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); *43,089 beneficiaries have been approved and 174 are still pending for a total of *43,263.
The H-2B cap limit for the second half of FY 2013 (April 1 – September 30) is 33,000. As of the last count (4/19/2013); 14,713 beneficiaries have been approved and 6,867 are pending for a total of 21,580.
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 (4/23/13) Web Page