WASHINGTON: The United States has announced plans to issue nearly 65,000 additional H-2B temporary guest worker visas by the end of September to address severe labor shortages in several key industries.
According to international news agencies, the visas will be allocated to US companies experiencing financial losses due to a shortage of local workers. The decision significantly expands the H-2B seasonal visa program, nearly doubling the number of visas available annually.
Industries expected to benefit from the move include construction, hospitality, landscaping, seafood processing and manufacturing, where employers have struggled to fill essential positions. Businesses linked to seasonal operations, particularly hotels and tourism-related services, have long demanded an increase in visa quotas to sustain operations during peak periods.
Construction companies have also raised concerns that strict immigration policies were causing project delays and increasing operational costs. Business groups warned that without additional labor support, economic growth could be negatively affected.
Although President Donald Trump introduced stricter immigration measures after assuming office in 2025, mounting pressure from the business community prompted the administration to relax visa limits for specific sectors.
US officials said the expanded visa program aims to balance economic needs with immigration controls, ensuring businesses have access to temporary workers while prioritizing national workforce stability.
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