H-1B
VS
H-2B
Type
Nonimmigrant visa
Nonimmigrant visa
Description
Specialty Occupations
Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers
Profiles that typically qualify
Software developers, Financial analysts, Medical professionals, Engineers, Scientists, University professors
Landscapers, Hospitality workers, Construction workers, Technicians, Retail staff
Requirements
You must hold a 4-year bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience (three years of professional experience for each missing year of formal education).
The job must be a specialty occupation, requiring specialized knowledge typically obtained through a bachelor's degree or higher. This includes roles in fields like engineering, mathematics, and technology, where the complexity of the tasks necessitates advanced education.
The employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the position — a rate set by the U.S. Department of Labor based on the occupation, work location, and level of experience. This wage is not flexible and must be met at a minimum.
Employers must demonstrate a temporary need, which is limited to up to three years for a one-time need or 10 months for seasonal, peak load, or intermittent needs.
Employers must provide evidence that there are no U.S. workers who are willing, qualified, and able to perform the temporary work.
Employers must certify that hiring H-2B workers will not negatively impact the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.
Pros
Facilitates a smooth transition to permanent residency.
Requires minimal applicant qualifications beyond a college degree or professional experience.
Does not focus on individual credentials, making it accessible to a wide range of applicants.
Allows U.S. employers to address temporary labor shortages in non-agricultural sectors.
Flexible in meeting seasonal, peak load, and intermittent labor needs.
Cons
Most applications are subject to an annual lottery and a rigid application cycle (except for exempt cases).
Lottery acceptance rates are typically below 20%.
Requires employer sponsorship and a specific job offer in a specialty occupation.
Stricter company requirements for entrepreneurs applying under this visa.
Spouses and dependents do not receive work authorization.
Subject to semi-annual quotas and a rigid lottery-based application process.
Employers must undergo a rigorous certification process to prove the unavailability of U.S. workers.
Spouses and dependents do not receive work authorization.
Sponsorship
Required
Required
Validity period
3 years
Duration of labor certification, up to 1 year, renewable for a total of up to 3 years
Renewable
Once, 3-year extension
Renewable up to 3 years
Without premium processing
2-3 months
5-6 months
With premium processing
15 business days
15 business days
Can spouse work
No
No
Disclaimers
-
-
Type
H-1B
Nonimmigrant visa
H-2B
Nonimmigrant visa
Description
H-1B
Specialty Occupations
H-2B
Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers
Profiles that typically qualify
H-1B
Software developers, Financial analysts, Medical professionals, Engineers, Scientists, University professors
H-2B
Landscapers, Hospitality workers, Construction workers, Technicians, Retail staff
Requirements
H-1B
You must hold a 4-year bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience (three years of professional experience for each missing year of formal education).
The job must be a specialty occupation, requiring specialized knowledge typically obtained through a bachelor's degree or higher. This includes roles in fields like engineering, mathematics, and technology, where the complexity of the tasks necessitates advanced education.
The employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the position — a rate set by the U.S. Department of Labor based on the occupation, work location, and level of experience. This wage is not flexible and must be met at a minimum.
H-2B
Employers must demonstrate a temporary need, which is limited to up to three years for a one-time need or 10 months for seasonal, peak load, or intermittent needs.
Employers must provide evidence that there are no U.S. workers who are willing, qualified, and able to perform the temporary work.
Employers must certify that hiring H-2B workers will not negatively impact the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.
Pros
H-1B
Facilitates a smooth transition to permanent residency.
Requires minimal applicant qualifications beyond a college degree or professional experience.
H-2B
Does not focus on individual credentials, making it accessible to a wide range of applicants.
Allows U.S. employers to address temporary labor shortages in non-agricultural sectors.
Flexible in meeting seasonal, peak load, and intermittent labor needs.
Cons
H-1B
Most applications are subject to an annual lottery and a rigid application cycle (except for exempt cases).
Lottery acceptance rates are typically below 20%.
Requires employer sponsorship and a specific job offer in a specialty occupation.
Stricter company requirements for entrepreneurs applying under this visa.
Spouses and dependents do not receive work authorization.
H-2B
Subject to semi-annual quotas and a rigid lottery-based application process.
Employers must undergo a rigorous certification process to prove the unavailability of U.S. workers.
Spouses and dependents do not receive work authorization.
Sponsorship
H-1B
Required
H-2B
Required
Validity period
H-1B
3 years
H-2B
Duration of labor certification, up to 1 year, renewable for a total of up to 3 years
Renewable
H-1B
Once, 3-year extension
H-2B
Renewable up to 3 years
Without premium processing
H-1B
2-3 months
H-2B
5-6 months
With premium processing
H-1B
15 business days
H-2B
15 business days
Can spouse work
H-1B
No
H-2B
No
Disclaimers
H-1B
-
H-2B
-