The Biden administration announced it will issue an additional 64,716 H-2B seasonal worker visas for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. These visas are in addition to the annual 66,000 visas mandated by Congress, and marks the third consecutive year that employers will have access to all available H-2B visas.
“By maximizing the use of the H-2B visa program, the Department of Homeland Security is helping to ensure the labor needs of American businesses are met, keeping prices down for consumers while strengthening worker protections and deterring irregular migration to the United States,” DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.
Key Details of the H-2B Visa Allocation
The supplemental visas are divided into two categories:
- 20,000 visas for workers from specific countries
These include Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. - 44,716 visas for returning workers
These are reserved for individuals who received an H-2B visa or H-2B status in one of the past three fiscal years.
To meet seasonal labor demands, the supplemental visas will be allocated throughout the fiscal year, with extra visas reserved for the peak summer season.
What This Means for Employers
The H-2B visa program is mainly used in industries like hospitality, landscaping, seafood processing, and tourism, where finding enough U.S. workers can be a challenge. Additional visas mean employers who rely on these workers can meet customer demand during peak seasons.
To participate, employers must first demonstrate that no qualified U.S. workers are available to fill the positions. This includes obtaining certification from the Department of Labor (DOL) and following strict recruitment rules.
Looking Ahead
Further details on eligibility, filing requirements, and program safeguards will be available in a temporary final rule set to be published soon. Employers and workers interested in the program can visit the USCIS H-2B webpage for updates.