Educational only. Not legal, immigration, tax, or financial advice. Verify with USCIS and a licensed immigration attorney.
H1B Lottery Results 2026/2027: How to Check Status and What to Do Next
~14 min read · Reviewed each cap season
Quick answer
Are H1B lottery results out?
Start here
Quick summary
- ▸Who can check results: The employer or its immigration attorney checks the USCIS organizational account. Employees usually hear the result from the employer/lawyer.
- ▸What “Selected” means: Your registration was chosen; the employer may now file a full cap-subject H-1B petition. It is not an approval or a visa.
- ▸What “Submitted” means: Your registration is in the pool and paid, but not yet chosen. It can still be selected in a later round the same year.
- ▸What “Not Selected” means: You were not chosen this year. You keep your current status (often F-1 OPT/STEM OPT) and can re-register next year.
- ▸When petition filing starts: After selection, USCIS opens a filing window (historically 90+ days). The employer files Form I-129 with the selection notice and a certified LCA.
- ▸Whether a second lottery may happen: Possibly. USCIS can run more selection rounds if the cap is not reached — but it is never guaranteed or pre-announced.
- ▸What F-1 OPT/STEM OPT students should do: Confirm your OPT end date, ask your employer to file on time, and get a cap-gap I-20 from your DSO if selected.
Timeline
When do H1B lottery results come out? (FY 2027 dates)
Initial results land in late March, days after the registration window closes — USCIS then notifies employers on a rolling basis. The FY 2027 season follows the standard cap calendar:
| Milestone | FY 2027 timing |
|---|---|
| Registration window | Early–mid March 2026, per the USCIS announcement |
| Initial selection results | Late March – early April 2026, in employer USCIS accounts |
| Petition filing window opens | April 1, 2026 — at least 90 days to file Form I-129 |
| Possible second-round selection | Historically July–August, only if the cap isn't reached — never guaranteed |
| Earliest H-1B start date | October 1, 2026 (the first day of FY 2027) |
The odds
H1B lottery selection rate by year
Selection rates swing with registration volume — and they improved sharply after USCIS moved to beneficiary-centric selection in FY 2025, which collapsed duplicate registrations. Figures below are from USCIS-published registration data (rounded); FY 2027 adds wage-weighted selection, so per-person odds now also depend on OEWS wage level.
| Cap season | Eligible registrations | Selected (all rounds) | Approx. rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2024 (Mar 2023) | ~759,000 | ~188,400 | ~25% |
| FY 2025 (Mar 2024) | ~470,000 | ~134,000 | ~29% |
| FY 2026 (Mar 2025) | ~344,000 | ~118,700 | ~35% |
| FY 2027 (Mar 2026) | Per USCIS announcement | First wage-weighted year | See calculator below |
Source: USCIS H-1B cap season announcements and registration data. Estimate your own FY 2027 odds with the H-1B lottery chance calculator or read how the odds actually work.
Step 1
How to check H1B lottery results
The H-1B cap lottery runs through the USCIS electronic registration system. Your employer (or the law firm it uses) registers you inside a USCIS organizational account and pays the registration fee. When USCIS runs the selection, the result appears against your registration inside that same account. That is why, as an employee, you almost always learn your result second-hand.
Your employer or its immigration attorney logs into the USCIS organizational account and opens the registration for the current fiscal year.
Each registration shows a status (Submitted, Selected, Not Selected, Denied, or Invalidated). The attorney or HR normally emails selected candidates first.
As an employee you cannot check directly — USCIS organizational accounts have no beneficiary role, and there is no public name-based lookup. Ask your employer or its attorney in writing.
A Selection Notice (with a beneficiary confirmation number) is required for the employer to file the cap-subject petition. Ask for a copy for your records.
If you are unsure, ask your employer or attorney in writing: “What is my exact H-1B registration status for this fiscal year?” Keep the reply.
