What to Do After H-1B Lottery Selection: Step-by-Step Guide

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has reached the registration threshold for both the FY 2027 H-1B cap and advanced degree exemption.

Selected registrants were notified on March 31, 2026, through their employers’ myUSCIS portals. Employers have a 90-day window starting April 1 to file Form I-129 petitions.

If you were selected in the H-1B lottery, congratulations! This means your registration was chosen from a pool of thousands of candidates competing for just 85,000 available visas. It’s an invitation for your employer to continue the application process and file a formal H-1B petition on your behalf. It does not give you a visa or work authorization immediately.

You might think, “I won the lottery, so I’m approved!” This isn’t true yet. You still have to provide evidence to USCIS that you have a specialty occupation and the right degree before you get a final thumbs-up and receive work authorization under the H-1B visa.

What happens after H-1B lottery selection?

Once you’re selected in the H-1B lottery, the clock starts ticking for employers and selected registrants to submit a formal Form I-129 H-1B petition to USCIS.

USCIS gives employers a 90-day window to submit employee applications after lottery selection. The window usually runs from April 1 to June 30. If you miss it, USCIS will not grant an extension and you’ll lose your spot.

Here’s how the process usually works for the employee and employer:

Step 1: Labor Condition Application (April)

Before filing your H-1B petition, your employer has to complete a short government form confirming they will pay you a fair wage. This is formally known as the Labor Condition Application (LCA), and it typically takes about seven business days to process.

Step 2: Employer pays fees & files petition (April 1 to June 30)

Your employer must file the Form I-129 petition within the 90-day filing window that’s listed on the lottery selection notice.

As part of the application process, your employer may have to pay a $100,000 fee if you are applying for a new visa stamp abroad. It only applies in certain circumstances, like if the change of status is approved for consular notification. If you’re obtaining your H-1B through a change of status, this does not apply to your petition.

Step 3: Receive receipt notice (2 to 4 weeks after filing)

USCIS sends a Form I-797C notice confirming it has your application. With it, you’ll receive a 13-digit receipt number that allows you to track the status of your case online.

Step 4: Adjudication of I-129 petition (timing varies)

Standard processing: USCIS processing times for Form I-129 can take five to eight months or more with standard processing.

Premium processing: USCIS will decide on your I-129 or request additional information within 15 business days if you pay for H-1B premium processing.

Step 5: Change of status and visa stamping (July to Sept.)

Once your H-1B petition is approved, your next step depends on whether or not you are in the United States.

If you’re already in the U.S., your employer likely filed for a change of status on your behalf. This means you don’t need to leave the country to begin working, as your visa status automatically updates.

If you’re outside the U.S. or will travel internationally after H-1B approval, you’ll need to visit a U.S. embassy or consulate to get a visa stamp. Even with an approved H-1B petition, you can’t enter the country before getting a visa stamp in your passport.

When can you start working after getting selected in the H-1B lottery?

Even with an approved visa petition, most people can’t start their H-1B job until Oct. 1, the start of the government’s fiscal year.

If you’re an international student, cap-gap coverage allows you (and your dependents) to stay and work in the U.S. during the gap between when your current status expires and when your H-1B status begins or the cap-gap expires (Oct 1 or April of the same year, whichever comes first). Once you’ve filed for a change of status, USCIS will automatically extend your F-1 visa until your H-1B start date or until April 1 of the following fiscal year.

Navigate the H-1B process after lottery selection with confidence

Winning the H-1B lottery is a big step but it’s just the start of your journey. There are still hard deadlines and high fees to navigate for a successful H-1B petition. An experienced immigration attorney can help you stay on track.

👉 Request a consultation with a Manifest Law attorney today.

FAQs after H-1B lottery selection

How long does it take to get an H-1B visa after lottery selection?

Standard USCIS processing for an H-1B visa petition typically takes five to eight months, though it can take longer if USCIS requests additional evidence. If you need a faster decision, premium processing guarantees USCIS will act on your case within 15 business days, but it requires a fee of about $3,000.

What happens if my H-1B petition is denied after selection?

If your H-1B petition is denied, your employer can sometimes appeal the decision or file a motion to reopen the case if USCIS made a factual error. You can’t file again under the same H-1B registration. However, H-1B approval rates are high for well-constructed petitions, so it may be worth working with an immigration lawyer before filing to create the strongest possible application.

Can I start working before October 1?

Unless you have an underlying work authorization, most people cannot start working their H-1B job until Oct. 1 or their H-1B start date, whichever is later. Common exceptions include F-1 students on OPT and existing work visa holders changing their status.

What happens if I get an H-1B RFE?

An H-1B Request for Evidence (RFE) doesn’t automatically mean your case will be denied, just that USCIS needs more information before they can issue an approval. If you receive an RFE, respond by the deadline listed and with all the documentation requested. Consider contacting an RFE response attorney to help you prepare the best evidence and guide you through the whole RFE process.