Everything that happens after the FY2027 selection window closes — Not Selected notices, second lottery, and April 1 filing window.
March 31, 2026 is the official close of the H-1B FY2027 selection window. What comes next is a cascade of deadlines and decision points that every H-1B candidate must understand. This guide covers every date from March 31 through October 1.
Quick Answer: What Happens After March 31, 2026?
After March 31, the selection window closes. Selected candidates begin the April 1 filing window. Not Selected notices go out over the following 1-2 weeks. A second lottery (reserve selection) typically occurs around July 2026 for cap-subject numbers not filed. The H-1B cap year begins October 1, 2026.
| Company | H-1B Filings | Filing Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 55,150 | Day 1 |
| Microsoft | 34,626 | Day 1 |
| 33,416 | Day 1 | |
| Infosys | 32,840 | Week 1 |
| Tata | 28,950 | Week 1 |
| Cognizant | 26,700 | Week 1 |
| Deloitte | 18,200 | Day 1 |
| JPMorgan | 12,400 | Day 1 |
The FY2027 selection window officially closed March 31, 2026 after running from March 1. USCIS received approximately 343,981 registrations — down 27% from FY2026 — with an overall selection rate of 35.3%. Here is every deadline that follows:
The second lottery exists because historically 15-25% of selected registrations do not result in filed petitions — employers withdraw, candidates find other paths, or petitions are denied. USCIS uses these reserve numbers to fill the full 85,000 annual cap.
Not permanently rejected. Submitted status after March 31 means you were not selected in the first round. You remain eligible for the second lottery (reserve selection) expected around July 2026. Keep your registration active and confirm it has not been withdrawn by your employer.
Historically, USCIS sends Not Selected notices within 1-2 weeks after the window closes, typically by mid-April. You will see the status change in your myUSCIS account before receiving any formal notice.
USCIS mandated a revised Form I-129 effective April 2026. Petitions filed on or after April 1 must use the new form. Petitions using old form versions will be rejected. Your immigration attorney should automatically use the current version.
Based on historical patterns, approximately 60-70% of remaining Submitted registrations that are eligible receive second lottery selection. The second lottery pool is much smaller than the first, which increases per-registration odds significantly.
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Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →The FY2027 selection window ran March 1-31, 2026. March 31 is the final day. USCIS may complete all selections before the 31st if cap numbers are reached early, but the official window end date is March 31. After this date, no new selections occur until the reserve lottery.
Log into myUSCIS on April 1 and check your registration status. If it shows Selected, contact your employer immediately to begin I-129 preparation using the new April 2026 form version. If it shows Submitted, you remain in reserve pool for the second lottery expected around July 2026.
No. The April 1 filing window is a hard start date — USCIS will not accept H-1B cap-subject petitions before April 1. Selected registrations notified in mid-to-late March must wait until April 1 to file, regardless of how early they were selected.
If your employer declines to file after selection, your registration is effectively abandoned. There is no transfer of the selection to another employer. You may need a new employer willing to register in the next fiscal year lottery (FY2028) or explore cap-exempt opportunities immediately.