USCIS: FY 2026 H-1B Lottery Results Are Out! Approx. 40% are selected

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially completed the FY 2026 H-1B initial registration selection process on Mar 31st, 2025. According to the announcement, USCIS received enough electronic registrations to meet this year’s H-1B cap, including the master’s cap (advanced degree exemption). As of now, all lottery results have been updated in the H-1B online registration system.

• ✅ Only registrations marked as “Selected” are considered lottery winners.
• ❌ If your registration does not show “Selected,” you were not picked—unless a second round of selection is announced later this year.

1. What To Do If You See "Selected"

If you receive a "Selected" status, congratulations! This means you have passed the lottery stage. The next step is for your employer to prepare and submit the H-1B petition (Form I-129) starting April 1. Ensure you communicate closely with your employer or attorney to proceed smoothly.

2. What If You Are Not Selected?

If your status remains "Submitted" and does not change to "Selected" by April 1st, it indicates you were not picked in the current round of the lottery. However, don’t lose hope – in some cases, additional lotteries are conducted if there are not enough successful petitions filed.

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3. What's the H1B Lottery Selection Rate for This Year?

This year, the H-1B lottery results have brought an interesting shift. From what we heard from our corporate immigration attorneys , the selection rate reached approximately 40%, a significant increase compared to last year’s 30%+. This suggests that overall registration numbers may have dropped this year, possibly due to changes in policy or eligibility requirements—but we await the official stats from USCIS for confirmation.

4. What's the Possibility of Second Round H1B Lottery

A second-round H-1B lottery is possible but not guaranteed. USCIS typically conducts a second lottery if:

• A significant number of selected registrants fail to file petitions by the deadline.
• Some petitions are denied or withdrawn, leaving unused H-1B visa numbers.
• The initial selection falls short of the cap due to eligibility issues.

In previous years, USCIS did run second rounds, usually during July to September. Given this year’s higher selection rate and lower registration volume, the chances of a second round may be lower than in past years, but it’s still something to monitor closely.

Conclusion

This year’s FY 2026 H-1B lottery results mark a turning point. Whether you were selected or not, it’s essential to stay proactive, informed, and prepared for next steps.