H-1B Visa Lottery Results Out for FY 2026: Check Your Selection Status & File Petition

H-1B Visa Lottery Results Out for FY 2026: USCIS or The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have done with the H-1B selection process for the upcoming year 2026. Enough registrations made to meet the H-1B quotas for FY 2026. The selection of beneficiaries was done randomly or chosen to fulfill the H-1B cap. As the lottery process is done, the USIC has confirmed the annual limit for H-1B cap employment. The limit has reached the 65,000 standard H-1B cap limits. There is a cap exemption of 20,000 for the individuals who possess advance degrees.

The registered applicants can check their H-1B Visa status through their online USCIS accounts. After the selection is confirmed the beneficiaries need to inform their sponsoring businesses. The companies who have accepted the offers for theses beneficiaries must file an H-1B cap-subject petition on their behalf. Today is the starting day for all H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2026. The submission started including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption. Only petitioners with selected beneficiaries can file these petitions. All cap-subject petitions must be completed correctly and submitted to the appropriate location or online within the timeframe specified in the beneficiary selection notice. The deadline of submitting the cap petition is from April 1^st 2025 to 30^th June, 2025.

H-1B Visa Lottery Results Out for FY 2026

H-1B Selection Process Completed for FY 2026

The H-1B visa program continues to be one of the most significant pathways for skilled foreign professionals seeking employment in the United States. Each year, employers across the nation compete to secure these limited visas for their international talent. The fiscal year 2026 H-1B lottery selection process has recently concluded, marking another important milestone in the U.S. immigration landscape.

H-1B Visa Registration Process

The H-1B selection process for FY 2026 followed the now-established electronic registration system, which has streamlined the application process since its introduction in 2020. Key timeline elements included:

1. Employer Registration Preparation (January-February 2025)
   • Employers identified potential H-1B candidates
   • Legal teams gathered necessary information
   • USCIS conducted outreach sessions on registration procedures
2. Electronic Registration Period (March 1-17, 2025)
   • Employers submitted basic information about their companies and potential H-1B workers
   • $10 registration fee per beneficiary
   • System allowed registrations 24/7 during the window
3. Selection Lottery (March 18-20, 2025)
   • USCIS conducted random selection process
   • Advanced degree exemption lottery conducted first
   • Unselected advanced degree registrations rolled into regular cap lottery
4. Selection Notifications (March 21-31, 2025)
   • Selected registrants notified through online accounts
   • Status updates provided for all registrations
   • Some registrations placed on “waitlist” status
5. H-1B Petition Filing Window (April 1-June 30, 2025)
   • Selected registrants eligible to file complete H-1B petitions
   • 90-day filing window for selected cases
   • Premium processing available for expedited adjudication

This structured approach has helped USCIS manage the overwhelming demand while giving employers ample time to prepare complete petitions after selection.

Procedure of File Petition of H-1B Visa

The petitioners have to gather all the necessary documents along with any required documents meant for successful H-1B Visa submission, while filing a cap-subject petition.

In the documents, the essential documents include:

• A form of identification like beneficiary’s valid passport or a travel document
• A copy of the relevant selection notice for the FY 2026 H-1B cap-subject petition

The petitioners are advised to check with their beneficiary to confirm which documents were utilized for the initial registration. The processing time for the H-1B cap-subject petition is approximately 90 days. So the petitioners have to wait for such time after submitting their application.

Petitioners are required to attach a copy of the relevant selection notice when submitting the FY 2026 H-1B cap-subject petition. The petition needs to be submitted correctly at the physical place or via online at my.uscis.gov during the specified filing period mentioned in the selection notice. Apart from eligibility, getting an H-1B visa involves a different process. Petitioners must provide proof of their beneficiary’s eligibility again.

In case you are not selected for the H-1B visa then there may still be opportunities for individuals to become eligible through additional selections. The applicants can submit petition not earlier than 6 months before the requested employment start date for the beneficiary.  USCIS will start accepting online submissions for H-1B cap petitions and related Forms I-907 on April 1 for petitioners with selected registrations. 

Individuals can contact immigration law experts to explore other possible options. For any queries you can contact to the legal advisors regarding U.S. immigration matters. Collaborating with a knowledgeable attorney is crucial to receive accurate guidance based on the latest laws especially in the constantly changing landscape of immigration policy.

Check Your H-1B Visa Status Online

The individuals who have applied for the visa or the H-1B visa seekers who have registered for cap season 2026 can check their status by visiting their online accounts. Here they can know about their status. It will be written on that whether you are selected or not. Different status will be there. You have to know what it means.

• If it is written Submitted, then you have to make sure that the registration has been submitted and you are eligible to get into the selection process. If the selection process in not invalid then there is a chance that you will be selected for the applied fiscal year.
• If it is mentioned “Selected”, they know that you are selected to file an H-1B petition.
• If it is written that ‘Not Selected’, then you are not eligible to file a cap petition.
• If it is mentioned that ‘Denied- duplicate registration’, then it means multiple registrations were submitted on the same registered person. And all the registered forms will be treated as invalid for that fiscal year.
• If it is written ‘Invalidated- Failed payment’, then you have to make sure that the registration was done but the payment has not done. There is a failure of payment.
• If it denoted ‘Deleted’, then know that the registered form has been deleted and that is not valid for the selection process.
• If it shows that ‘Processing Submission’, this means the USCIS is all set to process your submission. It may consume time of 72 hour. And remember that you cannot access your draft, while the processing part is happening.

H-1B Visa Lottery Results Out for FY 2026

If you got the selection, then Congratulations to you. You have got the H-1B visa. Now your employer has to submit a full H-1B petition along with the necessary documents between April 1 and June 30 of 2025. You have to stay close to your employer and attorney to facilitate for a smooth process.

In this year’s lottery process the registration fees has risen up from $10 to $215. This year’s selection process has concluded differently as it included electronic registration of the candidates.

Future of the H-1B Program

The completion of the FY 2026 H-1B selection process represents another chapter in the ongoing evolution of America’s high-skilled immigration system. While the core program structure remains intact, incremental changes continue to shape the experience for employers and foreign nationals alike.

Looking forward, several factors will likely influence the program’s future:

• Regulatory changes under the current administration
• Legislative reform proposals addressing visa caps and selection criteria
• Economic conditions affecting demand for foreign talent
• International competition for skilled workers from other destination countries
• Technological advancements in the registration and adjudication processes

Employers and foreign nationals navigating this complex landscape should remain informed about policy developments while exploring the full range of immigration options available to achieve their objectives.

The H-1B program, despite its limitations and challenges, continues to serve as a critical talent pipeline for U.S. employers and a valuable opportunity for skilled professionals around the world. Understanding its complexities and preparing accordingly remains essential for success in this competitive environment.