US Expands H-2B Visa Programme With 64,716 Additional Slots for 2026

The United States will issue an additional 64,716 H-2B visas for temporary non-agricultural workers in fiscal year 2026.

Under current law, the H-2B programme is capped at 66,000 visas annually, split evenly between the first and second halves of the fiscal year. The Secretary of Homeland Security may grant additional visas when demand exceeds the cap. 

In January, the Department of Homeland Security exercised this authority, citing strong employer demand and the need to maintain stable seasonal workforces.

Of the newly authorised visas, 46,226 are reserved for returning workers—those who held H-2B status in any of the past three fiscal years. 

The remaining 18,490 visas are available to new applicants and are intended for employers with late-season hiring needs between May and September 2026. This allocation aims to balance opportunities for new entrants with the benefits of rehiring experienced workers already familiar with US labour standards.

The distribution follows a three-phase process. The first phase, covering employment start dates from January to March 2026, reached capacity quickly. 

By 6 February, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had received enough petitions to fill the 18,490 visas for that round, prompting a random lottery on 13 February to select among petitions submitted during the initial five-day filing period.

The second allocation opens in late March for employment beginning in April. This phase offers 27,736 visas, plus any unused numbers from the first phase, and is restricted to returning workers. Petitions must be submitted between 25 March and 23 April. 

The final phase, covering employment from May to September, will release 18,490 visas along with any remaining from earlier rounds, with petitions accepted from 24 April to 15 September.