The H1B visa allows skilled foreign professionals to live and work in the US for up to 6 years in roles requiring specialized skills. Given the high demand, an annual lottery is held to randomly select candidates.
As the registration period starts for fiscal year 2025 (FY2025) H1B visas, this extensive guide outlines the key dates, process changes, and the latest updates regarding the lottery and results.
H1B Visa Basics
The H1B nonimmigrant visa category allows US employers to hire skilled foreign professionals to work in “specialty occupations”. These are roles requiring theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields that typically need a bachelor’s degree or higher.
IT and technology roles make up the bulk of approved H1B petitions, given the specialized skills needed. However, H1B workers can also be engineers, scientists, doctors, architects and more.
Some key aspects of H1Bs:
- Dual intent – H1B holders can simultaneously work in the USA while applying for permanent residency.
- Duration – Visa validity of up to 3 years, renewable to a max of 6 years.
- Family – Spouses and children under 21 years can obtain an H4 dependent visa.
H1B Fiscal Year
An important distinction to note is that the H1B process follows the USCIS fiscal year rather than the calendar year.
The USCIS fiscal year starts on October 1 and ends on September 30 of the following year.
For example, fiscal year 2025 runs from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025.
So while we are still in 2024, the petitions filed this spring are for the FY2025 visa quota that starts in October 2024.
H1B Cap
The US allows a maximum of 85,000 new H1B visas per fiscal year through the H1B visa cap. This limit applies only for H1Bs that are cap-subject.
Cap-exempt H1Bs such as for universities, non-profits, etc. do not fall under this restriction.
Now let’s look at the key process updates for the H1B 2025 season.
H1B Lottery Process for FY2025
For fiscal year 2025, USCIS has incorporated changes to the H1B lottery selection system:
Key Change: Selection Based on Passport Numbers
The major update is switching the lottery selection from registrations to unique beneficiary passport numbers.
In the past, multiple registrations for the same candidate were permitted. This allowed some applicants to file with multiple employers to increase their probability of selection.
The new process restricts this advantage by basing selection on passport numbers rather than registrations.
With unique IDs, each candidate can only be picked once in the lottery, regardless of how many registrations were filed.
This aims to make the selection more equitable for all participants. Both the regular and masters cap lotteries will use the new system.
The rest of the H1B registration process remains the same:
- Employers submit registrations during open period
- Lottery randomly selects candidates
- Employers notified and can file H1B petitions
So while the backend selection logic has changed, the external process is still familiar for applicants.
H1B 2025 Timeline and Key Dates
Now that we’ve covered the major updates, let’s look at the timeline and key dates for the FY2025 H1B season:
| Date | H1B Process Milestone |
| March 6 – 25, 2024 | Registration period |
| March 26 – 31, 2024 | Lottery results notified |
| April 1 – June 30, 2024 | File H1B petitions |
| October 1, 2024 | Earliest H1B validity from this date |
USCIS has also formally announced these H1B registration dates for employers to calendar.
The initial registration window is open for 20 days allowing companies to submit petitions. The lottery results are generally notified within a week after registrations close.
Companies then have 90 days to compile and submit the full H1B application for selected candidates.
New H1B visa validity starts from October 1, aligned with the 2025 fiscal year start.
Check H1B requirements to ensure eligibility before applying.
Checking H1B 2025 Lottery Results
The next key question is how and when can applicants expect updates on their H1B lottery outcomes.
Lottery Results Expected Dates
Based on past trends, the H1B 2025 lottery results were expected between March 26, 2024 – March 31, 2024.
However, officially it may take up to a week for all selection notifications to be completed by USCIS.
Unofficial updates on community forums often provide the first indicator of results being out. As attorneys and employers start receiving notices, they post them online allowing applicants to get a sense of results before hearing from their own sponsors.
We recommend bookmarking and checking trusted H1B online tracker forums like RedBus2US for real-time updates during results week.
Confirming Results with Employers
There is no direct way for candidates to confirm their own H1B lottery results.
The H1B registration and selection system is designed to only notify the sponsoring employers about outcomes.
Here is what applicants need to do:
- Wait for the employer to be informed of any selections
- Contact the employer to confirm if your application was picked
This lack of visibility causes anxiety for applicants waiting through results week. Having open and prompt communication channels with your sponsoring company is vital.
H1B 2025 Lottery Predictions and Odds
In recent years, odds of selection in the H1B lottery have been very low due to massive oversubscription:
| Fiscal Year | Registrations | Odds |
| 2023 | 308,000 | 30% |
| 2024 | 720,000 | 22% |
Increased Odds from Selection Process Change
Will the odds of selection improve for H1B 2025?
The new passport based selection aims to increase fairness by removing multiple entries per candidate. Analysts expect this could improve odds by 5-10%.
However, as demand remains very high overall, the boost may not be too significant in the near term.
Applicants should continue to expect intense competition, assuming just a 25-30% chance of selection.
Maximizing your probability requires thoroughly optimizing your eligibility across education, experience and skills.
Applicants should still expect heavy competition in the lottery. Having a strong application strategy is key – make use of Cognobits’ resume evaluations, interview prep, and professional mentorship to strengthen your candidacy.
H1B Visa Quota and Cap for FY2025
The annual H1B quota cap sets the limits on how many new H1B visas can be issued each fiscal year:
- Regular cap – 65,000 general visas
- Masters cap – 20,000 for US advanced degree holders
So the total annual limit across both caps is 85,000 (with some exceptions).
Regular vs Masters Cap
The masters quota is reserved for candidates who have graduated with a masters or higher degree from an accredited US university.
These graduates get two shots at selection – they can apply under the regular cap, and then again in the masters cap if not picked initially.
However, most applicants only qualify for the regular cap with heavy competition:
| Cap Type | New Visas | Competition |
| Regular | 65,000 | Very high |
| Masters | 20,000 | High |
Getting selected will require extensive preparation and optimizing your eligibility.
Next Steps After Winning the H1B Lottery
If your registration is picked in the H1B lottery, your sponsoring employer must then file a full petition before you can get the visa.
Key steps after the lottery selection:
- Employer submits complete H1B application and fees
- USCIS approves the petition after processing
- Visa interview (if outside USA)
- Enter US with H1B status
The overall journey from H1B visa application through to green card can span 1-10+ years depending on the country of birth and process complexity.
Final Tips for H1B Aspirants
- Bookmark and refresh this page for the most timely H1B updates!
- Proactively contact employers to check lottery outcomes
- Be patient during the long H1B processing time
- Contact Cognobits experts for advice throughout your journey!
The H1B process involves intricate laws and very low odds – having support is key. We will continue monitoring the latest developments in this article to inform your FY2025 application!
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