USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for First Half of FY 2025: What Employers Should Know
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially reached the cap for the H-2B visa program for the first half of Fiscal Year 2025. This means that the maximum number of H-2B visas, which allow U.S. employers to hire foreign nationals for temporary non-agricultural work, has been met.
Understanding the H-2B Cap
Each fiscal year, Congress sets a cap of 66,000 H-2B visas, with 33,000 allocated for jobs starting in the first half of the year (October 1 to March 31), and 33,000 for the second half (April 1 to September 30). Once the cap is reached, USCIS stops accepting H-2B petitions for that period.
What Happens Now?
With the cap for the first half of FY 2025 met, employers who wish to hire H-2B workers will need to wait until the second half of the fiscal year to submit new petitions. There are exceptions, such as petitions for returning H-2B workers or those employed in certain territories like Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, which do not count toward the cap.
What Employers Can Do Next
Prepare for the next filing period: Employers can begin preparing petitions for the second half of FY 2025, as demand for H-2B visas often exceeds supply.
Explore other visa options: If your labor needs are urgent, consider alternative visa programs like H-2A for agricultural workers or other temporary work visa categories.
Conclusion
Reaching the H-2B cap highlights the strong demand for temporary foreign workers across industries like landscaping, hospitality, and construction. Employers affected by the cap should stay updated on the latest USCIS announcements and prepare for future filing windows to meet their workforce needs.