Status → meaning → what to do next
| Status | What it means | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Submitted | Registration was accepted and paid; sitting in the pool, not yet chosen. | Wait. Stay in valid status. It may still be selected in a later round. |
| Selected | Chosen in the lottery; employer may now file a cap-subject petition. | Confirm your employer is filing; gather documents; plan the LCA + I-129. |
| Not Selected | Not chosen after all selection rounds for the year. | Stay on OPT/STEM OPT if eligible; explore cap-exempt, L-1, O-1; re-register next year. |
| Denied | A duplicate registration for the same person by the same employer. | Ask the employer/attorney to fix duplicate filings; only one registration per person per employer counts. |
| Invalidated-Failed Payment | Registration was invalidated because the fee payment did not clear. | Not eligible for selection. Employer must re-check payment and registration handling. |
Tip for Indian applicants
Step 2
H1B registration status meaning
Here is what each status in the USCIS registration system means, in plain language. For a deeper walk-through of each one, see the dedicated H-1B registration status meaning guide.
Submitted
Registration accepted and fee paid. It is in the pool but not yet chosen. It stays Submitted (not Not Selected) until a round selects it or the year ends.
Selected
Chosen in the lottery. Your employer may file a full cap-subject H-1B petition during the filing window. Not an approval.
Not Selected
Not chosen after all selection rounds for the fiscal year. No cap-subject petition can be filed for you this year.
Denied
A duplicate registration was found — the same employer submitted more than one registration for the same person. Only one counts.
Invalidated-Failed Payment
The registration fee payment did not go through, so the registration was invalidated and is not eligible for selection.
Step 3
What to do if your H1B lottery is selected
Selected is a beginning, not the finish line
Confirm and prepare
- ✓Confirm in writing that your employer is actually moving forward and filing the petition.
- ✓Gather documents: passport, I-94, prior I-797s, degree certificates, transcripts, resume, and any evaluation.
- ✓Understand the LCA + Form I-129 process — the employer needs a certified LCA (about 7 business days) before filing.
- ✓Note the filing window (historically 90+ days) and ask when your employer plans to file.
Plan and protect
- ✓Ask whether premium processing (faster USCIS decision) will be requested.
- ✓Plan your start date — cap-subject H-1B employment usually begins October 1.
- ✓Be cautious about international travel while the petition is pending or before stamping.
- ✓Keep copies of the selection notice, receipt notice (I-797C), and every approval.
Step 4
What to do if your H1B lottery is not selected
Not being selected is common — in recent years the odds for a single registration have been well below 50%. It is not a reflection on you. You keep whatever status you already hold, and you have real options. See the full playbook: H-1B not selected: options.
Stay on F-1 OPT / STEM OPT
If you are on OPT and hold a STEM degree, check the 24-month STEM OPT extension to keep working and re-enter next year's lottery.
Cap-exempt H-1B employers
Universities, affiliated nonprofits, and research organizations can file H-1B without the lottery, all year round.
L-1 if working abroad
If you can work for the same multinational abroad for a year, an L-1 intra-company transfer may bring you back cap-free.
O-1 only with strong achievements
The extraordinary-ability visa is demanding — realistic only with awards, publications, or major recognition.
H-4 / H-4 EAD if married
If your spouse holds H-1B (with an approved I-140) or a green card, H-4 or H-4 EAD may keep you and any work authorization intact.
Avoid risky shortcuts
Steer clear of “guaranteed” lottery schemes, day-1 CPT mills, or status gaps. They can permanently damage your immigration record.
Build a financial emergency plan
Step 5
Will there be a second H1B lottery?
USCIS may run one or more additional selection rounds if it does not receive enough petitions from the first round to reach the annual cap (65,000 regular plus 20,000 for U.S. master’s degree holders). This has happened in several past years — but it is never guaranteed and is not announced ahead of time.
What is true
- ✓A later selection round can pull from the same Submitted pool — you don't re-register for it.
- ✓Your status stays “Submitted” (not “Not Selected”) while additional rounds remain possible.
- ✓USCIS posts official updates on its website when it runs another round.
What to do
- ✓Keep your employer registration active and your details current with the attorney.
- ✓Watch official USCIS announcements — not social-media rumors — for a second round.
- ✓Keep your backup plan (STEM OPT, cap-exempt, next year) ready in case no second round happens.
Deeper detail: Will there be a second H-1B lottery?
