H-2B Visa
H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visa — cap announcements, supplemental allocations, employer petition requirements, returning worker exemptions, and seasonal industry compliance guidance.
Top questions about H-2B Visa
Answers from VisaVerge guidesHow are H-2B supplemental visas allocated for FY2025?
H-2B supplemental visas for FY2025 were reserved for returning workers and nationals of specific countries with caps reached for the first two tranches.
Read: US Corporate Immigration Under Strain: Policy Hurdles and EnforcementWhen did USCIS reach the cap for the second H-2B visa allocation in 2026?
USCIS reached the cap for the second H-2B visa allocation for returning workers on April 29, 2026.
Read: USCIS Hits Cap for Second H-2B Visa Allocation for Returning Workers in 2026When did USCIS reach the H-2B visa cap for the first supplemental allocation of FY 2026?
USCIS reached the H-2B visa cap for the first supplemental allocation of fiscal year 2026 during the initial filing period, which ended on February 6, 2026.
Read: Uscis Hits H-2B Visa Cap for First Supplemental AllocationWhat are the recent updates on H-2B nonimmigrant visas for fiscal year 2025?
USCIS announced an increase in H-2B nonimmigrant visas for fiscal year 2025 to address workforce shortages.
Read: Will Cutting Hours or Pay Affect Your Work Visa Status?Why did USCIS reach the H-2B visa cap in September 2024?
USCIS reached the H-2B visa cap because it had received enough petitions to meet the cap for the first half of fiscal year 2025 as of September 18, 2024.
Read: H-2B Visa Cap Reached: No Petitions Before April 2025Horse-racing industry depends on immigrant workers through H-2B visas
The horse-racing industry in the U.S. relies mainly on immigrant workers using the H-2B temporary visa. Due to a low domestic labor pool and a strict 66,000 yearly visa cap,…
How US hotels rely on the H-2B visa program for seasonal labor
US hotels depend on the H-2B visa program to hire foreign workers for seasonal labor shortages. Despite complex…
H-2B Visa Cap Hits Limit, Extra Visas Open for Applications
USCIS announced that the 33,000 congressionally capped H-2B visas for the first half of FY 2025 have been…
New Zealand Offers Two-Year Multi-Entry Visa for Seasonal Workers
New Zealand has introduced a two-year multi-entry visa for seasonal workers, announced on December 17, 2024. The reform…
H-2A, H-2B, and CW-1 Visa Processing Times as of March 1, 2025
The following report presents the latest updates on the processing times for H-2A, H-2B, and CW-1 visa applications…
US Increases H-2B Visa Cap for 2025
The U.S. will increase H-2B visas to 130,716 in FY 2025 to address labor shortages in industries like…
Maine H-2B Visa Shortage for Seasonal Workers
Maine's economy relies heavily on foreign seasonal workers, yet visa availability is uncertain, challenging businesses. An increase in…
UK Seasonal Worker Visa Route Confirmed for 2025
The UK government confirms the Seasonal Worker visa for 2025, supporting horticulture and poultry sectors with 45,000 visas.…
H-2B Visa Cap Reached: No Petitions Before April 2025
The U.S. halted H-2B visa petitions for start dates before April 1, 2025, due to reaching the cap…
H-2B Visa Cap Update FY 2025: Availability Status
USCIS updated the H-2B visa cap for FY 2025's first half. Out of 33,000 visas, 2,440 are approved,…