US H-1B lottery 2026: What next for selected and non-selected applicants

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially completed the H-1B visa lottery selection process for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, marking a crucial thing for thousands of foreign professionals hoping to work in the United States. Announced on March 31, 2025, USCIS confirmed that it received sufficient electronic registrations during the initial period—March 7 to March 24, 2025—to meet the annual cap of 85,000 visas, which includes 65,000 under the regular cap and an additional 20,000 for those with advanced degrees from US institutions.
With the lottery process complete, selected applicants and their sponsoring employers must now focus on the next steps, while those not selected explore alternative options. This article delves into what’s next for H-1B applicants, incorporating the latest USCIS updates and expert insights.

For those whose registrations were selected, the immediate priority is filing a complete H-1B cap-subject petition. According to USCIS, petitioners with selected beneficiaries can begin submitting petitions starting April 1, 2025, with a filing window of at least 90 days, ending no earlier than June 30, 2025. Employers must use the updated FY 2026 edition of Form I-129, accompanied by the revised filing fees effective from April 1, 2025, as outlined in the USCIS Fee Schedule (Form G-1055).

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Additionally, petitioners are required to include a copy of the selection notice and evidence of the beneficiary’s valid passport or travel document used during registration. Accuracy is critical—errors in form selection, fee payment, or mailing address (petitions must now go to designated USCIS lockbox facilities rather than service centers) could lead to rejection, as noted by immigration law firm Richards and Jurusik.

The FY 2026 H-1B lottery continues the beneficiary-centric selection introduced in FY 2025, ensuring each applicant is entered only once, regardless of multiple employer registrations. This change, detailed on the USCIS H-1B Electronic Registration Process page, aims to improve fairness and reduce duplicate entries. Additionally, the registration fee surged from $10 to $215 per beneficiary—a 2050% increase—to curb frivolous applications and cover administrative costs, as per the reports. Additionally, the number of people who registered for the FY 2025 lottery decreased from 758,994 to 470,342, a pattern that probably influenced the selection procedure for FY 2026.
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Applicants can check their status via their USCIS online accounts: “Selected” means they can proceed, “Submitted” keeps them in the pool for future rounds, and “Not Selected” confirms rejection. Selected applicants must have their employers secure a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) before filing Form I-129. Due to high petition volumes, delays in Form I-797 Notices of Action may occur, and USCIS advises contacting their Contact Center if no notice arrives within 30 days of confirmed delivery.
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There are still choices for individuals who were not chosen. Although no such preparations have been confirmed for FY 2026 as of April 2, 2025, USCIS may hold a second lottery if initial filings are insufficient, as was the case in FY 2025. Alternative options are cap-exempt jobs at organisations or colleges, or alternative visa categories like the L-1 for intracompany transfers or the O-1 for remarkable ability.

The H-1B program remains a cornerstone of US immigration, supporting industries like technology and healthcare. With the FY 2026 lottery complete, selected applicants must act swiftly and meticulously, while others strategise for the future. As policies evolve—potentially under the incoming Trump administration in 2026—staying informed via USCIS updates and expert resources will be key to navigating this competitive landscape.