The H-2B non-agricultural temporary worker program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs.
The H-2B cap limit for first half of FY 2013 (October 1 – March 31) is 33,000. As of the last count (3/15/2013); *41,820 beneficiaries have been approved and 679 are still pending for a total of *42,499.
The H-2B cap limit for the second half of FY 2013 (April 1 – September 30) is 33,000. As of the last count (3/15/2013); 12,314 beneficiaries have been approved and 3,864 are pending for a total of 16,178.
For further details read, “Cap Count for H-2B Nonimmigrants”
* This number is higher than the actual cap to allow for withdrawals, denials, and revocations.
Source of Information: USCIS.gov (3/18/13) Web Page