The H2B visa has an annual cap of 66,000 visas per fiscal year, divided into two halves: 33,000 for workers who begin employment in the first half of the fiscal year (October 1 - March 31) and 33,000 for those who start in the second half (April 1 - September 30). This cap is critical because it limits the number of workers that can enter the U.S. under this category each year.
Applications are typically accepted in advance of these dates, and it is crucial for employers to prepare and submit their petitions early, as the cap is often reached quickly. If the cap is met before all qualified applicants are granted visas, those not selected must wait until the next fiscal year. The U.S. government occasionally allows exceptions to the cap for returning workers, defined as those who have previously held an H2B visa.
