Key takeaways

• The U.S. has authorized up to 64,716 extra H-2B visas for FY 2026, often rounded to about 65,000.
• The rule runs from Jan. 30, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2026, and it targets employers claiming severe financial harm.
• Most extra visas are limited to returning H-2B workers, especially in the early allocations.
• A later May–Sept allocation is not limited to returning workers.
• Critics warn the expansion could pressure wages, while supporters say it prevents business losses.

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The Trump administration has approved a temporary expansion of the H-2B seasonal worker visa program by up to 64,716 visas (often described as “about 65,000”) through Sept. 30, 2026. The rule targets employers who say they cannot find enough U.S. workers and could face permanent and severe financial loss without added seasonal staff.

What the temporary rule does

The H-2B program normally allows 66,000 visas each fiscal year for temporary, non-agricultural jobs. However, the new rule uses time-limited authority to add up to 64,716 more visas for FY 2026.

In addition, the rule is effective from Jan. 30, 2026 through Sept. 30, 2026, and it is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register.

Who can use the extra visas

Employers still must follow the usual H-2B steps. For example, they must get a Temporary Labor Certification (TLC) from the Labor Department before filing an H-2B petition.

Also, employers must attest they face “irreparable harm”, meaning a permanent and severe financial loss, if they cannot hire the requested workers. If they submit only a claim with weak proof, the rule allows DOL to demand stronger evidence.

How the extra visas are split

The rule divides the supplemental visas into three allocations tied to job start dates. As a result, timing matters as much as eligibility.

• 18,490 visas: available immediately, limited to returning workers, for jobs starting Jan. 1 to Mar. 31, 2026.
• 27,736 visas (plus unused from the first): limited to returning workers, for jobs starting Apr. 1 to Apr. 30, 2026.
• 18,490 visas (plus unused from earlier): exempt from the returning worker requirement, for jobs starting May 1 to Sept. 30, 2026.

Meanwhile, DHS says it will stop accepting supplemental petitions after Sept. 15, 2026 and it will stop approving them after Sept. 30, 2026.

Why the government is doing this now

Demand has climbed fast. For example, USCIS says the first-half FY 2026 cap hit its limit and it set a final receipt date for cap-subject petitions.

Because of that demand, the administration says seasonal employers in areas like hospitality, landscaping, construction, and seafood processing need more workers to keep operating.

Criticism and wage concerns

Supporters say the extra visas help businesses avoid cancellations and revenue losses. However, critics argue that expanding guest worker slots can weaken wage growth and bargaining power for U.S. workers in some sectors.

What this means for Nepalis in the U.S. and Nepal

For Nepalis looking at H-2B work, the details matter. First, the first two allocations favor returning workers, so first-time applicants may see fewer openings early in the cycle.

Still, the May–Sept allocation is exempt from the returning worker requirement, so that later window may be more reachable for new applicants, depending on employer demand and filing timing.