How to enter the H-1B cap lottery?

The H-1B visa is employer-sponsored, so your employer must enter the lottery on your behalf and pay the required fees. USCIS will use the information provided by the employer to determine whether you will be subject to the H-1B cap lottery. If you are not selected in the regular cap lottery and are eligible for the master’s cap, you will be automatically entered. You and your employer do not need to select regular cap vs master’s cap. 

Keep in mind that the H-1B cap lottery is only the first step of the H-1B application process. After you are selected in the lottery, the employer will need to submit a Labor Condition Application (LCA) and H-1B petition and pay the associated fees. This process is the same whether you were selected in the regular cap or the master’s cap.

Wrap up on H-1B regular cap vs. master’s cap

A qualifying master’s degree more than doubles your chances of being accepted in the H-1B lottery. If you are going to graduate or run out of OPT work authorization soon, consider applying to a graduate school in the US to extend your time in the country while also increasing your chances in the H-1B lottery. For those who already entered the H-1B lottery and were not selected, it’s time to explore alternative immigration options from cap-exempt jobs to other visas.