Additional 65,000 permits expected to support farming, tourism, and service industries
The United States has announced plans to add 65,000 seasonal guest worker visas for 2026, responding to growing labor shortages in key industries such as agriculture, hospitality, landscaping, and tourism.
The move is expected to provide relief to US employers who rely heavily on temporary foreign workers during peak seasons, especially when local labor supply falls short.
Why the US is expanding seasonal guest worker visas
US authorities say many businesses continue to struggle with hiring enough workers for seasonal roles. Farms, resorts, hotels, and food processing companies often depend on temporary staff to meet seasonal demand.
Officials believe the additional 65,000 seasonal guest worker visas will help stabilize production, reduce delays, and prevent economic losses caused by labor gaps. Employers have repeatedly urged the government to expand access to temporary work visas to keep operations running smoothly.
Which visa programs will benefit
The additional visas will mainly be issued under existing seasonal worker programs, including:
- H-2B visas for non-agricultural seasonal jobs such as hospitality, landscaping, and construction
- H-2A visas for temporary agricultural workers
The expansion focuses largely on the H-2B program, which has strict annual caps and often runs out months before the fiscal year ends.
Industries expected to gain the most
Several industries are expected to benefit directly from the decision:
- Agriculture: Farms rely on seasonal workers for planting, harvesting, and packaging crops
- Tourism and hospitality: Hotels, resorts, restaurants, and amusement parks need extra staff during peak travel seasons
- Landscaping and maintenance: Seasonal outdoor work increases during warmer months
Business groups say the visa expansion will help employers plan ahead and avoid last-minute staffing crises.
How the visa process will work
Eligible employers must still meet existing requirements. They must prove they cannot find enough US workers and show that hiring foreign workers will not harm local wages or working conditions.
Applicants will need job offers from approved US employers and must return to their home countries after their contracts end. Authorities say worker protections and compliance checks will remain in place.
Economic impact and worker protection concerns
Supporters argue the additional visas will strengthen the US economy by ensuring smooth operations in labor-intensive sectors. They also say seasonal workers contribute to local economies through housing, food, and transportation spending.
However, labor advocates continue to raise concerns about worker rights. They stress the need for strong oversight to prevent exploitation, wage violations, and unsafe working conditions.
Officials say enforcement measures and worker safeguards will continue to be monitored closely.
What this means for foreign workers
For foreign workers, the expansion opens new opportunities to work legally in the US for a limited period. Many seasonal workers return year after year, gaining stable income while supporting industries that depend on short-term labor.
Experts expect high demand for the new visas once applications open, especially from countries with a long history of participation in US seasonal work programs.
Looking ahead to 2026
The visa increase reflects ongoing pressure on the US labor market and growing reliance on temporary foreign workers. Policymakers say the move balances economic needs with immigration controls.
Further adjustments to seasonal visa programs may be considered if labor shortages continue in the coming years.
