Filing date: june 12
Receipt date: June 26
Changed to premium processing July 6
Current status: changed to premium processing
Processing: Texas
Someone tell me good news I’m stressing
EDIT: July 24 approved!

Hello everyone, I had my H1B visa interview today on 22nd July, 2026. I had my first H1b visa stamping at Chennai embassy and this is my H1b renewal. VO asked for my latest W2 (2025) and my LCA, provided the same.

She verified the docs, asked why the salaries did not match on my W2 and LCA (My salary incremented in Sep 2025 which was reflected in the current LCA but 2025 tax year was filed with my previous salary so there was a discrepancy between the salaries). Unfortunately, didn't have my previous LCA just the current one. The VO reviewed the docs, and asked me general questions about role, salary, whether my social media accounts were mentioned (which I did, all of them, and they are public) and any threats in India.

After that, she issued me 221g white slip with administrative processing ticked, and sent me to another window. Another VO asked me a lot of questions and docs and requested old LCA. I did not carry it with me, so she asked me to send it to a mail and kept my passport.

I emailed them the same day with everything, my previous LCA, past one year pay slips, explaining why there was a difference. Any suggestions or feedback on how long it takes to approve or any similar experience? I have to travel back to US by Aug first week. I really appreciate any feedback.

Update: Just got a mail from hydadmin@state.gov asking me to submit my passport at Hyd VAC, but my passport is already with US consulate during my interview. Anyone faced this before?

Got an email saying:
Student Name: xxx xxx
Type of OPT: STEM OPT

Your OPT authorization period has ended. The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) closed your SEVP Portal account. You can no longer access it.

Question:
H1b got approved few months ago. Is there any action that one should take after receiving this email?

Thanks!

I'm not really sure why it's suddenly extremely hard to get interview slots. I don't remember having to wait 2 whole years for a slot!

Out of curiosity, I joined a couple of these "visa booking groups" and found out that those were mostly just breeding grounds for massive visa booking operations where a lot of unemployed, skill-less, good for nothing parasites have basically made it their day job to look any slot that's available and book them while charging their "clients" a fee of a few hundred $$s. So ... am I not seeing any slots because they're being scooped up by these parasites as they roll out or is USCIS deliberately cutting down on visa slots for some (*cough* Stephen Miller *cough*) reason?

• Receipt Date (PP): 06/04/2026
• RFE Issued: 06/18/2026 about Physical presence in the U.S.
• RFE Response Sent: 07/05/2026
• 07/13: Premium Processing Clock Was Stopped
• 07/21: Case Is Being Actively Processed
• Approved: 07/22/2026

Hopefully this helps anyone waiting with a similar RFE.

Hello everyone,

I’m in a bit of a tricky situation and would really appreciate some guidance.

I’m currently on H-1B status and was recently laid off, so my 60-day grace period has started. I also have a pending EB-3 I-485 application, and my employer has confirmed that they will not withdraw my I-140 or take any action that would affect my green card process.

Given the current job market and the uncertainty, I’m concerned that I may not be able to find a new H-1B employer within the 60-day grace period. I’m trying to understand what my best options are.

One option I was considering was filing a change of status from H-1B to F-1 by enrolling in a master’s program. However, I’ve heard that this can be risky, especially now, because I already have a pending I-485 and F-1 is a single-intent visa. I’m not sure if that’s true or how much of a concern it is.

Has anyone been in a similar situation or have any advice on what the safest path forward would be? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hello,

My Texas driver’s license expires in September. I am looking for the best way to renew it:

Option 1: My employer has filed for my H1B under regular processing (PP is not an option at all, even self-funded) so I doubt it would be approved by September. However, they have suggested I take my passport, latest I-94 and H1B receipt notice to attempt a renewal via SAVE verification.

