H-2B
VS
Type
Nonimmigrant visa
Description
Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers
Profiles that typically qualify
Landscapers, Hospitality workers, Construction workers, Technicians, Retail staff
Requirements
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
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
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
Validity period
Duration of labor certification, up to 1 year, renewable for a total of up to 3 years
Renewable
Renewable up to 3 years
Without premium processing
5-6 months
With premium processing
15 business days
Can spouse work
No
Disclaimers
-
Type
H-2B
Nonimmigrant visa
Description
H-2B
Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers
Profiles that typically qualify
H-2B
Landscapers, Hospitality workers, Construction workers, Technicians, Retail staff
Requirements
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-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-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-2B
Required
Validity period
H-2B
Duration of labor certification, up to 1 year, renewable for a total of up to 3 years
Renewable
H-2B
Renewable up to 3 years
Without premium processing
H-2B
5-6 months
With premium processing
H-2B
15 business days
Can spouse work
H-2B
No
Disclaimers
H-2B
-