The United States government has authorised the release of 64,716 additional H-2B visas for temporary non-agricultural foreign workers for the current fiscal year, expanding the number of seasonal work visas beyond the statutory annual cap. This increase aims to address shortages faced by employers in industries that rely on temporary labour. The move comes through a temporary final rule jointly issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL). It permits issuance of supplemental visas — above the usual annual limit — to employers that demonstrate they face “irreparable harm” without access to additional foreign workers. What Are H-2B Work Visas? H-2B visas are a category of non-immigrant visas for temporary non-agricultural work. They allow U.S. employers to bring in foreign nationals to fill jobs that are seasonal, peak-load, intermittent, or short-term in nature when qualified U.S. workers are not available. Common sectors that hire under the H-2B programme include hospitality, landscaping, construction, seafood processing and tourism, particularly for roles tied to seasonal demand cycles. Employers must file petitions certifying both need and compliance with wage standards to qualify. Purpose of the Visa Increase The additional H-2B visas are intended to help U.S. businesses that… Read MoreBusiness Archives – Trak.in – Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups
