The H-1B lottery timeline
USCIS opens H-1B registration during a 2-week window beginning March 1 each year. Employers register their intended H-1B workers through myUSCIS; each registration has a $215 fee. If demand exceeds the 85,000 cap (which has happened every year since 2014), USCIS runs a random computerized lottery. Results are announced in late March to April. Selected registrants have their employers file the full H-1B petition between April 1 and June 30. H-1B employment begins October 1 of the cap year.
For F-1 students on OPT, the practical sequence is: graduate in May/June → OPT starts (up to 90 days before graduation) → enter the H-1B lottery the following April → if selected, H-1B begins October 1. This means your OPT typically runs from graduation until October 1 of the following year — approximately 16–18 months. STEM OPT extends this to up to 3 lottery attempts (3 years).
Cap-Gap protection: bridging the gap
'Cap-Gap' refers to the period between April 1 (when H-1B petitions are first filed) and October 1 (when H-1B employment can begin). F-1 students whose OPT expires between April 1 and September 30 in the lottery year, and whose H-1B petition has been timely filed, receive automatic Cap-Gap protection — their F-1 status and OPT work authorization are automatically extended through September 30.
Cap-Gap is triggered automatically by USCIS when a petition is filed. You do not apply for Cap-Gap separately — your DSO updates your SEVIS record. Your OPT EAD card remains valid until September 30 even if its printed expiration date is earlier.
What to do if not selected in the lottery
With a ~25% lottery selection rate, most F-1 students are not selected in their first attempt. Options include: (1) STEM OPT extension (if your degree qualifies) to work for up to 3 years total OPT and try the lottery again; (2) pursue an O-1A petition if you have extraordinary ability credentials; (3) transfer to an L-1 position if your employer has a global affiliate; (4) depart and work for the employer's international office, then return on L-1 after 1 year; (5) pursue Canadian PR (Express Entry CEC after working in Canada) as a pivot.
Related Questions
Can my employer file H-1B for me before I graduate?
No. H-1B petitions for F-1 students on OPT must be filed after OPT is authorized. However, employers can register for the lottery in anticipation and file the full petition once OPT is in effect.
Do I have 2 lottery chances with a US master's degree?
Yes — holders of US master's degrees (or higher) are entered in both the master's cap pool (20,000 slots) and the general cap pool (65,000 slots), giving two chances. If selected in either pool, you get one H-1B slot.
How much does premium processing help the timeline?
Premium processing ($2,805) speeds USCIS's decision to 15 business days from receipt. Without it, regular processing takes 2–6 months but Cap-Gap protects your status, so timing is not critical for F-1 students whose petition is filed before October 1.
Can I change employers between H-1B filing and October 1?
If you change employers, your selected H-1B registration is invalidated. A new employer must re-register you in a future lottery. Cap-Gap protection is tied to the specific employer's pending petition.
Is there any way to avoid the H-1B lottery entirely?
H-1B cap-exempt positions (universities, nonprofit research institutions, government research organizations) do not require going through the lottery. Working for such an employer bypasses the cap entirely.
Official Sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Fees and processing times change; always confirm with the official government source before acting.