USCIS H-2B Visa 2026: OFLC Announces Free Webinar on Seasonal Worker October Filing Window

If you are an employer who relies on seasonal or temporary non-agricultural workers — or if you are a foreign worker hoping to come to the United States on an H-2B visa — there is important news from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) that you should not miss. The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has announced a free public webinar on June 17, 2026, specifically designed to help stakeholders prepare their H-2B applications for the upcoming October 1, 2026 filing window — the start of the semi-annual visa allotment for the first half of Fiscal Year 2027.

This announcement comes at a critical time for industries that depend heavily on H-2B workers, including hospitality, landscaping, construction, seafood processing, and tourism. Understanding the rules, deadlines, and best practices for H-2B applications can be the difference between securing a work visa on time or missing out entirely. Here is everything you need to know about the H-2B program, the upcoming filing window, and what the OFLC webinar will cover.

What Is the H-2B Visa?

The H-2B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary, non-agricultural positions when there are not enough qualified U.S. workers available. Common industries that use the H-2B program include:

• Hotels, resorts, and amusement parks
• Landscaping and lawn care services
• Seafood processing plants
• Construction and general labor
• Holiday retail and seasonal businesses

H-2B workers are authorized to work in the U.S. for a specific, limited period — typically up to one year, with the possibility of extensions up to three years. The program requires employers to demonstrate that the work is genuinely temporary in nature and that they have made good-faith efforts to recruit U.S. workers first before looking abroad.

For workers from countries such as Mexico, Jamaica, Honduras, Guatemala, South Africa, and the Philippines, the H-2B visa represents one of the most accessible legal pathways to temporary employment in the United States. It provides protections, a legal wage, and a structured framework that benefits both workers and employers.

Understanding the H-2B Cap and the Semi-Annual Filing Window

One of the most important things to understand about the H-2B program is that it has an annual numerical cap. Each fiscal year, only 66,000 H-2B visas are allocated for new workers — not counting returning workers who have held H-2B status during one of the three prior fiscal years. This number is divided into two semi-annual allotments:

• 33,000 visas for workers with a start date before April 1
• 33,000 visas for workers with a start date on or after April 1

For employers seeking workers with an October 1, 2026 start date — the beginning of the first half of Fiscal Year 2027 — the critical filing window opens on July 3–5, 2026. This is a three-day period during which OFLC will accept H-2B Applications for Temporary Employment Certification (Form ETA-9142B and appendices). Because demand for H-2B visas has consistently exceeded the available cap numbers in recent years, OFLC uses a random selection (lottery) process to determine which applications are reviewed first when filings exceed available visa numbers.

This is precisely why preparing your application carefully before the window opens is so important. Deficiencies in the application — missing documents, incorrect forms, or procedural errors — can cause your application to be rejected or delayed, potentially costing you and your workers valuable time.

What Will the OFLC Webinar Cover on June 17, 2026?

According to AILA, the OFLC is hosting a free, one-hour webinar on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time to help employers and their representatives prepare for the July 3–5 filing window. The webinar is open to the public and will cover three main areas:

• Regulatory timeframes and filing requirements: OFLC will walk through the exact timeline for submitting H-2B applications with an October 1, 2026 or later start date, including all Form ETA-9142B requirements and appendices.
• Random selection (lottery) procedures: OFLC will explain how it randomly selects applications for review when the number of filings exceeds available visa numbers during the three-day filing window.
• Best practices and tips to avoid deficiencies: Practical advice to ensure your application is complete and compliant, reducing the risk of rejection or a time-consuming request for additional information.

The webinar will be recorded and posted to the OFLC website along with presentation materials, so if you cannot attend live, you can access the content later. However, attending live gives you the opportunity to hear the information firsthand.

Webinar Details:

• Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET
• Meeting number: 2826 447 2917 | Password: OFLCH2B
• US Toll Free: 1-877-465-7975
• US Toll: 1-210-795-0506

Please note there is a 1,000-participant limit, so plan to log in early to secure your spot.

What Employers Need to Do Before the July 3–5 Filing Window

If you are an employer planning to file for H-2B workers with an October 1, 2026 start date, preparation should begin now. Here is a practical checklist to get ready before the window opens:

• Start the U.S. labor market recruitment process: Before filing an H-2B application, employers must conduct a good-faith test of the U.S. labor market. This typically involves placing job advertisements in specified venues and thoroughly documenting all recruitment efforts and their results.
• Request a prevailing wage determination: You must submit a prevailing wage request to OFLC. This sets the minimum wage you are legally required to pay H-2B workers for the specific occupation in your geographic area.
• Complete Form ETA-9142B accurately: This is the H-2B Application for Temporary Employment Certification. All required appendices must be completed and attached. Errors or omissions are one of the most common reasons applications are flagged with deficiencies.
• Gather supporting documentation: Documentation proving the temporary nature of the work, evidence of U.S. worker recruitment, business records demonstrating the seasonal or peak-load nature of your employment need, and other supporting materials must all be ready before you file.
• Consult an immigration attorney if needed: H-2B applications can be complex, and the narrow three-day filing window means there is little room for error. Many employers find it beneficial to work with a qualified immigration attorney to prepare and review their application before submission.

What H-2B Workers and Their Families Should Know

If you are a foreign worker hoping to come to the U.S. on an H-2B visa, it is important to understand that you cannot file directly — the H-2B process is employer-driven. Here is what you and your family should keep in mind:

• Your employer must file first: The H-2B process begins with your U.S. employer filing a labor certification application with OFLC. Only after OFLC approves the labor certification can the employer petition USCIS for your visa.
• Your family may come with you: H-2B workers may bring their spouse and unmarried children under 21 to the U.S. under the H-4 dependent visa category. However, H-4 dependents are generally not authorized to work in the United States.
• Your work authorization is employer-specific: H-2B status ties you to the specific employer and position listed on your petition. If you want to change employers or job duties, your new employer must file a new petition on your behalf.
• Cap exemptions may apply: Nationals of certain countries, as well as H-2B workers who have held H-2B status in one of the past three fiscal years, may be exempt from the annual cap. An immigration attorney can advise whether any exemption applies to your situation.
• Know your rights: H-2B workers are entitled to the prevailing wage set by the DOL, safe working conditions, and certain protections under U.S. labor law. If you experience wage theft, unsafe conditions, or abuse by your employer, you have the right to report this to the appropriate authorities without fear of automatic immigration consequences.

Why This Announcement Matters for USA Immigration in 2026

The H-2B program plays a vital role in keeping many U.S. industries running during peak seasons. With demand for H-2B visas consistently exceeding the cap in recent years, every employer and worker in this pipeline needs to be aware of exact deadlines and proper procedures.

The OFLC free webinar on June 17, 2026 is an accessible, authoritative resource that can help employers get their filings right the first time — before the high-stakes July 3–5 window opens. Whether you are sponsoring your first H-2B workers or you are an experienced employer looking to sharpen your process, taking one hour to attend this webinar could save weeks of delays and complications later.

For the full announcement details and additional legal guidance on H-2B and other work visas, visit the American Immigration Lawyers Association at aila.org, or consult a qualified immigration attorney in your area.