H-2B visas allow employers in the United States to offer temporary jobs to foreign workers.
This visa, like the H-1B visa, allows employers to fill vacancies with temporary foreign workers. The H-2B visa is specifically designed for non-agricultural work, that is, vacancies such as drivers, packers, assistants, among others.
Workers from Latin American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay are eligible for this visa program.
In addition to the list of eligible countries, in order for a worker to obtain their H-2B visa, it is necessary for employers to demonstrate that they do not have enough national workers, trained and willing to perform the corresponding temporary work. Likewise, they must verify that employing foreign workers will not adversely affect the wages or working conditions of local workers.
The initial process to deliver this category of visas starts from the employer interested in temporarily hiring foreign workers. To do this, they need to file form I-129 with the Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
After approval, the foreign worker, who is not in the United States, must apply for a visa or admission. This procedure is done directly at the US Embassy or Consulate in the worker's country of origin. Subsequently, the worker must request admission to the country through the Customs and Border Protection Service (CBP).
On the other hand, regarding the period of stay, the H-2B classification provides a maximum period of up to three years when requesting extensions. However, it is delivered with a validity of one year and with the opportunity to renew it up to two times.
