The H-2B cap for the first half of FY 2027 has been reached, with September 4, 2026 set as the final receipt date for petitions seeking employment start dates before April 1, 2027. Petitions filed after that date for this period will be rejected.
USCIS has reached the additional 27,736 H-2B visas allocated for returning workers for FY 2026, covering April 1–30 start dates. Employers can no longer file cap-subject petitions under this allocation, underscoring high demand for seasonal worker visas.
USCIS has reached the H-2B cap for the second half of FY 2026, closing regular filings for that period. The agency has announced upcoming filing dates for limited supplemental H-2B visas, impacting employers planning seasonal or temporary workforce needs.
USCIS has reached the cap for the first FY 2026 returning worker allocation of 18,490 supplemental H-2B visas covering employment from January 1 to March 31, 2026, and will no longer accept petitions under this specific allocation.
The Department of Homeland Security will issue up to 64,716 additional H-2B visas for fiscal year 2026, expanding opportunities for employers facing labor shortages and introducing new compliance requirements for petitioners.
