The lottery results for the H-1B visa program FY 2027 started coming in on Friday, immigration attorneys confirmed, adding that not all results are out and it will come through the weekend, but before April 1, as from April 1, the employers will have to start filing petitions for their selected candidates. This was the first time that the USCIS conducted a wage-based lottery and not a random lottery amid the H-1B applications. Immigration attorney Emily Neumann said the selection notice comes to the employers or the attorneys if the employers work with the attorneys and there is no way a candidate can know whether they have been selected unless the law firm or the employers inform them.
“USCIS has started uploading H-1B lottery selection notices in myUSCIS accounts.
We have not received the usual email notification yet, but when logging in, we are able to see some selections. This will likely continue over the weekend and into next week. Those selected can begin filing on April 1, 2026 and must use the new version of the I-129 form, which now requests information regarding the education, experience, skills, and level of supervision required for the position,” Neumann said.
Is there a possibility of a second, third lottery?
The USCIS has not yet published the number of registrations and the number of selected candidates.
After the employers file petitions for the selected candidates, the USCIS checks whether the 85,000 cap is full and then announces a second lottery. Neumann said it’s possible that a second lottery takes place this year as many employers may not file petitions for selected candidates if they are outside of the US as to hire them, the companies will have to pay a $100,000 fee. In FY 2025, a second lottery was conducted. In FY 2026, no second lottery took place.
What is the new Form I-129?
The updated Form I-129 now asks employers to provide detailed information about the minimum requirements of the position that are used to determine the wage level on the Labor Condition Application (LCA). Employers are also required to disclose the minimum educational requirements for the role, the required field of study, any minimum experience requirements, and whether the position involves supervisory duties.