Step 6
Special guidance for F-1 OPT and STEM OPT students
Most Indian H-1B candidates are on F-1 OPT or STEM OPT when the lottery runs. The critical concept is cap-gap — the bridge that keeps you in status between an OPT end date and an October 1 H-1B start. Full guide: H-1B lottery results for F-1 OPT students.
Know your OPT end date
Find the exact end date on your EAD card. Your cap-gap and backup timing revolve around it.
Check STEM OPT eligibility
A qualifying STEM degree + E-Verify employer can add 24 months — a strong safety net if not selected.
Understand cap-gap basics
If selected with a timely, October-1 petition, cap-gap generally extends your F-1 status/work authorization until the petition is decided.
Employer communication checklist
Confirm the employer will file on time, request a cap-gap I-20 from your DSO, and keep your I-20/EAD current.
Step 7
H1B lottery results for H-4 families
A lottery result affects the whole family, not just the primary applicant. If you are planning around a spouse’s H-1B or your own H-4 status, map the family impact early. Full guide: H-1B lottery results for H-4 families.
Spouse planning
A selection may let a spouse move to H-4 (and possibly H-4 EAD later). A non-selection may mean staying on the current plan.
H-4 EAD considerations
H-4 EAD generally requires the H-1B principal to have an approved I-140 — a lottery win alone does not create H-4 EAD eligibility.
Child school continuity
Plan school enrollment and any move around the October 1 start and the filing timeline, not around rumors.
Health insurance & emergency fund
Keep continuous coverage during any status change, and hold an emergency fund that covers a filing that slips or is denied.
Moving back to India
If plans don't work out, think through RNOR status, 401(k), children's schooling, and currency timing before deciding.
Step 8
NRI financial checklist after H1B lottery results
Selected or not, a lottery result is a good moment to firm up your US–India money picture. This is where NRItoUSA helps most.
Stability in the US
- ✓Emergency fund: aim for 6+ months of expenses in case a petition slips, is denied, or a job changes.
- ✓Health insurance: keep continuous coverage through any status change or job move.
- ✓Tax residency: understand your US resident/non-resident status for the year and how a status change affects it.
- ✓Green card timeline planning: if selected, start thinking about the EB-2/EB-3 path and priority-date backlog for Indians.
India-side compliance
- ✓FBAR / FATCA: NRE/NRO accounts, FDs, and Indian mutual funds may trigger US reporting — don't miss FinCEN 114 / Form 8938.
- ✓India bank accounts: know your NRE vs NRO balances and whether your residency status could change them.
- ✓NRE / NRO planning: align account type and repatriation with your residency and tax position.
- ✓Repatriation & currency: if you may return to India, plan RNOR status, 401(k) handling, and currency timing in advance.
Go deeper
Explore the H1B lottery results cluster
If you were selected
Documents, LCA + I-129, filing window, premium processing, start date, travel.
If you were not selected
STEM OPT, cap-exempt, L-1, O-1, H-4, and a financial backup plan.
Will there be a second lottery?
How additional selection rounds work and what to watch for.
Registration status meaning
Submitted, Selected, Not Selected, Denied, Invalidated — explained.
For F-1 OPT / STEM OPT students
Cap-gap, OPT end date, and backup planning.
For H-4 families
Spouse planning, H-4 EAD, schools, insurance, and moving back.
Results date & timeline
When results are announced and how to tell they're out.
Lottery chances & odds
The cap, the master's advantage, and what really moves your odds.
Visa stamping after selection
Change of status vs consular processing and India stamping.
Multiple registrations
Multiple job offers and beneficiary-centric rules.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I check my H1B lottery result?
- H1B registration results are shown inside the USCIS online organizational account used to submit the registration — that account belongs to your employer or its immigration attorney, not to you as the employee. Each registration in that account shows a status such as Submitted, Selected, or Not Selected. USCIS organizational accounts have no beneficiary role, so as the employee you cannot log in and see your own registration status, and there is no public page where you can look up your result by name. You learn your result when your employer or the company's lawyer tells you — ask them in writing.
- Can I check H1B lottery results myself?
