USCIS Releases FY 2026 H-2B Supplemental Visa Details: Key Changes from FY 2025
Every year, employers look to the H-2B program to solve real staffing gaps, and every year, the rules shift just enough to change the outcome. At Farmer Enterprises, our role is to help employers stay ahead of those shifts, not react to them after the window has closed.
USCIS has now released details on the FY 2026 H-2B supplemental visa increase, and while the total number of visas remains unchanged from last year, the structure and timing are meaningfully different. These changes will directly affect who gets access, how quickly visa numbers are exhausted, and where employers face the most risk, especially for early season start dates.
Our team works closely with employers to align workforce planning, filing strategy, and compliance under changing federal rules. Below, we break down the key differences between FY 2025 and FY 2026 supplemental visas and explain what they mean in practical terms, so employers can make informed decisions before the pressure points hit.
Read on for our breakdown of what changed, and why it matters.
1. Same total visas, simplified but more competitive structure
FY 2025: Up to 64,716 supplemental visas, divided into four allocations, including a 20,000 country-specific set-aside.
FY 2026 (per USCIS): Up to 64,716 supplemental visas, divided into three allocations, with no country-specific set-aside.
Why this matters: Without a nationality-based reserve, competition is more uniform across employers. Employers can no longer rely on a protected pool tied to worker nationality.
2. Fewer returning-worker visas for early-season start dates
FY 2025: 20,716 returning-worker visas available for jobs starting on or before March 31.
FY 2026: 18,490 returning-worker visas available for January–March start dates.
Why this matters: Early-season employers face tighter supply and faster exhaustion of supplemental numbers. Filing delays will be harder to overcome.
3. Greater reliance on a large April returning-worker allocation
FY 2026 includes a single, large returning-worker allocation of 27,736 visas tied to April start dates, which becomes available only after the second half of the regular cap is reached.
Why this matters: This April allocation is expected to move quickly. Employers targeting it will need to be fully prepared when the filing window opens; missed timing may eliminate access altogether.
4. Late-season relief expands but shifts to non-returning workers
FY 2025: Late-season relief was limited to 5,000 visas, returning workers only.
FY 2026: 18,490 visas are available without a returning-worker requirement, but only for May–September start dates.
Why this matters: Late-season employers may have more flexibility than in FY 2025, but this does not help employers with January–March needs. Early-season risk remains concentrated.
5. Returning-worker eligibility window moves forward
FY 2025: Workers qualified if they held H-2B status in FY 2022–FY 2024.
FY 2026: Workers must have held H-2B status in FY 2023–FY 2025.
Why this matters: Some workers who previously qualified as returning workers no longer will, reducing usable worker pools for some employers.
Bottom Line
Although the total number of supplemental visas remains unchanged, FY 2026 is more compressed, more competitive, and less forgiving than FY 2025, particularly for employers with January–March start dates.
At Farmer Enterprises, we are already adjusting filing strategies to reflect:
- Faster exhaustion of early allocations
- Increased competition in April
- Fewer fallback options overall
We strongly recommend early planning, faster filings, and realistic expectations around supplemental availability. Our team will advise each employer on the most viable allocation based on start dates, workforce history, and risk tolerance.
If you have questions about how the FY 2026 USCIS update could affect your staffing plans, contact us today!
