How to Apply for the H-2B Visa as an Employer
- Department of Labor Certification. You are required to get certified with the Department of Labor (DOL) and acquire a Temporary Labor Certification.
- Other Requirements. Proof of Temporary Employment: You cannot bring an H-2B visa applicant to the United States for long-term employment.
- USCIS Petition. ...
Do H2B workers pay taxes?
No, H-2B employers must offer and pay the prevailing wage to both American workers and H-2B workers. They receive a payroll check with itemized deductions for Social Security, Medicare, state income tax, and Federal income tax. H-2B workers pay the same taxes as American employees but cannot collect the benefits.
How to apply for H2B?
Your H2B visa application must include the following documents:
- DOS Form DS-160, Nonimmigrant Visa Application
- A copy of your passport which is valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay in the U.S. ...
- A color photograph showing full face without head covering against a light background. ...
- Proof that you meet the minimum job requirements stated in the labor certification application
Are H2B workers tax exempt?
They receive a payroll check with itemized deductions for Social Security, Medicare, state income tax, and Federal income tax. H-2B employers must pay their share of Social Security and Medicare, along with Federal Unemployment taxes, state unemployment taxes, and Workers' compensation insurance on all H-2B workers.
How to apply for H2B visa workers?
- Apply for and receive a Department of Labor Prevailing Wage Determination.
- Pursue certification of the requested visas through the Department of Labor.
- Tap the local U.S. ...
- Get Certified!
- Petition for the requested visas from United States Citizenship & Immigration.
- Approval from United States Citizenship & Immigration.
Who is eligible for H-2B visa?
To qualify for H-2B nonimmigrant classification, the petitioner must establish that: There are not enough U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available to do the temporary work. Employing H-2B workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.
How much does H2B visa cost?
How Much Does an H-2B Visa Cost? As of January 2021, the USCIS processing fee for an H-2B petition is $460. If you need to apply for a US visa at an embassy or consulate abroad, the visa fee is $190.
How long does a H2B visa take?
60 to 100 days#H2B Visa processing time period Visa processing usually occurs within 60 to 100 days. It is advisable that the employer files this application at least 60 days but not more than 120 days before the temporary worker is needed.
Who hires H-2B workers?
employersAn H-2B visa is a type of work visa that allows employers to hire temporary workers who are foreigners to fill temporary nonagricultural job positions such as Landscaping, grounds maintenance, construction, restaurant/hospitality, maintenance, golf, manufacturing, processing, and other specialty services firms.
Do I need a lawyer for H-2B visa?
To get an H-2B Visa for work, you need an immigration lawyer to navigate the often complex family immigration procedures for visa holders.
How do I apply for the H2B program?
The H2B Process Involves:filing forms and completing processes, including the prevailing wage process, for obtaining an approved DOL Temporary Labor Certification;filing forms and completing processes for obtaining an approved USCIS Petition for Nonimmigrant H-2B workers;More items...
How many H2B visas issued 2022?
ALERT: USCIS has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 23,500 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas made available for returning workers only under the recently announced H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule.
Why would a H-2B visa be denied?
Failure to prove their nonimmigrant intent will result in a refusal of a visa under Section 214(b). The most frequent basis for such a refusal concerns the requirement that the prospective visitor or student possess a residence abroad he/she has no intention of abandoning.
How easy is it to get a H-2B visa?
To qualify for an H-2B visa, your employer must meet the following requirements: The employer must have a need which is seasonal, one-time, intermittent, or peak load. The job time-frame must be for less than one year. There must be no qualified and willing U.S. workers available for the job.
How much does it cost for a company to sponsor visa?
Petitioning for foreign workers in the H-1B and permanent employment-based visa sponsorship processes can be an expensive. Sponsoring a nonimmigrant employee for the H-1B can cost anywhere between $1,250 to $4,500 in filing fees alone, not including fees paid to attorneys to facilitate the process.
How many H-2B visas issued 2022?
ALERT: USCIS has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 23,500 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas made available for returning workers only under the recently announced H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule.
How long can I stay in the US after my H-2B visa expires?
Also, H-2B workers are permitted to stay in the United States for up to ten days after the expiration date of the approved H-2B petition to leave the country or seek an extension or change of non-immigrant status.
Key News
The Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2016, Division H, Title I of Public Law 114-113 ("2016 DOL Appropriations Act"), provides that the Department of Labor ("Department") may not use any funds to enforce the definition of corresponding employment found in 20 CFR 655.5 or the three-fourths guarantee rule definition found in 20 CFR 655.20, or any reference thereto.
Civil Money Penalty Inflation Adjustments
Starting in 2016, agencies across the federal government must adjust their penalties for inflation each year. Below is a table that reflects the adjustments that have occurred for penalties under this statute. For more information on the penalty adjustments, go here.
How Long Can You Stay on an H-2B Visa?
The initial H-2B visa is good for up to one year. If the employer can show that it needs you for a longer time, and you can show that you still plan to return to your home country when required, the visa can be extended upon request in one year increments. Such extensions can be hard to get, however -- they're not automatic at all.
