H-2B Visa Cap for Returning Workers Reached for FY 2025

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the cap of 20,716 additional H-2B visas for returning workers has been reached for the first half of fiscal year 2025. This cap applies to petitions with employment start dates through March 31, 2025, under the temporary final rule published on December 2, 2024.

What Does This Cap Mean?

The H-2B visa program is designed to meet the needs of U.S. employers requiring temporary, non-agricultural workers. The availability of additional visas allows more returning workers to support key sectors of the economy during periods of high demand. However, applications for these supplemental visas hit the cap on January 7, 2025.

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Options for Employers and Workers

Although the cap for returning workers has been reached, USCIS continues to accept petitions for:

• 20,000 additional visas reserved specifically for nationals of:
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Ecuador
  • El Salvador
  • Guatemala
  • Haiti
  • Honduras
• Workers exempt from the congressionally mandated cap.

Petitions under these categories can be submitted as long as the employment start dates are on or before March 31, 2025, and until the remaining visas are allocated.

Current Statistics

As of January 7, 2025, USCIS had received petitions for 3,678 workers under the 20,000 reserved visas for specific countries. This means there are still visas available under this allocation, providing opportunities for eligible employers and workers from these nations.

Additional Information

The H-2B program plays a critical role in supporting industries such as construction, tourism, and processed agriculture, particularly during peak seasons. Those seeking more information about supplemental visas for fiscal year 2025 can visit USCIS’s official webpage on the Temporary Increase of H-2B Visas.

Conclusion

Access to H-2B visas for returning workers is vital to addressing labor shortages in the United States. While the cap for one allocation has been reached, the availability of reserved visas for specific countries offers an alternative for eligible employers and workers.

From: USCIS

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/cap-reached-for-additional-returning-worker-h-2b-visas-for-the-first-half-of-fy-2025

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