Attorney-confirmed: Level 2, 3, and 4 selections are actively being released. Level 1 still in play. 30,000+ community members tracking in real time. Here is everything we know.
March 28, 2026: The H-1B FY2027 notification window is in its final stretch. USCIS has been releasing selection batches since mid-March, and as of today tens of thousands of candidates across r/h1b, r/f1visa, and r/immigration are collectively tracking every data point — what levels are being selected, whether Level 1 is still in play, what Not Selected means versus Submitted, and what the second lottery probability looks like. This is your complete real-time intel briefing.
| Metric | FY2027 Data | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Total registrations | 343,981 | Down 27% from FY2026 |
| Overall selection rate | 35.3% | Best odds in 6 years |
| Level 1 odds | 15% | Lowest tier |
| Level 2 odds | 31% | Mid tier |
| Level 3 odds | 46% | High tier |
| Level 4 odds | 62% | Highest tier |
| Notification window closes | March 31, 2026 | 3 days remaining |
| Petition filing opens | April 1, 2026 | 4 days away |
| Second lottery probability | ~60-70% | Community estimate |
As of March 28 morning, the r/h1b and r/f1visa communities are reporting the following selection patterns. Multiple immigration attorneys with verified account status have confirmed that USCIS released a significant Level 2-4 batch on March 27, with additional batches expected March 29-31. The community tracking thread at r/h1b has over 30,000 views in the past 48 hours — an indicator of the enormous anxiety and attention this cycle is generating.
Level 4 selections appear to have largely been released in earlier batches (March 15-22 window). Level 3 selections have been active throughout. Level 2 selections have been the most consistent batch size, reflecting the largest registration volume at that tier. Level 1 selections are the most uncertain — community reports suggest they are still being released but at lower volumes, and attorneys confirm Level 1 is still in the queue. If your Level 1 registration is still Submitted on March 28, you are not out yet.
The most significant community concern as of March 28: the batch release times. USCIS has been releasing updates around 6-8 AM Eastern Time on most days. Missing the morning check means you may not see your selection until the next morning. Set your alarm, check at 6 AM ET on March 29, 30, and 31.
The community has developed a fairly sophisticated model for second lottery probability based on historical data and FY2027-specific factors. The key inputs: FY2027 has 343,981 registrations with ~35.3% selection rate, implying roughly 121,425 selections. For the 85,000 cap to require a second round, first-round petition filings must fall below 85,000 — meaning more than 36,425 selected registrations must result in non-filings (a 30% non-filing rate).
Historical non-filing rates are 10-15%. But the $100K consular processing fee is genuinely disrupting that baseline for consular cases at small and mid-size employers. Community surveys suggest 20-30% of small-employer selections for consular cases may not result in filings. If that estimate is even directionally correct, second lottery probability is 60-70%. Announcement would come in July 2026. Odds if a round occurs: approximately 4-8% based on remaining registration pool size.
Even while watching for final selection results, the r/h1b community is actively building the cap-exempt employer list. Cap-exempt employers — universities, nonprofit research organizations, and government research entities — can file H-1B petitions any time without lottery selection, and petitions can start immediately rather than waiting for October 1. This is increasingly being treated not as a fallback but as a primary strategy for many candidates, particularly those in research-adjacent fields.
Employers confirmed as cap-exempt and actively hiring include: MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Johns Hopkins, Columbia, and their affiliated research institutes. National labs (Argonne, Oak Ridge, Lawrence Berkeley) are also cap-exempt. Nonprofit hospitals and healthcare systems affiliated with academic medical centers are often cap-exempt. If you have research experience or academic credentials, the cap-exempt path is worth pursuing aggressively in parallel with watching for a second lottery.
Q: I am Level 1 and still showing Submitted on March 28. Should I be worried?
A: Not yet. Attorney sources confirm Level 1 selections are still in the pipeline through March 31. The notification window does not close until March 31, and USCIS has continued releasing batches through the final days in previous years. Check your portal at 6-8 AM Eastern on March 29, 30, and 31 before concluding you were not selected.
Q: My employer says they got a selection notification but my portal still shows Submitted. Why?
A: This is normal and has been widely reported. Employers check their H-1B Electronic Registration organizational accounts, which sometimes update before individual registrant portals. If your employer confirms they see your selection in their system, you are selected — even if your personal portal has not yet updated. It may update within 24-48 hours.
Q: What is the mood on r/h1b right now and should I be hopeful?
A: The community mood on March 28 is anxious but not hopeless. Thousands of Level 2-4 selections are being confirmed. Level 1 is still possible. And even those not selected are discussing second lottery probability with genuine optimism given the $100K fee-driven non-filing expectations. The consensus: wait until April 1 to conclude anything, and have your backup plan ready regardless.
Q: Is there anything I can do to improve my chances in the remaining days?
A: No. The lottery is a random draw that already happened. What you can do: ensure your employer has your correct contact information so a selection notification reaches you immediately, verify your portal login is working, and begin your backup planning now so that if April 1 arrives with Submitted, you are already in motion on alternatives.
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Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →Yes. Immigration attorneys tracking FY2027 selections have confirmed that Level 1 registrations are still being selected as of March 28. The notification window runs through March 31. Level 1 odds were 15% overall, meaning selections in this tier will be smaller in volume but are not finished. If you are Level 1 and still Submitted, check the portal at 6-8 AM Eastern on March 29, 30, and 31.
Community and attorney estimates put second lottery probability at 60-70% for FY2027. The primary driver is the $100K consular processing fee causing small and mid-size employers to decline filing for selected consular cases. If non-filing rates reach 25-30% (versus the historical 10-15%), petition filings could fall short of the 85,000 cap, triggering a supplemental round. Watch for a USCIS announcement in July 2026.
Log in to your myUSCIS account at uscis.gov/myaccount. Navigate to the H-1B Registration section. Your status will show as Submitted, Selected, Not Selected, or Invalidated. Selected candidates receive official selection notices downloadable from the portal. Your employer's organizational account also shows selection status and often updates before the individual account. Check the portal at 6-8 AM Eastern — that is typically when overnight batches process.
This is a serious situation. The LCA filed with your H-1B petition must match the wage level of your registration (Level 3). If your employer offers a salary below the Level 3 prevailing wage and files an LCA at a lower level, USCIS can deny the petition for wage level mismatch. Your employer cannot file a Level 3 selection with a Level 1 or Level 2 LCA. If you believe your employer is attempting this, consult an independent immigration attorney immediately.