THE H-2B PROCESS
Six months, from your first call with our Honolulu team to your first shift. Here is every step, in order, and who does it.
THE SIX MONTHS
Government processing times change. Use this as a planning model. We confirm your dates when we start.
1
MONTH 1
You and HWP
We confirm the temporary need, roles, headcount, date of need, and budget. We build the job description and file the prevailing wage request (Form ETA-9141).
2
MONTH 2
HWP and partner
The Migrant Workers Office verifies you as the employer. Your job order is registered with the Department of Migrant Workers through our licensed partner. When the prevailing wage is issued, we prepare the certification application. Candidate sourcing starts.
3
MONTH 3
HWP, you sign
We file the job order with the State Workforce Agency and Form ETA-9142B with the Department of Labor, 75 to 90 days before your date of need. We answer any correction request.
4
MONTH 4
HWP, you post notice
US recruitment runs. Candidates interview with your team. We file the recruitment report. The certification is issued, and we file the USCIS petition.
5
MONTH 5
Partner and HWP
The petition is approved. Contracts are verified in Manila. Workers complete medicals, visa interviews, departure clearance, and orientation.
6
MONTH 6
HWP and you
We coordinate flights and arrival. You provide housing and onboarding.
WHEN TO START
These dates come from the H-2B cap. Congress sets 66,000 visas per year: Visas not used in the first half roll into the second half. Visas not used in a year do not carry into the next year.
October 1 to March 31
FOR OCTOBER 1 ARRIVALS
April 1 to September 30
FOR APRIL 1 ARRIVALS
THE DETAILS
H-2B requires a temporary need in one of four categories:
Seasonal. The need is tied to a season and comes back each year. Peakload. You have permanent staff and need extra workers for a short peak. Intermittent. You need temporary workers from time to time and have no permanent staff in the role. One-time occurrence. A single event or project creates a short need.
Most hotel cases are seasonal or peakload. If your need is permanent, we tell you on the first call.
The Department of Labor sets a prevailing wage for each role in your area. You must pay at least that wage, or the minimum wage if it is higher.
The prevailing wage request has to be filed at least 60 days before the wage is needed. We file it in the first weeks of Month 1. We write the job description from real hotel operations so the wage matches the work.
The State Workforce Agency reviews the job order in 6 business days. The Department of Labor reviews the application in 7 business days. When the Notice of Acceptance arrives, US recruitment starts. We contact your former US workers in the role. A notice is posted at your worksite for 15 business days in a row. US applicants referred to you must be considered until 21 days before your date of need.
With the certification in hand, we file the USCIS petition. On the Philippine side:
Each contract is verified in Manila. Each worker completes a medical exam, a visa interview, departure clearance, and orientation.
Then we coordinate the flights.
FAQS
How long does H-2B take?
Plan on six months from the first call to arrival.
Can we speed it up?
USCIS offers premium processing for the petition step. The Department of Labor steps have fixed filing windows and do not speed up.
What happens when the cap is reached?
USCIS stops accepting new cap-subject petitions for that half of the year. Your case moves to the next window.
What if a US worker applies?
You must hire qualified US applicants referred to you until 21 days before your date of need. This can reduce the number of H-2B workers on your case.