H-1B VISA Lottery Result: The first round of one of the most awaited yearly immigration procedures has begun with the United States concluding its first lottery for the H-1B VISA cap for fiscal year 2026. Under both the standard cap and the master’s cap, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) verified that it received enough electronic registrations to reach the annual quota.
H-1B VISA lottery Result : What happens next?
After the completion of the initial selection procedure, employers and chosen beneficiaries can take the following actions:-
1. Verify Registration Status: To check the registration status, employers or legal representatives can sign into their USCIS accounts. The beneficiary is qualified to submit an H-1B cap-subject petition if they have a “Selected” status.
2. Draft and File the Petition: Petitioners need to file Form I-129 (Petition for a Non-immigrant Worker) with the necessary paperwork and payment. This comprises:
- The notice of H-1B selection.
- Evidence of the beneficiary’s current passport or other travel authorization.
- Proof that the position being offered is a specialized occupation.
- Evidence that the recipient satisfies the necessary experience and education criteria.
- The US Department of Labor has certified the Labor Condition Application (LCA).
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3. Filing Period Opens April 1, 2025: Beginning on April 1, 2025, employers have 90 days from the date of the selection notice to submit H-1B cap-subject applications.
4. USCIS Review and Decision: Following submission, applications will be examined by USCIS for eligibility and completeness. Among the potential results are:
- Approval: The recipient can start working on October 1, 2025, or later, if the H-1B petition is accepted.
- Request for Evidence (RFE): Prior to rendering a determination, USCIS may request more papers.
- Rejection or Denial: The petition could be rejected or denied if it doesn’t match the standards.
5. Cap Reallocation (If Necessary): In order to cover any vacancies left by applications that are rejected, withdrawn, or denied, USCIS may hold a second lottery round later in 2025.
2025 H-1B visa modifications and price hikes
This year, there have been major modifications to the H-1B program. In an effort to decrease fraud and enhance lottery system fairness, USCIS implemented a new beneficiary-centric selection procedure.
Each beneficiary is now only counted once in the lottery, regardless of the number of registrations, allowing several companies to register the same person and boost their chances. Additionally, beginning of April 1, 2025, the filing fees for H-1B petitions have gone up. The following are included in the revised fee structure:
- Beginning in FY 2026, the H-1B cap registration price will increase from $10 to $215 per registration.
- Small businesses and nonprofit organizations now pay $780 instead of $460 for Form I-129 (H-1B petitions), while bigger companies must pay $1,385.
- The $500 charge for fraud prevention and detection has not increased, but larger businesses now have to pay $600 each petition under the new asylum program.
- As USCIS has tightened its inspection of petitions to make sure they match the beneficiary’s job position and credentials, employers must likewise deal with more stringent compliance requirements.
How to determine each status with the USCIS?
One of the following statuses will appear in your USCIS account after you log in:
Submitted: For this round, you have not been chosen. There might be more lotteries if the visa cap isn’t reached, so keep checking your account for one.
Selected: Well done! You are eligible to submit a cap-subject petition for an H-1B. The deadline for filing is April 1, 2025.
Not Selected: If you were not chosen this year, you may want to think about reapplying the following season, employer-sponsored green cards, or Day 1 CPT.
Denied: Duplicate Registration: Regretfully, because your employer made several registrations, USCIS had to reject your admission. Only one registration per employer may be submitted by an individual.
Invalidated: Failed Payment: Because your payment was unsuccessful, USCIS terminated your registration.
Deleted: We are no longer considering your registration.
Processing Submission: Your entry is now being examined by USCIS.
What to do if you are not selected?
Rejection in the 2026 FY H1B lottery can be discouraging, but it also gives up a world of options.
- The O1 visa, which is intended for people who exhibit exceptional talent in their area, is one such choice.
- The L1 visa facilitates intra-company transfers for workers with specialist knowledge or in managing positions.
- Another option is the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver), which is designed for professionals whose work is considered to be of substantial benefit to the United States.
- Additionally, taking into account educational programs that provide Day 1 CPT may give a practical way to continue your academic goals while working in the United States.
If selected File the H-1B petition (for employers)
Form I-129 (Petition for a Non-immigrant Worker) must be submitted by petitioners along with all necessary fees and supporting documentation. This comprises
- An approved Labor Condition Application (LCA).
- Proof that the position is a specialty occupation.
- Evidence that the recipient satisfies the standards for education and employment.
- The valid passport copy and the H-1B selection notice.
After reviewing petitions, USCIS may grant, reject, or request additional information by issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE).
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The first obstacle is being chosen for the lottery. Those who are “selected” must move quickly since their employer must submit a complete H-1B petition with all the supporting papers between April 1 and June 30, 2025. To effectively submit your petition, adhere to following steps:
Keep Form I-129 on file: Make use of the most recent version of the petition form for FY 2026.
Pay the appropriate fees: Make sure you pay the correct amount as the new filing fee structure goes into effect on April 1, 2025.
Send your petition to the USCIS lockbox location that has been assigned to you: Paper applications will no longer be accepted by USCIS at service centers.
Double-check information: Verify the postal address, form selection, and fee payment several times because even a small error can result in a complete rejection.
