FY2027 H1B Lottery Numbers Released: USCIS Announces Registration Results

USCIS has officially concluded the FY2027 H-1B cap lottery registration period and has begun notifying applicants of their selection status. This annual lottery determines which cap-subject H-1B petitions will be eligible for filing, making it a critical milestone for employers and foreign nationals seeking specialty occupation work authorization in the United States. Applicants who registered for the FY2027 lottery should log into their myUSCIS accounts to check their selection status. Those who are selected will receive a notice and their employers will have a designated filing window to submit the full H-1B cap-subject petition along with all supporting documentation. For EB-3 applicants and those on the path to employment-based green cards, H-1B status often serves as a bridge visa while permanent residence applications are pending. The H-1B lottery results have downstream implications for the EB-2 and EB-3 backlog, as the volume of H-1B holders affects future green card demand from employment-based categories. Those not selected in the lottery may wish to explore alternative visa pathways, including O-1 extraordinary ability visas, TN status for Canadian and Mexican nationals, or L-1 intracompany transferee visas. Some employers may also consider EB-3 sponsorship directly without an H-1B as an interim step.