European citizens
An approved H-2B employer petition is required. Visa Waiver Program or ESTA status does not authorize H-2B employment. A consular H-2B visa is normally required before travel.
H-2B temporary non-agricultural work
H-2B seasonal jobs in the USA
Find seasonal U.S. job opportunities, understand the employer-led H-2B process, check the rules that apply to your nationality, and review fees and worker protections before you travel.
Employer-sponsored process
Temporary non-agricultural work
Worker recruitment fee: $0
Updated August 11, 2026
H-2B by citizenship and passport
Since January 17, 2025, USCIS no longer limits H-2 petitions to nationals of a designated-country list. The core H-2B petition requirements are therefore not divided by nationality, but visa-stamp requirements and reciprocity fees can still differ by passport.
British citizens
The H-2B employer process is the same. ESTA is for eligible visitor travel and cannot replace H-2B work authorization. Check the U.S. reciprocity schedule for any nationality-specific issuance fee.
Australia and other Asia-Pacific passports
The standard H-2B employer petition and temporary-worker visa process applies. Australia also has a separate E-3 category for qualifying specialty occupations, but that is not a substitute for an H-2B seasonal job.
Canadian and Bermudian citizens
Citizens of Canada and Bermuda generally do not need a temporary-worker visa stamp, but the required employer petition must still be approved and the worker must be admitted in the correct H-2B status.
Mexico, Central America, South America and Caribbean
The same H-2B eligibility framework applies. FY 2026 supplemental visa allocations depend on employer timing and returning-worker rules rather than a general nationality eligibility list.
India, Africa, Middle East and other countries
Nationality alone does not exclude an applicant from H-2B under the rules effective since January 17, 2025. Consular availability, reciprocity fees, admissibility and the approved employer petition still matter.
Important: lawful permanent residents of Canada are not treated the same as Canadian citizens for the general visa exemption. Passport nationality matters.
Fees and who pays them
The H-2B program has strict worker-protection rules. A worker should not be charged for recruitment or job placement, and employers have obligations concerning visa and visa-processing costs.
| Item | Amount | Who should bear the cost |
|---|---|---|
| H-2B visa application fee | $205 | Government fee. H-2B employer reimbursement/payment rules apply to visa and visa-processing costs. |
| Recruitment / job-placement fee to worker | $0 | The worker should not be charged a labor recruiter or job-placement fee. |
| MaViAl administrative support | $250 per worker | Employer-paid service for document organization, visa-process coordination, scheduling assistance and interview preparation. Non-legal service. |
| Visa issuance / reciprocity fee | Varies | Depends on nationality and the current Department of State reciprocity schedule. |
No pay-to-sponsor model: MaViAl does not present the $250 service as a worker recruitment fee. On this page the service is employer-paid. Workers should not pay for access to an H-2B job.
How the H-2B process works
H-2B is employer-driven. The worker cannot create an H-2B petition independently.
Employer establishes temporary need
The job must be temporary non-agricultural work based on a one-time, seasonal, peakload or intermittent need.
Department of Labor process
The employer completes the required temporary labor certification and U.S. worker recruitment steps.
USCIS petition
The employer or qualified U.S. agent files Form I-129 for the H-2B workers after the required preliminary steps.
Visa or admission process
Workers who require a visa complete consular processing after petition approval. Canadian and Bermudian citizens generally follow the visa-exempt temporary-worker admission rules.
Common H-2B job categories
H-2B is used for temporary non-agricultural work. Actual eligibility depends on the employer’s approved need and petition, not merely the occupation name.
Resorts & hospitality
Hotels, resorts, guest services, housekeeping, food service and seasonal tourism operations.
Landscaping & grounds
Seasonal landscaping, grounds maintenance and outdoor property services.
Seafood processing
Temporary processing and production work tied to seasonal demand.
Amusement & attractions
Seasonal parks, attractions, events and visitor-service operations.
What the worker should receive in writing
- Employer legal name and actual worksite.
- Job title, duties and contract dates.
- Hourly wage, pay frequency and expected hours.
- Benefits and any permitted deductions.
- Housing and transport terms if offered.
- Information about inbound and return transportation responsibilities.
Create a clean candidate profile: use the OpeningsHub resume Builder and share only the information needed for employer screening.
Worker protections and red flags
- Do not pay a labor recruiter for access to an H-2B job.
- Do not rely on a guaranteed visa or guaranteed entry claim.
- Verify the employer independently before sending sensitive documents.
- Keep copies of job orders, receipts, messages and travel documents.
- Review deductions and housing terms before departure.
Warning: pressure to pay an unknown recruiter, a personal bank account or a fee for “guaranteed sponsorship” is inconsistent with a safe H-2B recruitment process.
Administrative support by MaViAl Sp. z o.o.
MaViAl can provide non-legal administrative help when an employer orders support for H-2B workers.
$250 per worker
Employer-paid administrative service. The worker recruitment and job-placement fee is $0.
What is included
Document checklist, file organization, DS-160 process guidance, appointment coordination and interview preparation.
What is not included
No legal representation, no petition approval guarantee, no visa guarantee and no paid access to a job.
Contact MaViAlUS visa guideUSA jobs catalog
Official U.S. sources
Verify current cap availability, consular fees, worker rights and employer requirements before relying on a timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an H-2B visa without a U.S. employer?
No. H-2B is an employer-driven program. The required labor certification and USCIS petition are handled by the U.S. employer or qualified U.S. agent.
Are EU, British or Australian citizens automatically eligible for H-2B?
Nationality is no longer restricted to a designated H-2 country list under USCIS rules effective January 17, 2025. The employer petition, temporary need and other program requirements still must be satisfied.
Can I use ESTA to work in an H-2B job?
No. ESTA and the Visa Waiver Program do not authorize H-2B employment. A worker must be admitted in the correct H-2B status.
How much is the H-2B visa application fee?
The Department of State petition-based temporary-worker visa application fee is $205. An additional issuance or reciprocity fee can apply depending on nationality.
Can a recruiter charge me for an H-2B job?
A worker should not pay a labor recruiter or job-placement fee. U.S. H-2B rules also place cost obligations on the employer for visa, processing and related expenses.
What does MaViAl charge?
MaViAl lists employer-paid non-legal H-2B administrative support at $250 per worker. The worker recruitment and job-placement fee is $0.