The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has yet to officially confirm whether a second H-1B lottery will be conducted for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. The determination to hold an additional lottery typically hinges on the volume of completed and approvable petitions received by the initial filing deadline. If the number of timely submissions falls short of the annual statutory cap, USCIS may elect to conduct a supplemental lottery to allocate any remaining unused visa numbers.
Should a second lottery occur for FY 2026, it is expected to take place later in the summer months, consistent with trends observed in prior fiscal years. In those years, lower-than-anticipated petition submission rates prompted additional lottery draws to ensure full allocation of available H-1B visa slots.
Trends in Recent H-1B Lottery Draws
Over recent years, the administration of the H-1B lottery system has demonstrated variability, reflecting fluctuations in petition volume and USCIS operational decisions. For instance, in FY 2021 (with the lottery conducted in 2020), USCIS conducted two lottery draws: an initial round followed by a second draw in August 2020 to distribute remaining visa numbers due to fewer-than-expected petition filings.
The FY 2022 lottery (held in 2021) featured an even more extended selection process, comprising three separate lottery rounds. This approach was necessary to address continued low petition submission rates following the initial draw.
In contrast, the FY 2023 lottery (held in 2022) required only a single draw, attributed to a high volume of timely petition submissions sufficient to meet the statutory cap in the initial round. Similarly, FY 2024 (lottery held in 2023) involved two lottery rounds, with the second conducted in July 2023 to allocate unused visa numbers resulting from incomplete or rejected petitions.
Most recently, FY 2025 (lottery held in 2024) required only one lottery draw, reflecting improved compliance with filing deadlines and a sufficient volume of approvable petitions. Based on these historical patterns and USCIS operational trends, FY 2026 may follow a trajectory similar to either FY 2022 or FY 2024, wherein multiple lottery draws were conducted to fully allocate the annual cap.
| Fiscal Year | Lottery Conducted | Number of Lottery Draws | Notes |
| FY 2021 | 2020 | 2 | Initial draw followed by a second draw in August 2020 due to fewer-than-expected filings |
| FY 2022 | 2021 | 3 | Multiple draws required due to low petition submission rates after the initial lottery |
| FY 2023 | 2022 | 1 | Single draw sufficient due to high volume of timely petitions |
| FY 2024 | 2023 | 2 | Second draw in July 2023 to allocate unused visa numbers |
| FY 2025 | 2024 | 1 | Single draw reflecting improved compliance and sufficient approvable petitions |
Implications and Recommendations for Petitioners
This variability in lottery draws highlights the critical importance of thorough preparation, accuracy, and timely submission during the H-1B filing process. Petitioners must understand that selection in an initial lottery round does not guarantee petition approval, which remains subject to USCIS adjudication and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Moreover, petitions not selected in the initial lottery may still be considered in subsequent draws; however, reliance on these additional rounds introduces uncertainty and potential delay.
At Immigration Fleet, we recognize the profound personal and professional implications of every update in immigration policy.
if you seek strategic guidance regarding eligibility and lottery preparation, our experienced legal team is here to assist.
Our services include:
- Personalized case evaluations tailored to your unique circumstances
- Strategic support throughout the H-1B filing process
- Compliance audits for H-1B documentation and filings
Contact Immigration Fleet today to schedule a consultation. Our mission is to ensure that your petition complies fully with legal requirements and aligns with your long-term immigration and professional objectives.
