Yes, this is normal — here's exactly when USCIS sends selection notifications and what the batch schedule looks like
If your H-1B FY2027 status still shows "Submitted" on March 26, 27, or 28, 2026, you are not alone — and it is completely expected. USCIS sends selection notifications in batches, and historically the first batch does not go out until late March at the earliest. With 343,981 registrations for FY2027 and the new wage-weighted lottery algorithm to run, the processing timeline is tight but on track.
| Company | H-1B Filings | Expected Update |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 55,150 | Employer portal: Late March |
| Microsoft | 34,626 | Employer portal: Late March |
| 33,416 | Employer portal: Late March | |
| Infosys | 32,840 | Employer portal: Late March |
| Tata Consultancy | 28,950 | Employer portal: Late March |
| Cognizant | 26,700 | Employer portal: Late March |
| Deloitte | 18,200 | Employer portal: Late March |
| Apple | 15,800 | Employer portal: Late March |
USCIS runs the lottery algorithm once, generating the full list of selected and non-selected registrations. Notifications are then sent in batches over 5-10 business days. Employer portals (the accounts used by immigration attorneys and HR departments) update first, typically 24-48 hours before beneficiary myUSCIS accounts. This is why your attorney or employer may know your result before you see it on your own account.
There is absolutely NO significance to the order in which notifications are sent. Receiving a "Selected" notification on Day 1 versus Day 7 does not indicate priority, preference, or wage level ranking. The batch assignment is random and based on system load distribution. Similarly, not receiving any update by March 28 is completely normal and expected.
Based on historical patterns: FY2026 first notifications appeared March 25, 2025. FY2025 first notifications appeared March 27, 2024. Both years saw notifications continue through the second week of April. If your status still shows "Submitted" after April 15, that is when you should begin exploring backup options — but even then, late notifications and second lottery rounds are possible.
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Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →USCIS does not publish a fixed schedule, but based on FY2025 and FY2026 patterns, employer portal updates typically begin between March 25-31 and continue in batches through mid-April. myUSCIS beneficiary accounts update 24-48 hours after employer portals. Most registrations receive their final status (Selected or Not Selected) within 2-3 weeks of the first batch going out.
Absolutely not. 'Submitted' simply means USCIS has received your registration and either has not yet run the lottery or has not yet sent your batch of notifications. In FY2025 and FY2026, many beneficiaries who were ultimately selected did not see their status change until the second week of April. Do not read anything into 'Submitted' status during late March — it is the default state for all registrations.
USCIS updates employer/attorney portals before beneficiary myUSCIS accounts, typically by 24-48 hours. This is by design — employers need advance notice to begin preparing petition documents. If your employer or attorney has access to the registration portal, ask them to check first. Some large employers with thousands of registrations may take additional time to review and communicate results internally.
USCIS sends notifications through both the online portal and email. However, email notifications are often delayed compared to portal updates and can land in spam folders. The most reliable method is to check the myUSCIS portal directly or ask your employer/attorney to check the registration account. USCIS does not send notifications by mail, phone, or text message.