USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for Second Half of FY 2026, Announces Supplemental Visa Filing Dates
Published Mar 20, 2026
USCIS has received enough petitions to meet the H-2B statutory cap for the second half of fiscal year 2026. March 10, 2026 was the final receipt date for new cap-subject petitions requesting employment start dates between April 1 and Sept. 30, 2026. Filing dates for the second and third allocations of supplemental H-2B visas for FY 2026 are now available.
Key points
- USCIS has met the congressionally established H-2B cap for the second half of FY 2026.
- New cap-subject H-2B petitions received after March 10, 2026, requesting a start date on or after April 1 and before Oct. 1, 2026, will be rejected.
- Filing dates for the second and third allocations of supplemental H-2B visas for FY 2026 are listed on USCIS's Temporary Increase in H-2B Nonimmigrant Visas for FY 2026 page.
- USCIS reminds the public, including U.S. and H-2B workers, that they can report suspected fraud or abuse through its online tip form.
Who is affected
Employers and workers seeking H-2B visas for employment starting between April 1 and Sept. 30, 2026 are affected.
What to do
Employers planning new cap-subject filings should note the cap has closed and check the USCIS webpage for the applicable filing dates if seeking a supplemental allocation.
Full text
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Release Date
03/20/2026
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to meet the H-2B statutory cap for the second half of fiscal year 2026. The filing dates for the second and third allocations for the supplemental H-2B visas for FY 2026 are now available.
H-2B Cap for Second Half of FY 2026
USCIS received enough petitions to meet the congressionally established H-2B cap for the second half of FY 2026. March 10, 2026 was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date on or after April 1 and before Oct. 1, 2026. We will reject new cap-subject H-2B petitions received after March 10, 2026, that request an employment start date on or after April 1 and before Oct. 1, 2026.
Filing Dates for the Second and Third Allocations of Supplemental Visas for FY 2026
See the chart on the Temporary Increase in H-2B Nonimmigrant Visas for FY 2026 page for information about the second and third allocations of supplemental visas that are available and the relevant filing dates.
Anyone (including U.S. workers and H-2B workers) can send us tips, alleged violations, and other relevant information about potential fraud or abuse using our online tip form.
03/20/2026
Original title: USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for Second Half of FY 2026 and Filing Dates Now Available for Supplemental Visa Allocations
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This summary was produced with AI from the official announcement. Only the official source is authoritative.