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H-2B LeadershipCouncil

H-2B Calendar

Filing windows and visa allocations

Three filing windows shape an H-2B season. The table below sets the earliest employer filing date for each window alongside the FY26 allocation and the FY27 recommendation.

Allocations

FY26 allocation and FY27 recommendation

FY27 figures are recommendations. They have not been enacted or published as final allocations and should not be planned against as confirmed policy.

Last updated

September 20, 2026

Source: Client-supplied H-2B calendar and allocation summary

  1. Nov. 15

    Confirmed date
    FY27 recommendation
    35,000
    FY26 allocation
    18,450
    Stipulation
    Returning Workers
    Applicable start dates
    October 1, 2026 – March 30, 2027

    Source: Client-supplied H-2B calendar and allocation summary — source link pending

  2. 15 days after second half statutory cap is met

    Tentative date

    Estimated as early March — exact date depends on when the cap is met.

    FY27 recommendation
    24,716
    FY26 allocation
    18,450
    Stipulation
    Returning Workers
    Applicable start dates
    April 1, 2027 – April 30, 2027

    This date is tentative, so no calendar file is offered. It depends on when the second-half statutory cap is met.

    Source: Client-supplied H-2B calendar and allocation summary — source link pending

  3. May 1

    Confirmed date
    FY27 recommendation
    5,000
    FY26 allocation
    18,450
    Stipulation
    New or Returning Workers
    Applicable start dates
    May 1, 2027 – September 15, 2027

    Source: Client-supplied H-2B calendar and allocation summary — source link pending

Deadline reminders

Email and SMS deadline reminders are not currently available. This is a placeholder for a future feature — no reminders will be sent and no contact details are collected here.