US to Add 65,000 Seasonal Worker Visas in 2026
The U.S. government has announced that it will issue around 65,000 additional H-2B seasonal guest worker visas for the 2026 fiscal year to help employers facing labour shortages. This move increases the number of temporary visas available for non-agricultural seasonal work beyond the usual cap.
Details of the Visa Expansion
The extra H-2B visas will be available through September 30, 2026, and target industries such as construction, hospitality, landscaping and seafood processing that have reported difficulty finding enough workers. Employers must show they are at risk of severe financial hardship due to a lack of available U.S. workers to qualify for the visas.
Why the Increase
Seasonal industries in the U.S. have long argued that the standard annual cap on H-2B visas is too low to meet demand. The supplemental visas are designed to ease workforce challenges and help businesses maintain operations during peak seasons.
Reactions and Context
Supporters of the visa expansion say it will prevent labour gaps that could disrupt key sectors, while critics argue that adding more foreign workers might undercut wages for U.S. jobseekers. The policy is part of broader immigration and labour market discussions in the U.S.
