USCIS Begins FY 2026 H-1B Lottery Result Rollout Amid Fee Hike and Policy Overhaul
H-1B Lottery Results Now Rolling Out
The wait is over for thousands of H-1B visa applicants as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has begun releasing the results of the Fiscal Year 2026 H-1B visa lottery. According to Richards and Jurusik Immigration Law, the notifications are being sent out in phases, meaning some applicants may still be waiting for updates.
- Checking Results: Applicants should monitor their USCIS online portal, check with their employer, or consult their legal representative for lottery status updates.
- Ongoing Announcements: Since results are released in batches, those who haven’t received a notification yet are advised to check regularly.
H-1B Registration and Employer Sponsorship
The registration window for this year’s H-1B lottery opened on March 7, 2025, and closed on March 24, 2025. During this period, U.S. companies submitted applications to sponsor foreign professionals in critical fields like technology, healthcare, and engineering.
- High Demand Sectors: Major industries continue to rely on H-1B workers, highlighting the program’s role in U.S. economic growth.
Major Fee Increase in H-1B Lottery
This year’s H-1B application process came with a major cost increase. The registration fee per applicant jumped from $10 to $215, marking a 2050% increase.
- Reason for the Hike: USCIS explained that the fee increase aims to cover administrative costs and reduce non-serious applications.
- Non-Refundable Fee: The registration charge is now non-refundable, making each submission a financial commitment for sponsoring employers.
New Beneficiary-Centric Selection Process
Alongside the fee hike, USCIS implemented a new selection model effective March 20, 2025. This beneficiary-centric approach means each applicant can only be entered once, regardless of how many employers are willing to sponsor them.
- Preventing Duplicate Entries: The new system ensures that no candidate gets multiple lottery entries by having multiple employers submit registrations for them.
- Fairer Selection Process: By removing duplicate applications, USCIS aims to create a more equitable lottery system.
Electronic Registration and Next Steps
Employers are now required to submit electronic registrations before filing full petitions. This change aims to streamline the process and reduce paperwork.
- If Selected: A “Selected” status means the applicant has cleared the lottery phase. Their employer must now submit a full H-1B petition between April 1 and June 30, 2025.
- If Not Selected: Those who don’t secure a spot may explore alternatives like Day 1 CPT programs or employer-sponsored green cards. Immigration attorneys can help assess the best alternative pathways.
Leading H-1B Sponsors in 2025
Top H-1B employers continue to include tech giants like Amazon, Google, Infosys, and Microsoft. In recent years, emerging companies such as OpenAI, Scale AI, and TikTok have also become significant sponsors, highlighting the visa’s role in U.S. innovation and workforce expansion.
