H-1B 2026 Lottery Results: USCIS Selects 85,000 Registrations

USCIS has completed the H-1B random selection process for fiscal year 2026 (FY2026), selecting approximately 85,000 registrations to meet the statutory cap — 65,000 under the regular cap and 20,000 under the advanced degree exemption.

Selection Statistics

USCIS received approximately 470,000 unique registrations this year, continuing the high-volume trend from recent years. The overall selection rate was approximately 18% for the regular cap and 14% for the advanced degree exemption.

Lottery participants were notified through their myUSCIS accounts beginning May 25, 2026.

What Happens Next

Selected registrants must file a complete H-1B cap-subject petition between April 1 and June 30, 2026. Petitions must be filed at the service center designated during the registration process (California SC or Vermont SC).

Required documents include: - Form I-129 with H classification supplement - Labor Condition Application (LCA) certified by the Department of Labor - Evidence of specialty occupation and beneficiary's qualifying degree - Employer support letter - Filing fees (I-129 base fee $730 + ACWIA fee + Fraud Prevention fee $500)

Premium Processing

Premium processing (Form I-907, $2,805 fee) guarantees a 15 business-day response. USCIS has confirmed premium processing is available for FY2026 H-1B petitions.

For Those Not Selected

Registrations not selected remain in a "reserve" pool. USCIS may conduct additional selections from this pool if the agency determines it needs more petitions to meet the cap. Historically, reserve selections have occurred between August and October.

Employers who did not get selected should consider alternatives such as: - H-1B1 (for Chilean and Singaporean nationals) - TN visa (for Canadian and Mexican nationals) - O-1A visa (for individuals with extraordinary ability) - E-3 (for Australian nationals) - Cap-exempt H-1B employment (through qualifying nonprofits, universities, or government research organizations)