May I remain more than one year on an H-2B?

Yes. You are permitted to continue staying on in one year increments up to three years. Within three years, you will not be allowed to spend more than three months in the U.S. before you can re-apply.

In 2026, does it have a returning worker exemption?

Since the Congress has deliberated on a permanent exemption to returning workers (where former H-2B holders would not count in the cap), it is yet to be enacted in 2026. Nevertheless, the supplemental visa releases normally give preference to returning employees.

What are the most popular H-2B businesses?

The leading industries in 2026 will be Landscaping (35%), Maids and Housekeepers (8%), and Forestry/Meat Processing.

Can my spouse work in the U.S.?

Your spouses and children are allowed to accompany you on H-4 visas though they are strictly forbidden to work in the United States.

Who covers the travel costs?

The H-2B employers are obliged by federal law to pay (or reimburse) the inbound and outbound travel costs and subsistence of the worker in case he accomplishes at least 50% of the contract period.

USA H-2B Visa 2026: Non-Agricultural Seasonal Worker Guide

The USA H-2B Visa program is the life sentence to American industries such as hospitality, landscaping and construction that has been struggling with the problem of labor shortages. With the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 starting, the program is an extremely competitive field with a strict annual limit and a lotto-like mechanism.

To a great number of people, the American dream of seasonal employment depends on a single date, which is January 1, 2026. It is at this time the window opens on first day of summer, and as demand usually is three times what supply is, timing is not everything–it is everything. Be it an employer who wants to have a good employee or a worker who wants to have a seasonal job, this guide dissects the job structure of 2026.

Basic Essentials and Qualification in 2026

In order to obtain an H-2B visa, the job should be non-agricultural and a seasonal one. There are four types of so-called temporary need identified by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and USCIS:

Seasonal Need: This is a job that is traditionally based on a season (e.g. ski instructors in winter, lifeguards in summer).
Peakload Need: Businesses that need additional employees on a seasonal basis.
One-Time Occurrence: It refers to a temporary, non-recurring event that requires a temporary increase in labor.
Intermittent Need: Sometimes may require temporary workers on short-term basis.

USA H-2B Visa 2026: Non-Agricultural Seasonal Worker Guide

Eligibility Checklist of Workers

Valid Job Offer: You must not be able to self-petition, rather you have to have an offer by a confirmed employer of the U.S.
Designated Country: you have to be a national of a qualified country. In the case of 2026, the DHS has granted more than 85 countries such as Mexico, Canada, Jamaica, the Philippines, and South Africa.
Non-Immigrant Intent: You should also show deep rooted connections in your homeland to show that you will go back to your home country once your visa is expired.

Application Process Step-by-Step

H-2B trip is a marathon entailing three federal agencies. Here is the 2026 roadmap:

Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD): First, the employer has to request the DOL to determine the minimum wage that he has to pay. Processing times of PWDs currently stand at 45-60 days (2026).
Temporary Labor Certification (TLC): The employer establishes that he or she has hired U.S. employees but to no avail. This is submitted 75 -90 days prior to commencement of work.
USCIS (Form I-129): The employer submits a petition to USCIS upon the approval of TLC.
Consular Interview: The worker will be interviewed at an American Embassy. The visa processing fee is about 205 dollars.

Key 2026 Dates to Watch

2026 January 1 3: The Golden Window of summer 2026 H-2B lottery submissions.
Late January 2026: normally, the USCIS declares the extent of the second-half quota.
March 2026: The Supplemental Visas should be announced. The DHS has also issued more visas to struggling industries in the previous years totalling 64,716.
June 2026: Publication of revised Prevailing Wage rates of construction and skilled trades.

FAQs

May I remain more than one year on an H-2B?
Yes. You are permitted to continue staying on in one year increments up to three years. Within three years, you will not be allowed to spend more than three months in the U.S. before you can re-apply.
In 2026, does it have a returning worker exemption?
Since the Congress has deliberated on a permanent exemption to returning workers (where former H-2B holders would not count in the cap), it is yet to be enacted in 2026. Nevertheless, the supplemental visa releases normally give preference to returning employees.
What are the most popular H-2B businesses?
The leading industries in 2026 will be Landscaping (35%), Maids and Housekeepers (8%), and Forestry/Meat Processing.
Can my spouse work in the U.S.?
Your spouses and children are allowed to accompany you on H-4 visas though they are strictly forbidden to work in the United States.
Who covers the travel costs?
The H-2B employers are obliged by federal law to pay (or reimburse) the inbound and outbound travel costs and subsistence of the worker in case he accomplishes at least 50% of the contract period.

Final Thought

The H-2B visa is an unbelievable professional bridge yet the wait and see method is a failure recipe in 2026. The summer slot competition will be intensified more than ever because the winter cap will already be tired by September 2025. To maximise your chances of success in applying, make sure that your employer is prepared in case of the January lottery.

Disclaimer

The article is not a promotional paper. It is recommended that readers should confirm the information of the reliable sources, including the official USCIS site or the Department of Labor, and then make decisions regarding employment or traveling.