FY2027 H1B Lottery Numbers Released: USCIS Completes Selection Process

USCIS has announced the completion of the FY2027 H-1B visa lottery selection process. This marks an important milestone for the hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals and their employers who submitted registrations hoping to secure one of the 85,000 available H-1B visa numbers for fiscal year 2027. The H-1B lottery determines which petitions will be eligible for further processing toward an H-1B visa, which allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. Selected registrants and their employers will be notified through their USCIS online accounts, where they can check their selection status. While the H-1B visa is a separate visa category from EB-3 employment-based green cards, many EB-3 applicants begin their U.S. immigration journey on H-1B status. The completion of the lottery is therefore relevant to the broader employment-based immigration community, as selected H-1B holders may eventually transition to pursuing permanent residence through EB-3 or other employment-based categories. Applicants and petitioners are advised to log into their USCIS online accounts to verify their selection status. Those selected will need to file a complete H-1B petition by the designated deadline. Those not selected this cycle may explore alternative visa options, including other nonimmigrant work visas or employment-based green card pathways.