Many employers ask: “ Okay… but what are my real chances of getting workers ?” First — A Quick Refresher on How Supplemental Visas Work For FY 2026, the government created 64,716 additional H-2B visas beyond the regular cap. They are divided by start date of need, not by lottery group: ➡️ April 1 – April 30, 2026: 27,736 visas (returning workers only) ➡️May 1 – September 30, 2026: 18,490 visas (new OR returning workers) This matters because lottery group affects how early you

The Department of Labor has issued first actions to 57.9% of H-2B Group B filings for April 1, 2026 start dates. Here’s what the latest processing data means for employers in Groups C–H still waiting.

DHS has published the FY 2026 H-2B supplemental visa rule, making 64,716 additional H-2B visas available for seasonal employers. The visas are divided into three allocations based on start date of need, providing expanded hiring opportunities for businesses facing labor shortages.

Demand for H-2B visas has surged 60% in five years, but DOL processing delays are pushing certifications dangerously close to peak season. Without a mid-December release of supplemental FY26 visas, employers could face duplicative filings, bottlenecks, and late worker arrivals into June or July. DHS must act now—and H-2B employers should contact their congressional representatives to urge immediate publication of the supplemental rule.

As the H-2B season ends, employers should review key compliance steps, from verifying worker contact details and timely departures to maintaining payroll and document records. This guide outlines essential end-of-season responsibilities to help ensure DOL and USCIS compliance.

The H-2A visa program sustains U.S. food security by providing farms with lawful, reliable labor amid ongoing domestic labor shortages.

The Department of Labor’s new Interim Final Rule, effective October 2, 2025, overhauls how Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) are determined for H-2A agricultural workers. The rule replaces the national average with state-level data and introduces skill-based wage levels, marking a major step toward localized, market-driven wage determination. Growers and workers alike should prepare now for its wide-ranging compliance impacts.

USCIS has issued a final rule, effective October 2, 2025, introducing Form I-129H2A to streamline H-2A petition filings. Employers may now submit petitions for unnamed beneficiaries once the Department of Labor accepts a Temporary Labor Certification, before final approval. While approval still depends on DOL certification, this change could help reduce delays for agricultural employers facing seasonal deadlines.

The administration has proposed replacing the random H-1B lottery with a wage-based selection process favoring higher-paid roles. The rule is still in the notice-and-comment stage, but employers should prepare now. Here’s what you need to know about the proposed changes, the $100k H-1B fee, and what steps to take next.

The White House issued an Executive Order on September 19, 2025, imposing a $100,000 fee on all new H-1B petitions, effective September 21. Initial confusion suggested the fee could apply to all H-1B workers abroad, but USCIS and CBP later clarified it applies only to new filings, with possible exemptions for extensions and amendments. The administration has since confirmed physicians and medical residents may also be exempt, though further guidance is pending.