Table of Contents
Why Will USCIS Conduct an H1B Second Lottery for FY2025?
Second Round H1B Lottery FY2024
Chances of H1B Second Lottery 2025
H1B Lottery 2025 Second Round Date
How To Check H1B Second Lottery Results?
Conclusion
USCIS announced the H1B lottery 2025 results on March 31, in which 120,603 candidates were selected to meet the H1B visa cap for the fiscal year 2025. USCIS notified all selected candidates and instructed them to submit H1B visa petitions by June 30. But the question is, will these H1B petitions be sufficient for USCIS to allocate 85,000 H1B visas? Or will there be an H1B second lottery like last year to complete the H1B visa cap for this fiscal year?
In this blog, we will identify potential reasons and analyze previous years’ historical data to determine whether there will be an H1B second-round lottery again.
Why Will USCIS Conduct an H1B Second Lottery for FY2025?
The topmost reason for USCIS to announce the H1B second lottery for FY 2025 is USCIS not finding eligible H-1B applicants. USCIS could have observed several shortcomings while adjudicating petitions, such as:
- Incomplete supporting documents
- Missing Labor Condition Applications (LCAs)
- Inappropriate wage descriptions
- Inaccurate information about beneficiaries and employers
These shortcomings ultimately result in the rejection of H1B visa petitions, which requires the USCIS to conduct a second H1B lottery to meet the H1B visa cap.
Second Round H1B Lottery FY2024
On March 31st last year, USCIS announced the H1B lottery results for FY 2024, in which USCIS initially selected 110,791 applicants to submit H1B visa petitions. During the H1B visa petition adjudication, USCIS realized they would be required to conduct an H1B second lottery to meet the remaining H1B visa cap.
Hence, USCIS released a notice on July 27th confirming it would conduct the H1B second round lottery, which brought hope to those waiting for the H1B second lottery.
Source- USCIS*
USCIS shortlisted 77,609 more candidates in the H1B second lottery to complete the H1B visa quota for FY 2024.
Chances of H1B Second Lottery 2025
USCIS has shortlisted comparatively less candidates from the previous fiscal year to complete the H1B quota for FY 2025. Last year, USCIS selected 188,400 candidates in two H1B lottery rounds to allocate H1B visas. In contrast, USCIS has selected only 120,603 this time, 36.01% less than the previous year. This suggests that USCIS may conduct an H1B second lottery for FY 2025 to complete the H1B visa quota.
How to Check H1B Second Lottery Results?
You can check the H1B second lottery result through the USCIS case status page. You need to enter the receipt number, a unique 13-character identifier consisting of three letters and 10 numbers. Once you put the receipt number followed by the captcha, you need to click the ‘check status’ button, and the result will be displayed.
Conclusion
Applicants who are not selected in the H1B lottery first round may remain hopeful for the H1B second round lottery. USCIS may announce an H1B second lottery after adjudicating the first round of H1B visa petitions. Do keep monitoring your case through the USCIS case status online tool.
Good Luck!
