If you follow US work visa updates, here is an important change worth noting.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor have confirmed that 35,000 additional H-2B visas will be released in fiscal year 2026.
These visas come on top of the regular annual cap of 66,000 H-2B visas. On paper, that sounds like good news. But there is another side to it.
Compared to the past three years, this is a sharp cut. Between 2023 and 2025, the US released far more supplemental H-2B visas each year. The 2026 increase is almost 50 per cent lower than what employers had recently become used to.
For businesses and workers who rely on this program, that difference matters.
What Is the H-2B Visa?
The H-2B visa is a temporary work visa for non-agricultural jobs in the United States.
It allows US employers to hire foreign workers when they cannot find enough local workers for short-term roles. These jobs are usually seasonal or tied to peak demand.
Common H-2B jobs include:
- Hotels and resorts
- Restaurants and tourism services
- Seafood processing
- Landscaping and forestry
- Amusement parks
- Construction support roles
The visa is employer-sponsored and time-limited. Workers must return home once the job ends.
Why the H-2B Visa Matters
Here is the simple truth. Many US industries depend on seasonal workers. Without H-2B workers, some businesses struggle to stay open during busy months.
For workers, the visa offers:
- Legal access to US jobs
- Higher wages than in many local markets
- Short-term work without permanent migration
For employers, it fills real gaps when local hiring fails.
That balance is why every change to H-2B numbers gets close attention.
Who Will Get the Extra 35,000 Visas?
For 2026, DHS and DOL said that they will target critical sectors. Priority will go to businesses in:
- Seafood and food processing
- Forestry and outdoor labor
- Hospitality and tourism
- Transportation services
- Manufacturing
These industries are seen as essential to local economies, especially during peak seasons.
Not every employer will qualify. Demand is expected to be high, and competition will be tight.
Why the 2026 Increase Still Feels Smaller
Yes, 35,000 extra visas help. But context matters.
In recent years, US employers had access to much larger supplemental numbers. Cutting that supply in half means:
- Fewer approved petitions
- More pressure on filing timelines
- Higher risk of worker shortages
For businesses that plan months ahead, this creates uncertainty.
Countries Eligible for the H-2B Visa
Only nationals from approved countries can apply for H-2B visas. The list is updated regularly by DHS. Some of the key eligible countries include:
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Barbados
- Belize
- Brazil
- Chile
- Costa Rica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Nicaragua
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- South Korea
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Turkey
- United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland)
- Uruguay
It is worth noting here that countries like India, China, and parts of Africa are often off the list due to high fraud risks or over-application. Caps apply per country, too.
Workers must hold citizenship from an eligible country and meet job-specific requirements.
What This Means for Workers and Employers
For foreign workers, fewer extra visas mean tougher competition and faster application deadlines. For employers, early planning is no longer optional. Missing filing windows could mean losing an entire season.
The H-2B program remains a lifeline for many industries. But in 2026, access will be more limited than in recent years.
If you are looking for US seasonal work opportunities, this is one update you cannot afford to ignore.
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