CommunityLog In

Jobs

H-1B lottery odds

From February 27, 2026, the H-1B lottery is weighted by wage level: Level IV is entered four times, III three times, II twice and I once.

OPT and STEM OPT timing

12 months of OPT, 24 more with STEM OPT. Unemployment limit: 90 days, 150 with STEM OPT.
Fill in my dates

Key dates

FY2027 H-1B registration: March 4 to 19, 2026. Source

Cap-gap now runs to April 1 of the H-1B fiscal year (since January 17, 2025). Source

Cap-exempt employers

Universities, their affiliated nonprofits, and nonprofit or government research organizations file H-1B all year without the lottery.
See cap-exempt jobs

E-Verify

The STEM OPT extension requires an employer enrolled in E-Verify.
Look up an employer

Rules summary

Ask the assistant about OPT, STEM OPT, cap-gap or the $100,000 fee