The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the completion of the fiscal year 2027 H-1B cap lottery selection process. This annual lottery determines which H-1B petitions will be processed under the regular cap of 65,000 visas and the additional 20,000 visas reserved for individuals with advanced degrees from U.S. institutions.
Employers whose registrations were selected in the lottery now have the opportunity to file complete H-1B petitions for their prospective employees. The filing period typically runs for 90 days following the lottery announcement, giving employers sufficient time to gather required documentation including Labor Condition Applications (LCAs), educational credentials, and supporting evidence of the specialty occupation requirement.
For employers with selected registrations, immediate action is crucial. They should work closely with immigration counsel to ensure timely and accurate petition filing, as failure to submit within the designated timeframe will result in forfeiture of the lottery selection. Premium processing service may be available for expedited adjudication, though USCIS periodically suspends this service based on workload demands.
Employers whose registrations were not selected should consider alternative immigration pathways for their foreign national employees, including O-1 visas for individuals with extraordinary ability, L-1 visas for intracompany transfers where applicable, or exploring future permanent residence options through employment-based categories. Early preparation for the next fiscal year's H-1B registration period, which typically opens in March, is also advisable to maximize chances of selection in subsequent lottery rounds.