B case selected in lottery.

When This will Not work

What if If USCIS mails receipt numbers before depositing the checks ( or delays depositing the checks).

If USCIS is issuing receipt numbers before depositing the checks, this approach will not work. But, this has worked in the past years lottery.

2. Student SEVIS Record Update

Here’s an update from an H1B Visa applicant

When I called my lawyer yesterday, they haven’t heard received the H1B Receipt number. But, when I contacted my DSO at my university, my SEVIS ID was updated and they gave my receipt number.

I thought this information could be useful for others to check if Advanced Degree applications is selected in the lottery.

Who to Ask?

If you have applied via Advanced Degree cap, then you could call your DSO and have them check your SEVIS Record.

SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System).

SEVIS is the web-based system that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses to maintain information on Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools and the F and M students who come to the United States to attend those schools.

A new SEVIS system generates SEVIS ID when the university issues your I-20. Your school’s DSO updates the SEVIS record (when you get CPT, OPT, OPT Extension, I-20 extension etc).

When USCIS selects your H1B Visa application, it updates your SEVIS record. It’s a sign of USCIS selecting your H1B application in lottery.

When This Will Not work

Applicants who don’t have advanced degree from U.S. universities. When you don’t have SEVIS record to check, this method will not work to check if H1B is selected in the lottery.

In previous years lottery, USCIs deposits checks first, then issues receipt number.

Sometimes, SEVIS record update will is delayed. Checking with your school DSO is the only way to find if H1B visa application is picked in the lottery.

3. Receipt Number issued by USCIS

This is the most straight forward way to check H1B is selected in the lottery or not.

But, we all know about the delay between random lottery selection to date when USCIS issues receipt numbers.

Previous two options ( Check Deposit and SEVIS Update) gives an early sign about the lottery results, but getting the receipt numbers could take longer.

You probably saw that USCIS announced 199,000 applications were filed. USCIS confirmed that the lottery was conducted on March 27 2023. – Full H1B 2023 Details

Watch Video for H1B Updates : April 2023

The USCIS does not disclose the number of advanced degree exemptions, so it is impossible to calculate the exact odds of being selected in the H1B lottery (since some of those exemptions will transfer to the general visa lottery after 20,000 are selected). However, the USCIS does disclose the total number of petitions so we can calculate the chances of being selected towards the general visa cap.

In 2018-2019, there were 170,098 H1B visa petitions approved, and 65,000 allocated for the visa cap, which comes out to a 38% chance of being selected. Since 6,500 visas are set aside for Chilean and Singaporeans, though, the final odds of being selected will be slightly lower than this.

Also, individuals with advanced degree exemptions stand a better chance of being selected, since they participate in both lotteries.

How to Find Out if You Were Selected in the H1B Lottery

There are numerous ways to find out if you were chosen in the H1B lottery:

  • Non-immigrant students applying under the advanced degree cap can see if they were selected by checking their record with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This record is updated immediately upon a student’s selection after the H1B 2019 lottery results date, so this is the quickest way to find out if you were chosen.
  • Applicants must pay an H1B application fee in the form of a check. Since all unselected petitions have these fees refunded, you know you were selected in the lottery if the check is cashed by the USCIS.
  • Each candidate selected in the H1B lottery is assigned a 13-digit receipt number, which is mailed to your H1B sponsor upon your selection. Once your employer receives this number, you know you were selected.
  • The Immigration and Naturalization Service notifies lottery winners by sending them a stamped I-797 Form, which is the official proof of H1B status.

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49 comments

  1. Essam
    on April 4, 2022

    hi, Please help, i applied for H1-B on March 15,2022 and my question is how can i check the status of my application? i have only the 13 digit Rigistration Number but when i insert this number in the check my status box i get error/invalid message.

    Reply
  2. Nikhil
    on April 20, 2017

    My colleagues got their receipt notices but I didn’t.
    Should I assume that I’m not picked in this lottery?
    I think a firm’s petitions should be processed together.

    Reply
  3. H1 3rd time
    on April 20, 2017

    My Sevis status is updated. But my employer says check has not been encashed. Is this common?

    Reply
  4. H1b first time
    on January 3, 2017

    Hi my H1b got approved I am currently living outide India. This is my first H1b could you please suggest me where to attend for visa interview home country India or current living country. I heard from few people first H1b interview would be India is the best option is that true.

