I was picked in the 2025 lottery…

Hey everyone, quick question!

I was selected in the 2025 H-1B lottery, but my Form I-129 has now been pending for about 285 days (Texas Service Center, COS).

How does USCIS handle this backlog with the 2026 lottery now happening, do these cases just keep stacking, or are they processed separately?

At this point, would premium processing even make sense, or is it not really worth it after waiting this long? What are people actually seeing for timelines right now?

My main concern is whether delays like this could affect my employer’s willingness to wait, and if long processing times ever raise questions during the visa interview.

For context: I’m currently in the U.S. with a valid visa until 2028, so it’s not urgent from a status standpoint, I’d just like to start working as soon as possible