H-2B Visa Cap Reached for Second Half of FY 2026 — What Employers and Workers Need to Know

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially announced that it has received enough petitions to meet the H-2B statutory cap for the second half of fiscal year 2026. For employers counting on seasonal foreign workers this spring and summer, time is critical — and options are narrowing fast.

The cutoff date for new cap-subject petitions was March 10, 2026. Any H-2B petitions received after that date for positions starting between April 1 and September 30, 2026, will be rejected by USCIS.

What Is the H-2B Visa Program?

The H-2B visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign nationals for temporary, non-agricultural work when there are not enough qualified U.S. workers available to fill those positions. Industries that rely heavily on H-2B workers include:

• Hospitality and hotels
• Landscaping and grounds maintenance
• Seafood processing
• Amusement parks and resorts
• Construction and general labor

Each fiscal year, Congress sets a statutory cap of 66,000 H-2B visas — 33,000 for the first half of the year (October–March) and the remainder for the second half (April–September). Once that cap is reached, USCIS stops accepting new cap-subject petitions for that period.

Learn more about the H-2B program on the official USCIS page →

Supplemental H-2B Visas: Still Available — But Limited

The good news: supplemental visas are still on the table. Since FY 2017, Congress has authorized DHS and DOL to issue additional H-2B visas beyond the statutory cap to address labor market shortfalls. For FY 2026, the Trump administration approved up to 64,716 supplemental H-2B visas — effectively doubling the normal cap.

Here's the current breakdown of available supplemental allocations:

Allocation	Visas Available	Start Dates	Who Qualifies
Second supplemental	27,736	April 1 – April 30, 2026	Returning workers only
Third supplemental	18,490	May 1 – September 30, 2026	All eligible workers

What Is a "Returning Worker"?

For H-2B purposes, a returning worker is someone who was previously issued an H-2B visa — or was otherwise granted H-2B status — during one of the three most recent fiscal years (FY 2023, FY 2024, or FY 2025). These workers are exempt from the regular statutory cap and are given priority access to certain supplemental allocations.

The April 1–April 30 allocation of 27,736 visas is restricted to returning workers only. Employers who want to use this window must ensure their workers meet the prior-year participation requirement.

The second window — 18,490 visas for May 1 through September 30 — has no returning worker requirement. This allocation is open to all eligible H-2B workers, including first-time H-2B participants, making it the more accessible option for employers bringing on new workers this season.

Bottom line: If your workforce includes both returning and new workers, you may need to split your petition strategy across both allocations.

USCIS Alert: H-2B Cap Reached for Second Half of FY 2026 →

USCIS: Temporary Increase in H-2B Nonimmigrant Visas for FY 2026 →

Why Demand Is So High in 2026

The H-2B cap was exhausted faster than expected this year for a few key reasons:

1. Workforce contraction has shrunk the available domestic labor pool — particularly in sectors like hospitality, landscaping, and seafood processing that have historically relied on immigrant labor.
2. Seasonal demand is surging — spring and summer peak seasons create enormous pressure for hotels, resorts, and landscaping companies.
3. Employers are filing earlier — knowing how competitive the process has become, experienced employers are petitioning at the first available opportunity.

What Should Employers Do Right Now?

If your business depends on H-2B workers for the upcoming season, here are your next steps:

1. Check supplemental visa eligibility — If your workers are returning H-2B workers, you may qualify for the April supplemental allocation. If you're bringing on new workers, focus on the May–September window.
2. File immediately — Supplemental windows fill quickly. Don't wait.
3. Work with an experienced H-2B recruitment partner — Navigating cap dates, supplemental rules, and DOL requirements is complex. A specialist can help you avoid costly mistakes.
4. Plan ahead for FY 2027 — The first-half cap typically opens in October. Start preparing your petition well in advance.

DOL: Foreign Labor Certification — H-2B Program →

JTP Agency Can Help

At JTP Agency, we specialize in H-2B, H-2A, and TN visa recruitment — connecting qualified seasonal workers with U.S. employers across hospitality, landscaping, and beyond. We understand the cap cycle, the supplemental filing windows, and how to move fast when time is short.

If you're an employer who needs seasonal workers — or a worker looking to understand your visa options — reach out today.

Get in touch with JTP Agency →

Key Takeaways

• ✅ H-2B statutory cap for the second half of FY 2026 has been reached (cutoff: March 10, 2026)
• ✅ 27,736 supplemental visas available for April start dates — returning workers only (held H-2B status in FY 2023, 2024, or 2025)
• ✅ 18,490 supplemental visas available for May–September start dates — open to all eligible workers, no prior H-2B history required
• ✅ Employers with returning workers have the best remaining options in the near-term window
• ✅ First-time H-2B workers should focus on the May–September (third) supplemental allocation
• ⚠️ New cap-subject petitions received after March 10 will be rejected

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Sources: USCIS Newsroom | USCIS H-2B Program Page | DOL Foreign Labor Certification | Newsweek