When USCIS updates the portal, batch notification schedule, does submitted mean rejected, what time of day statuses change, and the March 31 deadline
With the FY2027 H-1B registration window closed on March 19, 2026, over 400,000 registrations are in the lottery pool. If your myUSCIS portal still shows 'Submitted,' you're not alone — and it does NOT mean you were rejected. Here's exactly what each status means, when updates happen, and what to expect this week.
| Status | What It Means | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Submitted | Registration received; awaiting lottery selection | Wait — NOT a rejection |
| Selected | Chosen in the wage-weighted lottery | Employer files I-129 by June 30, 2026 |
| Not Selected | Not chosen in this round | Explore alternatives; possible 2nd round July-Aug |
| Denied | Registration had an issue (duplicate, invalid) | Review denial reason; consult attorney |
| Invalidated/Revoked | Employer withdrew or registration voided | Contact employer immediately |
USCIS does not release all lottery results at once. Results are sent in batches over several days to a few weeks. The employer's registrant portal updates first — typically 12-48 hours before the beneficiary's myUSCIS account reflects the change. This is why your attorney or employer may know your result before you do.
Updates typically appear between 12pm and 6pm Eastern Time, though there is no guaranteed schedule. In prior years, the first batch of selections has appeared 7-14 days after the registration window closes. For FY2027 (window closed March 19), initial selections are expected between March 26 and April 7, 2026.
Important: 'Submitted' remaining for days or even weeks after the window closes is completely normal. USCIS processes the wage-weighted algorithm, deduplicates beneficiary-centric registrations, and runs selections in stages. Do NOT interpret 'Submitted' as a negative signal. Some registrations remain 'Submitted' until the formal 'Not Selected' notification, which may come after the initial selection round is complete.
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Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →No. 'Submitted' simply means your registration is in the lottery pool and USCIS has not yet updated your status. USCIS releases results in batches over days to weeks. Many registrations remain 'Submitted' for 1-3 weeks after the registration window closes before changing to either 'Selected' or 'Not Selected.' Do not panic — this is normal.
Based on prior years, status updates typically appear between 12pm and 6pm Eastern Time. However, there is no official guaranteed schedule. The employer registrant portal updates before the beneficiary myUSCIS account — sometimes 12-48 hours earlier. Check with your employer or attorney, as they may see your result before you do.
Yes. The employer's registrant portal updates before the beneficiary's myUSCIS account. If your employer or attorney confirms 'Selected' on their portal, your selection is real even if myUSCIS still shows 'Submitted.' The beneficiary-facing update typically follows within 12-48 hours.
Possibly. USCIS conducts additional selection rounds if the initial round does not generate enough petition filings to fill the 85,000 cap. In FY2025 and FY2026, second rounds occurred in July-August. If you are 'Not Selected' in the first round, keep your registration active — you may be selected in a subsequent round. USCIS will announce if and when additional rounds occur.