U.S. reached cap count for additional H-2B visas for the second half of FY 2025

Highlights: U.S. reaches additional H-2B Cap for Second Half of FY 2025

• H-2B visas are issued to foreign workers in temporary non-agricultural jobs.
• USCIS has reached the cap for additional H-2B visas for the fiscal year 2025.
• The U.S. had set a target of 19,000 H-2B visas.
• The visas will help address workforce shortages in non-agricultural sectors.
• The supplemental visas will be issued in multiple allocations.
   

*Want to work in the US? Y-Axis is here to provide complete assistance!
 

USCIS reaches cap for additional H-2B visas for FY 2025

The USCIS, or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, has reached the cap for an additional 19,000 H-2B visas for the second half of FY 2025. This visa is issued to international workers.
 

The visa was issued to foreign workers who would start their work between April 1 and May 14, 2025. The final date for submitting petitions requesting additional H-2B visas under the FY 2025 for returning worker allocation was April 18, 2025.
 

*Looking for jobs in the US? Avail Y-Axis Job Search Services to find the right one for you!
 

Temporary Increase in H-2B Visas for FY 2025

On December 2, 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor jointly published a temporary rule increasing the cap on H-2B visas by up to 64,716 additional visas for FY 2025. These visas are available only to U.S.-based businesses that require foreign workers to address the workforce shortages in the field.
 

To support U.S. businesses requiring workers to start work on different dates, the supplemental visas will be issued in multiple allocations, such as two for the second half of FY 2025.
 

Also read…

New U.S. Rule - All Immigrants Must Carry ID: H-1B, F-1, B1/B2, Green Card Included
 

Who can apply for the additional H-2B visa?

Out of the 64,716 supplemental visas, returning workers will be issued 44,716 visas. These workers received an H-2B visa or were authorized the H-2B status in the last three fiscal years. The other 20,000 visas are for Guatemala, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Ecuador, Colombia, and Costa Rica nationals. To qualify for the additional H-2B visas, the applications must be filed in the U.S. by September 15, 2025.
 

This increase is for a limited time and does not affect the H-2B program in the upcoming fiscal years.
 

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance for US Immigration? Contact Y-Axis, the world's No.1 Overseas Immigration Consultancy.
 

For recent immigration updates on the US, check out Y-Axis US Immigration News!