If you are looking for short term, well paid work in the United States but you do not hold a degree, the H-2B visa is your most direct route. Designed for temporary, non agricultural roles, the H-2B program supports United States employers facing seasonal demand spikes in industries such as hospitality, landscaping, seafood processing, construction, and amusement parks. For fiscal year 2026, the United States government has authorised up to 130,716 H-2B visas, almost double the regular cap, opening major opportunities for foreign workers.
Unlike the H-1B, the H-2B has no minimum education requirement. The job must be temporary in nature (seasonal, peak load, intermittent, or one time occurrence), and the employer must show that no qualified United States workers were available to fill the role. For 2026, no countries are excluded from the program.
Quick Snapshot of the H-2B Visa
- Hiring Country: United States of America
- Sponsoring Body: United States employers with temporary labour needs
- Education Required: None for most roles; some experience may be preferred
- Hourly Wage: Set by Department of Labor prevailing wage determination
- Open To: All nationalities (no country bans for FY 2026)
- Permit Validity: Up to 1 year initially, extendable to 3 years total
Benefits of the H-2B Program
- Hourly wages set above minimum wage based on prevailing wage in the area
- Employers must cover transportation costs (both inbound and outbound)
- All recruitment fees, attorney fees, and visa petition fees are paid by the employer
- Returning worker status allows easier re entry in following seasons
- Many employers provide free or subsidised housing
- Workers are protected by United States labour laws including overtime rules
- Initial one year permit, extendable up to a three year maximum
FY 2026 Visa Allocation
| Allocation | Number of Visas |
| Statutory cap (regular) | 66,000 |
| Supplemental visas (FY 2026) | 64,716 |
| Total available FY 2026 | 130,716 |
| Reserved for returning workers | 46,226 |
| Late season allocation (May to September) | 18,490 |
Industries That Hire H-2B Workers
- Hotels and resorts: housekeeping, front desk, food service
- Landscaping and groundskeeping
- Seafood processing
- Construction (roofing, framing, masonry)
- Amusement and theme parks
- Forestry and tree care
- Restaurants and food service
- Cleaning services
Eligibility Requirements
- You hold a job offer from a United States employer with a Temporary Labor Certification from the Department of Labor.
- Your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the contract end date.
- The employer can show the role is genuinely temporary (seasonal, peak load, intermittent, or one time occurrence).
- You have a clean criminal record.
- You can show ties to your home country and intent to return.
- You are not from a country currently excluded from the program (none for FY 2026).
Documents You Will Need
- Valid passport
- Approved Form I-129 receipt notice from USCIS
- DS-160 confirmation page
- Visa appointment confirmation
- Recent passport sized photograph
- Job offer letter and Temporary Labor Certification copy
- Educational or experience credentials (where required)
- Evidence of ties to your home country (property, family, employment)
Application Costs for the Worker
- DS-160 visa application fee: $205
- Visa issuance fee: Varies by country (reciprocity)
- Petition fees and recruitment costs: Paid by the employer, never by the worker
Where to Find H-2B Sponsored Jobs
- DOL SeasonalJobs (official): https://seasonaljobs.dol.gov/
- DOL H-2B Foreign Labor Recruiter List: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/foreign-labor/quarterly-disclosure
- Indeed USA: https://www.indeed.com/
- Glassdoor: https://www.glassdoor.com/
Step by Step Application
- Search for certified jobs: Browse SeasonalJobs.gov for verified H-2B positions.
- Apply through registered recruiters: Stick to recruiters listed on the DOL Foreign Labor Recruiter List.
- Receive a job offer: The employer files the Temporary Labor Certification (Form ETA-9142B) with the Department of Labor.
- USCIS petition: Once labor certification is approved, the employer files Form I-129.
- Visa application: Complete Form DS-160 online and book a visa interview at the United States embassy or consulate nearest to you.
- Attend the visa interview: Bring all your documents and answer questions about your job offer and intent to return.
- Travel and report: Once your visa is granted, enter the United States within the validity period and report to your employer.
Important: Anyone asking you to pay recruitment fees, visa petition fees, or job placement fees for an H-2B role is breaking United States law. These costs are the employer’s responsibility. Avoid scams.
Good luck with your application!