U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially announced that it has received enough H-2B petitions to meet the congressionally mandated cap for the first half of fiscal year 2026.
According to USCIS, September 12 marked the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B petitions requesting an employment start date before April 1, 2026. Any petitions received after September 12 that seek a start date prior to April 1, 2026, will be rejected.
Employers seeking to hire temporary nonagricultural workers under the H-2B program should note that this cap closure applies only to the first half of FY 2026. USCIS is expected to begin accepting new cap-subject petitions for the second half of the fiscal year (employment start dates on or after April 1, 2026) at a later date.
Businesses relying on the H-2B visa program are encouraged to plan ahead, monitor USCIS announcements closely, and consult with immigration professionals to explore alternative workforce options or prepare for the next filing window.