Is there a lottery for H-1B renewals?

No. The H-1B lottery applies only to the initial selection, when the number of registrations subject to the annual cap exceeds the available slots. Once the professional has been selected and is working under the visa, subsequent steps do not go through a new lottery.

At renewal, what happens is a status extension: the employer refiles the petition with USCIS demonstrating that the employment relationship continues and that the role still meets the requirements of a specialty occupation. It is a continuity process, evaluated on the merits of the documentation, not a new competition for a slot.

• The lottery applies only to the first petition subject to the annual cap.
• The renewal is a status extension, petitioned by the employer.
• The review looks at the continuity of the employment relationship and the specialized role, not a lottery.

Because processing timelines and documentary requirements can change, it is worth checking the latest guidance from USCIS or consulting an immigration professional to handle the renewal without surprises.

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.