The results of the US H-1b Visa lottery are published! What is new for 2026? |

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) started the publication of the H-1B-VISA lottery results for the 2026 financial year. Significant changes are made this year, including a significant increase in registration fees and changes to the lottery selection process.

Important changes in the H-1b lottery system

The registration period for the FY 2026 H-1b Visa Lottery was opened on March 7 and closed on March 24, 2025. During this time, US employers submitted electronic registrations for potential employees who worked in special areas such as technology, healthcare and engineering. This year USCIS made a critical change by increasing the registration fee of $ 10 to 215 per beneficiary – an amazing hike of 2050%. This increase aims at covering the administrative costs and reducing the number of smooth or double applications, which makes the process more and more optimized.

The agency has also changed its selection process in such a way that they are aligned with beneficiaries. In the past, employers were able to submit more than one registration for the same person, which wrongly preferred some applications. Regardless of how many employers submit their names, the new approach guarantees that each person is only installed in the lottery once. The aim of this change is to prevent fraudulent applications and to guarantee all applicants more equal opportunities.

Effects of the changes on applicants

The number of registrations is significantly reduced due to the change in a lottery-centered lottery method. Uscis received a record for 758,994 registrations for the 2025 financial year. This year, however, the number fell to around 470,342, which was about 38.6%. In the first round, only about 16.6% of applicants are selected, which indicates that the competition is still intensive even with fewer registrations.
Applicants who are selected in the lottery are updated in their USCIS online accounts to “selected”. After the selection, employers must submit complete H-1B petitions within the specified registration period, including the necessary documentation and supporting evidence. Those who were not selected in the first round have to wait to see whether additional selection rounds are carried out later in the year.
USCIS can carry out several selection rounds if the initial registration rate is lower than expected. Selected applicants must ensure that all documents are carried out exactly to avoid delays.

Higher fees and their effects

Although the higher registration fee is a hot topic, USCIS has also proposed to increase fees for other visa categories. The proposed increase in the application price for an H-1b petition from $ 460 to $ 780 is further charged to applicants and employers. Although these changes for startups and small companies become more difficult to find qualified foreign employees, these changes can be more difficult.

Some immigration experts argue that these increased costs of employers could prevent H-1B workers from sponsoring, which may affect sectors that are strongly dependent on foreign talents such as the technology industry. However, USCIS justifies the changes to improve efficiency, reduce fraud and to ensure the integrity of the H-1B program.

Check your H-1B lottery status

Applicants can check their lottery selection status by registering in their USCIS online accounts. When selecting, the next step is to submit a Full-H-1b-Visa petition together with supporting documents. If the status remains unchanged after April 1st April, this probably means that the applicant was not selected in this round.
Employers are encouraged to fill out and submit the necessary petitions immediately, as delays can lead to lost options for selected applicants. In addition, Uscis pointed out that it can carry out additional selection rounds if they are not used after the initial registration.

What’s next for H-1b applicants?

For the selected people, the next challenge is to submit a strong petition, ensure that all documents are correct and prepare potential inquiries for additional evidence of USCIS. For those who are not selected, alternative visa options such as the O-1 visa for people with extraordinary skills or the L-1 visa for intracompany transfers can be worth exploration.
Despite the challenges due to increases in fees and changes in procedures, the H-1b visa remains a crucial way for qualified specialists who are looking for employment in the United States, since Uscis further refines the system. Applicants and employers must remain equally informed and adapt to these developing regulations in order to maximize their chances of success.