    Reply
    1. Sammy
      on January 4, 2017

      @H1b First time, you can go outside India. Many people goto Canada and Mexico but you need to do a lot explanation to do..

      Reply
  5. Smriti
    on July 20, 2016

    Hi, My husband’s H1B was initiated by its employer but they are not telling any status even now. I want to know how can it be confirmed that is not selected as I heard lottery results are declared and people who do not get any update are not selected.

    Reply
    1. salmaalkatiri
      on July 21, 2016

      Yes Smriti, All the results have been sent out, All the applications not selected have been returned to them.

      Reply
  6. Pradeep
    on July 10, 2016

    Hi sir my check got cleared in May does it mean my h1b got picked in lottery?

    Reply
    1. Lilly Newton
      on July 21, 2016

      Yes application would have been returned by now if yours is not picked

      Reply
  7. h1b2007
    on July 10, 2016

    Hi sir, my check got cleared in may does it mean my h1b got picked in lottery?

    Reply
    1. Lilly Newton
      on July 21, 2016

      It’s a good sign that it’s picked

      Reply
  8. Deep
    on July 4, 2016

    Thank you for reply. I have under regular processing so u mean all the regular folks got receipts.

    Reply
    1. Lilly Newton
      on July 4, 2016

      Yes of course by May end everyone has received receipts

      Reply
    2. Lilly Newton
      on July 21, 2016

      Yes everyone got their receipts none is left. By July 15 applications not picked have been returned

      Reply
  9. Deep
    on July 4, 2016

    Hi hello, when I asked my employer said to me check got cleared on May 4th but till now there is no update, now it is July now what are the chances I can get approved I’m very tensed and eagerly waiting for positive news .

    Reply
    1. Lilly Newton
      on July 4, 2016

      Ask for receipt number and check status it’s July so you can contact USCIS

      Reply
  10. Shyam
    on July 4, 2016

    Hi,

    I got my receipt number and my status shows like below. Can you please tell what does this mean. What will be the change they mentioned in the receipt.

    Receipt Notice Was Changed

    On May 31, 2016, we made a change to your receipt notice for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC XXXXXXXXX. We mailed you a notice describing how we are processing your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, go to http://www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

    Thanks in advance
    Shyam

    Reply
    1. Lilly Newton
      on July 21, 2016

      You should get an RFE in mail with full details

      Reply
  11. Ankit Srivastava
    on June 1, 2016

    I haven’t heard anything from USCIS or my attorney yet. The USCIS has not returned the application package with check either. What are the chances that my application was not picked? Is it like 99% or its 50%? Should I still be optimistic? Sorry I have no idea and I need to know this since I have only two weeks left before my current work permit (OPT STEM Extension) expires. Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Lilly Newton
      on June 1, 2016

      Sorry to say this but now the chances are very slim to none. Trust your attorney and wait for the application to return. If selected by now you should have recieved some receipt.

      Reply
  12. Shyam
    on May 18, 2016

    My employer informed that my cheque was deposited but till now there is no receipt received from USCIS. What does that mean?

    Reply
    1. Lilly Newton
      on May 18, 2016

      Double check with employer about check as almost everyone got the reciept now. Also check if any administrative error in application for address.
      Good luck but ask your employer before celebrating.

      Reply
      1. Shyam
        on June 23, 2016

        Hi,

        I got my receipt number and my status shows like below. Can you please tell what does this mean.

        Receipt Notice Was Changed

        On May 31, 2016, we made a change to your receipt notice for your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Receipt Number EAC XXXXXXXXX. We mailed you a notice describing how we are processing your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you move, go to http://www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

        Thanks in advance
        Shyam

        Reply
        1. Lilly Newton
          on July 21, 2016

          You got an RFE check in mail

          Reply
  13. Ken
    on May 2, 2016

    Hi
    My attorney and employer nobody is responding. Is there is anyway I can get the receipt number through courier tracking? Check is already deposited and deducted

    Reply
    1. Lilly Newton
      on May 2, 2016

      You cannot know the receipt number unless its through your employer/lawyer.

