Switzerland Joins Netherlands, Greece, Malta, Italy, Poland, Estonia, And More Than Thirty-Six Countries In Europe To Benefit From The US Government’s Landmark Increase In Visa Allocations For 2026

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Switzerland has joined over thirty-six European countries, including the Netherlands, Greece, Malta, Italy, Poland, and Estonia, in benefiting from the U.S. government’s historic increase in visa allocations for 2026, marking a significant shift in addressing seasonal labor shortages across key industries. This move comes as part of a broader effort to support U.S. employers in sectors like hospitality, landscaping, construction, and seafood processing, which have long relied on temporary foreign workers. The expansion of H-2B visa allocations offers an unprecedented opportunity for workers from these European countries, opening the door to temporary employment in the U.S. and providing much-needed labor to seasonal businesses.

In an unprecedented move aimed at addressing the growing need for seasonal workers in key industries across the United States, the U.S. government has significantly increased the number of work visas available for 2026. This surge in visa allocations comes as part of a broader initiative to support businesses that rely on temporary foreign labor, particularly in industries like hospitality, landscaping, seafood processing, and construction. Among the countries to benefit from this decision, Switzerland has joined a growing coalition of over thirty-six European nations, including the Netherlands, Greece, Malta, Italy, Poland, and Estonia, opening up new opportunities for workers in both the US and Europe.

Let’s dive deeper into how this expansion of the H-2B visa program is reshaping the employment landscape, both in the US and abroad, and what it means for European workers hoping to take advantage of this historic increase.

The US Visa Expansion: A Response to Industry Needs

The seasonal worker shortage in the US has been a long-standing issue, particularly in industries that experience peaks of labor demand during certain times of the year. U.S. employers have frequently relied on the H-2B visa program to fill these gaps, which allows them to hire foreign nationals for non-agricultural jobs. However, the standard annual cap for these visas—set by Congress at 66,000—has often proven insufficient to meet the demand. In recent years, there has been a growing push for an increase in the number of available H-2B visas, and the U.S. government has responded with a landmark decision to expand the program.

In January 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) announced the temporary final rule authorizing an additional 64,716 supplemental H-2B visas for fiscal year (FY) 2026. This significant increase aims to assist U.S. businesses, especially in industries like hospitality, landscaping, construction, and seafood processing, which rely heavily on seasonal foreign labor.

The 64,716 additional visas will be distributed in three separate allocations, with specific provisions for returning workers and new applicants, and are expected to make a noticeable impact on the availability of labor in these essential sectors.

Switzerland and Over Thirty-Six European Countries Benefit

One of the most exciting aspects of this expansion is the inclusion of Switzerland, which has joined a growing list of European nations set to benefit from the US government’s decision. This visa increase marks an important opportunity for European workers seeking seasonal employment in the U.S., and the potential economic and cultural impact is significant.

The key European countries that stand to benefit from this increase in visa allocations include:

• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• France
• Germany
• Netherlands
• Belgium
• Luxembourg
• Austria
• Switzerland
• Denmark
• Norway
• Sweden
• Finland
• Spain
• Portugal
• Italy
• Greece
• Malta
• Cyprus
• San Marino
• Andorra
• Monaco
• Poland
• Czech Republic
• Slovakia
• Hungary
• Romania
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Slovenia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• North Macedonia
• Serbia
• Montenegro
• Estonia
• Latvia
• Lithuania

These countries—representing a wide geographic spread across Western, Southern, Eastern, and Central Europe—are not only historically active in the seasonal work programs but also have the advantage of strong English-language proficiency and established patterns of migration for temporary work.

The Three Allocations of Supplemental Visas

The 64,716 supplemental visas are not available all at once but are distributed across three separate allocations, each with its own specific eligibility criteria, filing windows, and rules. Let’s break down the three allocations:

First Allocation: 18,490 Visas for Returning Workers (Jan 1–Mar 31, 2026)

The first allocation of 18,490 visas is dedicated to returning workers, meaning foreign nationals who have previously held H-2B status or been issued H-2B visas in FY 2023, FY 2024, or FY 2025. This allocation is critical for businesses that rely on experienced workers who have previously participated in the program.

• Application Window: Petitions for this allocation were accepted from February 2–6, 2026, and USCIS conducted a random selection lottery due to the high demand for these visas.
• Status: As of February 13, 2026, the cap for this allocation has been reached, and petitions not selected in the lottery will be returned to the applicants along with any filing fees.

Second Allocation: 27,736 Visas for Returning Workers (Apr 1–Apr 30, 2026)

The second allocation provides an additional 27,736 visas, also primarily reserved for returning workers, including any unused visas from the first allocation.

• Application Window: Employers will be able to file petitions no earlier than 15 days after USCIS announces that the second half of the statutory H-2B cap has been reached.
• Filing Window: This allocation is critical for businesses needing workers starting between April 1 and April 30, 2026.

Third Allocation: 18,490 Visas for All Eligible Workers (May 1–Sept 30, 2026)

The third allocation of 18,490 visas is open to all eligible foreign workers, not just returning workers. This allocation will include any unused visas from the previous allocations, and it is intended for employment starting between May 1 and September 30, 2026.

• Application Window: Employers may file petitions 45 days after the second allocation’s filing window closes and no later than September 15, 2026.

What Does This Expansion Mean for European Workers?

The increase in H-2B visas offers significant opportunities for workers from across Europe, particularly those from countries with strong seasonal tourism, construction, and hospitality sectors. The visa boost provides a chance to temporarily work in the U.S., gaining valuable experience in some of the most dynamic industries in the world.

Countries such as Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and Poland are particularly well-positioned to benefit due to their robust seasonal labor markets and established visa programs.

For European workers, the US seasonal labor market is especially attractive in industries like:

• Hospitality and Tourism: Including hotels, resorts, and cruise ships, particularly in tourist-heavy states like Florida, California, and Hawaii.
• Landscaping: With high demand for labor during the warmer months in states such as Texas, Arizona, and California.
• Construction: In both urban and rural areas where there’s a need for skilled temporary laborers.
• Seafood Processing: In coastal areas where seasonal work in fishing industries is essential to meeting production quotas.

How European Workers Can Apply

To apply for one of these supplemental visas, workers must be sponsored by a U.S. employer. The employer must file a petition with USCIS, which includes a new “irreparable harm” attestation, stating that the business will experience significant financial difficulty without the foreign workers.

The key steps for European workers looking to apply include:

1. Find an Employer: Work with U.S.-based employers who need temporary foreign labor.
2. Petition Submission: Employers must submit petitions on behalf of their workers during the designated filing windows.
3. Lottery Process: Due to high demand, petitions are often subject to a lottery system for the first two allocations.
4. Visa Issuance: Once selected in the lottery, workers can receive their visas and prepare to begin their temporary employment in the U.S.

This historic increase in visa allocations marks a major shift in how the U.S. addresses the seasonal labor shortages in industries critical to the economy. With Switzerland joining the ranks of 36 other European countries, European workers now have a broader pathway to gain temporary employment in the U.S., contributing to the workforce in essential sectors while gaining valuable international experience.

Switzerland has joined over thirty-six European countries in benefiting from the U.S. government’s historic increase in visa allocations for 2026, as part of a strategic move to address seasonal labor shortages in critical industries like hospitality, landscaping, and construction. This expansion offers new opportunities for European workers to fill vital roles in the U.S. economy.

As the filing windows for the second and third allocations open later in 2026, European workers from across the continent should take note of these opportunities and prepare to apply. With the support of their U.S. employers, many will now have a chance to embark on exciting new ventures across the Atlantic.