H-1B FY2027 Lottery Results Are In: What Selected Employers Must Do Before June 30
If your company received a “Selected” notification for the FY2027 H-1B cap lottery — congratulations. You have cleared one of the most competitive hurdles in U.S. immigration law. But selection is not approval, and the clock is already ticking. You now have a strict 90-day window, from April 1 through June 30, 2026, to prepare and file a complete H-1B petition with USCIS. Missing this deadline means permanently losing the selection, with no extensions and no second chances.
This year’s H-1B cycle introduced the most significant structural changes since the program’s creation — a wage-weighted selection system, a new Form I-129, mandatory electronic fee payments, and a $100,000 supplemental fee for certain consular-processing cases. Texas employers who are sponsoring international talent need a clear action plan to navigate these changes and file an airtight petition before time runs out.
Understanding Your Selection Notification
USCIS completed the FY2027 H-1B cap lottery in late March 2026, with selection notifications delivered through USCIS online accounts by March 31. Only the employer (or their authorized legal representative) can access the registration status — individual beneficiaries do not receive direct notification from USCIS.
When you log into your USCIS organizational account, each registration will display one of several statuses. “Selected” means your registration was chosen and you are eligible to file a petition. “Not Selected” means the registration was not chosen in this round — though a secondary lottery may occur in the summer if not enough petitions are filed. “Denied” or “Invalidated” typically indicates a duplicate submission or a fraud flag.
Once you confirm a “Selected” status, download and save the electronic Registration Selection Notice immediately. This PDF document must be included with your petition filing and specifies which USCIS Service Center should receive your petition.
The Filing Window: April 1 Through June 30, 2026
The petition filing window opens on April 1, 2026, and closes no later than June 30, 2026. While 90 days may sound generous, assembling a fully documented H-1B petition involves multiple sequential steps that each require processing time. Employers who wait until May or June risk running into LCA certification delays, document collection problems, and the kind of last-minute errors that trigger Requests for Evidence.
Step 1: File the Labor Condition Application (LCA)
Before you can file the H-1B petition itself, the employer must submit a Labor Condition Application (Form ETA-9035) to the U.S. Department of Labor. The LCA certifies that the employer will pay the beneficiary at or above the prevailing wage for the specific occupation and worksite location. LCA certification typically takes 7 to 10 business days, though delays occur during peak filing season. This is the single most time-sensitive step — if you have not already submitted your LCA, do so immediately.
For FY2027, USCIS will cross-reference the wage level declared on the LCA with the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) wage level selected during registration. If there is a discrepancy between the two, the petition may be denied or even revoked after approval. Ensuring consistency between the registration and the LCA is absolutely critical this year.
Step 2: Prepare the Petition Package
The H-1B petition is built around Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) plus the H Classification Supplement. Starting April 1, 2026, USCIS requires the new edition of Form I-129. Petitions filed on older editions will be rejected. Verify you are using the current version before beginning.
A complete petition package generally includes the certified LCA, the Registration Selection Notice, the employer’s support letter describing the position and its specialty occupation requirements, evidence of the beneficiary’s qualifications (degrees, transcripts, credential evaluations, licenses), proof of the employer-employee relationship, and the employer’s financial documents demonstrating ability to pay the offered wage.
Step 3: Calculate and Submit Fees Electronically
Starting with FY2027, paper checks are no longer accepted — all fees must be paid electronically. The base H-1B filing fee is $780. The ACWIA training fee is $750 for employers with 25 or fewer employees, or $1,500 for larger employers. The fraud prevention and detection fee is $500, and the Public Law 114-113 fee is $4,000 for employers with 50 or more employees where over 50% are H-1B or L-1 workers.
If you elect premium processing, the fee is now $2,965 — an increase from $2,805, adjusted for inflation under the USCIS Stabilization Act effective March 1, 2026. Premium processing guarantees a decision (approval, denial, or RFE) within 15 business days.
If your beneficiary is outside the United States and will require consular processing, be aware that a $100,000 supplemental visa fee may apply under Presidential Proclamation 10973. This fee does not apply to change-of-status petitions for beneficiaries already in the U.S. (such as F-1 students), nor to extensions, amendments, or cap-exempt petitions.
Step 4: File the Petition
Petitions may be filed online through USCIS or by paper at the designated Service Center specified on your Registration Selection Notice. The earliest employment start date you can list is October 1, 2026. Any petition not filed before the June 30 deadline will be voided, and the H-1B number will be reallocated to a waitlisted registration in a potential secondary lottery.
Key Changes for the FY2027 H-1B Cycle
Wage-Weighted Selection System
The FY2027 cycle is the first to apply the wage-weighted selection system. Rather than a purely random draw, registrations now receive a different number of entries in the lottery based on the DOL prevailing wage level of the offered position. Level IV (highest-paid) positions receive the most entries, while Level I positions receive the fewest. This shift favors higher-skilled, higher-compensated positions and fundamentally changes H-1B strategy for employers.
If your registration was selected at a specific wage level, your filed petition must demonstrate a salary consistent with that level. USCIS is actively verifying alignment between the registration wage level, the LCA wage, and the actual offered compensation. Any mismatch can result in denial.
