Last Updated on November 27, 2022 by Anda Malescu
U.S. companies in need of temporary or seasonal workers to fill available jobs in the United States for which U.S. workers are not available can now hire foreign workers from six new countries under the H-2A and H-2B visa program.
For the upcoming year, there will be 85 countries eligible for the H-2A visa program and 86 countries for the H-2B visa program. Adding these 6 new countries to the H-2A and H-2B program means that nationals from these countries will be able to apply for temporary work in the United States.
The six new countries eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs between November 10, 2021 and November 10, 2022, unless extended, include:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina,
- Republic of Cyprus
- Dominican Republic (currently only eligible for the H-2A program),
- Haiti
- Mauritius
- Saint Lucia
In addition to adding the above countries to the temporary H-2A and H-2B program, the Department of Homeland Security has also removed Moldova as an eligible country for the H-2A visa program because it no longer meets the regulatory standards for that program. However, Moldova’s eligibility for the H-2A program remains effective until January 18, 2022, a full year from the last designation. Workers from Moldova are also not eligible for the H-2B program, which means that after January 18, 2022, Moldova will not be eligible for either program.
You can access the list of eligible H-2B countries (including the 6 new countries added) effective November 10, 2021 here and the H-2A countries here.
How can Malescu Law assist?
To learn more about the H-2B visa please visit our page here.
If you are a U.S. company interested in getting H-2B employees and want to understand more about how to get the H2B employee please visit our page or contact us to schedule an appointment.
Our experienced business immigration lawyers in Miami, Florida USA can assist you with the H-2B visa, H-2B visa requirements, how the H-2B program will apply to you and well as the H-2B process and application preparation.
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