The H-2B Program was created to allow foreign workers to go to the U.S. on a temporary basis to fill non-agricultural jobs for which American workers are in short supply. In order for an employer to qualify for the H-2B Program, three basic requirements need to be met:
- The job must be seasonal;
- The job must be temporary in nature;
- There must be a shortage of qualified and willing American workers available for the position.
This program is advantageous to both the employer and the worker. For the employer, it provides additional workers during busy periods, when they are most needed, and for the worker, it gives him/her the opportunity to earn foreign exchange and to work in a different cultural environment.
Another benefit of the program for workers is that it provides an opportunity to work with individuals from a variety of cultures.
H-2B workers are required to have Police Clearance and must undergo a medical examination before departing their Home Country.
All applicants must have training or work experience in the type of work they will be engaged in.
With the H-2B Program, there is a cost to the employer, which is set by the Department of Labor and is based on a Petition that has to be filed by the employer.
In order to obtain approval to source foreign workers, the employer has to prove to the Department of Labor that they have exhausted all efforts to find local labor. The application should be made no less than 120 days before the date of need.
Workers cannot be charged for these jobs, but the employer will need to compensate the recruiting agent.
Recruitment for the Hospitality Industry:
The main area for which job openings exist is housekeeping. Other areas are: cooks, kitchen help, wait staff, front desk, laundry and landscaping.
Should there be any interest in this Program, more detailed information will be provided in relation to cost and the process involved.
