Official Update: FY 2025 H-1B Lottery Results Announced by USCIS

Overview

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially announced the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 H-1B cap lottery results. This year’s process introduced significant changes to enhance fairness and efficiency in the selection process.

Key Highlights of the FY 2025 H-1B Lottery

1. Beneficiary-Centric Selection Process: For the first time, USCIS implemented a beneficiary-centric approach, selecting registrations based on unique beneficiaries rather than multiple submissions. This change led to substantially fewer registrations per beneficiary, averaging 1.06 per individual in FY 2025, compared to 1.70 in FY 2024.
2. Decrease in Total Registrations: The total number of eligible registrations saw a significant decline, with 470,342 submissions in FY 2025, marking a 38.6% reduction from the 758,994 registrations in FY 2024.
3. Initial and Second Selections:
   • Initial Selection: USCIS selected 114,017 beneficiaries, resulting in 120,603 registrations chosen during the initial round.
   • Second Selection: To meet the regular cap numerical allocations, 13,607 beneficiaries were selected, accounting for 14,534 registrations.
4. Cap Reached: As of December 2, 2024, USCIS confirmed that it had received enough petitions to meet the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption (master’s cap) for FY 2025.

Implications for Applicants

Applicants selected in the lottery have been notified and are eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions. Those not selected will see a “Not Selected” status in their USCIS online accounts. Petitioners must adhere to the filing deadlines and ensure all documentation is accurately submitted to avoid delays or denials.

People Also Ask (PAA)

1. What changes were made to the H-1B lottery process in FY 2025?
   • USCIS implemented a beneficiary-centric selection process, reducing multiple registrations for the same individual.
2. How many beneficiaries were selected in the initial H-1B lottery for FY 2025?
   • One hundred fourteen thousand seventeen beneficiaries were selected in the initial round.
3. Was there a second H-1B lottery for FY 2025?
   • Yes, 13,607 beneficiaries were selected in the second round to meet the cap requirements.
4. What is the total number of H-1B visas available annually?
   • There are 65,000 visas for the regular cap and 20,000 for the U.S. advanced degree exemption, totaling 85,000.
5. How can I check if I was selected in the H-1B lottery?
   • Check your USCIS online account for status updates; selected applicants are notified through their accounts.
6. What does a “Not Selected” status mean in my USCIS account?
   • It indicates that your registration was not chosen in the lottery, and you are not eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition this fiscal year.
7. When did USCIS announce the completion of the H-1B cap for FY 2025?
   • USCIS announced it had reached the cap on December 2, 2024.
8. What is the average number of registrations per beneficiary in FY 2025?
   • The average was 1.06 registrations per beneficiary.
9. How does the beneficiary-centric selection process impact applicants?
   • It reduces the advantage of submitting multiple registrations for a single beneficiary, promoting a fairer selection process.
10. What should I do if my H-1B registration is not selected?
    • Consider alternative visa options and employment opportunities, or prepare to apply in the next fiscal year’s lottery.

Staying informed about these updates is crucial for prospective H-1B applicants and employers to navigate the process effectively.