USCIS Processing Update: No H-1B Second Lottery for FY2027 Cap Year

USCIS has officially announced that the FY2027 H-1B numerical cap has been reached, meaning there will be no second lottery conducted this fiscal year. The agency published an alert confirming cap exhaustion, closing the door for additional H-1B registrants who had hoped for another selection round. For many skilled foreign workers who went unselected in the initial H-1B lottery, this confirmation marks the end of H-1B options for the current fiscal year cycle. Workers on expiring status or those seeking U.S. employment authorization will need to explore alternative immigration pathways. The EB-3 employment-based immigrant visa category remains a viable long-term alternative for skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled laborers. Unlike the H-1B lottery, EB-3 is a quota-based green card pathway that does not involve randomized selection — eligibility is determined by employer sponsorship and meeting category requirements. Applicants considering a shift from H-1B to EB-3 should consult with an immigration attorney to evaluate PERM labor certification timelines, priority dates in the monthly Visa Bulletin, and adjustment of status or consular processing options. Current priority date movement can be tracked in the monthly Visa Bulletin published by the Department of State.