H-1B Lottery Results: A Guide to Checking Your Selection Status
Every year, thousands of U.S. employers compete to hire international professionals through the H-1B visa program. Because demand far exceeds the annual limit of 85,000 visas, the government uses an H-1B visa lottery to decide which registrations can move forward.
Once the lottery concludes, the big question for employers and workers alike is: "Were we selected?" Knowing how to check H-1B lottery results and accurately interpreting status messages allows you plan your next steps and secure your talent's future.
Key Takeaways
- Check Status Online: Results are not mailed; employers must log in to their USCIS organizational account portal to view selection notifications and download the official selection notice.
- Understand Status Labels: "Selected" means you can file a petition, "Submitted" means you are still in the pool for potential future rounds, and "Denied" or "Invalidated" usually indicates a technical or payment error.
- How Ellis Helps: Ellis streamlines the entire process by automating status tracking and providing expert legal support to handle filings; contact Ellis today to build a robust immigration strategy for your team.
Overview of the H-1B Visa Lottery System
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant work permit that allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in "specialty occupations", roles that require a bachelor’s degree or higher. It is a tool for industries like tech, engineering, and healthcare to close the "skills gap" by accessing global talent.
The lottery system exists to manage this high demand fairly. Instead of a "first-come, first-served" race, USCIS uses a selection process based on electronic registrations. As of FY 2026, the system is "beneficiary-centric," meaning each person has one entry regardless of how many companies register them. For the FY 2027 season, USCIS has introduced a wage-weighted selection process, prioritizing candidates who are offered higher salaries relative to their local market.
Key Dates and Phases in the H-1B Lottery Process
Successful sponsorship starts months before the portal opens. For the FY 2027 cycle, as of March 2026, the registration window ran from March 4 through March 19. During this time, employers pay a $215 fee per candidate to enter them into the pool.
Phase | Typical Timing | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
Preparation | Dec – Feb | Draft job descriptions and check wage levels. |
Registration | March | Enter candidate info into the myUSCIS portal. |
Selection | Late March | USCIS runs the lottery and sends notices. |
Filing Window | April 1 – June 30 | Selected winners submit their full applications. |
As of February 2026, USCIS stated they aim to notify all winners by March 31. Once selected, you have a 90-day window to file the official paperwork. These dates can change, so it is vital to monitor official announcements throughout the spring.
How to Check Your H-1B Lottery Results
You must check results through the official myUSCIS online portal. While candidates now have more visibility, the most detailed updates usually appear in the employer’s organizational account.
- Log in to myUSCIS: Visit myaccount.uscis.gov using the credentials used during registration.
- Access the Registration Dashboard: Navigate to the "H-1B Registration" section to see your full list of candidates.
- Find the Status Column: Look for the specific label next to each name (see the section below for what these labels mean).
- Download the Selection Notice: If a candidate is "Selected," click "View Notice." This PDF contains the Selection Receipt Number required for your full filing.
What Your H-1B Registration Status Means
The status label in the portal is your directive for the next 90 days. As of the FY 2027 season, these labels reflect the new wage-weighted selection rules.
Status Label | What it Means | Your Next Step |
|---|---|---|
Selected | Success! You won a spot in the lottery. | File the full H-1B petition during the April–June window. |
Submitted | Wait. The entry is valid but wasn't picked yet. | Continue monitoring but explore backup options. You stay in the pool for potential second rounds. |
Not Selected | Closed. All drawings are finished for this year. | Explore "Plan B" visas like O-1, L-1, H-1B1/TN/E-3, or Cap-Exempt H-1B. |
Denied | Error. Likely a duplicate entry or invalid passport info. | The entry is void. Audit your data to prevent this next year. |
Invalidated | Payment Issue. The $215 fee failed or was declined. | The entry is disqualified. Ensure your bank clears future fees. |
Why some statuses stay as "Submitted"
Sometimes, USCIS may need to conduct a second lottery round. A "Submitted" status remains active until the government officially announces the annual cap is met, which usually happens by late summer.
How the new "Wage-Based" system affects status
In the FY 2027 cycle, your "Submitted" status is now prioritized by wage. If USCIS runs a second round, candidates at Level III or Level IV wages (Experienced/Supervisory) have a much higher statistical chance of being moved from "Submitted" to "Selected" compared to entry-level (Level I) candidates.
What Happens After the H-1B Lottery Results
If you are Selected, you may file the full Form I-129. This includes a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) and proof that the role is a specialty occupation.
Take Note: As of February 2026, certain petitions for workers currently outside the U.S. may require a supplemental $100,000 fee, making it critical that your paperwork is perfect to avoid a costly rejection.
If you are Not Selected, you can explore alternative visas. This might include an O-1 visa for extraordinary talent, an L-1 transfer for employees moving from a foreign office, nationality-based options like the TN, or checking eligibility for Cap-Exempt H-1B roles at universities or non-profit research centers.
Factors Influencing H-1B Lottery Chances
The biggest shift for the 2026-2027 season is the move away from pure randomness toward a weighted lottery.
- Wage Levels: Candidates at Level IV (highest) receive four entries in the pool, while Level I (entry-level) candidates receive only one. This significantly boosts selection odds for higher-paid roles.
- Education: Those with a U.S. Master’s degree get two chances at selection. They are first entered into the the 20,000 master’s cap and the 65,000 general pool.
- Accuracy: New "Process Integrity" rules mean that errors in SOC codes or passport numbers can lead to an automatic "Invalidated" or "Denied" status.
Preparing for Future H-1B Lottery Seasons
To have the best chance possible in future years, treat the lottery as a year-round strategy:
- Audit Early: Review candidate eligibility and work permit (OPT) expiration dates every September.
- Strategize on Wages: Since higher wages now boost odds, talk to your finance team and legal counsel early about benchmarking roles at Level II or higher.
- Build a Visa Roadmap: Use Ellis to track your international talent pipeline so you have an immigration strategy for every key employee.
Conclusion
With the 2026 shift to wage-weighted selection, the H-1B system now rewards companies that plan ahead and prioritize high-skilled talent. Successfully checking your status is just the first step in the journey toward securing your team’s future.
Navigating these new rules doesn’t have to be a solo effort. Ellis provides the technology and legal expertise to manage your registrations and petitions with confidence – get in touch today.
