For the filing period of July 3–5, 2025, the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) of the United States has completed the randomized selection process, and here’s what employers and prospective H-2B workers need to know about the results, next steps, and key exemptions from the cap.
The H-2B visa lottery plays a crucial role in helping U.S. employers hire foreign workers for temporary non-agricultural jobs when there’s a shortage of American labor.
July 2025 H-2B Visa Lottery Results
The OFLC received 2,421 H-2B visa applications, representing a total of 47,488 worker positions with a work start date of October 1, 2025. Furthermore, due to the high volume of requests compared to the semi-annual visa cap of 33,000, a lottery system was used to assign applications into groups for processing.
| Assignment Group | Applications | Worker Positions | Notes |
| Group A | 1,794 | Covers 33,000+ positions | Reached the cap |
| Group B | 627 | Remaining eligible cases | Reviewed in order |
| Additional Group | Varies | Surplus beyond cap | Processed if visas remain |
Moreover, the OFLC finalized the randomization on July 6, 2025, assigning each application to a group for review by analysts at the National Processing Center (NPC). Employers and their attorneys were notified about their application’s group placement on the same day. The applicants and employers can access the assignment groups here.
What Happens After the H-2B Lottery Selection?
What exactly happens after the selection process? The answer is that once applications are assigned, OFLC analysts begin processing them according to standard procedures under 20 CFR § 655.30. Each application goes through the following steps:
- Notice of Acceptance (NOA): If approved, employers can begin the required recruitment of U.S. workers.
- Notice of Deficiency (NOD): If issues are found, the employer must address them before moving forward.
- Recruitment and Certification:
- Employers submit recruitment reports.
- OFLC reviews submissions based on the order received.
- Certified applications are authorized for visa processing.
- Employers submit recruitment reports.
Even applications for cap-exempt positions will continue to be reviewed, including:
- Rejections
- Withdrawals
- Denials
Who Is Exempt from the H-2B Visa Cap?
Not all H-2B workers are subject to the visa cap. Below are the main H-2B cap exemptions:
| Exempt Group | Description |
| Returning workers | If counted against the cap earlier in the same fiscal year |
| H-2B extensions or employer/job changes | Must already be in the U.S. in valid H-2B status |
| H-4 dependents | Spouses and children of H-2B workers |
| Special categories | Fish roe processors, technicians, and supervisors |
| CNMI and Guam workers | Only if working between Nov 28, 2009, and Dec 31, 2019 |
Employers should clearly indicate cap-exempt status on their petitions to avoid delays or unnecessary denials.
H-2B Visa Lottery: Filing Deadline and Cap Policy for Late 2025
Under the current temporary final rule, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will no longer accept H-2B petitions received after September 15, 2025, or once the applicable H-2B visa cap is reached—whichever comes first.
Any petitions submitted after this deadline or beyond the cap limit will be automatically rejected. Additionally, pending petitions that are not approved by October 1, 2025, will be denied, and no filing fees will be refunded under any circumstances.
For employers planning ahead, USCIS clarified that petitions requesting a work start date after September 30, 2025, will be counted toward the first half of the Fiscal Year 2026 H-2B cap, provided that the applications meet all FY 2026 eligibility requirements.
This policy ensures compliance and helps maintain the fairness and integrity of the H-2B visa lottery process, especially during peak demand periods when visa slots fill rapidly.
What Is the H-2B Visa Lottery?
The H-2B visa lottery is a randomized assignment system used by the Department of Labor when the number of H-2B applications surpasses the number of available visas. This ensures a fair review process and allows employers to understand their application’s status as early as possible.
Each application is:
- Assigned a unique number
- Randomly placed into one of three assignment groups
- Reviewed in order, depending on its group placement
This randomization is critical for employers, as it helps determine if their filing will move forward immediately or remain on hold—and what steps they must take next.
Final Thoughts: Preparing for the H-2B Visa Lottery
With intense competition for limited visa slots, understanding how the H-2B visa lottery works is crucial for both employers and foreign workers. Planning ahead, submitting complete and compliant applications, and being aware of exemptions can significantly improve the chances of successfully securing an H-2B visa.