The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in collaboration with the Department of Labor (DOL), has announced plans to release an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for Fiscal Year 2025.
These visas, which are supplemental to the 66,000 congressionally mandated H-2B visas issued annually, represent the maximum allowed under current legislative authority. This allocation mirrors the additional visas provided in FY 2024.
The H-2B visa program is designed to help American businesses in industries such as hospitality, landscaping, seafood processing, and tourism meet seasonal labor demands when U.S. workers are unavailable or unqualified for these roles. By making these supplemental visas available early in the fiscal year, DHS aims to provide businesses with the opportunity to plan ahead and address critical labor shortages.
Worker protections and allocations
DHS and DOL have emphasized their commitment to safeguarding both American and foreign workers. Employers must prioritize recruiting U.S. workers before turning to H-2B hires and must ensure fair treatment of foreign workers under stringent labor protections.
“The Department of Homeland Security is committed to further growing our nation’s strong economy,” said DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “By maximizing the use of the H-2B visa program, the Department of Homeland Security is helping to ensure the labor needs of American businesses are met, keeping prices down for consumers while strengthening worker protections and deterring irregular migration to the United States.”
Of the supplemental visas, 20,000 will be allocated to workers from specific countries, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. The remaining 44,716 visas will be set aside for returning workers who held H-2B status in one of the past three fiscal years. To address year-round labor demands, visas will be distributed between the first and second halves of FY 2025, with special consideration for the peak summer season.
H-2B program overview
The H-2B visa program allows employers to hire noncitizens for temporary nonagricultural labor when the work is seasonal, peakload, or intermittent. Employers must obtain certification from DOL proving the lack of qualified U.S. workers and ensuring that hiring H-2B workers does not negatively impact wages or conditions for American employees.
H-2B workers may remain in the U.S. for up to three years, after which they must leave the country for at least three months before reapplying for the visa. Further details on eligibility and filing requirements will be outlined in the forthcoming temporary final rule and published on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
This announcement continues a trend of supplemental visa allocations seen in prior fiscal years, reinforcing the federal government’s effort to balance labor market demands with robust worker protections.
