By Prime Path Immigration Law Firm Limited USA, on Immigration Updates
If your company depends on seasonal labor or is exploring the H-2B visa program for the first time, contact Prime Path Immigration Law Firm Limited USA to discuss the application process and timeline for filing in January 2026. This filing would support H-2B visa admissions beginning in April 2026.
An American Immigration Council analysis of Department of Labor (DOL) data reveals that demand for H-2B workers has risen 46 percent since 2018, with the number of certified workers increasing from 147,389 in fiscal year (FY) 2018 to over 215,217 by FY 2023.
This growth highlights the reliance on H-2B workers, particularly in hospitality and tourism, landscaping, construction, forestry, and seafood processing industries. As the U.S. population ages out of the workforce, and young Americans appear increasingly less interested in these fields, businesses are faced with an insufficient domestic labor supply to meet their needs. A recent CNN report found that labor shortages in the construction industry were causing businesses to delay projects and turn down new opportunities despite increasing demand for housing construction.
The H-2B visa program plays a role in supporting U.S. businesses that are seeking to meet seasonal or peak-load labor demands in these industries. The deadlines for filing this year are quickly approaching. To secure workers through the H-2B program, employers must move through several required steps:
Prevailing Wage Determination
Temporary Labor Certification
USCIS Petition Filing
Worker Recruitment & Consular Processing
Compliance
Each of these stages comes with deadlines and technical compliance requirements. Waiting too long can mean missing an opportunity to participate.
