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ARTICLE · 22 MAY 2019

DHS Announces That It Will Issue 30,000 Additional H-2B Visas In Response To High Demand

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart
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This means that only "returning workers" who previously held an H-2B visa are eligible.

United StatesImmigration
Ceridwen Koski
Ceridwen Koski
Melissa Manna
Melissa Manna
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After a tumultuous filing period for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2019, employers that rely on H-2B seasonal workers received some good news. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has agreed to issue up to 30,000 additional H-2B visas for the second half of FY 2019, which runs through September 30, 2019.

The rule, Exercise of Time-Limited Authority to Increase the Fiscal Year 2019 Numerical Limitation for the H-2B Temporary Nonagricultural Worker Program, was published on May 8, 2019, which was also the first opportunity to file the additional H-2B petitions. The rule allows additional H-2B visa petitions to be filed for workers who were issued or otherwise granted H-2B status in FY 2016, 2017, or 2018. This means that only "returning workers" who previously held an H-2B visa are eligible.

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