The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said they’ve reached the limit for H-2B visas for the first part of the year 2025.
This means no new H-2B visa applications will be accepted for jobs starting before April 1, 2025.
USCIS stated, “We have received enough applications to reach the limit on H-2B visas for temporary nonagricultural workers for the first part of the year 2025. The last date we accepted new applications was September 18, 2024, for jobs starting before April 1, 2025.”
Any new applications after this date will be turned down if they aim for a start date before April 1, 2025.
What is the H-2B Visa Program?
The H-2B visa program lets U.S. businesses hire foreign workers for temporary, non-farming jobs when there aren’t enough American workers available.
This program helps industries like hotels, construction, and landscaping.
USCIS says the total number of H-2B visas is 66,000 per year. This number is split in half: 33,000 visas from October 1 to March 31 and another 33,000 (plus any leftovers) from April 1 to September 30.
What This Means for H-2B Applicants
USCIS’s announcement affects people applying for H-2B visas.
If the job start date is before April 1, 2025, and the application is after the deadline, it will be rejected.
This can cause problems for U.S. businesses that need temporary workers, especially in seasons when they get busy.
Who Doesn’t Have to Worry About the Visa Cap?
Some groups don’t count towards the H-2B visa limit, including:
- Current H-2B workers in the U.S. who stay longer, change jobs, or change job conditions.
- People who work with fish eggs, like fish egg processors and supervisors.
- People working in the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam from November 28, 2009, to December 31, 2029.
These exceptions give businesses some flexibility without worrying about the cap.
Advice for U.S. Businesses
Businesses that need H-2B workers should pay attention to the visa cap and plan ahead.
If you need H-2B workers for the first half of 2025, send in your application early. Also, think about other visa options that may help with your hiring needs.