What is the H-1B lottery selection rate?

Based on official USCIS data: FY2024 was 24.8%, FY2025 was 28.7%, and FY2026 was 34.9%. Selection rates have been improving since USCIS implemented beneficiary-centric selection to eliminate duplicate registrations.

How do I check my H-1B lottery result?

You cannot check directly. USCIS sends selection notifications to the employer's or attorney's online account. Your employer must inform you. If selected, they can file your H-1B petition starting April 1.

What happens if I'm not selected in the H-1B lottery?

Options include: trying again next year, Day 1 CPT programs (if on F-1), O-1 visa (extraordinary ability), L-1 (intracompany transfer), cap-exempt employers (universities, nonprofits), or working remotely from abroad.

Is there a second H-1B lottery?

Sometimes. If USCIS doesn't receive enough petitions during the April–June filing window to fill the 85,000 cap, they conduct additional selection rounds. This happened in FY2021, FY2022, and FY2024.

H-1B Lottery Results Tracker

Q: When are H-1B lottery results announced?

USCIS typically notifies selected registrants by March 31 each year. For FY2027, registration runs March 4–19, 2026, with selection notifications by March 31, 2026. Your employer or attorney receives the notification — you cannot check independently.

Track H-1B lottery results with real USCIS data. Explore 6 years of historical results (FY2021–FY2026), see how selection rates improved from 24.8% to 34.9%, follow the FY2027 timeline, and get step-by-step guidance for what to do whether you're selected or not.

All registration numbers are from the official USCIS H-1B Electronic Registration Process page. Last verified: October 2026.

Select Fiscal Year

Total Registrations

358,737

Eligible Registrations

343,981

Selected

120,141

Selection Rate

34.9%

Registration Trends FY2021–FY2026

Total registrations per fiscal year (official USCIS data)

FY2021

274,23746.2%

FY2022

308,61343.8%

FY2023

483,92726.9%

FY2024

780,88424.8%

FY2025

479,95328.7%

FY2026

358,73734.9%

Right column shows selection rate for each year.

Selection Rate Trend

Your odds have been improving since anti-fraud reforms

46.2%

FY2021

43.8%

FY2022

26.9%

FY2023

24.8%

FY2024

28.7%

FY2025

34.9%

FY2026

🔍 Key Insights from the Data

•FY2024 was the peak fraud year: 780,884 registrations — over 408,000 were duplicate filings gaming the system.
•Beneficiary-centric selection works: USCIS now selects unique people, not registrations. Duplicates dropped from 408,891 (FY2024) to just 7,828 (FY2026).
•Your odds are improving: Selection rate rose from 24.8% (FY2024) to 34.9% (FY2026) as fraud was eliminated.
•FY2027 outlook: With the $100,000 fee and wage-weighted selection, registrations may drop further — potentially improving odds for legitimate filings.

Data source: USCIS H-1B Electronic Registration Process page (official).

Understanding H-1B Lottery Results

The H-1B lottery (officially the H-1B Electronic Registration Process) is how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) selects which employers can file H-1B petitions each fiscal year. Since demand far exceeds the annual cap of 85,000 visas (65,000 regular + 20,000 U.S. master's exemption), USCIS runs a randomized selection from all eligible registrations.

How results are announced: USCIS does not publish a public list of winners. Instead, selection notifications appear in the online accounts of the petitioning employer or their authorized attorney/representative. Your employer is responsible for informing you. Notifications for the initial selection round are typically sent by March 31 each year.

The fraud crackdown changed everything: In FY2024, nearly 759,000 eligible registrations were submitted — but over 408,000 were duplicate filings where multiple employers registered the same person to game the odds. USCIS responded with beneficiary-centric selection (selecting unique people, not registrations) starting in FY2025. The result? Duplicates collapsed to just 7,828 by FY2026, and legitimate applicants' selection rates jumped from 24.8% to 34.9%.

What's new for FY2027: A $100,000 supplemental fee and wage-weighted selection (higher-paid roles get more lottery entries) are expected to further reshape the landscape. Early projections suggest registrations could drop to 200,000–250,000.

H-1B Lottery Results: Frequently Asked Questions

When are H-1B lottery results announced?

USCIS typically sends selection notifications by March 31 each year. For FY2027: registration March 4–19, 2026, results by March 31, 2026.

How do I check if I was selected?

You cannot check directly. USCIS notifies your employer or their attorney through their online account. Ask your employer for your status after March 31.

What is the current H-1B selection rate?

FY2026: 34.9% (120,141 selected from 343,981 eligible). FY2025: 28.7%. FY2024: 24.8%. Rates have improved as anti-fraud measures eliminated duplicate registrations.

Is there a second round of selections?

Sometimes. If USCIS doesn't receive enough petitions during April–June to fill the 85,000 cap, additional selection rounds occur. This happened in FY2021, FY2022, and FY2024. Stay in contact with your employer through summer.

Can I be registered by multiple employers?

Yes, but under beneficiary-centric selection it doesn't improve your odds — USCIS selects unique beneficiaries, not registrations. Multiple legitimate job offers are fine, but coordinated fraud will result in denial and potential criminal referral.

Estimate your personal odds

Use our wage-weighted odds calculator to estimate your FY2028 selection chances by salary level.

Lottery Odds Calculator →

Find H-1B sponsors

Browse 1,000+ real H-1B sponsoring employers from DOL disclosure data.

Browse Sponsors →

Data source: USCIS H-1B Electronic Registration Process (uscis.gov). This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed immigration attorney for your specific situation.