H1B Visa Lottery: What You Need to Know
Author: Ashoori Law
Important Note: Some registration dates and figures referenced in this guide reflect information from a prior year. The H1B visa lottery registration window, fees, and quota numbers are subject to change annually. For the most current dates and requirements, always check the official USCIS website at uscis.gov.
In this guide, I will explain what you need to know about the H1B visa lottery and the H1B visa registration process. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Ashoori Law at contact@ashoorilaw.com.
1. Introduction
In order to qualify for a chance to submit an H-1B cap-subject petition, you must first be selected through the H1B visa lottery. The quota for the H1B visa lottery includes 65,000 slots for standard H-1B petitions, and an additional 20,000 slots for workers with a master’s degree.
The H1B visa lottery process begins with registration through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In previous years, petitioners could file an H-1B cap-subject petition in its entirety and then wait to see if they were selected. However, USCIS changed the H1B visa lottery selection process by requiring petitioners to first register potential beneficiaries through an online portal.
This change was implemented to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary filings, making the H1B visa lottery more streamlined for both applicants and the government.
The registration process for the H1B visa lottery is necessary for all petitioners, including those sponsoring workers with advanced degrees. There is a non-refundable H-1B registration fee for each registration. The fee amount is subject to change, so petitioners should confirm the current fee on the official USCIS website before filing.
2. H1B Visa Lottery at a Glance
The table below summarizes the key facts about the H1B visa lottery registration process. Note: fees and quota numbers are subject to change. Verify current figures at uscis.gov before filing.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Standard Cap | 65,000 slots |
| Advanced Degree Cap (Master’s or Higher) | Additional 20,000 slots |
| Total Available Slots | 85,000 |
| Registration Fee | Non-refundable H-1B registration fee per beneficiary; verify the current fee at uscis.gov before filing |
| Who Must Register | The petitioner (employer) or their accredited attorney or representative |
| Registration Portal | uscis.gov online account |
| Selection Method | USCIS selection process; verify the current selection rules for the applicable fiscal year |
| Results Timeline | Typically announced by end of March — confirm current year timeline at uscis.gov |
| Duplicate Registrations | Automatically denied if the same beneficiary is registered twice by the same petitioner |
| Multiple Employer Registrations | Allowed. A beneficiary may be registered by multiple employers |
3. How Does the H1B Registration Process Work?
All petitioners who want to hire H-1B workers must first go through the H1B visa lottery registration process, provided the position and beneficiary meet the applicable H1B visa requirements. The H1B visa lottery system selects those who have registered at random to determine who may petition for cap-subject H-1B visa. The number of H-1B registrations and the selection rate vary each fiscal year. For current H-1B cap registration statistics and selection information, petitioners should review the official USCIS H-1B cap season updates.
Note: The registration numbers above reflect a prior year. The number of H1B visa lottery registrations has increased significantly in recent years. For the most current statistics and selection rates, visit uscis.gov.
4. What Does the Process Look Like?
USCIS measures H-1B cap cases by fiscal year. The annual registration window, selection process, filing period, and effective start date are announced by USCIS for each fiscal year. Petitioners should review the current USCIS H-1B cap season guidance before preparing or submitting a registration.
5. How Do You Complete the Registration Process?
Petitioners can create a USCIS account at uscis.gov well before registrations open for the H1B visa lottery. Once registration is open, the online portal will ask for basic information about the petitioner, the nature of their business, and the potential beneficiary.
Petitioners may submit registrations for multiple different beneficiaries, but they generally may not submit more than one registration for the same beneficiary during the same registration period. Duplicate submissions can result in denial or invalidation under USCIS rules. Workers looking to apply with multiple companies are allowed to have a registration submitted for each company. The registration fee is charged per beneficiary and is subject to change. Petitioners should verify the current registration fee on uscis.gov before filing.
6. Who Must Complete the Registration?
The H1B visa lottery registration process must be completed by the petitioner or their accredited attorney or representative.
7. When Do You Need to Register?
USCIS announces the H-1B registration window each fiscal year. Registrations must be submitted during the designated registration period, so petitioners should confirm the current year’s dates on the official USCIS website well in advance.
8. When Will the Selection Occur, and How Do You Know If You Were Selected?
The results of the H1B visa lottery are usually announced by the end of March. There are four different statuses that can appear for each registration:
- Submitted: Indicates that a registration has been filed properly and appears after successful registration
- Selected: Indicates that USCIS selected the registration and the petitioner may file an H-1B cap-subject petition during the applicable filing period
- Not Selected: Indicates that the registration was not selected, or was not selected by the end of the applicable fiscal year’s selection process
- Denied: Only shown when a petitioner has submitted multiple registrations for the same beneficiary
9. Conclusion
The H1B visa lottery registration process is mandatory for all petitioners seeking to sponsor cap-subject H-1B workers. It is important to complete this process accurately and on time, as late or duplicate registrations are not accepted.
