FY 2026 H-1B Lottery Results: What You Need to Know

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially completed the H-1B visa lottery selection process for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This annual lottery determines which applicants are eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions for the upcoming fiscal year. With the results now available, it's crucial for both selected and non-selected applicants to understand the next steps and recent changes affecting the process.

FY 2026 H-1B Lottery Results: What You Need to Know

Understanding the H-1B Visa Lottery Process

The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge. Due to the high demand for these visas, USCIS conducts an annual lottery to allocate the limited number of visas available:

Regular Cap: 65,000 visas are available for applicants with at least a bachelor's degree.

Master's Cap: An additional 20,000 visas are reserved for applicants with a master's degree or higher from a U.S. institution.

FY 2026 Lottery Results and Filing Period

USCIS has notified employers and their representatives of the selection results through their online accounts. Selected applicants can begin filing their H-1B cap-subject petitions starting April 1, 2025. The filing window will remain open for at least 90 days, closing no earlier than June 30, 2025. It's imperative that petitions are filed at the correct location or online via my.uscis.gov within this timeframe.

Recent Changes Impacting H-1B Applicants

Several notable changes have been implemented for the FY 2026 H-1B lottery process:

Beneficiary-Centric Selection Process: USCIS has introduced a beneficiary-centric selection process to strengthen integrity and reduce potential fraud. Under this system, each beneficiary has an equal chance of selection, regardless of the number of registrations submitted on their behalf.

Increased Registration Fee: The H-1B registration fee has increased from $10 to $215. This change aims to better support the administration of the program.

Extended Cap-Gap Protections: For F-1 students transitioning to H-1B status, the cap-gap protection has been extended until April 1 of the following fiscal year. This extension ensures that work authorization is not disrupted while the H-1B petition is being adjudicated.

Next Steps for Applicants

For Selected Applicants: Begin preparing your H-1B petition promptly. Ensure all required documentation, including the selection notice and evidence of the beneficiary’s valid passport or travel document used during registration, is included.

For Non-Selected Applicants: Consider alternative visa options or explore opportunities with employers exempt from the H-1B cap. Additionally, monitor USCIS announcements, as there may be subsequent selection rounds if the annual quota is not met during the initial filing period.

Staying informed about these updates and adhering to the specified guidelines is essential for a successful H-1B petition process.

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