H-2B FAQ
Plain answers for employers, grouped by topic.
ON THIS PAGE
What is an H-2B visa?
It lets US employers hire foreign workers for temporary non-agricultural jobs, such as hotel housekeeping, kitchen work, and landscaping.
What does H-2B stand for?
The name comes from the section of the Immigration and Nationality Act that created it, section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b).
Who can use H-2B?
Any US employer with a temporary need that meets the program requirements.
What is the difference between H-2A and H-2B?
H-2A is for agricultural work and has no annual cap. H-2B is for non-agricultural work and has a cap of 66,000 visas per year.
What is the difference between H-1B and H-2B?
H-1B is for specialty jobs that need a degree. H-2B is for temporary jobs with no degree requirement.
How many H-2B visas are there?
66,000 per year, split evenly between the two halves of the year.
When should we start?
In September or October for April 1 arrivals, and in March or April for October 1 arrivals.
How long does the process take?
About six months from the first call to arrival.
What happens when the cap is full?
USCIS stops accepting new petitions for that half of the year. Your case moves to the next window.
Where do your workers come from?
The Philippines. Our recruitment partner network is there.
Can workers bring family?
A spouse and unmarried children under 21 can come in H-4 status. They cannot work.
How long can a worker stay?
For the length of the certified job. Total time in H-2B status is capped at three years.
Do workers pay recruitment fees?
No. The rule prohibits it.
Do we pay for travel?
You reimburse inbound travel and daily meals, and pay visa fees. You pay return travel when the job ends or if you let the worker go early.
Do we have to provide housing?
H-2B does not require it. Housing arrangements stay with the employer.
Do we still have to hire US applicants?
Yes. You must hire qualified US applicants referred to you until 21 days before your date of need.
Where are you based?
In Honolulu. We are a Hawaiʻi company, and we file H-2B cases for Hawaiʻi employers.
Do you work with employers outside Hawaiʻi?
No. We file for Hawaiʻi employers only.
Do you file the case or just recruit?
We do both. We are your agent of record for the filing, and our partner pipeline recruits the workers.
What does it cost?
We scope each case on the first call.
CONTACT
Let’s work together
Talk to our Honolulu team. We file for Hawaiʻi employers. Tell us your roles, headcount, and date of need.
