Program at a Glance
Length of Program
The length of the H-2B Program depends on a company’s specific period of need and cannot exceed 10 months. The average length of an H-2B Program is approximately five or six months. H-2B participants may extend their visa over a period of three consecutive years, and can work at different companies during this period of time.
Profile of Participants
Individuals participating in the H-2B Program must be at least 18 years of age and have a minimum level of intermediate English. Both students and graduates (or non-students) may apply for the program.
Types of Positions
Positions that are typically requested by employers include, but are not limited to landscapers/groundskeepers, cashiers, dining room attendants, fast food workers, chefs/cooks, food preparation workers, banquet servers/set-up, bartenders, waiters, hosts, dishwashers, front desk/reservation attendants, housekeepers, laundry attendants, valet parking attendants, concierge, baggage porters, recreation workers, amusement park workers, ride operators, game attendants, waterslide maintenance workers, ski lift operators, ski instructions, seafood processors and tour guides.
When to Apply
Individuals abroad interested in participating in the H-2B Program should apply six to seven months prior to the anticipated arrival date to the United States. Individuals currently in the United States on an H-2B visa should apply a minimum of four months before their visa expiration date.
