USCIS H-2B Supplemental Visa Cap: First 18,490 Allocation Reached – Lottery Completed

Published: 2026-02-19T08:30+05:30 (IST)

USCIS completes lottery for first FY 2026 H-2B supplemental visa allocation of 18,490 returning worker visas.

USCIS has officially closed the first round of supplemental H-2B visas for FY 2026 returning workers. On February 18, 2026, the agency confirmed that enough petitions were received to fully meet the initial 18,490-visa allocation for jobs starting between January 1 and March 31, 2026.

The final day for accepting petitions under this cap was February 6, 2026. Because filings exceeded the available numbers during the five-day window (February 2–6), USCIS conducted a random computerized lottery to select the successful petitions.

Breakdown of FY 2026 Supplemental H-2B Allocations

The extra visas come from the joint authority granted to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor (DOL) to issue up to 64,716 supplemental H-2B visas in FY 2026, on top of the statutory 66,000 annual cap. The remaining allocations are:

• Second allocation: 27,736 visas For returning H-2B workers with employment start dates April 1–April 30, 2026

• Third allocation: 18,490 visas For returning H-2B workers with employment start dates May 1–September 30, 2026

These later rounds will follow similar filing windows and lottery processes if demand exceeds supply again.

Key Takeaways for Employers & Workers

• No more petitions accepted for the January–March 2026 start-date group

• Lottery results are final; only selected petitions will be processed

• Returning workers (those who held H-2B status in one of the past three fiscal years) remain the focus of all supplemental allocations

• The program continues to address seasonal labor shortages in hospitality, landscaping, construction, seafood processing, and other non-agricultural industries

Indian employers and workers (particularly in sectors like landscaping, hospitality, and seasonal tourism support roles) should monitor upcoming filing periods for the April and May–September rounds. Early preparation and accurate documentation remain critical to success in any lottery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will the next H-2B supplemental filing window open?

USCIS has not yet announced exact dates for the April and May–September allocations, but they typically open in the preceding months. Watch the USCIS website for notices.

Q: Who qualifies as a “returning” H-2B worker?

Individuals who held H-2B status and were counted against the cap in at least one of the three prior fiscal years (FY 2023, 2024, or 2025).

Q: What happens if my petition was not selected in the lottery?

It is automatically rejected. No further action is possible for that specific allocation.

Q: Are there any changes to the regular H-2B cap?

No — the statutory 66,000 annual cap (split 33,000 per half-year) remains unchanged. Supplemental visas are additional and targeted.

Q: Where can I find official updates?

Directly from USCIS announcements and the H-2B page on uscis.gov.

For the latest USCIS H-2B news, cap alerts, filing guidance, and related U.S. work visa updates tailored for Indian employers and workers, explore our dedicated U.S. immigration section.

(For comparison on lottery-style processes in other U.S. visa categories, see our detailed post: FY 2027 H-1B Visa Wage-Weighted Lottery & $100,000 Fee Overview)