Trump Administration Doubles H-2B Seasonal Guest Worker Visa Cap

The administration of Donald Trump announced a temporary final rule to add approximately 65,000 H-2B nonimmigrant guest worker visas for the 2026 fiscal year. This supplement nearly doubles the standard annual limit of 66,000 visas mandated by Congress, bringing the total potential inflow to at least 131,000 workers through September 30, 2026.

The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor specified that these additional visas are reserved for U.S. businesses in industries such as landscaping, construction, hospitality, and seafood processing. To qualify, employers must attest that they are suffering or will suffer irreparable harm without the ability to employ the requested workers. Of the supplement, 46,226 visas are designated for returning workers from the previous three fiscal years, while 18,490 are for employers with late-season needs starting May 1.

Industry groups including AmericanHort and the National Association of Landscape Professionals advocated for the expansion, citing an inability to meet seasonal workforce needs. However, the Immigration Accountability Project criticized the move, arguing that the influx of cheap foreign labor suppresses wages and puts low-wage Americans last. This policy shift occurs alongside a broader 2025 immigration crackdown involving travel bans and stricter legal reviews, as well as a new $100,000 fee for tech businesses seeking H-1B workers.