H-1B Lottery Results for FY2026 Now Available

USCIS has officially released the H-1B lottery results for fiscal year 2026, and this year's selection rate has dropped to a historic low of 14.6%. Out of approximately 780,000 registrations submitted, only around 114,000 were selected — reflecting the growing demand for skilled worker visas.

Key highlights from the FY2026 lottery:
- Total registrations: ~780,000 (up 12% from FY2025)
- Selections: ~114,000
- Selection rate: ~14.6%
- Regular cap selections: 65,000
- Advanced degree exemption: 20,000
- Additional selections to account for denials and withdrawals: ~29,000

USCIS has also implemented stricter measures against duplicate and fraudulent registrations this year. The agency used enhanced algorithms to detect and eliminate entries from "rent-a-bench" companies that were inflating the lottery pool.

If you were selected, your employer must file the full H-1B petition by June 30, 2026. Make sure all supporting documents — including your degree evaluations, specialty occupation evidence, and LCA — are ready well in advance.

If you were not selected, consider alternative visa options such as the O-1B for extraordinary ability, L-1 for intracompany transfers, or the new W-2 STEM visa pilot program that launched earlier this year.