H-1B, FY 2027, Initial Selection Process Complete as Second Lottery Remains Unclear

(UNITED STATES) — USCIS began posting FY 2027 H-1B initial selection process notices on March 27, 2026, and as of March 30, 2026, it has not announced a second lottery.

That leaves employers and foreign nationals in a familiar position. The first round is nearly complete. A second round is still possible. It will depend on how many selected employers actually file complete cap petitions between April 1 and June 30, 2026.

For now, the most important point is simple. A second H-1B lottery for FY 2027 is not confirmed, but it remains a standard option if USCIS does not receive enough filings to reach the 85,000 cap.

📅 Key Date: USCIS said on January 30, 2026 that initial selection notices for FY 2027 would be issued by March 31, 2026.

Where the FY 2027 H-1B lottery stands now

USCIS started notifying selected registrants on March 27, 2026. Those notices are appearing in employer and attorney myUSCIS accounts.

If a registration was selected, the online account should show that status and the filing period. If a registration was not selected in the first round, it will usually remain in “Submitted” status.

That status matters. “Submitted” does not mean denied. It means the registration stays in the system and can be picked later if USCIS runs a second selection.

The FY 2027 cap still follows the standard annual limits:

USCIS also continues to use the one-registration-per-beneficiary rule. That means selection is beneficiary-centric rather than sponsor-centric. Multiple registrations for the same person do not create multiple independent lottery chances in the old way.

FY 2027 H-1B timeline

The current season is moving on a tight schedule. Employers that received selections should already be preparing full filings.

⏰ Deadline: Selected employers must file the H-1B cap petition during the April 1 to June 30, 2026 window listed on the selection notice.

Why FY 2027 looks different

FY 2027 includes two changes that may affect whether USCIS needs a second round.

First, this season uses wage-weighted selection. Registrations were weighted by the offered job’s prevailing wage level.

This structure gives more weight to higher-paid positions. Early reports from March 28 and 29 suggest Level III and Level IV cases had stronger selection rates. Level I and Level II cases were still selected.

Second, certain petitions involving overseas workers may trigger a new $100,000 supplemental fee under Presidential Proclamation No. 10973, issued on September 19, 2025. The fee is aimed mainly at large outsourcing employers.

That matters for lottery math. If a selected employer decides not to file because of that extra cost, USCIS may end the first filing window with open cap numbers. That can increase the odds of a second round.

Why a second lottery matters

A second lottery happens only if USCIS does not receive enough properly filed petitions to hit the cap.

That is not unusual in some years. Selected employers may decide not to file. A worker may leave for another job. A case may fail for a wage, position, or documentation issue. A filing may also be rejected for technical errors.

For workers with a “Submitted” registration, a second round can be the only remaining cap-season path for FY 2027. It is often announced in late July or August if USCIS needs more cases.

The last two cycles show why people are watching closely:

USCIS has not yet published full FY 2027 registration totals or a first-round selection rate. Until those figures are released, the best indicator is filing behavior during the next 90 days.

⚠️ Employer Alert: A selected registration does not reserve the visa by itself. The employer must still file a complete petition, with a certified LCA, during the filing window.

What selected employers and employees should do next

A selected case moves into the petition stage. That stage is document-heavy and time-sensitive.

Employers should confirm the SOC code, job title, wage level, worksite, and degree requirement before filing. They must file a valid Labor Condition Application and pay at least the higher of the actual wage or prevailing wage.

Prevailing wage levels still matter beyond the lottery. USCIS often examines whether the offered role is a true specialty occupation, especially for Level I positions. Entry-level salaries, broad duties, and weak degree requirements can create trouble.

Employees should review the petition package carefully. Check the offered salary, work location, degree field, and position description. A mismatch between duties and degree can lead to a request for evidence or denial.

Typical government filing fees for a cap case include:

What non-selected candidates can do

If the case remains in “Submitted” status after March 31, the registration is still alive for a possible second round. Employers should keep account access active and watch for USCIS updates on the cap season page.

Non-selected workers should also consider other visa paths. The right option depends on the employer, job history, and credentials.

Common alternatives include:

• Cap-exempt H-1B with certain universities, nonprofit research groups, or government research organizations
• O-1 for workers with documented national or international achievement
• L-1 for intracompany transferees with qualifying overseas employment
• TN for eligible Canadian and Mexican professionals
• STEM OPT or other F-1 work options, if available

Cap-exempt H-1B cases are often the fastest alternative because they are not tied to the annual quota and can be filed year-round. USCIS explains that route on its H-1B specialty occupations page.

💼 Employee Tip: If your registration still shows “Submitted,” keep checking with your employer or attorney through August 2026. That status can still change if USCIS runs another draw.

Looking ahead to the next cycle

If USCIS follows its recent pattern, the FY 2028 registration period will likely open in early March 2027, with selection notices by the end of that month. Employers that expect to file next year should start role classification and wage review in January 2027.

For FY 2027, selected employers should begin LCA posting and petition assembly now. Employees should confirm the offered salary meets the correct prevailing wage level and that the degree requirement matches the job. Everyone with a “Submitted” registration should monitor USCIS announcements through July and August 2026, with the next hard date being the June 30, 2026 filing deadline for selected cases.

📋 Official Resources:

– H-1B Program: uscis.gov/h-1b-specialty-occupations

– Cap Season: uscis.gov/h-1b-cap-season

– Prevailing Wages: flcdatacenter.com