USCIS · June 10, 2026 · 3 min read
USCIS H-1B Cap Filing Deadlines After Lottery Selection
Selected lottery registrations receive a filing window to submit Form I-129. Missing the deadline forfeits the cap number — employers should prep LCA and petition documents in parallel with registration.
After USCIS notifies employers of lottery selections, each selected registration has a fixed filing period for Form I-129. The petition must include a certified LCA from DOL covering the worksite, wage, and SOC code listed on the registration.
Common delays that miss the window
- Waiting for lottery results before starting LCA prevailing wage research.
- Candidate document collection via email instead of a structured portal.
- Wage-level mismatches between registration, LCA, and support letter.
- Third-party worksite petitions without employer-employee relationship evidence.
Employers who prep LCA drafts and document checklists before selection file faster. Premium processing is optional but does not extend the cap filing window itself.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change frequently — consult qualified counsel for your case.