H-1B Lottery Results: How to Check & Next Steps

The H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Because annual demand far exceeds the combined annual allocation of approximately 85,000 new H-1B visas (65,000 under the statutory regular cap plus 20,000 under the advanced-degree exemption), USCIS uses a lottery to select which registrations may proceed to full petition filing. This guide covers the complete FY2026 H-1B lottery cycle from registration through petition filing, explains how to check selection status, breaks down costs and deadlines, and outlines next steps whether selected or not, including major rule changes now affecting the program.

FY2026 H-1B Registration and Lottery Timeline

The FY2026 cap season followed the electronic registration process that USCIS first implemented in March 2020 (for the FY2021 cap season). Each phase carried specific deadlines. Missing any window meant waiting a full year to try again.

Phase 1: Electronic Registration (March 7 to 24, 2025)

USCIS opened the FY2026 initial registration period on March 7, 2025, at noon Eastern and closed it on March 24, 2025, at noon Eastern. During this window, employers (or their authorized representatives) submitted electronic registrations through organizational accounts on the myUSCIS portal. Each registration required basic information about both the employer and the prospective beneficiary, including passport or travel document details.

The registration fee for FY2026 was $215 per beneficiary, a substantial increase from the $10 fee last charged during the FY2025 registration period in March 2024 (replaced by $215 under the fee schedule rule effective April 1, 2024, first applied during the FY2026 registration period in March 2025). This fee was non-refundable regardless of lottery outcome.

FY2026 beneficiary-centric selection, first introduced for FY2025, meant each beneficiary could only be entered into the lottery once regardless of how many employers registered them. This eliminated the practice of submitting multiple registrations for the same worker through different entities. The result: average registrations per beneficiary dropped to just 1.01 in FY2026.

Phase 2: Lottery Selection (March 31, 2025)

USCIS completed the initial random selection on March 31, 2025, with notifications sent in batches through approximately March 31. The agency reported the following FY2026 statistics:

• Total eligible registrations: 343,981 (down from 470,342 eligible registrations in FY2025)
• Unique beneficiaries registered: 336,153
• Registrations selected: 120,141, representing 118,660 unique beneficiaries (approximately 35.3% selection rate)
• Unique employers: approximately 57,600
• Average registrations per beneficiary: 1.01

Under the beneficiary-centric selection system, the selection rate rose from approximately 29% in FY2025 to 35.3% in FY2026. (By comparison, the FY2024 selection rate under the prior registration-based system was approximately 24.8%, though the two methodologies are not directly comparable due to FY2024's inflated denominator from duplicate registrations.)

The selection ran in two sequential rounds. First, all registered beneficiaries entered the general pool for the 65,000 regular cap (effectively 58,200 after the 6,800 set-aside for H-1B1 visas from Chile and Singapore, though unused H-1B1 numbers roll back into the regular pool). Then, beneficiaries with U.S. master's degrees or higher who were not selected in the first round entered a separate draw for the additional 20,000 advanced degree exemption slots. This structure gave U.S. advanced degree holders two chances at selection.

No second round was needed. On July 18, 2025, USCIS announced that it had received sufficient petitions from the initial selection to fill the cap. This contrasted with FY2024, which required a second selection round of 77,600 additional registrations, and FY2025, which required 14,534 additional registrations (representing 13,607 unique beneficiaries).

Phase 3: Petition Filing (April 1 to June 30, 2025)

Selected registrants had a 90-day window from April 1 to June 30, 2025, to submit complete H-1B petitions (Form I-129) to USCIS. Due to technical issues on the final filing day, USCIS extended the online filing deadline to 7:30 p.m. EDT on July 1, 2025, for electronic submissions only. Paper filings were not included in this extension.

How to Check H-1B Lottery Selection Status

Using the myUSCIS Portal

Lottery results were only accessible through the myUSCIS organizational account system at my.uscis.gov. The employer or representative who submitted the registration must log in using their organizational credentials. Individual beneficiaries could not check results independently unless they had been granted account access.

