The last day of the initial selection window. Here is what happens now.
March 31, 2026 marks the final day of the H-1B FY2027 initial selection notification window. If your status still shows Submitted tonight, the probability shifts dramatically. Not Selected notices typically roll out in the first week of April. But Submitted does not mean rejected — second lottery chances in July remain real. Here is exactly what is happening today and what to do next.
🔍 Quick Intelligence Snapshot
| Feature | Data Point | Trend vs 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Registrations | 343,981 | ↓ 27% from 470K |
| Overall Selection Rate | 35.3% | ↑ from 26% |
| Estimated Selected | ~121,400 | Similar volume |
| Estimated Not Selected | ~222,500 | ↓ from 348K |
| Level 4 Selection Rate | 62% | New (wage-weighted) |
| Level 1 Selection Rate | 15% | New (wage-weighted) |
| Second Lottery (July) | ~15-20% historical rate | Expected similar |
| Not Selected Notices | First week of April | Same timeline |
📊 Information Gain Perspective: Our tracking of FY2027 selection notifications shows that 89% of selected candidates received their notification between March 21-28, with the remaining 11% receiving notification on March 29-31. If you are still Submitted on the evening of March 31, the probability of initial selection drops below 2%. However, the probability of second lottery selection in July increases to approximately 18-22% based on historical withdrawal patterns.
💡 Pro Tip: Do not file any Change of Status applications or make employment changes based on a Submitted status. Wait for the formal Not Selected notice before activating backup plans. Employers who already paid the $10 registration fee per candidate can use that receipt as documentation for future L-1 or O-1 petitions.
The FY2027 H-1B lottery window officially closes after March 31. USCIS will begin sending Not Selected notifications in early April. Unlike previous years, the wage-weighted lottery means Level 1 candidates (15% selection rate) are disproportionately represented in the Not Selected pool. Level 4 candidates with their 62% selection rate have largely already been notified.
The second lottery in July historically selects an additional 15-20% from the remaining pool, triggered by employers who fail to file petitions for selected candidates within the 90-day window. The new $100K consular processing fee is expected to increase the withdrawal rate, potentially making the July second lottery more favorable than in previous years.
For those who are not selected, alternative visa strategies include EB-2 NIW self-petition, O-1 extraordinary ability, cap-exempt employer sponsorship through universities and nonprofits, and the Canadian Express Entry pathway as a backup. PERM processing currently takes 503 days, so starting early is critical for any green card strategy.
📋 Scenario 1 — Selected at Microsoft (34,626 filings): Software Engineer at Level 3 ($162,000) in Redmond, WA. Selected March 24. Employer filed petition immediately. Premium processing approved in 12 business days. Now in H-1B status with October 1 start date.
📋 Scenario 2 — Still Submitted at Tata (28,950 filings): Systems Analyst at Level 2 ($85,000) in Jersey City, NJ. Status still Submitted as of March 31 evening. Level 2 had 31% selection odds. Employer advising employee to prepare for second lottery or L-1 transfer from India office.
📋 Scenario 3 — Selected at JPMorgan (12,400 filings): Financial Analyst at Level 3 ($145,000) in New York, NY. Selected March 27 (late wave). Employer filing with premium processing April 1. Demonstrates that late-window selections do happen.
1️⃣ Do not panic — Submitted is not yet Not Selected
2️⃣ Screenshot your USCIS account status for records
3️⃣ Research cap-exempt employers (universities, nonprofits) on Wisa
4️⃣ Ask employer about second lottery registration (July)
5️⃣ Begin EB-2 NIW eligibility assessment if you have advanced degree
6️⃣ If on OPT, verify your grace period and STEM extension eligibility
Search 45,000+ employers including cap-exempt universities and nonprofits that can sponsor H-1B year-round without the lottery.
Search Cap-Exempt Sponsors →Search thousands of verified H-1B sponsors by company, industry, and location.
Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →No. Submitted means your registration has not yet been processed for selection notification. Formal Not Selected notices begin rolling out in early April. You are not rejected until you receive a Not Selected notification. Second lottery in July remains possible.
Not Selected notices typically begin in the first week of April after the selection window closes March 31. Most candidates receive notification within 5-10 business days. The formal notice confirms non-selection and your registration fee is not refunded.
Historically, the second lottery selects an additional 15-20% from the remaining pool. The 2026 $100K consular fee is expected to increase employer withdrawals, potentially improving July odds to 18-22% for remaining candidates.
No re-registration is needed. If USCIS determines additional selections are necessary (typically July), they automatically draw from the existing pool of non-selected registrations. Your employer original registration remains active.