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The need for labor in sectors such as construction, hospitality, landscaping, and cleaning services has made the H-2B visa one of the main gateways to the United States labor market for thousands of migrant workers each year.
This program allows U.S. companies to hire foreign personnel to fill temporary jobs when they cannot find enough available local workers.
A recent report by the Economic Policy Institute revealed which occupations have the most hires under this scheme, as well as the average salaries they offer. Among all of them, construction stands out as the highest-paying activity.
Los 10 oficios con más trabajadores migrantes H-2B y sus salarios
According to the report, these are the main jobs held by H-2B visa workers and the average hourly wage they receive:
- Obreros de la construcción: 20.85 dólares por hora.
- Cocineros en restaurantes: 17.74 dólares por hora.
- Trabajadores de jardinería y mantenimiento de terrenos: 17.55 dólares por hora.
- Camareros y camareras: 17.52 dólares por hora.
- Conserjes y personal de limpieza (excepto empleadas domésticas): 16.94 dólares por hora.
- Empleadas domésticas y personal de limpieza del hogar: 15.81 dólares por hora.
- Trabajadores forestales y de conservación: 15.51 dólares por hora.
- Cortadores y deshuesadores de carne, aves y pescado: 14.45 dólares por hora.
- Empleados de comida rápida y mostrador: 12.68 dólares por hora.
- Personal de entretenimiento y recreación: 12.48 dólares por hora.
From the list, construction workers are the highest paid, with an average income of 20.85 dollars per hour, surpassing cooks, landscaping workers, and service personnel.
Crece el interés por ampliar el programa H-2B
Currently, the H-2B visa is designed to meet temporary needs for labor in non-agricultural and low-wage occupations. However, various employers have pushed for changes to broaden the scope of the program, including the possibility of using it for permanent jobs, modifying the legal requirement that vacancies be temporary in nature.
Sectors such as construction, tourism, hospitality, and maintenance services increasingly depend on these workers to fill vacancies that often face recruitment difficulties within the U.S. labor market.
Requisitos para obtener una visa H-2B
For a foreign worker to be hired under this program, the employer must demonstrate to U.S. authorities that:
There are not enough available U.S. workers who are qualified and willing to perform the temporary work.
The hiring of foreign personnel will not negatively affect the wages or working conditions of local workers.
The need for labor is temporary, even if the company's business continues on a permanent basis.
Cómo se solicita la visa H-2B
1. Certificación laboral temporal
The first step belongs to the employer, who must obtain a temporary labor certification issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This document confirms that the company meets the program requirements.
2. Presentación del Formulario I-129
Once the certification is obtained, the employer files Form I-129 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), accompanied by:
- La certificación laboral temporal.
- Información del trabajador extranjero.
- Evidencia de la necesidad temporal del puesto.
3. Trámite de visa en el consulado
After the petition is approved by USCIS, the worker must:
Apply for the H-2B visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Attend a consular interview.
Present documents such as a valid passport, job offer, and a copy of the Form I-129 approval.
4. Ingreso a Estados Unidos
Once the visa is issued, the worker can enter the country to start their duties on the authorized date.
Duración de la visa H-2B
The H-2B visa can initially be granted for a period of up to one year. Subsequently, it is possible to request extensions in increments of up to one additional year, with a maximum limit of three years of stay.
Upon reaching that limit, the worker must leave the United States for at least three consecutive months before being able to apply for an H-2B visa again.
Additionally, the spouse and unmarried children under 21 can accompany the primary holder via the H-4 visa, although this category does not allow them to work legally in U.S. territory.
Restricciones y aspectos importantes
Interested parties should keep in mind that the H-2B visa:
Does not grant permanent residency or an automatic path to a "green card."
Does not allow changing employers without a new petition approved by USCIS.
Cannot be used for agricultural jobs, as those positions fall under the H-2A visa program.
Is subject to an annual visa cap set by the U.S. Congress.
Likewise, the law prohibits employers or intermediaries from charging the worker fees related to obtaining the job. It also requires companies to notify USCIS if the employee does not show up for work, quits their job, or ends their contract early.
For those seeking a temporary work opportunity in the United States, the H-2B visa remains one of the most widely used options, especially in sectors where labor demand continues to grow and where construction is positioned as the highest-paying trade.
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