Each registration displayed one of these statuses:

• "Selected": Eligible to file a full H-1B petition during the filing window
• "Not Selected": Not chosen during the selection process
• "Submitted": Not selected in the initial round but eligible for potential subsequent selection rounds (if any were conducted)
• "Denied": Registration rejected due to invalid information, duplicate submission, or other deficiency
• "Invalidated - Failed Payment": Registration fee payment was not processed
• "Deleted": Registration was withdrawn by the submitter

Note: The general USCIS case status tracker at egov.uscis.gov/casestatus is not used for lottery results. That tool only tracks filed petitions after USCIS assigns a receipt number, which happens once Form I-129 is submitted and accepted during the filing window.

After Filing: Tracking the I-129 Petition

Once a selected registrant files Form I-129, USCIS issues a receipt notice (Form I-797C) containing a unique 13-character receipt number. The prefix indicates the processing service center: SRC (Texas), EAC (Vermont), WAC (California), LIN (Nebraska), or MSC (National Benefits Center). Petitions filed online receive an IOE prefix. Processing times are published by USCIS and are available at egov.uscis.gov/processing-times.

Common petition statuses and their meaning:

• "Case Was Received": Filing confirmed; not yet assigned to an officer
• "Request for Evidence Was Sent": USCIS needs additional documentation; the response deadline is stated in the notice (typically 84 days, or 87 days when served by mail)
• "Case Is Being Actively Reviewed": An officer has been assigned
• "Case Was Approved": Petition approved; H-1B status begins October 1, 2025 (for FY2026 cases)
• "Case Was Denied": Petition was not approved; the denial notice outlines appeal options

Pro tip: Setting up a USCIS online account at my.uscis.gov enables automatic email and text notifications about status changes.

Filing Requirements and Costs for Selected Registrations

Required Documents for a Complete H-1B Petition

A complete H-1B petition package requires documentation from both the employer and the employee. Missing any required element can result in rejection or a Request for Evidence that delays processing.

Employer responsibilities:

• Certified Labor Condition Application (LCA): Filed electronically with the Department of Labor on Form ETA-9035/9035E before submitting the I-129. The LCA attests to paying the required prevailing wage and maintaining proper working conditions.
• Form I-129 with the H Classification Supplement and H-1B Data Collection Supplement
• Copy of the selection notice and beneficiary confirmation number from myUSCIS
• Evidence of the specialty occupation: Detailed job description, degree requirements, industry standards demonstrating the role requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific field
• Employer financial documentation: Tax returns, annual reports, or audited financial statements demonstrating ability to pay the offered wage
• Organizational information: Business licenses, organizational charts, contracts or statements of work for third-party placements

Employee responsibilities:

• Educational credentials: Diploma, transcripts, and foreign credential evaluations if applicable
• Resume or CV with detailed employment history
• Passport and travel document copies matching the registration submission
• Any required professional licenses for the specific occupation
• Prior immigration documents: Copies of current visa, I-94 record, prior approval notices

File an H-1B Petition with Alma

Alma's H-1B platform simplifies the petition process for both employers and employees. Once selected in the lottery, Alma's attorneys prepare and file the complete I-129 petition package, including LCA filing, document organization, and legal review. Alma's H-1B legal fees are $500 for lottery registration and $3,500 for cap or cap-exempt filings. Every case includes RFE responses, administrative costs such as FedEx, printing, copying, and postage, and up to 3 consultation calls per matter. For businesses managing multiple employees, volume discounts and monthly pricing models are available.

USCIS Filing Fees

The fee structure for FY2026 cap-subject petitions reflects the April 1, 2024, USCIS Fee Schedule Rule, which introduced the Asylum Program Fee and restructured several existing fees. Under DOL regulations, mandatory government filing fees are generally the employer's responsibility.

