Being selected in the H1B lottery should be a relief. But when the job backing up that application goes away overnight, that relief is quickly replaced by panic.
That’s what happened here. Chosen in this year’s lottery—and then let go of just weeks later. STEM OPT expires in early June, so there isn’t much time to sort things out.
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Many are asking: does being selected in the H1B lottery still hold weight if you don’t have employment? And the answer isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible either.
To keep the H1B alive, the new employer will need to file the petition before June 30—that’s how long USCIS has given. But it won’t happen unless the new firm properly registers and files the papers.
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The clock is ticking—not only on STEM OPT but on the lottery spot. If nobody files the petition before the deadline, the selection gets wasted.
Some people believe they can roll over the H1B selection later in the year, but that’s not how it works. If it’s not filed this season, the selection doesn’t roll over to the next.
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There is still one more wrinkle: maintaining legal status while job-hunting for a new position. Once the OPT expiration comes, opportunities narrow. A swift switch to a B2 visa may create some time lag—but won’t address the H1B challenge.
The dream route? Land a new sponsor quickly, and have them apply for the H1B petition by June 30. It keeps the lottery win alive—and provides a true chance to stay in the U.S. continuum.
But it’s a race against time. And it’s not easy when layoffs catch you halfway through.
Immigration policies weren’t designed for cases like these. But the system hasn’t evolved either.
There has to be a safety net for people who were picked but lost their job before submitting. After all, they won the lottery—but didn’t collect the prize.
