H-1B Visa Lottery 2026: What Comes Next?
With the FY 2026 H-1B visa registration window officially closed as of March 24, 2025, thousands of foreign professionals now enter a period of anxious waiting. This year’s lottery, like past years, remains highly competitive, with only 85,000 visas available.
If you registered for the lottery, you may be wondering: When will selection results be available? What happens next? And what are your options if you’re not selected? Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming H-1B selection process and key next steps.
When Will Selection Results Be Released?
USCIS will conduct the lottery selection process between March 25 and March 30, 2025, with results expected by March 31. In past years, some notifications have been released a few days early (as soon as March 27 or 28), but USCIS will not confirm final results until all selections are posted.
If you don’t see an update immediately, don’t panic—status updates can take a few days. USCIS will officially announce once all results are posted. Until then, assume your registration is still under review.
How Will You Know If You’re Selected?
H-1B selection notices will be available only to the sponsoring employer via their myUSCIS account. If selected, your employer will be able to download an official selection notice, which can be shared with you as confirmation.
Important: Beneficiaries (the visa applicants) cannot log in to check their status themselves. You must rely on updates from your employer or legal representative.
What Are the Odds of Being Selected?
H-1B lottery selection rates fluctuate each year depending on the number of registrations. Here’s a quick look at past trends:
- FY 2024: 758,994 registrations → 16.6% selection rate
- FY 2025: 470,342 registrations → 23% selection rate (estimated)
For FY 2026, USCIS has implemented stricter rules to prevent duplicate and fraudulent registrations, which may slightly improve selection odds. However, competition remains fierce, especially for applicants with only a bachelor’s degree.
Do Master’s Degree Holders Have a Better Chance?
Yes. If you have a U.S. master’s degree or higher, you get two chances at selection:
- First in the regular cap (65,000 visas available).
- If not selected, you enter a second round exclusively for master’s degree holders (20,000 additional visas).
Historically, master’s degree holders have nearly double the selection odds compared to bachelor’s degree applicants.
What Happens If You’re Selected?
If selected, your employer must submit a complete H-1B petition (Form I-129) to USCIS between April 1 and June 30, 2025.
If you’re currently on F-1 OPT and your work authorization expires before June 30, your employer should file as soon as possible to secure a cap-gap extension and allow you to keep working while your petition is processed.
Once your petition is approved, you can begin working under H-1B status starting October 1, 2025.
What If You’re Not Selected?
If you don’t see a selection notice by March 31, don’t lose hope just yet. Your registration status will remain “Submitted” until USCIS officially announces whether additional lottery rounds will be held.
Will There Be a Second Lottery?
USCIS has held multiple lottery rounds in past years when not enough selected beneficiaries filed complete H-1B petitions. Here’s a breakdown of recent second lotteries:
- FY 2021 & 2022: A second lottery was held to fill unclaimed slots.
- FY 2023: No second lottery (due to overwhelming initial filings).
- FY 2024 & 2025: Additional lottery rounds were conducted after USCIS cracked down on fraudulent registrations.
For FY 2026, a second lottery will depend on how many selected applicants file petitions by the June 30 deadline. If not enough petitions are received, USCIS may conduct another lottery in late July or November.
What Are Your Backup Options If You’re Not Selected?
If you’re not selected in any round, you’ll need to consider alternative options to stay in the U.S. legally and continue your career. Here are a few:
- Cap-Exempt H-1B Employers – Universities, non-profits, and research institutions are exempt from the lottery. If you find a job with one of these organizations, you can apply for an H-1B at any time.
- O-1 Visa (Extraordinary Ability) – If you have a strong portfolio of work or exceptional skills in your field, an O-1 visa may be an option.
- L-1 Visa (Intra-Company Transfer) – If your current employer has offices abroad, you may be able to transfer and return to the U.S. on an L-1 visa.
- STEM OPT Extension – If you have a STEM degree, you may be eligible for a 24-month OPT extension, giving you another chance to apply in next year’s lottery.
- Day 1 CPT Programs – Some universities offer work-authorized degree programs (CPT) that allow you to continue working while maintaining legal status.
Final Thoughts: Be Prepared for Any Outcome
The H-1B visa lottery remains a highly competitive process, with many applicants left without selection. While USCIS is improving safeguards to ensure fairness, the demand for work visas continues to outpace supply.
If you’re in this year’s lottery, stay informed, communicate with your employer, and start preparing for alternative visa options in case you’re not selected.
At Powers Law Group, we specialize in immigration solutions and can help you navigate the next steps, whether you’re waiting for results, filing an H-1B petition, or exploring backup options.
📞 Need legal guidance? Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