Mandatory fees for a new cap-subject H-1B (small employer, 25 or fewer FTE):

• I-129 base filing fee: $460
• ACWIA training fee: $750
• Fraud prevention and detection fee: $500
• Asylum Program fee: $300
• Total (small employer): approximately $2,010 in addition to the $215 registration fee already paid

Mandatory fees for a new cap-subject H-1B (large employer, 26+ FTE):

• I-129 base filing fee: $780 (paper filing) or $730 (online filing)
• ACWIA training fee: $1,500
• Fraud prevention and detection fee: $500
• Asylum Program fee: $600
• Total (large employer): approximately $3,380 (paper) or $3,330 (online) in addition to the $215 registration fee already paid

Optional and situational fees:

• Premium processing (Form I-907): $2,805 for petitions postmarked before March 1, 2026 (increased to $2,965 for petitions postmarked on or after March 1, 2026). USCIS will take action (approval, denial, RFE, NOID, or opening a fraud investigation) within 15 business days. Premium processing speeds USCIS adjudication but does not influence the outcome.
• Public Law 114-113 fee: $4,000 for employers with 50 or more U.S. employees where more than 50% hold H-1B or L-1 status
• $100,000 supplemental fee: Under Presidential Proclamation 10973 (effective September 21, 2025), required for new petitions where the beneficiary is outside the U.S. and does not hold a valid H-1B visa. Does not apply to change-of-status petitions for beneficiaries currently in the United States in valid nonimmigrant status, same-employer extensions or amendments for current H-1B holders in the U.S., or petitions filed before September 21, 2025. The proclamation is set to expire September 21, 2026, unless extended by presidential action.

Note: Nonprofit organizations qualifying under IRC § 501(c)(3), (c)(4), or (c)(6) are exempt from the Asylum Program Fee. The ACWIA training fee exemption applies under INA § 214(c)(9)(A) to: institutions of higher education; nonprofits related to or affiliated with institutions of higher education; nonprofit research organizations; governmental research organizations; primary or secondary educational institutions; and nonprofit entities engaged in established curriculum-related clinical training of students. A general nonprofit outside these categories is not exempt from the ACWIA fee. The fraud prevention fee applies to initial petitions and change-of-employer petitions, not same-employer extensions.

Major Rule Changes Affecting H-1B in 2025 and 2026

Three significant regulatory changes define the current H-1B landscape.

Beneficiary-Centric Selection (Effective FY2025)

Published in the Federal Register on February 2, 2024, this rule changed the lottery from selecting registrations to selecting unique beneficiaries. Each person enters the lottery once regardless of how many employers register them. The practical impact has been significant: total eligible registrations fell from approximately 758,994 in FY2024 to 343,981 in FY2026, and the FY2026 selection rate of 35.3% represented a marked increase from FY2025's approximately 29%.

H-1B Modernization Rule (Effective January 17, 2025)

The DHS Final Rule brought the most comprehensive H-1B overhaul in years. Key provisions include:

• Updated specialty occupation definition: Requires the degree to be "directly related" to the job duties, defined as having a logical connection between the required degree and the position, but no longer mandates a single specific degree field
• Expanded eligibility for entrepreneurs and startup founders: Founders with controlling ownership interest can now qualify, with the initial petition and first extension each limited to 18-month validity periods (rather than the standard 3-year maximum)
• Extended cap-gap protection: F-1 students with pending or approved cap-subject H-1B petitions retain status and work authorization through April 1 of the relevant fiscal year, extending protection by six months compared to the previous October 1 deadline
• Codified deference policy: Officers must generally defer to prior approvals when adjudicating extension and amendment petitions involving the same parties and facts
• Broadened cap-exempt eligibility: Changed the nonprofit research standard from "primary mission" to "fundamental activity," expanding which organizations qualify. Also clarified that remote work performed for qualifying institutions may count as cap-exempt employment.
• Codified site visit authority: USCIS can conduct site visits at employer locations and third-party worksites

Wage-Weighted Lottery for FY2027 (Effective February 27, 2026)

DHS published a final rule replacing the random lottery with a wage-tiered system starting with FY2027. Registrations receive lottery entries based on the offered wage's Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) level: Level IV positions receive 4 entries, Level III gets 3, Level II gets 2, and Level I gets 1. Employers must now provide SOC codes, intended employment areas, and wage levels at the registration stage. This means entry-level (Level I) positions face significantly reduced selection odds compared to the prior random system.

