The Departments of Labor and Homeland Security announced more than 64,000 additional temporary nonagricultural worker visas will be up available in fiscal year 2024. This is in addition to the 66,000 H-2B visas allocated by Congress each year.

This supplemental batch of 64,716 H-2B visas marks the maximum number permissible per the September 2023 Fiscal Year 2024 Continuing Resolution. Seasonal workers under the H-2B program play crucial roles in industries such as landscaping, tourism, and hospitality, and other fields with seasonal or temporary positions. These additional visas aim to staff the companies who employ them to meet the ongoing demand from consumers, especially in areas where the workforce supply falls short. By announcing these extra visas at the beginning of FY2024, businesses can proactively plan to address the labor shortfall they may experience.

It’s essential to note that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) have implemented robust safeguards, ensuring that employers prioritize American workers as mandated by the H-2B visa program. In cases where foreign temporary workers are hired, protective measures are in place to prevent any form of exploitation.

Approximately 20,000 H-2B visas are anticipated to be reserved for workers from Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras. The remaining 44,716 visas are to be set aside for individuals who previously held an H-2B visa or had H-2B status within the past three fiscal years. These visas will be distributed across the first and second halves of the year.

Should you have questions about the H-2B program or any other immigration-related matters, please feel free to reach out to us. We actively monitor ongoing updates to U.S. to provide our clients with the support they need, every step of the way.