H2b visa news 2020

Here are some key updates and news related to the H-2B visa program in 2020:

H-2B Visa Cap Reached in 2020

• The H-2B visa cap for the 2020 fiscal year was reached on November 18, 2020, with a total of 81,400 visas issued.
• The cap is divided into two categories: 33,000 visas for workers who have previously held an H-2B visa, and 66,000 visas for workers who have not previously held an H-2B visa.

H-2B Visa Lottery

• The U.S. Department of Labor conducted a lottery to randomly select H-2B visa petitions that were filed under the "returning worker" category.
• The lottery was held on November 20, 2020, and the results were announced on November 24, 2020.
• A total of 13,500 H-2B visas were awarded to returning workers through the lottery.

H-2B Visa Extensions

• On December 18, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it would extend the validity of certain H-2B visas that were set to expire on December 31, 2020.
• The extension applies to H-2B visas that were issued under the "returning worker" category and were set to expire on December 31, 2020.
• The extension allows these workers to remain in the United States until March 31, 2021.

H-2B Visa Reform and Accountability Act

• On December 18, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the H-2B Visa Reform and Accountability Act, which aims to reform the H-2B visa program and improve protections for U.S. workers.
• The bill would increase the H-2B visa cap, improve wage protections for U.S. workers, and increase penalties for employers who violate H-2B visa regulations.
• The bill is still pending in the U.S. Senate and has not yet been signed into law.

Other Developments

• In October 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that it would be conducting a review of the H-2B visa program to ensure that it is being used in a way that is consistent with U.S. labor laws and regulations.
• In November 2020, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it would be increasing the fee for H-2B visa petitions to $3,725 per petition, effective December 23, 2020.

I hope this information is helpful!