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The H-1B Lottery Probability Calculator estimates your chances of being selected in the annual United States H-1B visa lottery, the process by which US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) allocates a limited number of H-1B specialty occupation visas each fiscal year. The H-1B visa allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a specific field, covering roles in technology, engineering, medicine, finance, architecture, and other professional domains. Congress has set the annual H-1B cap at 65,000 visas for the regular pool plus an additional 20,000 visas reserved for beneficiaries who hold a master's degree or higher from a US institution of higher education. Because demand has massively exceeded supply in recent years — with registrations exceeding 780,000 in some fiscal years against 85,000 total slots — USCIS conducts a computerized random selection (lottery) to determine which petitions can be filed. The resulting selection rate has dropped below 15% in high-demand years, making the H-1B lottery one of the most competitive immigration processes in the world. Starting with the FY2025 cycle, USCIS implemented a beneficiary-centric selection process that fundamentally changed how odds are calculated. Under the previous system, each registration was an independent entry, meaning a beneficiary registered by five employers had five chances. Under the new system, each unique beneficiary receives exactly one lottery entry regardless of the number of sponsoring employers, eliminating the advantage of multiple registrations and reducing overall registration volume. This calculator models both the regular cap and advanced degree exemption pools, computing the combined probability of selection for candidates eligible for both rounds. It helps international workers, employers, and immigration attorneys set realistic expectations and plan alternative visa strategies when selection probabilities are low.
P(selected) = 1 - (1 - R/N) for regular cap only; P(selected) = 1 - (1 - R/N) × (1 - A/N_adv) for US advanced degree holders
- 1Step 1 — Input Registration Volume: Enter the estimated or actual total number of unique beneficiary registrations for the target fiscal year. USCIS publishes registration totals after the registration window closes. Historical data shows registrations have ranged from approximately 275,000 (FY2021) to over 780,000 (FY2024 pre-reform). Under the beneficiary-centric system, volumes dropped significantly as duplicate registrations were eliminated.
- 2Step 2 — Indicate Advanced Degree Status: Specify whether the beneficiary holds a master's degree or higher from a US institution of higher education. This determines eligibility for the advanced degree exemption pool, which provides a second selection opportunity. Only degrees from accredited US institutions qualify — foreign advanced degrees compete only in the regular cap pool.
- 3Step 3 — Calculate Regular Cap Probability: All registrations first compete for the 65,000 regular cap slots. The probability of selection in this round is approximately 65,000 divided by the total number of registrations. USCIS actually selects slightly more than 65,000 to account for registrations that will not result in filed petitions, but the base probability calculation uses the cap number as the denominator.
- 4Step 4 — Calculate Advanced Degree Exemption Probability: Registrants with US advanced degrees who are not selected in the regular cap round then compete for the 20,000 advanced degree slots. The probability of selection in this second round is calculated based on the number of US advanced degree holders remaining after the first round. This gives eligible candidates two independent chances at selection.
- 5Step 5 — Compute Combined Probability: For US advanced degree holders, the combined selection probability uses complementary probability: P(selected) = 1 - P(not selected in regular) times P(not selected in advanced). For regular cap-only candidates, the probability is simply the regular round calculation. The calculator also shows the probability of not being selected at all, which helps in planning alternative strategies.
- 6Step 6 — Model Multi-Year Probability: The calculator can project the cumulative probability of being selected at least once over multiple consecutive lottery years. Using the complement rule, P(selected in at least one of N years) = 1 - (1 - P(single year))^N. This helps candidates understand that even with low single-year odds, persistence over several years significantly improves cumulative chances.
- 7Step 7 — Compare Scenarios and Alternatives: The results include a comparison of selection probabilities across different registration volume scenarios and show how odds differ between regular and advanced degree candidates. The calculator also notes cap-exempt alternatives that bypass the lottery entirely, helping candidates evaluate whether pursuing a cap-exempt employer or alternative visa category might be more strategic.
One chance — regular cap pool only
Without a US advanced degree, this candidate competes only in the regular 65,000-slot pool. With 442,000 registrations, the selection rate is roughly 1 in 7. USCIS typically over-selects by 20-30% to account for non-filed petitions, so the effective selection rate may be slightly higher. If not selected, the candidate must wait for the next fiscal year's lottery or explore alternative visa categories.
Two chances — roughly 1 in 5 odds
US advanced degree holders get two bites at the apple. First, they compete with everyone for 65,000 regular slots. If not selected, they enter the advanced degree pool with approximately 132,000 other US advanced degree holders competing for 20,000 slots. The combined probability of roughly 19.4% is significantly better than the 14.7% for regular-cap-only candidates, illustrating the value of a US graduate degree for H-1B purposes.
Persistence improves cumulative odds significantly
While a 15% annual probability feels discouraging, the cumulative probability of being selected at least once over three consecutive years is nearly 39%. Over five years, it rises to about 56%. This calculation assumes registration volumes remain roughly constant, which may not hold — policy changes, economic conditions, and employer behavior all affect annual registration totals.
Significantly better odds in lower-volume years
The beneficiary-centric selection process eliminated the advantage of multiple employer registrations, which had inflated registration volumes in previous years. With fewer total registrations, individual selection probabilities improve dramatically. A combined probability approaching 30% means roughly 1 in 3 candidates with US advanced degrees would be selected, a substantial improvement over the sub-15% rates seen in the highest-volume years.
