Second H-1B Lottery for FY2025 Announced

Update 8/5/24: USCIS has selected enough H-1B registrations in the second lottery to meet the quota for the regular cap of FY2025. All petitioners that were selected in this additional round have been notified that they are eligible to file a complete petition. An additional selection round was not conducted for the master’s cap since enough registrations were originally selected to meet the quota. 

Note about filing locations – Be sure to file your complete petition at the correct location specified by USCIS or online at my.uscis.gov by the deadline period specified on your selection notice. You should include a copy of your selection notice along with the FY2025 cap-subject petition. To learn more about the next steps it’s best to schedule a consultation with an H-1B attorney today!

USCIS announced today that a second lottery will be held for eligible H-1B registrations not previously selected. In March, USCIS completed the initial random selection process for the fiscal year 2025 H-1B cap, including those beneficiaries eligible for the advanced degree exemption. Petitioners with selected registrations were eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions from April 1 through June 30, 2024, as indicated in their registration selection notices.

To meet the FY 2025 regular cap numerical allocation, USCIS has determined that an additional selection of registrations is necessary. Accordingly, USCIS will soon conduct a second random selection process for unique beneficiaries from the previously submitted electronic registrations.

What’s Next?

• Petitioners whose registrations are selected in this second round will be notified and will be eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions for the named beneficiaries.
• It is important to note that a second selection for the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap) will not occur, as sufficient registrations were selected during the initial process to meet the FY 2025 master’s cap numerical allocation. The second round of selections for the regular cap will include registrations that indicated eligibility for both the master’s cap and the regular cap.

Petitioners with selected registrations will have their USCIS online accounts updated with a selection notice, providing detailed instructions on when and where to file the H-1B cap-subject petition.

How We Can Help

USCIS will announce the completion of this second selection process and the issuance of notifications in the next few days. Please note, USCIS has not given a specific date of conducting the 2nd round lottery so stay tuned for further announcements. Our office will continue to provide updates as they become available. If you have any questions about your current status or alternative immigration options, it’s best to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.