The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has confirmed that the statutory cap for H-2B work visas has been met for the latter half of the fiscal year 2026.
The H-2B visa program enables US employers to hire foreign nationals for temporary, non-agricultural positions when there is an inadequate supply of domestic labor.
The visa cap impacts industries like hospitality and landscaping, which rely on seasonal labor during high-demand times.
Supplemental visas have been introduced to tackle labor shortages, with 27,736 visas allocated for positions commencing between April 1 and April 30, and 18,490 visas reserved for roles starting from May 1 to September 30.
These allocations are contingent upon eligibility requirements and must be submitted within designated time frames.
USCIS said that March 10, 2026, was the last date for submitting petitions related to employment commencing between April 1 and September 30.
Indian nationals continue to be excluded from the list of countries eligible for the H-2B visa program.
The administration has announced an expansion of the H-2B program, permitting up to 64,716 additional visas for the fiscal year 2026.
The agency is set to begin the application process for a returning worker allocation that will cover start dates in April, with submissions opening on March 25, 2026, for a total of 27,736 visas designated for people who have previously held H-2B status within the last three fiscal years.
