USCIS Reaches H-2B Visa Cap for First Half of Fiscal Year 2027, Impacting Seasonal Workers

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it has reached the congressionally mandated cap for H-2B visas for the first half of the fiscal year 2027. This development, reported on September 13, 2026, in Washington D.C., has significant implications for many seasonal workers, including some from the African diaspora, who rely on these visas to work in the United States.

The H-2B visa program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs, provided they can demonstrate that there are not enough American workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available to do the temporary work. The cap for the first half of the fiscal year is set at 33,000 visas, and these slots have now been filled.

This announcement affects numerous industries in the United States that depend on seasonal labor, such as hospitality, landscaping, and seafood processing. Many businesses rely on the timely issuance of H-2B visas to meet their labor needs, particularly during peak seasons.

The cap being reached means that no further H-2B visa petitions can be approved for the first half of the fiscal year 2027. Employers who did not secure visas for their workers must now wait for the next allotment, which will become available in April 2027 for the second half of the fiscal year.

The H-2B visa program has been subject to extensive debate, with some advocating for an increase in the cap to address labor shortages, while others argue that it should be restricted to protect American jobs. The program is crucial for many workers from African countries, including Kenya, who participate in the U.S. labor market through these seasonal employment opportunities.

This development underscores the ongoing challenges faced by African workers in securing temporary work in the United States amidst stringent immigration policies. As the cap has been reached, affected workers will have to explore alternative options or wait until the next fiscal period to apply for the H-2B visa.