How long does the H-1B lottery itself take?

The H-1B lottery has two parts, and it helps to separate them. First, there is a registration window, a defined period each cycle during which interested employers submit their candidates’ information to USCIS. Then comes the selection draw itself, an electronic and random selection made from all valid registrations once the window closes.

The draw itself is quick: it is an electronic process, not a step that candidates follow in real time. What people often experience as a long wait is the overall calendar — the wait until registration opens, the interval until selected registrants are notified, and the subsequent petition review period.

• Being selected in the draw does not guarantee the visa: it is only authorization to file a petition.
• After selection, the employer submits the full petition, which undergoes its own review process.
• The exact dates for each phase change every cycle and are officially announced by USCIS.

Because the calendar varies from one cycle to the next, the safest approach is to check updated dates directly with USCIS and, if you need a read on your specific case, speak with a specialist. Be wary of any promises of guaranteed results in the lottery.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.