USCIS reaches H-2B visa cap for second half of FY 2026
Key Points(5)
- Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received enough petitions to meet the congressionally established H-2B statutory cap for the second half of fiscal year 2026.
- This cap applies to new H-2B petitions requesting an employment start date on or after April 1 and before October 1, 2026.
- Petitions received after March 10, 2026 for this period will be rejected.
- In addition, USCIS has announced the filing dates for the second and third allocations of supplemental H-2B visas for FY 2026.
- Employers seeking these additional visas can find details, including allocation amounts and relevant filing deadlines, on the Temporary Increase in H-2B Nonimmigrant Visas for FY 2026 page.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received enough petitions to meet the congressionally established H-2B statutory cap for the second half of fiscal year 2026. This cap applies to new H-2B petitions requesting an employment start date on or after April 1 and before October 1, 2026. Petitions received after March 10, 2026 for this period will be rejected.
In addition, USCIS has announced the filing dates for the second and third allocations of supplemental H-2B visas for FY 2026. Employers seeking these additional visas can find details, including allocation amounts and relevant filing deadlines, on the Temporary Increase in H-2B Nonimmigrant Visas for FY 2026 page.
USCIS encourages anyone—including U.S. workers and H-2B workers—to report tips, alleged violations, or other relevant information about potential fraud or abuse using the agency’s online tip form.
These measures reflect USCIS’s ongoing efforts to manage the H-2B program efficiently while providing additional opportunities for employers to fill temporary nonagricultural positions when the standard visa cap has been reached.
