USCIS reached H2-B cap for FY 2024. Check the next filing date.

Highlights: USCIS reaches H2-B Cap for second half of FY 2024

• USCIS reached H2B Cap for the second half of FY 2024. 
• March 7, 2024, was the last date for new H-2B worker petitions requesting employment starting from April 2024 and before October 01, 2024.
• Filing dates are to be announced by the USCIS for supplemental H2B Visas. 
• The latest changes in required fees and form editions will be effective from April 01, 2024.

 

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H2 B limit reached for the Second half of FY 2024

USCIS accepted petitions for an H2B cap till March 07, 2024, for workers requesting to start employment between April 01 and October 01 in FY 2024. 

However, USCIS is still accepting petitions for the following category of applicants:

• H2B workers who are currently in the US and willing to extend their stay or change their employers
• Fish roe technicians, fish roe processors and their supervisors
• Labour service providers in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam (until December 31, 2029)

 

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Filing Dates for Second Half of FY 2024 Supplemental Visas

According to the temporary final rule published jointly by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL), the H2B visa cap increased by up to 64,716 additional visas for FY 2024.

US business people suffering irreparable loss or are on the verge of suffering an irreparable loss without H2B workers can avail of these supplemental visas. US employers wanting to petition for additional workers during specific fiscal year periods can also avail of these supplemental H2B visas.

 

Under the temporary final rule, the filing start dates for each of the remaining supplemental visa allocations are:

Type of workers	Filing start date	Cap count
Nationals of El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica	March 22, 2024	20,000
Returning workers for the early second half of FY 2024 (April 01 to May 14)	March 22, 2024	19,000
Returning worker for the late second half of FY 2024 (May 15 to September 30)	April 22, 2024	5,000

 

Note: USCIS will stop accepting petitions after September 16, 2024, or after reaching the cap count, whichever occurs earlier.

 

Changes in fees and form editions for H2B Petitions

USCIS announced a final rule published in the Federal Register on January 30, 2024, adjusting the fees required for most immigration petitions and applications. The new fees will come into effect from April 01, 2024.

Employers must include the new fees while filing H2B petitions after April 01, 2024. The grace period will be eliminated for those filing the new version of Form I-129, as it will include the new fee calculation. 

 

 

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Also Read:  Missed your H-2B Visa deadline? USCIS extends dates for late filings for stay extensions and status changes
Web Story:  USCIS reached H2-B cap for FY 2024. Check the next filing date.