H-2A vs. H-2B: Which Path is Right for You?
We talk a lot about H-2A visa opportunities in agriculture and farming because that’s our main area of expertise. Truth is, several different types of seasonal work visas allow you to work in America. It’s up to American employers to decide which type of visa program is best for their operation, but they need foreign workers, or they wouldn’t be leaning on work visas to fill their jobs. H-2A and H-2B are two of the most common types of seasonal work visas for sourcing skilled and semi-skilled seasonal or temporary workers. The major difference between the two visas is:
H-2A: temporary/seasonal agricultural work
H-2B: temporary/seasonal non-agricultural work
The distinctions go a little further than this basic definition, though. Today’s blog breaks down the differences between H-2A and H-2B visa jobs to help seasonal job seekers like yourself better understand which path is best.
What is H-2A?
The H-2A Program is a U.S. government visa program that allows American farmers and agribusinesses to hire foreign seasonal farmworkers when they’re unable to find enough interested, qualified domestic workers (U.S. citizens) to work their jobs. There are several steps an American ag employer must go through to be legally able to hire foreign workers on H-2A visas, including:
Proving a lack of domestic workers
Arranging housing, buying Workers’ Compensation insurance, and securing transportation for their workers
Applying for and receiving a Temporary Labor Certification
Petitioning the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for your visa (and paying the visa fees)
What is H-2B?
The H-2B Program is also a U.S. government visa program that allows non-agricultural American businesses to hire foreign seasonal workers. H-2B, however, is commonly used for peak seasonal workload needs or one-time labor needs above normal levels. H-2B is frequently used by non-agricultural seasonal industries such as:
Construction
Landscaping
Hospitality
One of the biggest differences between H-2A and H-2B visas is that H-2B visas are capped. The U.S. government caps the number of available H-2B visas issued in a year, while H-2A has no limits on the number of visas available.
H-2B visa caps explained
Currently, H-2B is capped at 66,000 visas per year split between two timeframes, with the possibility for supplemental increases as the Department of Labor and USCIS deem necessary. These increases are never guaranteed, though, and shouldn’t be considered as part of the total. Likewise, there are exceptions to the H-2B cap. For example, returning H-2B workers don’t count against the cap, and neither do some workers in certain circumstances.
Determining which type of work visa job is right for you
H-2A and H-2B are both excellent opportunities for skilled South Africans to work in America. But the jobs available on each type of visa are quite different. Let’s take a look at some of the different jobs available on each type of visa:
H-2A visa jobs
H-2A jobs are all agricultural in nature. The different types of H-2A visa jobs available include:
General farm laborers
Agricultural equipment operators
Livestock, ranch, and aquacultural workers
Light and heavy truck drivers
Mechanical and service technicians
Read more about the different types of farm jobs in America
Another important characteristic of H-2A jobs is that employers are required to provide housing and daily transportation to and from the provided housing and the worksite, usually fixed-site farms.
H-2B visa jobs
H-2B jobs are non-agricultural yet still seasonal and temporary in nature. The different types of H-2B visa jobs include:
Construction technicians
Landscaping technicians
Restaurant servers and chefs (front of house and back of house)
Theme park attendants
H-2B visas cover many different seasonal industries and therefore offer a wider range of work possibilities. For example, there are many different types of jobs available in a theme park, such as mechanics, food attendants, ride attendants, greeters, and so on. Therefore, it is safe to assume that H-2B offers more diverse opportunities for seasonal workers across a range of industries.
Can you choose H-2A or H-2B yourself?
Candidates can’t choose H-2A or H-2B themselves. It is the employer’s choice for which visa program to use for hiring foreign labor. However, you can choose to apply for jobs that most closely align with one visa program or another. For example, if you’re applying for agricultural equipment driving positions, chances are you’re applying for an H-2A visa job. Likewise, if you’re applying for a job as a seasonal roofer, then chances are that it will be an H-2B visa job.
