As of April 23, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it had received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 19,000 H-2B visas allocated for returning workers in the early second half of fiscal year (FY) 2025. These visas, made available under the FY 2025 H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule (TFR), applied to employment start dates between April 1 and May 14, 2025. This temporary increase aimed to address critical labor shortages in seasonal industries such as hospitality, landscaping, and construction, where U.S. employers have faced persistent staffing challenges.
The final receipt date for petitions was April 18, 2025. Any petitions submitted after this date will be rejected, and accompanying fees will be returned. USCIS will not accept further applications under this specific allocation. With the cap now reached, employers who still require seasonal labor must either explore alternative visa options or wait for future H-2B cap releases within FY 2025.
Employers or individuals seeking more detailed guidance about the FY 2025 supplemental H-2B visas can access comprehensive information on the Temporary Increase in H-2B Nonimmigrant Visas for FY 2025 page. This resource outlines eligibility criteria, application instructions, and future allocation timelines. Employers must also demonstrate that their businesses would suffer irreparable harm without the foreign workers requested.
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