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H-2B visa: how it works, jobs and differences from the H-2A
Understand the H-2B visa for temporary non-agricultural work: who can use it, the annual cap, duration, what the employer pays and how it differs from the H-2A.
Redação H2A Works Updated on October 30, 2026 6 min read
The H-2B is the US visa for temporary non-agricultural work. It serves employers who need labor for a season in sectors such as hospitality, landscaping, tourism and food processing, when they cannot find enough American workers.
Quick answer: the H-2B has an annual cap on visas (66,000 per fiscal year, split into two halves), the employer's need must be temporary, generally up to 9 months, and the worker must not pay recruitment fees. The decision to hire belongs to the employer, and the visa is decided by US authorities.
How it works
- The employer applies for certification from the Department of Labor, showing a temporary need.
- It advertises the job and recruits workers.
- It files the petition with USCIS, within the annual cap.
- You attend the consulate interview and travel with the employer's documentation.
The annual cap
By law, the cap is 66,000 visas per fiscal year, split into 33,000 for work starting from October to March and 33,000 from April to September. When there are more petitions than visas, USCIS runs a random selection. In some years the government releases extra visas, so check the current year with USCIS.