New Form I-129 and Electronic Filing
The redesigned Form I-129 took effect April 1, 2026, and includes updated fields reflecting the new wage-weighted system. Employers must also use organizational accounts in the USCIS online system, which allows multiple users and legal representatives to collaborate on petition preparation and filing.
Reduced Registration Volume and Improved Odds
Total H-1B registrations have dropped significantly from their peak of nearly 800,000 in FY2024. USCIS’s beneficiary-centric selection process and anti-fraud controls have eliminated mass duplicate filings. For FY2027, analysts project around 200,000 to 250,000 eligible registrations, which would push selection rates for Level IV positions to 75% or higher — a dramatic improvement from the 25-30% rates of recent years.
Evidence and Documentation Checklist
To minimize the risk of an RFE or denial, ensure your petition includes all of the following:
- Certified LCA (Form ETA-9035) with wages matching the registration wage level
- Registration Selection Notice (PDF from USCIS account)
- Detailed employer support letter explaining the specialty occupation, specific duties, and minimum educational requirements
- Beneficiary’s educational credentials (diploma, transcripts, credential evaluations for foreign degrees)
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Any professional licenses or certifications required for the position
- Evidence of the employer-employee relationship (offer letter, organizational chart, employment contract)
- Employer’s tax returns, annual report, or audited financial statements proving ability to pay
- Itinerary for third-party worksite placements (if applicable)
- End-client letters confirming the work assignment (for staffing or consulting companies)
Common Mistakes That Delay or Derail H-1B Petitions
Waiting too long to file the LCA. The LCA requires DOL processing time and must be certified before the petition can be filed. Starting this step in late May leaves almost no margin for error.
Wage level inconsistency. Under the new system, USCIS compares the registration, the LCA, and the offered salary. Any discrepancy — even a minor one in SOC code or worksite location — can trigger a denial.
Vague or generic job descriptions. USCIS is scrutinizing whether the position genuinely qualifies as a “specialty occupation.” Job duties that sound administrative or broadly described invite RFEs. The support letter must tie every major duty to a specific academic discipline.
Using an outdated Form I-129. The new edition is mandatory starting April 1, 2026. Petitions filed on the prior version will be rejected outright.
Missing employer financial documentation. Startups and smaller companies frequently overlook the need to prove they can pay the offered wage throughout the employment period. Include tax returns, bank statements, and revenue projections.
What If You Were Not Selected?
If your registration status shows “Not Selected,” a secondary lottery may occur in July or August 2026 if not enough filed petitions meet the 85,000 cap (65,000 regular plus 20,000 for U.S. advanced degree holders). In recent years, secondary lotteries have been small, so do not rely on this possibility.
Alternative visa options for professionals who were not selected include the TN visa (for Mexican and Canadian nationals in qualifying professions), O-1 extraordinary ability visas, L-1 intracompany transfers, E-2 treaty investor visas, and cap-exempt H-1B positions at qualifying educational or research institutions. The Lozano Law Firm’s business immigration practice can evaluate which alternatives may be available for your specific situation.
Why Texas Employers Should Act Now
San Antonio, San Angelo, and Eagle Pass are home to growing industries that depend on international talent — healthcare, technology, energy, manufacturing, and cross-border trade. With the H-1B FY2027 registration guide behind you and a selection in hand, the focus now shifts entirely to execution. Every day that passes between now and June 30 is a day less for assembling documents, certifying the LCA, and preparing a petition that can withstand USCIS scrutiny.
The new wage-weighted system, combined with enhanced anti-fraud measures and the redesigned Form I-129, make this the most procedurally demanding H-1B season in history. Working with an experienced immigration attorney is not optional — it is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I miss the June 30 deadline?
Your selection is permanently voided. The H-1B number will be reallocated to a waitlisted registration. There are no extensions or grace periods.
Can I file the H-1B petition if a different attorney handled the registration?
Yes. Any authorized legal representative can prepare and file the H-1B petition, even if a different attorney or the employer directly submitted the original registration.
Does the $100,000 fee apply to F-1 students changing status?
No. The supplemental fee only applies to petitions requiring consular processing for beneficiaries who are outside the United States. Change-of-status petitions, extensions, and transfers are exempt.
What is premium processing, and should I use it?
Premium processing costs $2,965 and guarantees a decision within 15 business days. For employers who need certainty before October 1 or who want to resolve potential RFEs quickly, premium processing is strongly recommended.
Can I change the beneficiary’s worksite after filing?
A material change in worksite location requires an amended petition and a new LCA. Notify your immigration attorney immediately if the work location changes.
Let the Lozano Law Firm Handle Your H-1B Petition
Attorney Alfredo Lozano is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — a credential held by fewer than 5% of Texas immigration attorneys. A graduate of ITESM (Tecnológico de Monterrey) and a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Attorney Lozano brings deep expertise in employer-sponsored immigration to every case.
With offices in San Antonio, Eagle Pass, and San Angelo, the Lozano Law Firm serves Texas employers across every industry. If your H-1B registration was selected and you need to file before June 30, schedule a consultation today to get started.
