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U.S. businesses facing irreparable harm due to labor shortages now have a vital opportunity to secure temporary non-agricultural workers through the H-2B Supplemental Visas program. This temporary increase in the H-2B Supplemental Cap, jointly published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL), offers up to 64,716 additional visas to help employers meet urgent staffing requirements.
The H-2B Supplemental Visas are specifically allocated to U.S. businesses that attest to suffering or impending irreparable harm without the ability to employ these essential H-2B workers. This initiative is a temporary measure designed to support businesses during critical periods, without impacting the H-2B program in future fiscal years.
Of the 64,716 available supplemental visas, a significant portion is dedicated to returning workers. Additionally, a crucial allocation of 20,000 visas is specifically set aside for nationals from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. These H-2B Northern Triangle Visas, encompassing countries within the Northern Triangle region and beyond, are exempt from the returning worker requirement, aiming to provide a pathway for new foreign nationals to support U.S. labor demands.
Only U.S. businesses demonstrating irreparable harm (permanent and severe financial loss) are eligible to file for these H-2B Supplemental Visas. Eligibility also varies based on whether you are petitioning for returning workers or workers under the country-specific allocation.
The 64,716 visas are distributed across various allocation periods throughout FY 2025, with specific employment start dates and filing windows. It is critical for employers to understand these deadlines and requirements to successfully secure the necessary workforce. For detailed information on filing procedures, eligibility criteria, and current cap counts for the country-specific allocation, please refer to the latest guidance from USCIS or contact our agency.