Breaking: H-2B Visa Cap Fully Reached for Second Half of FY 2026 – Supplemental Allocations Now Open, New Petitions After March 10 Will Be Rejected
- Editorial Team
- Mar 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 24
Washington, D.C., March 24, 2026 — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has received enough H-2B petitions to reach the statutory cap for the second half of fiscal year 2026 (April 1 – September 30, 2026). This means the regular H-2B visa cap for the second half of the year is now officially exhausted.
The final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date between April 1 and October 1, 2026, was March 10, 2026. Any new cap-subject petitions received after that date will be rejected.
What This Means for Employers Right Now
Regular cap is closed for the April–September 2026 period.
Supplemental visa allocations are still available and the filing windows for the second and third rounds of supplemental H-2B visas are now open.
Employers who missed the March 10 deadline can still apply for supplemental visas if they qualify under the returning worker or specific industry exemptions.
Supplemental H-2B Visa Allocations for FY 2026
USCIS has confirmed that the filing dates for the second and third supplemental allocations are now active. These extra visas are reserved for:
Returning H-2B workers who were employed in the United States in any of the previous three fiscal years (FY 2023, 2024, or 2025)
Workers in specific industries facing acute labor shortages (fisheries, seafood processing, and certain other sectors)
Employers are strongly encouraged to review the exact filing windows and eligibility criteria on the USCIS website, as these supplemental slots are limited and tend to fill quickly.
Background: H-2B Program Basics
The H-2B visa allows U.S. employers to bring foreign workers to the United States temporarily to fill non-agricultural seasonal jobs, such as landscaping, hospitality, construction, forestry, and amusement parks. The annual statutory cap is 66,000 visas, split evenly between the first half (October 1 – March 31) and the second half (April 1 – September 30) of the fiscal year, with possible carryover from unused visas in the previous year.
Because demand consistently exceeds supply, the cap is usually reached well before the end of each half-year period.
What Employers Should Do Immediately
Check if you qualify for supplemental visas — especially the returning worker exemption.
File quickly — supplemental allocations are released in batches and can close fast.
Prepare complete petitions — incomplete or late filings will be rejected outright.
Consider alternatives — if H-2B is no longer viable, explore other temporary work visa options or adjust seasonal hiring plans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I still submit a new H-2B petition after March 10, 2026? Only if it qualifies under one of the supplemental allocations (returning worker or specific industry). Regular cap-subject petitions will be rejected.
When will the supplemental visas run out?
Supplemental allocations are limited and typically fill within days or weeks of opening. Monitor USCIS closely.
Does this affect petitions already filed and pending?
No — properly filed petitions received on or before March 10, 2026, will continue to be processed.
Are there any exemptions from the cap?
Yes — returning H-2B workers from the previous three fiscal years are exempt from the cap when applying for supplemental visas.
Need help with H-2B alternatives, cap-exempt strategies, or supplemental visa filing?
Explore our full H-2B and seasonal visa section for 2026: USA Visa & Immigration Updates
The H-2B cap for the second half of FY 2026 is now closed for regular petitions, but supplemental opportunities remain open for qualifying employers. Companies that rely on seasonal H-2B workers should act quickly on the remaining supplemental visas or explore contingency plans before the peak summer season begins.
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