H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker Visa
Temporary visa for foreign workers filling non-agricultural positions that are seasonal, peak-load, intermittent, or one-time in nature.
134,513
Visas Issued FY2023
66,000
Annual Cap
Seasonal / Temporary
Type
What is the H-2B Visa?
The H-2B visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for temporary non-agricultural jobs when U.S. workers are unavailable. Common industries include landscaping, hospitality, forestry, seafood processing, and construction. The program has an annual cap of 66,000 visas, split between the first and second halves of the fiscal year. Employers must prove the need is genuinely temporary and that hiring foreign workers will not harm U.S. workers.
Eligibility Requirements
Application Process
Employer files a temporary labor certification application with the Department of Labor
Employer conducts required recruitment of U.S. workers
Upon DOL certification, employer files Form I-129 petition with USCIS
Worker applies for H-2B visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate
Worker enters the U.S. and begins authorized employment for the petitioning employer
Duration of Stay
Up to 1 year, extendable in 1-year increments up to 3 years total
Frequently Asked Questions
QHow is the H-2B annual cap divided?
The 66,000 annual cap is split into two halves: 33,000 for workers who begin employment in the first half of the fiscal year (October 1 through March 31), and 33,000 for the second half (April 1 through September 30). Congress sometimes authorizes supplemental H-2B visas beyond the cap.
QWhich industries commonly use H-2B workers?
The most common industries include landscaping and groundskeeping, hospitality and tourism (hotels, resorts, amusement parks), forestry and conservation, seafood processing, construction, and carnival/fair operations. The work must be genuinely temporary in nature.
QWhat is the difference between H-2A and H-2B?
H-2A is exclusively for temporary agricultural work and has no annual cap, while H-2B covers all other temporary non-agricultural work and is subject to a 66,000 annual cap. H-2A employers must provide free housing; H-2B employers generally do not have this requirement.
Related Visa Types
H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Visa
Temporary visa for foreign workers performing seasonal or temporary agricultural labor in the United States.
H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
Work visa for professionals in specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or higher.
H-4 Dependent Visa
Dependent visa for spouses and unmarried children under 21 of H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and H-3 visa holders.
Related Immigration Forms
Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
Filed by U.S. employers to petition for a foreign worker to come to or remain in the U.S. temporarily in a nonimmigrant worker classification.
Arrival/Departure Record
Documents a traveler's arrival and authorized stay period in the United States.
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
Required online application for all nonimmigrant visa applicants at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.
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