What time does USCIS update, which portal updates first, and how to stop refreshing your browser every 30 seconds
If you are waiting for H-1B FY2027 lottery results, you are probably refreshing your myUSCIS account constantly. Here is exactly when and how USCIS updates the portal, which account updates first (employer or beneficiary), what the status changes look like, and how to check correctly without driving yourself crazy.
Quick Answer: USCIS updates H-1B lottery results in batches over several days, typically late March through early April. Employer accounts (registrants) are updated before beneficiary accounts. Updates usually appear between 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM Eastern Time. Your status will change from "Submitted" to either "Selected" or "Not Selected." If still showing "Submitted" after April 5, results may not have processed yet — it does not mean not selected.
| Company | H-1B Filings | Typical Update Speed | How They Notify You |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 55,150 | Among first batch | Immigration team emails same day |
| Microsoft | 34,626 | First 1-2 days | HR/legal team notification |
| 33,416 | First 1-2 days | Immigration counsel contacts you | |
| Infosys | 32,840 | Varies by batch | HR email, may take 1-2 days |
| Tata Consultancy Services | 28,950 | Varies by batch | Immigration team notification |
| Cognizant | 26,700 | Varies by batch | Email from HR/immigration |
| Deloitte | 18,200 | First 1-2 days | Immigration team calls or emails |
| Apple | 15,800 | First 1-2 days | Legal team contacts directly |
USCIS does not update all accounts simultaneously. Results are released in batches over several business days, typically starting in late March. Based on prior years:
Employer accounts update first. The attorney or HR representative who filed the registration sees the status change on their USCIS online account before the beneficiary's myUSCIS account is updated. This means your employer or their attorney will likely know your result before you do.
Beneficiary accounts update later. Your personal myUSCIS account (if you created one and linked it to your registration) typically updates hours to 1-2 days after the employer account. Some beneficiaries report seeing "Submitted" for days after their employer already confirmed selection.
Time of day: Based on patterns from FY2025 and FY2026, portal updates typically appear between 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM Eastern Time. Updates are rarely posted before noon or after 8:00 PM ET. Weekend updates have occurred but are less common.
Stop refreshing every 30 seconds — it will not make results appear faster and may temporarily lock your account. Check once in the morning, once at 3 PM ET, and once in the evening. Ask your employer's immigration attorney for updates, as they will see results first. Do not call USCIS — they will not provide lottery results over the phone.
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Search H-1B Sponsors on Wisa →Based on patterns from prior fiscal years, portal updates typically appear between 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM Eastern Time. Updates are rarely posted before noon. The most common window is 2:00-5:00 PM ET. Weekend updates have occurred but are less common than weekday updates.
Yes. The employer's USCIS online account (or their attorney's account) is updated before the beneficiary's myUSCIS account. The lag can be hours to 1-2 days. If you want the fastest notification, ask your employer's immigration attorney to check their account and notify you directly.
Not necessarily. USCIS updates accounts in batches over several business days. If your status still shows 'Submitted' while others are seeing 'Selected,' it may simply mean your batch hasn't been processed yet. Wait until USCIS officially announces that all notifications have been sent before assuming non-selection.
Yes, it's possible. If USCIS does not receive enough petitions from initially selected registrations by the June 30 deadline, they may conduct a second selection round. This happened in FY2024 and FY2025. Second round notifications typically come in July-August. However, with the wage-weighted system reducing gaming, second rounds may become less common.