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United States: H-2B FY 2027 Filing Window Opens Friday, July 3 – OFLC Issues Critical Tips for Employers

  • Writer: Xavi
    Xavi
  • 3 days ago
  • 2 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

H-2B FY 2027 filing window opens July 3–5, 2026, with OFLC critical tips for employers including one application per job and completed Appendix B.
H-2B FY 2027 filing window opens July 3–5, 2026.

Washington D.C., 30 June 2026 — The Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has reminded U.S. employers that the highly anticipated three-day filing window for H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for the first half of Fiscal Year 2027 opens this Friday, July 3, 2026.

This narrow window is critical for employers seeking workers starting October 1, 2026, as it corresponds with the beginning of the semiannual visa cap allotment.

Key Filing Dates and Rules

  • Filing Window: Opens at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time on July 3, 2026, and closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 5, 2026.

  • Early Filings: Any applications submitted before the window opens will be denied.

  • Post-Window Filings: For start dates of October 2, 2026, or later, employers must follow standard regulatory timelines under 20 CFR 655.15(b).

  • Processing: After the window closes, OFLC will randomly assign timely filed applications for processing.

OFLC H-2B Filing Tips for Success

To minimise delays and avoid common pitfalls during this high-volume period, OFLC strongly recommends the following:

  • File one H-2B application per job opportunity.

  • Clearly include details about any deductions and reasonable costs for board, lodging, and other facilities where applicable.

  • Submit the actual job order or a fully completed job order form.

  • Complete Appendix B with original signatures and current dates.

These tips are designed to ensure compliance and help applications move smoothly through the system during the intense cap season.

What Is the H-2B Program?

The H-2B visa program permits U.S. employers to employ foreign workers for temporary nonagricultural positions when there are no qualified U.S. workers available. It is widely used in industries such as landscaping, hospitality, construction, forestry, and seafood processing.

Employers need to show that they have genuinely attempted to recruit U.S. workers and that employing foreign workers will not negatively impact the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers in similar positions.

For the latest H-2B visa updates, FY 2027 cap filing guidance, OFLC processing times, and 2026–2027 temporary worker program news, visit: visasupdate.com/blog/categories/usa


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