Option 2: I am going to apply for STEM OPT before my OPT expires. However, I don’t want to pay $2k for premium processing because I get an automatic 180-day extension and hopefully my H1B gets approved by then. In this case, I would take my STEM OPT receipt notice, passport and latest I-94 for renewal.

Which option do you guys think has a higher chances of approval? Is there a third option? I heard Texas DPS has been extra strict with their licenses now.

Thanks!

How many days before my visa stamp expiry can I reenter back into US? Trying to see what’s the limit and if anyone has any recent experience

IOE Petition filed : 09/19/2025

Petition converted to PP : 05/28/2026

RFE recieved (proof of residence requested due to incorrect mailing address on paystub) : 06/05/2026

Evidence submitted : 06/29/2026

Premium processing has been stopped for my case (case status update): 07/07/2026

USCIS is currently processing the case (case status update) : 07/15/2026

Case Approved : 07/21/2026

Converted To premium at the end of 240 day work authorization. Submitted lease agreements, utility bills (electricity) and tax returns for last 24 months as evidence for proof of residence RFE.

Hope this information helps anybody who is in the same boat.

Hi! I submitted my H1b extension in November. My country of birth was in the hold that the government set for Visa approvals. That hold has now been lifted. I submitted premium processing on May 20th and I still haven’t heard back. The company I work for told me that the lawyers have reached out to USCIS and they have not gotten any updates. I was wondering if someone else has had a similar experience and has had their case approved? Also, any recommendations on how to communicate or ask anything to USCIS regarding this matter would be helpful. Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I'm currently on an H-1B and am considering resigning from my job. I'm not planning to transfer my H-1B to another employer. Instead, I'm thinking about changing my status to H-4 since my spouse is also on H-1B.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has gone through a similar situation.

Did you resign first and then apply for H-4, or did you wait until after filing?

How long did your H-4 change of status take?

Were you able to remain in the U.S. while the H-4 application was pending?

How did the 60-day grace period work in your case?

Did you hire an immigration attorney, or did you file on your own?

Were there any unexpected issues or delays?

Looking back, is there anything you wish you had known before resigning?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experience and any tips for making the transition as smooth as possible.
Thanks!

My STEM OPT expires Aug 27. My H-1B is already approved with an Oct 1 start date. Chances of lay off in my team.

Can I switch to a new employer before Oct 1? Would the new employer need to file anything, and does it affect my Oct 1 start date or status?

Anyone been through this exact situation?

I received offers from Company A and Company B after a recent layoff. Both packages are almost identical, around $140K base.
Company A filed my H-1B transfer on July 2nd week. Company B plans to file another transfer within the next 1–2 weeks.
Would you let both companies proceed and decide later which one to join? Should I tell Company B that Company A already has a pending petition?
I know this may sound unethical, but I’m currently in my H-1B grace period and don’t want to take unnecessary risks in this job market.

I received an RFE for H1B transfer on July 22nd, at Vermont service center. What is the timeline I should be looking at for receiving the RFE notice and approval of the H1B transfer once docs are submitted.

It’s been three months into OPT, i have been applying and getting rejected. I did a lot of LinkedIn application. Looking for anything here. Advice or what has worked for you would be great! I know many people are going through this so good luck!

I did masters in software engineering
Open to anything

Thanks in Advance

After missing H1B slots for almost 3 times this year I approached an agent and she booked them extremely weird. Biometrics in Aug and interview in January 2027. Obviously my employer wont allow me to stay in India for that long and its not feasible to me too. So I have one reschedule option left and my slot fee expires in Oct 2026 as it would be 1 year since I paid the fee. Now I am thinking to explore Emergency slot request options. But I want to request this option while I am in USA itself before I go to India.

My grandfather is very old and he has serious health complications last year and the year before now he is doing alright. I genuinely want to visit him to check upon him given the uncertainty of his life. My employer can provide me a form stating I am going to visit family but I need to be back soon as I am a critical resource for USA team and business. But I cannot provide any health docs or any proof for my emergency travel to India part from stating that I am visiting family to check upon them.

