The United States government has authorised the release of 64,716 additional H-2B visas for temporary non-agricultural foreign workers for the current fiscal year, expanding the number of seasonal work visas beyond the statutory annual cap. This increase aims to address shortages faced by employers in industries that rely on temporary labour.
The move comes through a temporary final rule jointly issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL). It permits issuance of supplemental visas — above the usual annual limit — to employers that demonstrate they face “irreparable harm” without access to additional foreign workers.
What Are H-2B Work Visas?
H-2B visas are a category of non-immigrant visas for temporary non-agricultural work. They allow U.S. employers to bring in foreign nationals to fill jobs that are seasonal, peak-load, intermittent, or short-term in nature when qualified U.S. workers are not available.
Common sectors that hire under the H-2B programme include hospitality, landscaping, construction, seafood processing and tourism, particularly for roles tied to seasonal demand cycles. Employers must file petitions certifying both need and compliance with wage standards to qualify.
Purpose of the Visa Increase
The additional H-2B visas are intended to help U.S. businesses that would otherwise face labour shortages that could impair operations or growth. By temporarily raising the cap, the government seeks to support industries dependent on foreign workers during critical peak seasons.
Under the temporary rule, some of the visas may be allocated to returning workers who have previously held H-2B status and others to employers with acute staffing needs for the remainder of the fiscal year. This tiered allocation mirrors similar supplemental increases made in previous years to balance labour needs with administrative limits.
Conditions and Limits
The increase is temporary and specific to the current fiscal year; it does not permanently raise the statutory cap on H-2B visas. Petitions under this rule must be filed by a specified deadline, and the visas will only be issued to employers who can demonstrate a valid need as defined in the rule’s criteria.
This supplemental visa allocation reflects ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to balance domestic workforce protection with supporting industries that rely on foreign seasonal labour — particularly in tight labour markets or where recruitment challenges persist.
