USCIS Thông Báo Mới: H-2B Visa & PWD Processing Times Update April–May 2026

The Berry Appleman & Leiden (BAL) immigration law firm has released updated processing time data for H-2B temporary nonimmigrant worker visas and Prevailing Wage Determinations (PWDs) reflecting activity from April and May 2026. These figures are closely watched by employers and immigration practitioners planning seasonal or temporary workforce needs. PWD processing times are particularly significant not just for H-2B petitions but also for EB-3 employment-based green card applicants. PERM labor certification, a prerequisite for most EB-3 cases, requires an approved PWD from the Department of Labor (DOL) before employers can begin the recruitment process. Fluctuations in DOL PWD processing can create cascading delays in the EB-3 green card pipeline. Employers planning to sponsor workers through EB-3 should factor current PWD timelines into their overall immigration strategy and begin the process early to avoid bottlenecks. Practitioners are advised to monitor BAL's monthly processing time updates and USCIS announcements to stay current on adjudication trends. Applicants already in the EB-3 pipeline are not directly affected by H-2B processing changes, but shared DOL resources can influence overall agency capacity.