The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced an additional 64,716 H-2B work visas for fiscal year 2025. These supplemental visas are in addition to the standard 66,000 H-2B visas allocated annually by Congress.
This marks the third consecutive year the DHS has issued extra visas under the H-2B Work visas program. The move is part of a broader effort to support the US economy and meet the labor demands of American businesses.
Why This Matters:
According to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the extra visas will help businesses find workers, maintain lower prices for consumers, and protect both local and foreign workers. The program aims to deter irregular migration by providing legal work opportunities.
What Is the Extra H-2B visas?
The H-2B visa allows temporary non-agricultural workers to work in industries where US employers struggle to find employees. These industries include:
- Landscaping
- Hospitality
- Seafood processing
- Tourism
Basic Requirements for Workers:
- A valid job offer from a US employer.
- Proof they’ll return to their home country after the visa expires.
Who Can Apply for the Supplemental Visas?
The extra 64,716 visas for 2025 fall into two categories:
- Citizens from Eligible Countries:
- 20,000 visas are reserved for workers from Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Haiti, and Guatemala.
- Returning Workers:
- 44,716 visas are for individuals who held H-2B visas in the past three years.
Extra H-2B visas Duration and Worker Protections
- Workers can stay for up to three years under the H-2B visa program.
- The DHS and Department of Labor are committed to protecting these workers from abuse and ensuring employers recruit qualified US workers before hiring from abroad.
What’s Next?
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will provide more details in a forthcoming rule. For now, businesses and workers can prepare by understanding eligibility and the application process.
