The results of the H-1B visa lottery, commonly used by technology firms to bring foreign skilled workers to the United States, have been published. Applicants need to inspect their application status to see if they have been selected in the lottery process, which is conducted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Several factors can affect the application’s status. For example, if the status indicates “Submitted”, it means that the application has been entered into the system but has not been selected or rejected yet. If the status reads, “Selected”, the application has been picked in the lottery and the individual can now take the next step towards obtaining an H-1B visa. A status of “Denied” shows that the USCIS has rejected the application, and the applicant may not participate further in this year’s H-1B process.
It’s important to note, however, that even a “Selected” status does not guarantee the issuance of the visa. It simply indicates that the applicant will move forward in the process, which involves further checks and procedures by the USCIS. There are three categories under which a person can be accepted: Regular cap, Master’s cap (for those with a US master’s degree or higher), and USCIS’ U.S. advanced degree exemption.
The H-1B visa system works on a lottery basis due to the high demand and limited number of visas available. Each year, the USCIS makes 65,000 H-1B visas available through the regular cap, and another 20,000 for the Master’s cap. However, demand often exceeds availability, leading to the necessity for a random selection or lottery process.
The US government has made several recent changes to the H-1B process, from increasing salary requirements for approved visa holders to making alterations in the selection process. It’s crucial for applicants to stay informed about these changes, as it could impact their chance of obtaining a visa.
Last modified: March 29, 2025
