USCIS: 35% of Beneficiaries Were Selected in FY2026 H1B Lottery; Will There Be A Second Lottery This Year?

On May 14, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officially released the registration and selection data for the FY2026 H-1B cap season, based on the lottery conducted in March 2025. This is the first round of data for the new fiscal year, and it reveals some striking shifts in both registration volume and selection rates.

1. Key Statistics from the FY2026 H-1B First-Round Lottery

• Total Electronic Registrations Submitted: 358,737
• Valid Registrations: 343,981
• Beneficiaries Selected in First Round: 120,141
  • Of these, 118,660 had only one employer submit a registration on their behalf.
• Registrations from Single Employers: 336,153
• Registrations from Multiple Employers for the Same Beneficiary: 7,828

2. H1B Lottery Trends: Sharp Decline in Registrations, Significant Jump in Selection Rate

A historical comparison of USCIS data reveals a dramatic decrease in total and valid H-1B registrations this year—contrasted with a notable increase in the selection rate.

Selection Rate:

• FY2026 First-Round Selection Rate (2025 Lottery): ~36%
• FY2025 First-Round Selection Rate (2024 Lottery): ~29%
• Change: +7 percentage points

Year-over-Year Registration Declines:

• Total Registrations: Down 25.3% compared to FY2025
• Valid Registrations: Down 26.9%
• Single Employer Registrations: Down 20.6%
• Multiple Employer Registrations: Down 83.5%
• First-Round Selections: Down 11% compared to FY2025

Employer Participation:

• Estimated Number of Unique Employers in FY2026: 57,600
• FY2025 Employer Count: ~52,700

3. Why the Numbers Are Dropping: Impact of Fraud Crackdowns & Policy Shifts

Starting in FY2025, USCIS introduced a “one-person-one-entry” rule for the H-1B lottery system to enhance fairness. This move, along with enhanced scrutiny to weed out fraudulent third-party registrations, has led to a much cleaner and more accurate dataset.

By removing illegitimate or mass-proxy applications, the registration pool now better reflects actual labor demand for foreign talent in the U.S. The reduction in multiple-employer filings—down over 80%—is one of the clearest indicators of this policy’s effectiveness.

4. Will There Be a Second Lottery in 2025?

Many applicants are now wondering whether a second-round H-1B lottery might take place later this year. Based on current trends and the more accurate targeting of legitimate candidates, a second lottery seems less likely in 2025.

Reasons a Second Lottery May Be Unlikely:

• USCIS is likely now more adept at identifying and excluding fraudulent or ineligible employers.
• Unlike previous years with inflated job market demand, 2025 reflects a more conservative employment environment, especially among tech giants.
• Because the one-entry-per-person rule has improved forecasting accuracy, the number of unused or declined H-1Bs is expected to be lower than before.

But It’s Still Possible If:

• A high number of selected petitions are ultimately denied due to strict scrutiny.
• Some self-sponsoring companies fail to meet eligibility requirements during petition submission.
• USCIS finds itself short of meeting the full H-1B cap quota due to unforeseen issues.

If a second round does occur, we can expect USCIS to make an announcement around late July or early August, based on historical timelines.

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5. H-1B Alternatives: Options Beyond the Lottery

For those who were not selected in the FY2026 H-1B lottery, it’s important to remember that the H-1B is not the only pathway to work in the United States. Here are several viable alternatives that individuals and employers can consider:

1. O-1 Visa (Individuals with Extraordinary Ability)

The O-1 is ideal for individuals who can demonstrate exceptional talent or achievements in their field—such as science, education, business, arts, or athletics. This visa has no annual cap and offers greater flexibility in some respects than the H-1B.

2. L-1 Visa (Intra-Company Transferee)

If you work for a multinational company with offices in both your home country and the U.S., the L-1 visa allows for intracompany transfers.

• L-1A is for executives and managers.
• L-1B is for employees with specialized knowledge.

This is a strong option for individuals employed abroad who want to work in the U.S. branch of their company.

3. H-1B Cap-Exempt Employers

Some U.S. employers are exempt from the H-1B cap entirely. These include:

• Universities and colleges
• Non-profit research institutions
• Government research organizations

If you’re able to find a job at a cap-exempt employer, you can apply for an H-1B at any time of the year.

4. Day 1 CPT

Day 1 CPT allows international students on F-1 visas to start off-campus employment immediately upon starting a new academic program that includes practical training as an integral part of the curriculum.

• Common among certain master’s or second master’s programs.
• Enables continued employment authorization without a break after OPT or STEM OPT.

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Final Thoughts

This year’s H-1B data paints a clearer picture of the real demand for foreign professionals in the U.S. labor market. While the number of applicants has dropped sharply, the system is arguably fairer and more efficient than ever before. Keep an eye out for possible second-round news in the coming months—we’ll report it here as soon as it breaks.