U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently made critical updates to the H-2B visa allocations for fiscal year 2024. Read this blog to learn about what these updates mean for potential applicants and how our legal team can assist you with your immigration needs.
What Are the Recent Changes to the H-2B Visa Program?
The USCIS has announced that it received enough petitions to reach the cap for an additional 19,000 H-2B visas. These visas were specifically for returning workers starting employment early in the second half of fiscal year 2024, with employment start dates ranging from April 1 to May 14, 2024. The final receipt date for these petitions was April 17, 2024, marking the closure of this particular allocation.
Who Is Still Eligible to Apply for H-2B Visas?
Despite the cap being reached for the early second half of FY 2024, opportunities remain for other potential applicants. USCIS continues to accept petitions for an additional allotment of 20,000 H-2B visas.
This allocation targets nationals from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. Notably, these applicants are exempt from the returning worker requirement, which typically necessitates previous H-2B status in specific fiscal years. This exemption provides a broader opportunity for first-time applicants from these countries.
What Should Applicants Expect for the Late Second Half of FY 2024?
USCIS is accepting petitions for the late second half of FY 2024 starting April 22, 2024. These petitions will cover employment dates from May 15 to September 30, 2024.
A total of 5,000 visas are available for this period, reserved exclusively for returning workers who have previously been issued H-2B visas or held H-2B status in the fiscal years 2021, 2022, or 2023.
This segment of the program emphasizes the U.S. government’s commitment to supporting the recurrent workforce needs of U.S. employers by facilitating the re-entry of experienced workers.
If you have further questions or would like to speak with a seasoned New York immigration lawyer to help with any immigration-related issue you are facing, please don’t hesitate to contact the Lightman Law Firm today.
