USCIS Exhausts Second Returning-Worker H-2B Visa Pool for Fiscal Year 2026

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has said petition volume is high enough to close the second returning-worker H-2B allocation for fiscal year 2026, covering 27,736 visas.

The allotment applies to workers with employment start dates from April 1 through April 30, 2026, under the fiscal year 2026 temporary final rule for the H-2B supplemental cap.

April 21, 2026, was the final date USCIS accepted petitions for supplemental H-2B visas under this allocation.

Federal authorities have framed the extra permits as a way for United States employers to cover seasonal or temporary staffing needs across major parts of the economy.

On January 30, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor jointly announced the fiscal year 2026 temporary final rule that can raise the H-2B visa cap by up to 64,716 additional visas.

According to DHS, supplemental visas are available only to employers who attest that, without access to all requested H-2B workers, they are suffering or will suffer "irreparable harm."

"DHS is committed to ensuring American workers are protected," the agency said, adding that individuals, including United States workers and H-2B workers, can report suspected fraud or abuse through an online tip form.

Further detail on the fiscal year 2026 supplemental H-2B visas is available through the DHS Temporary Increase in H-2B Nonimmigrant Visas for FY 2026 program page.