H-2B visa services
H-2B support for temporary seasonal work
The H-2B program allows U.S. employers to seek temporary foreign workers for temporary non agricultural work when program requirements are met.
Who it fits
Temporary non agricultural work, such as landscaping, construction support, hospitality, seafood, and forestry
H-2B is Labor Inbound's newer service line. H-2B visas are subject to an annual cap, and filing windows matter.
What we handle
Support from preparation through the season
- Job order and labor certification preparation
- Petition preparation and filing as agent
- Recruitment coordination with our partner, TalentCruit
- Worker onboarding and travel coordination
- Compliance support during the season, including recordkeeping and separation notices
- A connected workflow managed in CrewHub
Managed in CrewHub.pro
Program fit
Is H-2B right for your business?
The H-2B program lets U.S. employers hire foreign workers for temporary non agricultural work when there are not enough able, willing, and qualified U.S. workers available.
- Landscaping and grounds maintenance
- Construction support and general labor
- Hotels, resorts, and hospitality
- Seafood processing, forestry, and other seasonal industries
Your need for workers must be temporary. It must be a one time occurrence, seasonal, a peakload need, or intermittent. We review your situation to confirm whether it fits the program.
The annual cap
The annual H-2B cap
H-2B visas are limited by Congress to 66,000 per fiscal year, split into 33,000 for workers starting in the first half of the year (October through March) and 33,000 for the second half (April through September). Demand often exceeds the cap, so filing at the right time matters. Additional visas are sometimes made available by the government, and some workers may be exempt from the cap. We confirm what applies to your filing.
The process
How the H-2B process works
- 1
Prevailing wage determination. The Department of Labor's National Prevailing Wage Center issues the minimum wage you must offer for the job.
- 2
Labor certification application. The H-2B application (ETA-9142B) and job order are filed with the Department of Labor 75 to 90 days before your start date.
- 3
Recruitment of U.S. workers
- 4
Certification. Once the Department of Labor certifies the application, the petition can be filed.
- 5
Petition. Form I-129 is filed with U.S
- 6
Visas and travel. Workers attend visa interviews at a U.S
Timing depends on your start date, the cap, and current agency processing.
Employer obligations
Key employer obligations
These are general H-2B program requirements. The exact obligations depend on your certification and current regulations.
- Wages: pay at least the prevailing wage for the job, and offer U.S. workers in the same jobs the same wage and terms.
- Three fourths guarantee: offer hours equal to at least three fourths of the workdays in each measurement period of the job order.
- Travel and visa costs: reimburse inbound travel, subsistence, and visa related fees as required, and provide return travel when required.
- Tools: provide required tools, supplies, and equipment at no cost.
- Recruitment and fees: keep hiring qualified U.S. applicants for the required period, and never charge workers recruitment fees.
- Records and disclosures: give each worker a copy of the job order and keep accurate earnings records.
- Housing: unlike H-2A, employer provided housing is not a general H-2B requirement.
Preparation
What to have ready
- Business name, FEIN, and contact information
- Worksite addresses
- Number of workers needed and your start and end dates
- Job duties, hours, and any experience requirements
- Why your need is temporary (seasonal, peakload, one time, or intermittent)
- Prior H-2B certifications, if you are a returning employer
This page is general information, not legal advice. Program rules, wage rates, and filing timelines change. Contact us to confirm what applies to your situation.
Overview timeline
Start early and plan from your date of need
The process generally moves from workforce planning to job order and labor certification preparation, recruitment, petition filing, worker onboarding, and travel coordination. Timing depends on the date of need and current agency processing. Employers should start early.
Plan
Prepare and recruit
File and coordinate
Onboard and support
Request a quote
Tell us about your H-2B workforce needs
Share what you know now. Our team will follow up to discuss the details.
Plan your next season with confidence
Tell us about your workforce needs. Our team will follow up with next steps and a tailored quote.