U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has received enough petitions to meet the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal year 2026. March 10, 2026, was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date between April 1 and October 1, 2026.
The H-2B program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary nonagricultural jobs. Because the cap has been reached, USCIS will reject any new cap-subject H-2B petitions received after March 10 for this timeframe.
However, there is still hope for employers needing workers. Filing dates for the second and third allocations of supplemental H-2B visas for FY 2026 are now available. These supplemental visas provide additional opportunities for employers who missed the initial cap, though they often come with specific requirements, such as hiring returning workers or individuals from specific countries. Employers must act quickly to secure these supplemental visas, as demand remains exceptionally high.