I’ve seen so many people expressing their anxiety about the H1B lottery lately, and it hit me hard—because I’ve been there. I know what it feels like to refresh your email a hundred times, to hope against hope, only to see those dreaded words: “not selected.” So, I wanted to share my experience, not just to vent, but to let others know they’re not alone in this.
Every year, I tell myself, "maybe this time."Maybe this will be the year my H1B lottery entry gets picked. Maybe I’ll finally get the stability I’ve been chasing since the day I arrived in the U.S. as an international student. But year after year, the result is the same—“not selected.”
The first time, I was disappointed. The second time, I felt numb. My OPT clock was running out. I watched friends celebrate their approvals while I scrambled for options. Eventually, I chose Day 1 CPT—not because I wanted to, but because I had to. It was my only way to stay in status and keep working toward my future.
But with H1B selection rates dropping every year, I can’t help but wonder how long this journey will last.
Most nights, I lie awake with the same thoughts circling my mind. “What if I never get picked? What if I have to leave the life I worked so hard to build?” The uncertainty is tough, but I know I’m not the only one feeling this way.