United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Surpasses H-2B Visa Cap and Unveils Nearly Sixty Five Thousand Additional Visas to Empower U.S. Employers, Drive Economic Growth, and Conquer Labor Shortages in FY 2025

Published on March 31, 2025

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially reached the H-2B visa cap for fiscal year 2025, marking a significant milestone in addressing labor needs across various U.S. industries. In a move aimed at alleviating workforce shortages, USCIS has unveiled nearly 65,000 additional H-2B visas to support U.S. employers throughout the year. This expansion will play a crucial role in driving economic growth, ensuring that businesses have access to the temporary labor required to fill vital non-agricultural positions, while strengthening the U.S. job market and economy.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that it has received sufficient petitions to meet the H-2B visa cap for the second half of fiscal year 2025. This marks a significant milestone for the H-2B visa program, designed to allow foreign nationals to work temporarily in the U.S. for non-agricultural jobs.

Filling Dates for Additional H-2B Visas Released

USCIS has officially made the filing dates for additional H-2B visas for the remaining months of fiscal year 2025 available. The final receipt date for new, cap-subject H-2B worker petitions for the second half of the year was set for March 5, 2025. This development follows earlier announcements regarding the availability of additional visas to support workforce demand in the U.S.

Understanding the H-2B Visa Cap System

The H-2B visa program is integral to addressing labor shortages in various industries across the U.S. The program allows businesses to hire temporary workers from other countries to fill non-agricultural positions that require seasonal labor.

The annual H-2B visa cap is set at 66,000 workers, with the total split into two phases. The first phase, which covers workers who begin employment between October 1 and March 31, has a cap of 33,000. The second phase covers workers who begin employment between April 1 and September 30 and is also limited to 33,000 workers.

Additional Visas for Fiscal Year 2025

In a crucial step to further meet the demands of U.S. businesses, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in November 2024 that an additional 64,716 H-2B visas would be made available for fiscal year 2025. This expansion is aimed at addressing the rising labor needs of American companies and ensuring the continued growth of the U.S. economy.

Then-Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro N. Mayorkas, highlighted that the additional visas were part of the DHS’s efforts to strengthen the U.S. economy by ensuring that businesses across various sectors can access the labor force they need. The additional visas also aim to help keep consumer prices low while safeguarding worker protections and curbing irregular migration.

More Visas for Returning Workers in FY 2025

In January 2025, the USCIS further clarified that it had already received enough petitions to reach the cap for an additional 20,716 visas designated for returning H-2B workers. These visas are set for workers whose start dates are before March 31, 2025. This allocation of visas aligns with the H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule for fiscal year 2025, which aims to address labor shortages and provide consistent support to employers who rely on the H-2B program.

USCIS has reached the H-2B visa cap for fiscal year 2025 and announced nearly 65,000 additional visas to help U.S. employers combat labor shortages and boost economic growth.

The Path Forward for H-2B Workers and Employers

The H-2B visa program has become a vital tool for American businesses, allowing them to fill temporary labor gaps in sectors such as hospitality, construction, and landscaping. The availability of additional visas for fiscal year 2025 is a direct response to the increased need for temporary workers across the country.

As the U.S. continues to rely on foreign labor for non-agricultural work, the ongoing expansion of the H-2B program will help ensure that businesses can meet labor demands without sacrificing the protection and rights of workers. With the added support from DHS and USCIS, the H-2B visa program stands as an essential element of the nation’s workforce strategy in the years ahead.

In summary, the expansion of the H-2B visa program, including the addition of extra visas for fiscal year 2025, will significantly aid U.S. businesses in meeting their seasonal labor needs, while continuing to uphold high standards of worker protection and economic stability.