H-2A Program
H-2A or H-2B: what is the difference between temporary work visas?
H-2A is for agricultural work and H-2B for temporary non-agricultural work. See the differences in sectors, annual cap, housing, pay and what this changes for you.
H-2A and H-2B are US temporary work visas: H-2A is for agricultural work and H-2B is for temporary non-agricultural work. Both depend on an American employer, but the rules on sector, annual cap and worker benefits are different.
Quick answer: if the job is on a farm, harvest, livestock or nursery, the visa is H-2A. If it is landscaping, hospitality, seafood processing or an amusement park, it is generally H-2B. H-2A has no annual visa cap; H-2B does.
Main differences
- Sector. H-2A covers temporary or seasonal agricultural activities. H-2B covers temporary needs in other sectors, such as landscaping, hospitality, restaurants and food processing.
- Visa cap. H-2B has an annual numerical cap set by Congress, and competition for those positions is high. H-2A has no annual cap.
- Housing. In H-2A job orders, the employer must offer housing at no cost to the worker when they don't return home the same day, within the program's rules. In H-2B, housing is not the employer's obligation.
- Transportation. H-2A provides rules for reimbursing inbound and return transportation. H-2B has its own, different rules.
- Required minimum pay. H-2A uses, among other parameters, the AEWR (Adverse Effect Wage Rate). H-2B uses the prevailing wage for the occupation and region.
- Duration. Both categories require a temporary need on the part of the employer, but certification periods and extension rules are not the same. Confirm in the job order and in USCIS rules.
Which visa suits you?
Think about the kind of experience you have and what you want to do:
- Experience with crops, harvest, cattle, farm machinery or irrigation: look for H-2A jobs.
- Experience with gardening and landscaping, hospitality, restaurants or food processing: search H-2B jobs.
H2A Works focuses on H-2A jobs. To explore opportunities by state, see the H-2A jobs by state.
What doesn't change
- Neither visa requires you to pay the employer to be hired. Be wary of anyone who charges for a job.
- In both, the hiring decision is the employer's and the visa decision is the American authorities'.
- In both cases, the official information is on the websites of the Department of Labor, USCIS and the Department of State.
Frequently asked questions
Does H-2A have an annual visa cap?
No. H-2A has no annual numerical cap. H-2B has an annual cap set by law.
Can I switch from H-2A to H-2B?
They are different categories, with their own petitions and rules. A change depends on a new employer, a proper petition and the immigration rules in force. Consult USCIS or a qualified professional.
Does an H-2B employer offer housing?
It isn't mandatory. In H-2B, housing and transportation depend on what the employer offers. In H-2A, housing at no cost is an obligation under the program's conditions.
Where do I confirm the current rules?
At USCIS, the Department of Labor and the Department of State, in the links below.
Official sources
Commitment to responsible information
H2A Works does not sell jobs, does not promise hiring and does not guarantee visa approval. Rules may change; confirm important decisions on the official sources indicated in the article.
Put the guide into practice