How to find the right H-2B or H-2A visa job opportunity
Finding the right visa job opportunity is all about matching your skills and experience with available jobs. Here are some of the broader steps to consider:
Determine the types of jobs you’re qualified to perform
Identify whether the job is agricultural or non-agricultural
Carefully review the job requirements to determine if it fits your skills and experience
Determine if you need to complete any required training or verification
Carefully follow job application directions
Complete the required U.S. immigration steps
With most visa-eligible jobs, you’ll need to go through a recruiter to submit your CV/resume and connect with potential employers. Visa agencies like our partner USA Farm Labor complete the necessary paperwork with the U.S. government so employers can legally hire you and then connect candidates with employers through their network of recruiters following strict compliance requirements.
Once an employer has met the legal requirements to hire you (such as demonstrating a temporary need, having the housing inspected, and submitting the required documents to get a Temporary Labor Certification), the agency’s recruiters will begin recommending candidates for the job(s). It is then the employer’s decision whether or not to interview and hire you.
H-2A vs. H-2B: Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for H-2A if I have no farming experience?
Yes, you can still apply for H-2A even if you have no farming experience. In fact, some H-2A employers prefer candidates without much prior experience so they can train you specifically for their operation and you don’t come in with “bad habits” learned from previous jobs. On the other hand, some H-2A farm employers want workers with experience who can hit the ground running without much direction or supervision.
Can truck drivers work through the H-2A program?
Yes, truck drivers can work through the H-2A program, and many H-2A farm jobs need truck drivers for tasks such as harvesting and delivering crops and grains to storage bins or grain elevators.
Can I apply for both H-2A and H-2B?
Yes, you can apply for both H-2A and H-2B jobs, but you can only work on one visa or the other during your time in America, not both.
Which is better, H-2A or H-2B?
Neither H-2A nor H-2B is better than the other. Both types of visa jobs are great opportunities for seasonal workers wanting to work in America. It’s all about choosing the visa job that best fits your skills, experience, and working preferences.
Can an H-2A worker change to H-2B?
Yes, an H-2A worker can change to H-2B after their H-2A contract has been completed and they still have eligibility left on their visa. This is called a change of status.
How long can I work in the United States on H-2A or H-2B?
H-2A and H-2B visas are good for up to three years as long as you have a job tied to a valid work order. Work orders are typically for 10 months or less, so you’ll need jobs lined up to stay the entire three-year limit. The duration of H-2B jobs tends to be less than 10 months. For example, a landscaping company only needs seasonal workers during the peak workload times in summer, which only lasts 3 – 5 months depending on the job’s location. You can work for up to three years on an H-2A visa as long as you have a job tied to a valid work contract.
Does having experience guarantee an H-2A or H-2B job?
No, having experience does not guarantee an H-2A or H-2B job. Honestly, nothing guarantees an H-2A or H-2B visa job. You can only put yourself in the best position to succeed with your job search and hope for the best; nothing guarantees you a seasonal visa job. Putting yourself in a position to succeed involves building a stellar job profile, clearly communicating your skills and experience, and taking an active role in marketing yourself to potential employers and recruiters.
Do I need a CDL to work an H-2A trucking job?
No, you do not need a CDL to work an H-2A trucking job unless the employer directly states that a CDL is a requirement for the job on the job order itself. In America, there are different rules for agricultural trucking than for other types of commercial trucking positions, so even if a farm job requires driving semi-trucks, that doesn’t mean a CDL is required for the job unless directly stated.
How can USA Truck Labor help me prepare for an H-2A or H-2B opportunity?
USA Truck Labor’s truck training program is designed with seasonal visa jobs in mind. That means candidates learn to drive a left-hand drive Peterbilt semi truck with a Fuller Gearbox, the same type commonly found on American farms and used in American industries such as construction. Candidates learn basic techniques such as shifting and backing, as well as more advanced techniques such as navigating various types of terrain and coupling and decoupling trailers.
Register for USA Truck Labor’s training today and supercharge your chances of landing a seasonal visa job
USA Truck Labor’s training and verification programs are designed to help you build a profile that stands out to potential visa employers. Whether you’re looking for H-2A visa jobs or H-2B visa jobs, training is an excellent way to boost your profile, add real skills to your resume/CV, and make yourself a valuable candidate for jobs.