If you have any questions or would like assistance with the H1B visa lottery registration and application process, Ashoori Law would be happy to assist you. You can also contact Ashoori Law at contact@ashoorilaw.com.
10. Related Resources
If you are navigating the H1B visa lottery or the broader H1B visa process, the following resources from Ashoori Law may be helpful:
H1B Visa Guides:
- H1B Visa Requirements
- H1B Visa Application Guide
- H1B Visa Process
- H1B Visa FAQ
- H1B Visa Registration
- H1B Visa Lottery Changes
- H1B Prevailing Wage
- H1B Employment Verification Letter
H1B Alternatives and Next Steps:
- H1B Alternatives
- H4 Visa FAQ
- H4 EAD: What You Need to Know
- Why Employers Don’t Sponsor Foreign Workers and How to Fix This
- How to Get an Employer Sponsored Visa
Green Card from H1B:
Service Pages:
11. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the H1B visa lottery?
The H1B visa lottery is a random selection process used by USCIS to determine which employers may file H-1B cap-subject petitions. Because the demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the annual cap of 85,000 (65,000 standard slots plus 20,000 for advanced degree holders), USCIS uses a lottery to select registrations at random each year.
How does the H1B visa lottery registration work?
Employers must create an account on uscis.gov and submit a registration for each H-1B worker they wish to sponsor during the annual registration window, which typically opens in early March. Each registration requires a non-refundable registration fee, which is subject to change. Petitioners should confirm the current fee on uscis.gov before filing. USCIS then conducts a random lottery selection from all submitted registrations and notifies petitioners of their status by the end of March. Registration dates change each year, so always confirm current dates at uscis.gov.
What are the chances of being selected in the H1B visa lottery?
The odds vary each year depending on the number of eligible registrations submitted and the selection rules in effect for that fiscal year. Petitioners and beneficiaries should review USCIS’s current H-1B cap season data and selection rules for the applicable year.
Can a worker be registered by multiple employers in the H1B visa lottery?
Yes. A worker can have registrations submitted by multiple different employers. Each registration is treated separately in the lottery. However, if the same employer submits more than one registration for the same beneficiary, both registrations are automatically denied.
What happens after being selected in the H1B visa lottery?
If selected, the petitioner has a designated window to file the full H-1B cap-subject petition with USCIS. The petition must include all required documentation, evidence of the worker’s qualifications, and the employer’s job offer. Selection in the lottery does not guarantee approval of the H-1B petition. It only means the petitioner is eligible to file.
What is the registration fee for the H1B visa lottery?
The H-1B registration fee is non-refundable and charged per beneficiary. Fees are subject to change, so verify the current amount at uscis.gov before filing.
When does the H1B visa lottery registration window open?
The H1B visa lottery registration window typically opens in early March and remains open for approximately two weeks. USCIS announces the exact dates each year. Always confirm the current year’s dates at uscis.gov, as it is not possible to register outside the designated window.
What are the four registration statuses in the H1B visa lottery?
After the lottery is conducted, each registration will show one of four statuses: Submitted (registration filed successfully), Selected (chosen in the lottery and eligible to file a full petition), Not Selected (not chosen in the lottery), or Denied (submitted duplicate registrations for the same beneficiary by the same petitioner).
Does having a master’s degree improve my chances in the H1B visa lottery?
A U.S. master’s degree or higher may affect selection under the advanced degree exemption, but the impact depends on the selection rules in effect for the applicable fiscal year. Petitioners should review current USCIS guidance for the relevant cap season.
Should I hire an immigration lawyer to help with the H1B visa lottery?
Some petitioners choose to consult an immigration attorney for help with the H-1B registration and petition process. An attorney can help review registration requirements, prepare the H-1B petition if selected, and discuss possible alternatives if the registration is not selected. Feel free to contact Ashoori Law at contact@ashoorilaw.com for assistance.
Legal Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and USCIS policies are subject to change. The information on this page may not reflect the most current legal developments. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this content. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified immigration attorney. You are welcome to contact Ashoori Law directly at contact@ashoorilaw.com.
Michael Ashoori, Esq.
President of Ashoori Law
I’m a U.S. immigration lawyer and I help families, professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs get visas, green cards, and citizenship to the United States.
Since starting my law firm, I’ve helped thousands of people from all over the world with their immigration needs. I’m very passionate, hard-working, and committed to my clients.
Got a question? Send me an email.