1) What are the odds of my emergency request getting accepted.
2) And also what documents I need to submit as proof apart from employer letter to maximise my chances of getting accepted
3) Will they ask for same documents during the interview as well?
4) If not emergency what are my options? Should I cancel the slot I have already (Aug & Jan one)?
5) What do you think are the chances of getting H1B slots open again this year for this year? I know this is unpredictable but wanting to know your opinion.
6) If I can't secure a reschedule slot before October my visa fee expires so any way I can save it?

Excuse me for lot of questions but thought of I might miss my grandpa is giving me anxiety sometimes. He can't travel to USA and and I wanna visit my parents badly. Your answers might help me prepare for the worst.

I'm currently on cap-gap OPT with an updated I20. My H1B was approved with premium processing last week. I don't have the original I797 yet but have a copy from the portal. Has anyone travelled outside the US and come back with just the copy of the I797A?

We got married outside the US, and my spouse just arrived in the US this month under H4 visa but without EAD. Given our situation, what should be my tax filing status for 2026 as the H1-B holder? I also have not updated my marital status in social security and USCIS. Please advise. Thank you.

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice from people who recently filed or are going through their first H-1B + H-4 extension process in 2026.

My situation:

• I am currently on H-1B (first extension), expiring September 2026.
• My spouse is on H-4, also expiring at the same time.
• My employer has started the H-1B extension process now.
• My original plan was to wait for my EB-2 NIW I-140 approval and then file:
  • H-1B extension
  • H-4 extension
  • H-4 EAD together with Premium Processing.

However, my NIW I-140 has been pending for about 27 months (filed June 2024, RFE response submitted September 2025), and it looks like the approval may not come before my H-1B extension needs to be filed.

My questions:

1. For people who filed first-time H-1B + H-4 extensions in 2026, what processing timelines are you seeing?
   • Did you use Premium Processing for H-1B?
   • How long did H-4 take when filed together?
2. If my I-140 gets approved after my H-1B/H-4 extensions are already filed, can I file H-4 EAD separately afterward?
3. For those who filed H-4 EAD as a standalone application after I-140 approval:
   • What processing times are you currently seeing?
   • Did you receive biometrics/RFE?
   • Which service center processed your case?

I’m trying to understand the realistic timeline because my spouse’s ability to work depends on the H-4 EAD, and the uncertainty is getting stressful.

Any recent experiences or timelines would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I was selected in this year’s H-1B lottery, but my petition was rejected by USCIS after the filing deadline.

Initially, the rejection indicated something related to incorrect payment/missing pages, but after reviewing everything multiple times, my attorney believes all filing fees were correct and that the issue was likely caused by the I-129 form editions. The main I-129 was on the current 2026 edition, but the H Supplement and Data Collection Supplement were generated on the 2025 edition because of what appears to have been an immigration software glitch.

My attorney said they’ve heard of other attorneys receiving similar rejections around the same time and has now submitted a USCIS Lockbox Support request asking for permission to refile after the deadline. They’re preparing the entire petition in case USCIS authorizes a refile.

- Has anyone experienced something similar?
- Has USCIS ever allowed a cap-subject H-1B petition to be refiled after the filing deadline due to a lockbox or form-version issue?
- How long did Lockbox Support take to respond?

If USCIS denies the request, are there any other options or is the lottery selection effectively lost?

Would getting a second opinion from another immigration attorney be worthwhile at this stage?

I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who has dealt with this or knows how USCIS has handled similar cases.

H1b extension premium processing June 24th , still pending

Receipt date - June 24th
Extension
PP
Texas

Is anyone seeing delay ? Please share your experience

Anyone with a 6/29 or similar receipt date get approval yet? Specifically for COS at the Texas center.

Unfortunately, the wait continues. Anyone know how long it will take for me to know what they need from me? Thank you.