For thousands of foreign professionals eagerly awaiting the outcome, today marks a significant day as the h1b visa lottery results were announced today for the fiscal year 2026 are being rolled out. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has commenced the process of announcing selections for the highly sought-after H-1B visas. Applicants and their sponsoring employers can now begin checking their registration status to see if they were among the fortunate individuals selected in this year’s lottery, which has a cap of 65,000 visas for those in specialty occupations.
Key Takeaways:
- USCIS has started announcing the H1B lottery results today for FY 2026.
- Applicants can check their status through the USCIS online portal, their sponsoring employer, or their legal representative.
- Notifications are being released in phases, so continued monitoring of accounts is advised.
- A ‘Selected’ status means you are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition between April 1st and June 30th, 2025.
- Those not selected can explore alternative options like Day 1 CPT or employer-sponsored green cards.
How to Check Your H1B Lottery Results Today
The process of checking your h1b visa lottery results today involves a few key avenues. According to Richards and Jurusik Immigration Law, USCIS is releasing notifications in phases. This means that not all results will be available simultaneously, and applicants should remain patient and continue to monitor their accounts for updates. The primary methods for checking your status include the official USCIS online portal, communication from your sponsoring employer, or updates from your legal representative, if you have one.(Source: Business Standard).
It’s crucial to regularly check the designated USCIS online portal, as this is the most direct way for applicants to receive official updates on their registration status. Employers and legal representatives will also be receiving notifications from USCIS and will likely communicate the results to the applicants they are sponsoring or representing. Given the phased rollout, even if you don’t see an update immediately, it’s important to keep checking your account for any changes in status over the coming days and potentially weeks.
Understanding the Different Statuses on Your USCIS Account
Once you log in to your USCIS account to check your h1b lottery results today, you might encounter several different statuses. Each status provides specific information about the outcome of your registration. Understanding these statuses is vital for knowing your next steps.
‘Submitted’ Status
If your status shows as ‘Submitted,’ it means that your registration has been successfully entered into the lottery, but you have not been selected in the current round. However, this does not necessarily mean the end of the road for this year. If the annual H-1B visa cap is not reached after the initial selection, USCIS may conduct additional lottery rounds. Therefore, it’s important to continue monitoring your account for any further updates that might occur.
While the ‘Submitted’ status can be disheartening, the possibility of additional lottery rounds offers a glimmer of hope for applicants. It is essential to remain vigilant and check your USCIS account periodically throughout the coming weeks and months, as further selections could potentially take place if the initial lottery does not meet the required visa numbers.
‘Selected’ Status: Congratulations!
Receiving a ‘Selected’ status when checking your h1b lottery results today is the news that thousands of applicants have been hoping for. This status indicates that your registration has been chosen in the lottery, and you are now qualified to file an H-1B cap-subject petition. This is a significant first step in the process of obtaining an H-1B visa for the fiscal year 2026. The filing period for the full H-1B petition opens on April 1, 2025.
For those who receive the coveted ‘Selected’ status, it’s crucial to act promptly. Your sponsoring employer will need to prepare and file a complete H-1B petition, including all the necessary documentation, within the specified filing window, which runs from April 1st to June 30th, 2025. Failing to file the petition within this timeframe could result in the forfeiture of your selection.
‘Not Selected’ Status: Exploring Other Options
If your USCIS account displays a ‘Not Selected’ status after checking your h1b lottery results today, it unfortunately means that your registration was not picked in this year’s lottery. While this news can be disappointing, it’s important to remember that there are still alternative options to consider. Some individuals may explore Day 1 CPT (Curricular Practical Training) programs, which could allow them to work while pursuing further education. Another pathway to consider is exploring employer-sponsored green card applications, which can provide a more permanent route to working in the United States.
It is highly recommended that individuals who receive a ‘Not Selected’ status consult with immigration attorneys to discuss their specific circumstances and determine which alternative options might be the most beneficial for them. Immigration law is complex, and a qualified attorney can provide personalized advice based on your educational background, employment history, and long-term goals. Additionally, reapplying in the next H-1B season remains an option for many.
Other Possible Statuses: ‘Denied’, ‘Invalidated’, ‘Deleted’, and ‘Processing Submission’
Besides the main statuses of ‘Submitted’, ‘Selected’, and ‘Not Selected’, you might also encounter other statuses when checking your h1b lottery results today. A status of ‘Denied – Duplicate Registration’ indicates that USCIS disqualified your entry because multiple registrations were submitted by the same employer for you, which is against the rules. Only one registration per employer per person is permitted.
An ‘Invalidated – Failed Payment’ status means that your registration was canceled because the payment for the registration fee did not go through successfully. A ‘Deleted’ status signifies that your registration is no longer under consideration for an unspecified reason. Finally, a status of ‘Processing Submission’ suggests that USCIS is still in the process of reviewing your entry, and you should continue to monitor your account for updates. It’s important to understand the implications of each of these statuses and take appropriate action if required, such as addressing payment issues or consulting with your employer or attorney if you see a ‘Denied’ or ‘Deleted’ status.
Next Steps for Those Selected in the H1B Lottery
For those fortunate enough to receive a ‘Selected’ status after checking their h1b lottery results today, the next steps are crucial and require prompt action. As mentioned earlier, your sponsoring employer will need to file a full H-1B petition using Form I-129. It’s important to ensure that the updated FY 2026 edition of the petition form is used. Additionally, be aware that new filing fees and rules have taken effect this year, so it’s essential to pay the correct amount, especially as a new fee structure was implemented on April 1, 2025 (Source: Economic Times).
Furthermore, USCIS will no longer accept paper petitions at service centers, so your employer will need to submit the petition to the designated USCIS lockbox facility. It is absolutely critical to double-check all the details on the form, including form selection, fee payment, and the mailing address, as even minor mistakes can lead to outright rejection of the petition. The filing window for the H-1B petition for selected applicants runs from April 1st to June 30th, 2025, and it is strongly advised to file as early as possible within this period to avoid any potential complications. For those interested in other lottery outcomes, such as the Virginia Lottery results, the process and implications are entirely different.