How to get temporary labor certification?
workers. If none are found, the employer can apply to its local state workforce agency (SWA) for a temporary labor certification. The SWA will transfer the case to the U.S. Department of Labor for a final decision on the labor certification.
Can seasonal non-agricultural workers apply for H-2B visa?
Seasonal non-agricultural workers, both skilled and unskilled, may apply for an H-2B visa to the United States. You must have a job offer first, for a position for which there is a shortage of U.S. workers willing or able to take the job. You must be able to show that you intend to return home at the end of the permitted stay.
Can an attorney help you with an H-2B?
The attorney can help you assess which visa category is most appropriate for your employment purposes and , if you apply for an H-2B, help you not only prepare the paperwork but try to get it submitted early enough that visas for that year won't have run out when you apply.
What is an H-2 visa?
The H-2 category allows U.S. employers to bring noncitizens into the U.S. on temporary agricultural (H-2A) and non-agricultural (H-2B) visas. The H-3 category allows for noncitizens coming temporarily to the United States to either receive training or to participate in a special education exchange visitor training program.
What is the eligibility for H-2A?
Eligibility for H-2A: To qualify for H-2A nonimmigrant classification, the petitioner must: Offer a job that is temporary or seasonal; Demonstrate that there are not enough U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available to do the temporary work; Show that prospective employees are nationals of an H-2A eligible country ...
Who Qualifies for an H-2B Visa?
This is revised and published in the Federal Register notice every year. Nonimmigrants who are considered temporary hires are permitted for H2B Visa.
How to get an H-2B visa in Guam?
As the employer, you’re also the petitioner. Before you request an H-2B visa, you need to obtain a temporary labor certification from the Department of Labor. For complete information on this matter and eligibility criteria, visit this page. If you’re going to employ people in Guam, then visit Guam DOL.
How long does it take to get a visa in the US?
Visas are typically processed between 60 days to 120 days. Applicants submitting on 1st January are given visas so that they can start working in the US from June.
Where do I file an I-129?
After you’ve received the temporary labor certificate, you can head over to USCIS office for filing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. You must submit the original certificate you received from the DOL. If you’re applying for Guam employment, then you’re required to submit a one-page final determination of H-2B. If you’ve already done that, then you’ll be asked to provide an explanation that contains the petition receipt number.
Can nonimmigrants get an H2B visa?
Nonimmigrants who are considered temporary hires are permitted for H2B Visa. The need can be a one-time occurrence, seasonal, or peak load need, but should be mandatorily temporary for a certain period of time. Next, they cannot be involved in agricultural or related services.
How many days before the start date of need to submit an H-2B application?
90-75 calendar days before the start date of need, the employer concurrently submits the job order to the SWA and submits the H-2B application package to the Chicago NPC
What is H-2B employment?
Non-agricultural employment within a specified area (s) of intended employment. The H-2B temporary non-agricultural program permits employers who meet the program requirements to hire nonimmigrant workers to temporarily come to the U.S. and perform non-agricultural services or labor based on the employer's temporary need. ...
Can an employer file an electronic application by mail?
Employers that lack adequate access to electronic filing may file the application by mail. The employer must indicate that it is filing by mail due to a lack of adequate access to electronic filing. The employer may mail the application package to the Chicago NPC at the following address:
What is an H-2B visa?
The H-2B working visa is a nonimmigrant visa which allows foreign nationals to enter into the U.S. temporarily and engage in non agricultural employment which is seasonal, intermittent, a peak load need, or a one-time occurrence.
What is the burden of establishing that the need for H-2B workers is temporary?
The employer has the burden of establishing that the need for H-2B workers is temporary and is either a one time, seasonal, peak, or intermittent need in his/her application. Documentation might include contracts, lists of projects and timeframes, as well as narrative explanations.
When do you file an alien labor certification?
A complete DOL Form ETA-9142, Application for Alien Labor Certification, must be filed at least 60 days before the first date on which H2B workers are needed. however, recruitment for the labor certification can not be started more than 120 days before the workers are needed. If it is accepted or amended within the required time frame and complies with the regulations, the certifying officer will make a certification determination 30 days before the date on which the workers are needed.
What happens if my application is accepted?
If your application is accepted for consideration, the Certifying Officer will notify the employer in writing.
H-2B Seasonal Workers
DEPENDING ON THE JOB NEED, an H2B employee can be a one-time, seasonal, peak load, or intermittent employee.
Approval of Recruitment Agencies
Before engaging a recruiter as a foreign worker/employer, it is crucial to conduct due diligence on the agency by checking if the recruiter is listed on the Foreign Labor Recruiter List, as published by the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC). Still, the U.S.
Agreement with Foreign Recruiters
One of the recruiting requirements under the H-2B program is that employers and their attorney/agent must provide a copy of agreements with the recruitment agents it engages or intends to recruit H-2B workers under this application.
H-2B Eligible Countries list
The Eligibility Countries list must be strictly considered for smooth processing of whatever country employers are willing to bring in temporary employers from.
FAQs
The USCIS processing fee for an H-2B petition is $460 as of January 2021. The visa fee is $190 if you need to apply for a U.S. visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Other fees may apply depending on your nationality.