International students in the US deciding whether to pursue a Master's degree partly for improved H-1B lottery odds and STEM OPT work authorization
Employers planning hiring timelines and developing backup visa strategies for sponsored candidates who may not be selected in the lottery
Immigration attorneys setting realistic client expectations about selection probability and presenting the full range of alternative visa options
HR departments at tech companies estimating how many H-1B registrations they need to submit to secure a target number of new hires
Policy analysts studying the relationship between registration volumes, selection rates, and immigration system capacity
| Fiscal Year | Total Registrations | Regular Cap Slots | Advanced Degree Slots | Estimated Selection Rate (Regular) | Selection System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2021 | ~275,000 | 65,000 | 20,000 | ~23.6% | Registration-based |
| FY2022 | ~308,000 | 65,000 | 20,000 | ~21.1% | Registration-based |
| FY2023 | ~484,000 | 65,000 | 20,000 | ~13.4% | Registration-based |
| FY2024 | ~759,000 | 65,000 | 20,000 | ~8.6% | Registration-based (peak) |
| FY2025 | ~470,000 | 65,000 | 20,000 | ~14.2% | Beneficiary-centric |
| FY2026 | ~442,000 (est.) | 65,000 | 20,000 | ~14.7% (est.) | Beneficiary-centric |
What are my odds if multiple employers register me?
Since the FY2025 cycle, USCIS uses a beneficiary-centric selection system where each unique beneficiary is entered into the lottery only once, regardless of how many employers submit registrations on their behalf. Multiple registrations no longer increase your selection probability. Before this change, each employer-beneficiary registration was a separate entry, and some beneficiaries had 10 or more entries, significantly inflating overall registration volumes and reducing everyone else's odds. The reform was specifically designed to eliminate this advantage and create a more equitable lottery.
Does the H-1B lottery happen every year?
Yes. USCIS opens an electronic registration period in March each year for the following fiscal year (which begins October 1). The registration window is typically open for about two weeks. USCIS conducts the lottery shortly after the window closes and notifies selected registrants by late March or early April. Selected registrants then have a filing window to submit the full H-1B petition. If the initial selection does not fill all available slots, USCIS may conduct additional selection rounds later in the year.
What happens if I am not selected in the lottery?
Unselected candidates have several alternative pathways. F-1 students may continue working under Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT extension for up to 36 months total while re-entering the lottery in subsequent years. Cap-exempt H-1B positions at universities, nonprofit research organizations, or governmental research institutions bypass the lottery entirely. Other visa categories like O-1 (extraordinary ability), L-1 (intracompany transfer), E-2 (treaty investor), or TN (for Canadian and Mexican citizens) may be viable depending on the individual's qualifications and employer.
Are cap-exempt H-1B petitions included in the lottery?
No. H-1B petitions filed by or for employment at institutions of higher education, nonprofit entities affiliated with or related to institutions of higher education, nonprofit research organizations, and governmental research organizations are exempt from both the annual cap and the lottery process. Cap-exempt petitions can be filed at any time during the year and are not subject to the March registration window. An individual can hold a cap-exempt H-1B and later transfer to a cap-subject employer, but that transfer would require going through the lottery.
How has registration volume changed over the years?
Registration volumes have fluctuated dramatically. FY2021 saw approximately 275,000 registrations, FY2022 had about 308,000, FY2023 jumped to approximately 484,000, and FY2024 peaked at nearly 759,000 before the beneficiary-centric system was implemented. After the reform for FY2025, registrations dropped to approximately 470,000 as duplicate registrations were eliminated. FY2026 estimates suggest volumes around 440,000-480,000. The volatility makes it difficult to predict odds more than one year in advance.
Does having a higher salary improve my lottery chances?
No. The H-1B lottery is a random selection process, and salary level has no bearing on selection probability. Once registered, all beneficiaries have equal chances regardless of their proposed salary, employer size, or occupation. However, USCIS has periodically considered proposals to implement a wage-level-based selection system that would prioritize higher-paid positions, though no such system has been implemented as of 2025. The current lottery remains purely random.
What is the Chile/Singapore H-1B1 visa alternative?
Citizens of Chile and Singapore have access to the H-1B1 visa category, which reserves 6,800 slots annually (1,400 for Chile, 5,400 for Singapore) from the regular 65,000 cap. H-1B1 visas do not require going through the lottery, can be applied for directly at US consulates, and are renewable indefinitely in one-year increments. Historically, these reserved slots have never been fully utilized, making the H-1B1 a significantly more accessible path for eligible nationals. Unused H-1B1 slots roll back into the general H-1B pool for the following fiscal year.
Pro Tip
If you hold a foreign graduate degree, consider a short US Master's program (many are 12-18 months) to become eligible for both the regular and advanced degree lottery pools. This roughly doubles your selection probability in high-volume years. Some one-year STEM Master's programs also qualify for the three-year STEM OPT extension, providing additional work authorization while you re-enter the lottery in subsequent years.
Did you know?
The H-1B visa category was created by the Immigration Act of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush. The 65,000 annual cap was temporarily raised to 115,000 in FY1999-2000 and 195,000 in FY2001-2003 during the dot-com boom to address tech industry labor shortages. When the temporary increase expired, the cap reverted to 65,000 in FY2004, where it has remained unchanged for over two decades despite repeated legislative attempts to raise it. The 20,000 advanced degree exemption was added by the H-1B Visa Reform Act of 2004.