- No. The lottery (electronic registration) is run through the employer's USCIS organizational account, and that account has no beneficiary role — there is no login that shows an employee their own registration status, and no public USCIS page where you can look up your name. The employer or attorney of record sees the official result and is expected to inform you, so ask them in writing for your exact registration status.
- What does selected mean in H1B lottery?
- "Selected" means your registration was chosen in the lottery and your employer is now eligible to file a full, cap-subject H-1B petition (Form I-129) for you during the USCIS filing window. It is an invitation to file — not a visa, not an approval, and not a guarantee of an H-1B. USCIS still has to receive and approve the petition. Being selected is the milestone that lets the real petition begin.
- What does submitted mean after H1B lottery?
- "Submitted" means your registration was successfully entered and the registration fee was paid, and it is in the pool waiting for the selection to run — or it was in the pool for a selection round that has not yet chosen it. It is not a selection. After the main selection runs, a Submitted registration that was not chosen stays Submitted (still eligible for any later selection round in the same fiscal year) rather than flipping to Not Selected.
- What happens if my H1B lottery is not selected?
- If you are not selected, your employer cannot file a cap-subject H-1B for you this fiscal year. You keep whatever status you already hold — for many Indians that is F-1 OPT or STEM OPT. Common next steps are staying on OPT/STEM OPT if eligible, looking at cap-exempt H-1B employers (universities, affiliated nonprofits, research organizations), considering L-1 if you work abroad for the same company, exploring O-1 only with strong achievements, or planning to re-enter next year's lottery. Being not selected is common and does not mean you did anything wrong.
- Can there be a second H1B lottery?
- Sometimes. If USCIS does not receive enough petitions from the first round of selections to reach the annual cap, it can run one or more additional selection rounds later in the year from the same registration pool. This has happened in several past years, but it is never guaranteed and USCIS does not announce it in advance. Keep your registration status visible through your employer and watch official USCIS updates rather than relying on rumors.
- When can my employer file the H1B petition after selection?
- After selection, USCIS opens a filing window (historically at least 90 days) during which your employer must file the full cap-subject H-1B petition (Form I-129) with the selection notice. The employer typically needs a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of Labor first, which takes about seven business days. Employers often file early in the window and can request premium processing for a faster decision.
- Does H1B lottery selection mean approval?
- No. Selection only means your employer may now file the petition. USCIS still reviews the full I-129 petition and can approve it, issue a Request for Evidence (RFE), or deny it. A clean, well-documented specialty-occupation petition with a matching LCA has the best chance. Do not make irreversible plans — such as resigning from another job or non-refundable travel — on selection alone.
- What should F-1 OPT students do after H1B selection?
- If you are on F-1 OPT or STEM OPT and your registration is selected and your employer files a timely change-of-status petition, cap-gap generally extends your F-1 status past your OPT end date — and extends your work authorization too, if you were in authorized post-completion OPT when the petition was filed. It runs until April 1 of the fiscal year the H-1B is requested for, or the approved petition's validity start date, whichever comes first, and it ends early if the petition is denied, rejected, revoked or withdrawn. Confirm your OPT end date, tell your DSO, keep your I-20 and EAD current, and get a cap-gap I-20 from your school's international office.
- What are my options if I am not selected?
- Options depend on your current status. If you are on F-1 OPT, check whether you qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Look at cap-exempt H-1B employers, L-1 (if you have a year abroad with the same multinational), O-1 for extraordinary ability, H-4/H-4 EAD if your spouse holds status, or another degree program. Many people simply re-enter next year's lottery while staying in valid status. Avoid risky shortcuts, and build a financial and travel backup plan while you decide.
Deepak Middha, CA, Series 65Founder & Author
Deepak has experience in cross-border finance, tax-aware planning, and immigrant money decisions. View full profile →
Educational content, not personalized tax, legal, immigration, or financial advice. Rules, fees, and processing times change — always verify with the official source before acting.
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This page is educational only and is not legal, immigration, tax, or financial advice. H-1B lottery rules, USCIS policies, and processing timelines change frequently and depend on your specific facts. Always confirm details with official USCIS guidance, your employer or its immigration attorney, and qualified professionals before acting.
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