Temporary Increase in H-2B Visas: Expanding Opportunities for Seasonal Workers in 2025
In response to ongoing labor shortages in sectors such as hospitality, landscaping, and tourism, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in collaboration with the Department of Labor (DOL), has announced a significant expansion of the H-2B visa program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. This initiative introduces nearly 65,000 additional H-2B visas, supplementing the standard annual cap of 66,000, to better meet the seasonal labor demands of U.S. businesses.USCIS+1USCIS+1
Understanding the H-2B Visa Program
The H-2B visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign nationals for temporary non-agricultural jobs when there is a shortage of domestic workers. Common industries utilizing this program include hospitality, tourism, landscaping, and seafood processing.USCIS+1USCIS+1
Details of the FY 2025 Visa Expansion
For FY 2025, an additional 64,716 H-2B visas have been made available, distributed as follows:USCIS+4USCIS+4USCIS+4
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44,716 visas are designated for returning workers—those who held H-2B status in FY 2022, 2023, or 2024.
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20,000 visas are reserved for nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica, regardless of prior H-2B status.
These supplemental visas are allocated in phases throughout the fiscal year to align with seasonal employment needs.
Employer Eligibility and Application Process
Employers seeking to utilize these additional visas must demonstrate that their business is experiencing or will experience irreparable harm without the ability to employ all the H-2B workers requested. This requires submitting a new attestation form affirming the necessity of the supplemental workers.
All petitions for the additional H-2B visas must be filed at the designated filing location, currently the Texas Service Center, by September 15, 2025.USCIS+1USCIS+1
Impact on the U.S. Economy and Workforce
This temporary increase aims to support U.S. businesses facing labor shortages, ensuring they can meet customer demand during peak seasons. By supplementing the workforce with qualified foreign nationals, businesses can maintain operations and contribute to economic stability.
Final Thoughts
The expansion of the H-2B visa program for FY 2025 reflects the U.S. government’s commitment to addressing labor shortages in critical industries. For businesses reliant on seasonal labor, this presents an opportunity to secure the necessary workforce to sustain operations and growth.
