United States•North AmericaH-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker Visa
At a Glance
Processing Time
60-120 days
Application Fee
205 USD
Stay Duration
Up to 1 year
Renewable
Yes
Job Offer
Not Required
Dependents
Allowed
PR Pathway
No
This visa does not offer a direct route to permanent residency.Remote Work
Not Required
Overview
Temporary visa for non-agricultural workers in seasonal or temporary positions when US workers are unavailable. Subject to annual cap.
The H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker program was established under the Immigration and Nationality Act to assist U.S. employers in filling temporary labor shortages in industries outside of agriculture. It is designed for businesses facing seasonal peaks, one-time occurrences, or intermittent needs that cannot be met by the domestic workforce. Common industries utilizing this visa include hospitality, landscaping, forestry, and seafood processing.
This visa is ideal for foreign nationals seeking short-term employment opportunities in the United States who may not possess the specialized degrees required for other work visas. It serves as a critical bridge for workers in service and manual labor sectors, providing a legal framework for temporary migration. Unlike many other work visas, the H-2B focuses on the employer's temporary need rather than the worker's long-term professional credentials.
Annual Visa Allocation
66,000 visas per year
The statutory numerical limit is 66,000 per fiscal year, with 33,000 for workers who begin employment in the first half of the fiscal year and 33,000 for those who begin in the second half. Congress frequently authorizes supplemental increases.
Lottery system applies when oversubscribed
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Requirements
Personal
Education
None or higher
Eligible Nationalities
This visa is available to citizens of: AD, AR, AU, AT, BE, BR, BN, BG, CA, CL, CO, CR, HR, CY, CZ, DK, DO, EC, SV, EE, FJ, FI, FR, DE, GR, GD, GT, HN, HU, IS, IE, IL, IT, JM, JP, KR, LV, LI, LT, LU, MT, MU, MX, MC, ME, NL, NZ, NI, MK, NO, PA, PG, PY, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, LC, SM, RS, SG, SK, SI, SB, ZA, ES, SE, CH, TW, TH, TL, TO, TR, TV, UA, GB, UY, VU
Documentation
Applicant Documents
Valid passport
Passport photos
DS-160 form
Online application
Sponsor Documents
Form I-129
USCIS petition
DOL certification
Temporary labor certification
Job description
Details of temporary work
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Advantages
- Accessible to workers without specialized academic degrees
- Faster processing times through the optional Premium Processing Service
- Allows for legal employment in a wide variety of service industries
- Facilitates multiple entries into the U.S. during the visa validity
- Lower professional barrier to entry compared to specialty occupation visas
- Provides a structured legal pathway for seasonal labor
Considerations
- Intense competition due to the statutory annual numerical cap
- Strictly limited to the specific employer who filed the petition
- Duration of stay is strictly tied to the employer's temporary need
- Eligibility is restricted to citizens of DHS-approved countries
Application Process
Employer obtains certification
From Department of Labor
File I-129 petition
Employer submits to USCIS
USCIS approval
Wait for petition approval
Apply for visa
At US Embassy or Consulate
Attend interview
Consular interview
Enter US
Begin employment
Application Forms
Form I-129
Form ID: I-129
Form DS-160
Form ID: DS-160
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