U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said it has received enough petitions to meet the cap for an additional 27,736 H-2B visas allocated for returning workers for fiscal year 2026.
The agency announced that April 21, 2026, was the final receipt date for petitions requesting supplemental H-2B visas under the second allocation, which covers employment start dates from April 1 through April 30, 2026. The visas are part of a temporary increase aimed at helping U.S. employers meet seasonal and temporary labor demands.
USCIS said the additional visas will support businesses across key sectors of the U.S. economy that rely on short-term workers, including industries facing labor shortages during peak seasons.
The supplemental visas were authorized under a temporary final rule issued Jan. 30, 2026, by the Department of Homeland Security in coordination with the Department of Labor. The rule allows for up to 64,716 additional H-2B visas for fiscal year 2026.
According to DHS, the extra visas are available only to U.S. employers that can demonstrate they are experiencing or will face irreparable harm without the requested workers. Employers must attest to this need as part of their petition.
The H-2B visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign nationals for nonagricultural jobs on a temporary basis, often in industries such as hospitality, landscaping and construction.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