      Reply
      1. Bhojal Gelda
        on May 2, 2016

        https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-completes-data-entry-fiscal-year-2017-h-1b-cap-subject-petitions

        Reply
  14. Smruti
    on April 30, 2016

    Hi I have filed under premium processing but I have not got any update my employer asked me to wait till may 1st week is there any chance to hope

    Reply
    1. Lilly Newton
      on April 30, 2016

      Hi Smruthi,
      Keep hopes for 1 more week for Premium Processing!
      After that it would be tough luck.

      Reply
  15. Girish Krishna
    on April 28, 2016

    Hi in my new i20 which i received yesterday it shows receipt number and H1B status shows pending what does that mean..??

    Reply
    1. Lilly Newton
      on April 28, 2016

      That is a sign that you H1b application is selected. But dont take it for granted. Check with lawyer for reciept

      Reply
  16. XXX
    on April 21, 2016

    Hello, My attorney gave me the Receipt number and it was filed under Premium Processing so my attorney received Email with my name and receipt number but they are telling we have not received I-797 Official Receipt Notice yet WHICH COMES IN A HARD COPY in mail box is there any issue with this? Am I on the waiting list? Please help me

    Reply
  17. Monica
    on April 21, 2016

    I also checked with the person in charge of SEVIS at school and there’s not update, but I am non AD, and according to this info it says that works for AD people and I don’t know what’s the difference, I think we still have a change because the article mentions that the SEVIS change can be delay so let’s just wait and hope for the best… Good Luck James and Sameer

    Reply
  18. James
    on April 15, 2016

    Today I called 703-603-3400 to check my SEVIS Status. There is no change and still showing F1 Active. No comments or notes either. Does it mean that I don’t get the lottery?

    Reply
    1. Bhojal Gelda
      on April 22, 2016

      @James. Did you get the status updated? I filed in regular processing and my F1 is also active

      Reply
  19. Sameer
    on April 14, 2016

    what day do you think, as per your experience, would be the last batch of AD PP receipts will come in? do you think they all will be sent out end of this week?

    Reply
  20. Sukumar
    on September 4, 2015

    This is not the usual process but if attorney is taking care of it, its better!
    You should wait for the attorney reply, as you said your employer is getting in touch with. Let’s wait for his reply on this after all he is the one who is going get the package with refund and other details from uscis.

    Let’s be positive.
    Don’t worry all will be good.

    Reply
  21. vat1kor
    on September 4, 2015

    I was told that there are couple of queries from USCIS on my case though the queries were never revealed when asked. I was also told that the attorney is taking care of replying to the queries. Is this usual process?

    Reply
  22. Honey
    on September 2, 2015

    Hi,

    I have been notified by my employer that my profile has been picked in lottery, but they are not providing the receipt no. I have the LCA case no. Is there any way to get the receipt no. so that i can check the status?

    Thanks in Advance

    Reply
    1. Sukumar
      on September 2, 2015

      LCA is basically an elctronic filling and takes 5 to 7 business days and employer or attorney will come to know is it certified or not as a soft copy and they sign (employer or attorney submit it USCIS) and you cannot track and when it is certified you can request from them a copy.

      Reply
  23. Neeraj
    on July 8, 2015

    Please let me know how can I track my application status, I was not given receipt no. can I check it with Petition No. or Petion Case ID No. or Rejection Case No.? Please help. Thanks.

    Reply
  24. rohit
    on June 23, 2015

    Hello, I do not have any update from my employer. He says, cheque is not deposited but, there is no return of application as well so, there is little hope. Has USCIS deposited all the cheques from selected candidates?

    Reply
    1. admin
      on June 23, 2015

      Yes by now all the processing of cheques should have been completed. You should have very little hope as applications are being returned even now.

      Reply
      1. rohit
        on June 23, 2015

        thanks for your super fast reply. So, you mean to say, most of the rejected applications are already returned? Maybe, my employer isn’t admitting it.

        Reply
        1. admin
          on June 23, 2015

          Yes, that’s the only conclusion I can make but if you wish to wait and see good luck

          Reply
  25. Sam
    on May 31, 2015

    My attorney informed that my cheque was deposited but till date there is no response from USCIS. What does that mean?

    Reply
    1. admin
      on June 10, 2015

      That means you are on wait list if someone is rejected you might be the person to be picked

      Reply
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  27. Sudheer
    on April 29, 2015

    Awesome information I Love it
    Thank you very much

    Reply

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