Onboarding for Summer H-2Bs

As winter approaches, we are now at the point where U.S. employers in industries reliant on seasonal work—such as landscaping, hospitality, and construction—should act swiftly to prepare for the H-2B visa application process for the summer season.  Processing times and limited visa numbers make the need to start the H-2B process during October to prepare all filings an absolute necessity.  If your company would like to hire H-2B workers in summer of 2025, now is the time to start your case!

The H-2B program allows employers to hire foreign nationals for non-agricultural, temporary work, but the demand for these visas consistently exceeds the annual cap set by Congress. Each fiscal year, only 66,000 H-2B visas are available, split evenly between the two halves of the year. To secure the necessary workforce in time, initiating the application process well in advance is not just recommended; it’s essential.  If an application cannot be filed for you on the first day available, it is exceedingly likely that all H-2B visas will be used before you are able to take advantage of any.

If you have questions regarding the H-2B program, or would like to talk to an attorney about starting the process, please contact our office.