H-2B Visa Jobs in the USA — Seasonal Work & Sponsorship

What is the H-2B visa (and what it is not)?

The H-2B visa is a U.S. temporary work classification for non-agricultural jobs when an employer has a legitimate temporary need and cannot find enough U.S. workers.

• Hotels, resorts, housekeeping
• Restaurants, catering, events
• Theme & amusement parks
• Landscaping & groundskeeping
• Cleaning & janitorial services
• Seafood/food processing
• Construction support roles
• Other clearly temporary projects

Eligibility & “temporary need” (plain-English)

This section is general guidance only. Rules and quotas can change, and official instructions always prevail.

The job must match a temporary need

Employers generally must show that the need is temporary (even if the underlying business is ongoing). Temporary need is commonly described as one of these categories:

• Seasonal need (recurring season)
• Peakload need (temporary increase in demand)
• One-time occurrence
• Intermittent need

Who files what (high level)

• The employer drives the process and files the key steps.
• Government stages often involve labor certification and immigration petition steps.
• Workers typically complete a consular visa stage after approvals, depending on their case.

If a posting claims “guaranteed visa” or refuses to provide written terms, treat it as a high-risk signal.

Find H-2B visa jobs on OpeningsHub

OpeningsHub helps you discover vacancies that mention H-2B or visa sponsorship terms. Always confirm sponsorship and conditions directly with the employer in writing.

Step 1 — Start from a focused search

Open a pre-filtered search for the USA with H-2B as a keyword:

Open H-2B job search

Step 2 — Use filters that matter

• Confirm the country filter is United States.
• Add keywords: H-2B, visa sponsorship, seasonal.
• Filter by category (hospitality, landscaping, cleaning, construction support, etc.).
• Where available, apply flags like Visa sponsorship, With housing, Seasonal.

Step 3 — Read job cards carefully

If you decide to proceed, request a written job offer/job order details in a language you understand.

Job offer checklist (what to confirm in writing)

Before paying anything or traveling, confirm these items in writing with the employer or authorized representative.

1) Employer identity & contacts

• Legal company name, address, and a verifiable website/email domain.
• A named HR contact or manager and a stable phone number.
• Clear job location(s), dates, and worksite details.

2) Written terms (job order essentials)

• Job title, duties, and required experience/certificates.
• Work dates, expected weekly schedule, overtime approach.
• Benefits and conditions: housing, transport, meals/cooking options (if applicable).
• A clear list of any deductions (if any) and how they are calculated.

3) Costs & fees (no numbers — principles only)

• If anyone asks for large, non-transparent “placement fees”, demand written justification and receipts.
• Ask which costs are employer-paid, which are worker-paid, and what is reimbursed (if applicable).
• Do not sign documents you do not understand.

Process overview (employer → filings → consulate)

This is a simplified map to help you understand responsibilities. Your employer (or their lawyer/agent) must follow official steps.

1. Planning: employer defines temporary need, dates, location, headcount.
2. Labor steps: employer completes the required labor-related process.
3. Immigration petition: employer submits the H-2B petition stage.
4. Consular stage: worker applies for a visa as instructed, depending on case.
5. Travel & onboarding: worker arrives and starts under the approved terms.

For the most accurate instructions, always rely on official U.S. government sources and professional counsel where needed.

Cap & timing (why seasons fill up)

H-2B is numerically limited each fiscal year, and some seasons can fill quickly. That is why employers often plan early and monitor official announcements.

• Cap awareness: once the cap is reached, timing becomes critical.
• Season logic: job dates should align with a temporary need story.
• Be realistic: processing and appointments vary by location and season.

Scam prevention (red flags you can act on)

• Pressure + secrecy: “pay today or lose the slot”, no written terms.
• Unverifiable employer: no real address, no domain email, no traceable business presence.
• Fee traps: demands for large “placement” payments with no receipts or contracts.
• Document games: asking you to sign blank papers or false statements.

Eligible countries (designated list changes)

H-2B eligibility can depend on whether your nationality is on the designated list for a given period. The list is updated by U.S. authorities periodically.

• If you are not from a designated country, there may be limited exceptions, but you must verify official rules.
• Employers/attorneys typically confirm country eligibility early to avoid wasted steps.

If a recruiter claims your nationality “doesn’t matter at all”, treat it as a verification point.

FAQ: H-2B jobs & OpeningsHub