H-1B Selection System
H-1B Selection Process Walkthrough
H-1B Visa Selection Process
H-1B Visa Cap Lottery Guide
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The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for specialty occupations, but annual caps trigger a lottery system when demand exceeds supply.
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Key Aspects Covered:
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Lottery selection process
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Alternatives if not selected
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Employer/employee next steps
Key Takeaways for FY 2026
Electronic H-1B registration continues unchanged.
Lottery selections are now based on individual beneficiaries rather than multiple employer registrations.
Multiple lottery rounds are expected to meet the annual cap.
Shared accounts streamline employer and attorney collaboration.
Understanding The H-1B Visa Cap
H-1B Visa Cap Details:
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Annual cap: 65,000 visas, plus 20,000 additional visas for eligible U.S. advanced degree holders.
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Requires USCIS registration and lottery selection
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Cap-exempt employers: universities/research institutions
H-1B Selection Timeline
Summary of FY 2025 H-1B Lottery Procedures
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H-1B registration: March 1-18, 2024 (electronic submission)
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Lottery selections occurred March 29 and August 2, 2024.
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Selected registrants are notified first, while remaining registrations are updated later
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USCIS processes petitions for October 1, 2024 start dates.
Anticipated FY 2026 H-1B Filing Dates
Projected FY 2026 H-1B Schedule (Following Past Cycles)
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Registration Period: Mid-March 2025 (usually a 2-3 week window)
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Initial Selection Announcement: Early April 2025
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Petition Filing Period: April 1 – June 30, 2025
H-1B Sign-Up Process
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Employer and employee must create USCIS online accounts
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$215 fee per registration
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Short filing window demands prompt submission
H-1B Selection Protocol
Once the registration window closes, here is a general overview of the H-1B lottery selection process:
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Cap-exceeding registrations trigger random selection lottery.
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Selected registrants notified immediately; others updated later.
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Selected employers file I-129 with supporting evidence.
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H-1B filing begins on April 1 with a 90-day filing window.
*Employers filing on behalf of an H-1B applicant can see the applicant’s lottery status in their USCIS account. The account will show the lottery status as one of the following:
Registration submitted and considered valid.
Selected: Proceed with H-1B application.
Not selected this cycle.
Duplicate registrations invalidate all submissions.
Registration voided due to payment failure.
Alternative Visa Options Post-Lottery
Some unsuccessful applicants may have a limited grace period to change status or depart the United States, depending on their current immigration status.
Related Information
H-1B 2023 Snapshot
What To Do If You Lose Your Job on a Work Visa
Transitioning from an H-1B Visa to a Marriage-Based Green Card
Transitioning from DACA to an H-1B Visa
Understanding U.S. Nonimmigrant Visas
How to File Online for a Nonimmigrant Visa
Get a Crossway Immigration Lawyer