USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for Second Half of FY 2026; Supplemental Visas Now Available

USCIS has announced that it has reached the statutory cap for H-2B nonimmigrant visas for the second half of Fiscal Year 2026. The H-2B program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary nonagricultural jobs. With the regular cap now exhausted, USCIS has opened filing dates for supplemental H-2B visa allocations. These supplemental visas are made available through annual congressional or executive action to address labor shortages beyond the standard 66,000 annual cap. While the H-2B program is distinct from the EB-3 employment-based immigrant visa category, this development is relevant context for employers and workers navigating U.S. labor-based immigration. Employers who cannot secure H-2B visas may look toward permanent labor certification (PERM) and EB-3 pathways for long-term workforce needs. EB-3 applicants and petitioners should note that high demand across employment-based visa programs continues to reflect broader labor market pressures.