The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently announced that it will provide nearly 65,000 more H-2B visas for the fiscal year 2025. This decision is important for immigrants seeking temporary work in the U.S. In this article, we will explain what H-2B visas are, details of the new announcement, and how it may affect you.
Quick Recap: What is an H-2B Visa?
The H-2B visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for temporary non-agricultural jobs. These jobs are often in industries like hospitality, tourism, landscaping, and seafood processing. Employers use this program when they cannot find enough U.S. workers to fill these temporary positions.
Details of the New Announcement
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) have announced an additional 64,716 H-2B visas for the fiscal year 2025. This is in addition to the regular 66,000 H-2B visas available each year. The extra visas are divided into different groups:
- Returning Workers: About 44,700 visas are for workers who had an H-2B visa in 2022, 2023, or 2024.
- Specific Countries: The remaining 20,000 visas are for workers from Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and Honduras.
The addition of nearly 65,000 H-2B visas for 2025 is significant news for immigrants seeking temporary work in the United States. Understanding the details of this announcement can help you take advantage of these new opportunities.
