H-2B, H-2A Visas for Temporary Workers

To establish its need for supplemental foreign workers under the H-2B program, the employer submits documentation such as:

• Payroll records for the prior two years showing an increased number of workers, or an increased amount of overtime paid, during the requested months;
• Sales records for the prior two years showing an increase in income during the requested months;
• Letters from the area chamber of commerce or industry representatives describing the temporary need; and
• Similar types of evidence explaining why the company or industry has a recurring temporary need.

The process for obtaining workers through the H-2B process is:

1. The employer submits a Prevailing Wage Determination application. This application is submitted electronically to the Department of Labor (“DOL”). After reviewing this application, DOL will assign a “prevailing wage” for the position, which is the wage the employer is required to pay the H-2B workers. DOL takes approximately one month to adjudicate this application.
2. Employer submits a Job Order to the state workforce agency. The Job Order notifies U.S. workers of the job opportunity, and invites them to apply for the positions.
3. At the same time the Job Order is submitted to the state workforce agency, an Application for Temporary Labor Certification is submitted electronically to DOL. This application describes the job opportunity and temporary need, and must include supporting documentation.
4. Within 14 days after DOL has accepted the Application for Temporary Labor Certification, two newspaper advertisements must be placed in the newspaper with the widest circulation covering the area of employment. At least one of these advertisements must be included in the Sunday edition of the newspaper. The purpose of the newspaper advertisements is to notify U.S. workers of the job opportunity, and invite them to apply for the position.
5. The employer must contact U.S. workers who were employed in the position at the place of employment during the previous year (except those who were dismissed for cause or who abandoned the job), inform them of the job opportunity, and ask if they wish to return to the position.
6. A notice of the job opportunity must be posted at the worksite, in at least two conspicuous locations, and remain for at least 15 consecutive business days.
7. The employer must accept applications for the job opportunity submitted by U.S. workers, and interview such applicants. The number of H-2B workers approved by DOL will be reduced by the number of qualified U.S. workers identified during the hiring process.
8. Submit a Recruitment Report to DOL, describing the recruitment efforts and recruitment results. DOL will review this Report, and certify the previously filed Application for Temporary Labor Certification for the approved number of workers.
9. After DOL has reviewed the Recruitment Report and certified the Application for Temporary Labor Certification, the employer will submit an I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Workers with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This petition must include a variety of documentation to prove the employer is a bona fide operating entity, has a legitimate need for temporary workers, complied with the recruitment requirements, and the proposed workers meet all minimum requirements for the job opportunity. USCIS takes approximately 15 days to process this petition.
10. The workers submit applications for the H-2B visas to a U.S. embassy abroad, and then enter the U.S. to begin employment.

An employer obtaining workers through the H-2B process must be responsible for certain costs associated with the process. In addition to paying for the costs of filing the petition with USCIS and for the attorneys’ fees, current regulations also require the following:

• The employer must pay all costs of transportation from each H-2B worker’s home to the place of employment, including daily subsistence and lodging, if necessary. If the worker initially pays this cost, the employer must reimburse the worker after the worker completes 50% of the period covered by the job order. The employer must also pay for the costs of return transportation if the worker completes the employment period, or is dismissed early.
• The employer must pay (or reimburse the worker within one week if the worker initially pays) for all costs associated with the worker attaining the H-2B visa.
• If the employer provides daily transportation to the worksite, and deducts the cost of such transportation from the worker’s wages, this deduction must be disclosed in the recruitment.

SAMPLE TIMELINE

Below is a sample timeline that may be followed in obtaining H-2B workers for a ten month season, assuming a start date of March 15. Times are approximate, as the response time of the government cannot be guaranteed.

• September 1 – Finalize number of workers needed and begin to draft ad requirements.
• September 15 – File request for prevailing wage determination.
• November 15 – Submit Form ETA 9141 Application for Temporary Labor Certification electronically to DOL. DOL will review the application and notify the employer of any deficiencies within seven business days.
• November 15 – Submit job order to the state workforce agency.
• November 27 and 28 [dates would be adjusted to include one Sunday] – Run ads in newspaper.
• November 28 – Post notice to workers at two conspicuous locations at the worksite.
• November 28 – Begin to contact former U.S. workers and advise them of the job opportunity.
• December 12 – Prepare and sign recruitment report certifying number of U.S. workers identified and hired.
• January 2 – Submit I-129 Petitions for H-2B Visas.
• January 30 – Workers submit individual visa applications to the U.S. Embassy and enter the U.S. in time to begin employment on March 15.

Helpful Articles

• Filing EB-1 Petitions with USCIS Post-Kazarian
• Federal Government Announces Plans for New Immigration Initiatives
• Immigration Visa Applications: What is a § 221(g) Refusal?
• Should we apply for a fiancé visa or get married and apply for an immigrant visa?
• Options for obtaining immigration status from investing in the U.S.
• General Overview of The H-1B Visa Application Procedure
• Employer’s Obligations: Employing H-1B Visa Workers
• I-9 Requirements: How Important Are They and  Which Employers Are Required to Comply with Them?
• Recruitment: Options & Requirements for Hiring Non-U.S. Citizens

Call Our Clayton Law Office

Whether you are a visitor, hosting a visitor, or hoping to attain permanent resident status, our law firm has the dedicated professionalism and personal service that can make a difference. We serve clients from around the world with honest answers to your questions and thorough explanations of your options.

Contact the St. Louis and Clayton, MO immigration attorneys at Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal, P.C. at 314-727-2266. If an evening or weekend appointment is necessary, we will adjust our schedules to fit yours.

Immigration & Naturalization Attorneys

Immigration & Naturalization Law Articles