2026 H-1B Visa Lottery Results Announced— Find Out Your Status Now!

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially released the long-awaited H-1B visa lottery results for the Fiscal Year 2026. For many skilled professionals worldwide, this announcement marks a crucial step in their American dream.

The Global Rush: What’s the Buzz?

Every year, the U.S. grants a limited number of H-1B visas to highly skilled foreign workers. These visas are available in sectors like IT, engineering, healthcare, and finance. This year, the competition intensified with only 85,000 H-1B visas available and over 500,000 applications submitted.

The lottery occurred through USCIS’s electronic registration system. Now, status updates are rolling out, creating excitement and anxiety among applicants worldwide.

How to Check If You’ve Been Selected

Whether anxiously refreshing your inbox or waking up at odd hours to check, here’s how to find out if you or your sponsor selects:

• Employers and legal representatives who submitted the registration must log in to their myUSCIS account.
• In the “Submitted Registrations” section, they will see a status change for each beneficiary.
• Individual applicants cannot check their results directly. Maintain close contact with your employer or immigration attorney for updates.

Decoding the H-1B Visa Lottery Results

Understanding your status is crucial. Here’s what each status means:

• Selected: Congratulations! You’ve been chosen in the lottery. Your sponsor has until June 30, 2025, to file your full H-1B petition.
• Submitted: You’re still in the game! This status means you weren’t selected in the first round, but USCIS may conduct another selection if not enough petitions are filed.
• Not Selected: Unfortunately, you weren’t chosen this time. Don’t lose hope—alternative visa options and next year’s lottery are still available.
• Denied: Duplicate Registration: This occurs if multiple registrations for the same applicant from one sponsor violate USCIS rules, resulting in automatic disqualification.

What’s Next for the Lucky Ones?

If your registration marks “Selected,” act quickly! Here’s what to do next:

• Gather Your H-1B Petition Documents: Collect your job offer letter, Labor Condition Application (LCA) approval, degree certificates, and more.
• Employer Filing: Your employer must file the H-1B petition with USCIS within the 90-day window.
• Approval and Start Date: If approved, you can begin working and living legally in the U.S. starting October 1, 2025!

Not Selected? Don’t Panic

Millions of applicants don’t get selected each year. However, many still find ways to enter the U.S. Here are some alternatives:

• Enroll in U.S. Universities: Consider programs with Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) work options.
• Explore Other Visa Pathways: Look into O-1, L-1, or TN visas based on your qualifications.
• Apply Again Next Year: Each cycle offers new chances for success!

Conclusion

The H-1B visa lottery results are out, and your path to the U.S. may be closer than you think. Whether selected or not, keep exploring your options. Your American dream is still within reach!