The H-2B visas allow foreigners to work temporary nonagricultural jobs.Photo: landscapedetailsinc.com
Landscapers and other business owners who use H-2B visas to employ temporary workers can learn more about recent changes to the program in a webinar scheduled for July 30 at 1 p.m. EDT.
The webinar will be led by the Lozano Law Firm, a San Antonio, Texas-based firm that specializes in immigration law. The session will focus on what businesses can do to ensure they’ll have an adequate work force once the next round of visas become available.
To reserve a spot for the free webinar, visit the following website: www.h2bupdate.com.
“The H-2B visa has gone through some major changes,” says Elizabeth Echavarria, the attorney who will lead the webinar session, “and these visas are in high demand across various industries, such as the leisure, landscaping and construction industries. Unfortunately, too many businesses are having trouble finishing projects because of not having the necessary work force.”
H-2B visas are granted to temporary foreign workers for a maximum of nine months. They are limited to jobs that are intermittent, seasonal, peak season or otherwise represent a one-time need. One-year extensions can keep the visa in good standing for up to three years.
Employers requesting certification to use the H-2B program must prove to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) there are not enough workers in the United States who are willing or able to fill the position, that hiring a foreign national will not have a negative impact on U.S. workers and that the need for the H-2B visa is temporary.
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which is part of DHS, determines the maximum number of H-2B visas that will be granted each year. This year’s maximum is 66,000.
