Carnival & Fair Buzz

FY25 SECOND HALF H-2B CAP MET: Yesterday evening, the Department of Homeland Security announced that the second half cap was met on March 5th and included filing instructions for supplemental visas.

If you have a labor certification, you can immediately file for the 19,000 additional returning worker supplemental visas. 

Congressman Andy Harris, who has been instrumental in the fight for the H-2B program, was able to reach out to The White House and other congressional members to encourage DHS to release the supplemental visas, as previously planned. Industry advocacy groups and their membership were also involved in the fight including the Seasonal Employment Alliance, H-2B Workforce Coalition, and the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA).

SUPPLEMENTAL FILING INSTRUCTIONS: 

• For employers seeking returning workers for the early second half of FY 2025 (April 1 to May 14): USCIS will begin accepting petitions for the additional 19,000 visas made available to returning workers regardless of country of nationality on March 20, 2025. The Seasonal Employment Alliance expects capped out Groups C and D and a significant portion of Group E to receive their returning workers under this allocation. They estimate this cap will be met on or around April 9th. 
  
  
• For employers seeking returning workers for the late second half of FY 2025 (May 15 to Sept. 30): USCIS will begin accepting petitions for the additional 5,000 visas made available to returning workers regardless of country of nationality on April 21, 2025. SEA analysis: 10,795 positions were requested for the May 15h allotment of 5,000 visas. We believe most employers requesting a May 15th date of need will get through but we encourage you to have a back-up option. Visas remain from the Northern Central America allotment. 
  
  
• For employers seeking NCA workers, USCIS will continue accepting petitions for employers requesting an employment start date from April 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2025, on March 22, 2025. 

DOL PROCESSING/CAP UPDATE: Based on this announcement, the supplemental filing windows will be as follows:

• March 5th: FY25 Second Half Cap met (original projection March 1st)
• March 27-30: Returning Worker supplemental filing window
• March 31st: Employers begin receiving receipt notices
• April 9th: Supplemental cap met
• April 21st: May 15th filing window begins