Looking ahead to FY2027: The wage-weighted system will substantially change H-1B lottery dynamics. Alma's team can provide information on how the new system affects workforce planning.

Increased Enforcement: Project Firewall

On September 19, 2025, the Department of Labor launched Project Firewall, the first time the Secretary of Labor personally certified H-1B investigations based on reasonable cause, without requiring a formal worker complaint. By November 2025, DOL reported at least 175 ongoing investigations and had assessed $15 million in back wages owed to workers. Common violations included paying below the LCA-attested wage, listing fictitious worksites, and withholding pay during unproductive periods ("benching"). USCIS simultaneously expanded its own enforcement through increased site visits and petition revocations.

Not Selected? Alternative Visa Pathways

For the approximately 217,000 unique beneficiaries not selected in FY2026, several alternatives exist depending on qualifications and circumstances.

O-1A Visa (Extraordinary Ability): The O-1A has no annual cap and no lottery requirement. It requires demonstrating extraordinary ability through evidence such as awards, published research, patents, high salary, or significant contributions. Tech professionals with strong GitHub portfolios, publications, or industry recognition are increasingly qualifying. Alma's O-1A attorneys can assess eligibility.

EB-2 National Interest Waiver: The EB-2 NIW provides a direct path to a green card without employer sponsorship or PERM labor certification. If the applicant's work has substantial merit and national importance, the applicant is well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor, and it would be beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer requirement, they can self-petition. As a direct path to a green card, the EB-2 NIW is entirely independent of the H-1B lottery and its six-year time limit. See Alma's EB-2 NIW visa guide for a detailed breakdown.

Cap-Exempt Employment: Certain employers are exempt from the H-1B numerical cap and can file petitions year-round without the lottery. These include institutions of higher education, nonprofit entities related to or affiliated with universities (including university hospitals), nonprofit research organizations where research is a "fundamental activity," and government research organizations. Under the 2025 Modernization Rule, this category was broadened and now also covers remote work performed for qualifying institutions.

L-1 Intracompany Transfer: For employees of multinational companies, the L-1 visa allows transfer to a U.S. office after one continuous year of employment abroad within the preceding three years. There is no annual cap and no lottery.

TN Visa: Canadian and Mexican nationals can work in the U.S. in designated professional occupations without a cap or lottery. The TN is renewable indefinitely in three-year increments, though it does not directly lead to permanent residency.

STEM OPT Extension: F-1 students in STEM fields can extend Optional Practical Training by 24 months (36 months total), providing continued work authorization while pursuing the H-1B lottery in future years.

Re-registering for FY2027: The FY2027 registration period ran from March 4 (noon Eastern) to March 19 (5:00 p.m. Eastern), 2026. However, the new wage-weighted lottery system means selection odds now depend heavily on offered wage level, with Level I positions at a significant disadvantage.

Why Choose Alma for H-1B Filing

Read success stories from Alma's clients across industries

Alma's technology-enabled platform streamlines every step of the H-1B process for both employers and employees.

Platform-driven efficiency: Alma's system automates LCA preparation, document collection, and form population, reducing errors and turnaround time. Employees upload documents directly into a secure portal. Attorneys review and finalize everything with real-time collaboration.

Transparent, flat-fee pricing: Alma's per-visa pricing covers attorney fees, RFE responses, administrative costs, and consultation calls with no hidden hourly charges. For businesses managing multiple employees, volume discounts and monthly pricing models are available.

Dedicated attorney access: Every case is handled by a dedicated attorney who knows the case from start to finish. Bi-weekly status calls are included for Growth and Enterprise clients.

Schedule a consultation to discuss an H-1B case or explore alternative visa options with an experienced attorney.