If you’re an H-1B hopeful exploring backup pathways or in search of work within the U.S. underneath short-term employment classes, the most recent replace from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a golden alternative price your consideration.
As of March 26, 2025, USCIS has reached the H-2B cap for the second half of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025—however right here’s the excellent news: submitting dates for supplemental H-2B visas at the moment are accessible underneath a particular cap enhance. This short-term growth is a significant win for U.S. employers and overseas employees alike, particularly these with earlier H-2B expertise or nationals from eligible nations.
What’s the H-2B Visa and Why This News Matters?
The H-2B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that permits U.S. employers to quickly rent overseas employees for non-agricultural jobs (assume landscaping, development, hospitality, and extra) when certified U.S. employees aren’t accessible.
Due to robust employer demand, USCIS hit the H-2B cap for FY 2025’s second half on March 5, 2025. However, due to a particular provision by DHS and DOL, a short-term ultimate rule has made 64,716 further visas accessible for the rest of FY 2025—providing a brand new window of alternative for these in search of U.S. work expertise.
Who Can Apply for These Additional US H-2B Visas?
This alternative is for:
- U.S. employers going through irreparable hurt (extreme monetary loss) with out the flexibility to rent the requested H-2B employees, as attested in a particular kind.
- Returning employees: Those who held H-2B standing or have been issued H-2B visas in FY 2022, 2023, or 2024.
- Nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica, regardless of previous H-2B standing.
Important Filing Dates You Need to Know for Second Half of 2025
Following is the abstract of new submitting dates for second half of application submissions for H-2B visas:
| Visa Category | Visas Available | Employment Start Dates | Filing Begins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Returning Worker Allocation #1 | 19,000 | April 1 – May 14, 2025 | March 20, 2025 |
| Returning Worker Allocation #2 (Late Season) | 5,000 | May 15 – Sept. 30, 2025 | April 21, 2025 |
| Country-Specific Allocation | 20,000 | Oct. 1, 2024 – Sept. 30, 2025 | March 20, 2025 (for begin dates after April 1, 2025) |
Note: Petitions have to be acquired by September 15, 2025, or earlier than the cap is reached—whichever comes first.
Now the Question is How to Apply for the Additional H-2B Visa?
To submit a sound H-2B petition for these supplemental visas, employers should:
- Obtain an accepted Temporary Labor Certification (TLC) from the Department of Labor that matches the petition’s employment interval.
- File Form I-129 with USCIS together with the required charges.
- Submit the new attestation kind ETA 9142–B-CAA-9, declaring that the enterprise is going through or will face irreparable hurt with out these employees.
- Clearly specify which visa allocation (early second half, late second half, or nation-particular) the petition is for—just one may be chosen per petition.
- Retain supporting documentation proving irreparable hurt and employee eligibility for three (03) years, in case of audits or critiques by DHS/DOL.
⏰ Final Reminder on Deadline for Additional H-2B Visa submitting date
The final date to apply for FY 2025 supplemental H-2B visas is September 15, 2025. USCIS will reject late petitions and deny all pending ones not accepted by October 1, 2025. If your begin date is after September 30, your petition can be counted towards the FY 2026 cap.
References
USCIS-USA Seeking Applications for Additional H-2B Work Visas on Filing Dates for Second Half of FY 2025 FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
