USCIS Announces the Completion of the Initial Selection Process for FY 2026

As announced on the USCIS website on March 31, 2025, the government has conducted and completed the initial selection process for the H-1B regular cap and master’s cap for the fiscal year of 2026 (beginning October 1, 2025). 

If you’re one of the many skilled foreign workers seeking to win the H-1B visa lottery, or an employer who was hoping to hire workers under the H-1B program but did not have your candidates win, this blog post will break down what you need to know about what steps to take next.

H-1B Visa Cap and Lottery Selection Process for FY 2026

Every year, the USCIS limits the number of H-1B visas available to 85,000 — 65,000 for regular H-1B workers and an additional 20,000 for applicants holding advanced degrees from U.S. institutions.

As of April 1st, 2025, USCIS has announced that they have selected enough H-1B registrations to meet the required cap for fiscal year (FY) 2026, including the master’s degree exemption. 

If you registered for the H-1B lottery, you can check your status in your online account. If your registration was selected, you’ll see a message saying you’re eligible to file your H-1B petition. Once selected, you will have at least 90 days to submit a complete H-1B petition. 

In the event that USCIS does not receive enough petitions to meet the H-1B cap, they may hold a second lottery.

What happens if you weren’t selected in the H-1B Lottery?

If you didn’t get selected in the FY 2026 H-1B lottery, there are still alternative options you caa consider. The first option is to wait for a potential second round of selections that could occur between August – October of this year. Historically, second rounds of selections are common. 

The second option is to explore alternative visa options that may fit your qualifications.

• O-1 Visa: For individuals who have extraordinary ability in their field, such as scientists, athletes, or business professionals.
• L-1 Visa: If you’re working for a multinational company, the L-1 visa allows intra-company transfers to a U.S. branch, subsidiary, or affiliate.
• TN Visa: This option is available to Canadian and Mexican citizens in certain professional roles under the USMCA.
• Other Employment-Based Visas: Depending on your qualifications and the type of work you perform, there may be other work visas available.

We highly recommend reaching out to an immigration lawyer at Manifest Law to explore alternative visa options and get personalized advice about your situation. If you weren’t selected in the H-1B lottery, request a free consultation today.

What should employers do now?

Employers who were relying on the H-1B visa to fill key roles can explore other visa options for hiring skilled foreign workers. For example, the O-1 visa is for individuals with extraordinary talent, while the L-1 visa offers a route for intra-company transferees. 

For employers affiliated with nonprofit organizations, universities, or government research institutions, they may qualify for an H-1B cap-exempt petition. This allows them to sponsor H-1B workers outside of the annual cap, allowing specific employers to hire international talent without going through the lottery process.

Employers who still need to hire skilled foreign workers can begin preparing for the next H-1B lottery registration. The next registration period will likely open in March 2026 for FY 2027.

How Manifest Law Can Help

If you were hoping to secure an H-1B visa and weren’t selected in the FY 2026 lottery, or if you’re an employer facing challenges in hiring skilled foreign workers, Manifest Law can help.

For employees, we can help you explore alternative visa options depending on your qualifications. If you’re an employer whose plans have been impacted by the H-1B cap being reached early, Manifest Law can help you explore various alternatives to fill key positions.

Contact us today to request a free consultation.