The Departments of Labor (DOL) and Homeland Security (DHS) have announced the upcoming release of 35,000 additional H-2B visas for Fiscal Year 2026. This is on top of the 66,000 visas provided annually.

This limited assistance should provide some relief for golf course management. Each year, GCSAA lobbies Congress to provide as many additional H-2B visas as possible, to help meet the labor needs of golf and other seasonal organizations. The 66,000 annual cap continues to be too low to provide the temporary, legal workers we need.  

Thanks to our advocacy, Congress has authorized – and the DOL and DHS have released – 64,716 supplemental visas from Fiscal Year 2023-2025 to help address labor shortages nationwide. This year, Congress authorized the same 64,716 supplemental visas. Unfortunately, the DOL and DHS have announced they will release less than half of the authorized amount.

A temporary final rule is expected within the next few weeks. GCSAA will provide updates as to when these additional visas will be released and any additional restrictions provided, and GCSAA will continue to fight for as many additional visas as possible.