USCIS rolled out a massive temporary increase of 65,000 H-2B visas for Fiscal Year 2026. Stack that on the standard 66,000 cap. Seasonal businesses finally get real backup for jobs locals skip. Demand hit hard with 8,759 DOL applications chasing 162,603 positions in the base round alone. This surge clearly shows how competitive the H-2B visa FY 2026 landscape has become for employers.

Complete Visa Breakdown

To hit peak needs, allocations split sharp. Over three tranches kicking off February 15, 2026, total supplemental hits 65,000. Fast grabs spots in the first wave: first-come rules apply.

Note the even H-2B base cap split. First half exhausted in September 2025; it covered October 2025 to March 2026 work dates. The second half is for April 2026 and later. Plan accordingly to avoid missing out.

Strict Eligibility Rules

Critical sectors only for allocations: seafood processing, forestry, hospitality, tourism, trucking, mfg., construction. You must prove irreparable harm without these workers, file DOL Form ETA 9142B attesting to no available U.S. hires, pay the full prevailing wage, and conduct active recruitment of U.S. workers.

New compliance bites hard. Expect random site inspections. Share payroll data with SSA. Miss marks and pay up to $16,000 fines per violation. Face three-year debarment from program. The Trump administration rule lands in the Federal Register soon with exact criteria. Workers need valid passports. Jobs last max one year, extendable to three. Spouses and kids qualify for H-4 status but no work rights.

Filing Process Step by Step

• Get DOL temporary labor certification. Random selection already happened for base; supplementals follow suit.
• File USCIS Form I-129 petition as soon as the window opens. Include DOL approval.
• Workers apply for visas at U.S. consulates abroad after petition approval.
• Port of entry grants status up to petition end date.

Attorneys push early prep. Last year FY 2025 saw requests for triple slots. Quotas vanished in days.

Industry Push Behind the FY 2026 H-2B Visa Increase

Landscaping firms keep crews steady through hot months. Hotels pack rooms without short staff during tourist floods. Seafood plants process catches nonstop. Trucking hauls freight on schedule. Manufacturing ramps output. Forestry clears logs fast. Hospitality serves crowds full tilt.

Low U.S. unemployment leaves gaps. Post-pandemic shifts pushed folks to steady desk work over seasonal grind. World Cup 2026 ramps demand higher. Coalition letters begged for 64,716 supplementals; 65,000 delivered close. Compared to past years. FY 2023-2025 averaged higher supplementals around 65k plus. FY 2026 matches top end despite DOL initial 35k tease. House riders floated 252k caps but agencies stuck with targeted release. 

Action Steps to Secure FY 2026 H-2B Visas

Follow this plan to succeed with H-2B:

• Grab DOL Form ETA 9142B today (download and review it thoroughly).
• Line up immigration counsel (choose one with H-2B experience).
• Watch USCIS site for tranche dates (set notifications for announcements).
• Prep worker docs early (organize files like LCAs and worker consents).
• In doing so, skip delays and lock in your FY 2026 H-2B visa increase slots. 
• All resources await at uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-2b-non-agricultural-workers.

FY 2026 H-2B filings advance; Indian Eagle delivers affordable flights between India and the US; travelers get support whether outbound for seasonal work or inbound via employer coordination; cost-effective airfare remains crucial.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Counts as an H-2B Job?
Jobs stay temporary and non-agricultural. Examples include seasonal landscaping, hotel staffing, seafood processing, construction peaks, trucking surges, forestry tasks, and tourism rushes. Work ties to specific seasons, one-time events, peak loads, or intermittent needs. No year-round roles qualify

How Many Visas Open Total for FY 2026?
The base cap sits at 66,000 visas, split evenly. First half covers October 2025 to March 2026 with 33,000 slots. Second half runs April to September 2026 with another 33,000. Supplemental adds 65,000 more, pushing the grand total to 131,000.

What Splits the Supplemental 65,000 Visas?
46,000 slots reserved for returning workers who held H-2B status in FY 2023, 2024, or 2025. The remaining 19,000 prioritize new entrants from Western Hemisphere countries like Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Haiti. Release happens in three tranches starting February 15, 2026.

When Do H-2B Filing Windows Open and What Should Employers File?
Base cap first half filled fast in September 2025. Second half opens April 1, 2026, for later starts. Supplemental tranches kick off February 15, 2026. File Form I-129 with USCIS right at window start. Quotas hit limits in days.

What Steps Follow DOL Certification?
Employers secure DOL temporary labor certification first via Form ETA 9142B. DOL randomizes applications if oversubscribed. Approved cert goes to USCIS with Form I-129 petition. USCIS lets workers hit consulates for visa stamps. Entry grants H-2B status up to job end date.

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