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United StatesWork permitsLast checked October 17, 2026

H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers

The H-2B lets US employers hire foreign workers for temporary non-farm jobs, such as seasonal or peak-demand work, when there are not enough US workers. The employer must first get a temporary labor certification from the Department of Labor, then file Form I-129 with USCIS. New H-2B workers are subject to an annual cap of 66,000, split into two halves of 33,000; extra visas are sometimes released by temporary rule. Workers cannot apply on their own, and employers may not charge them recruitment or placement fees.

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3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel

These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.

Entry restrictions apply to 20 passports for United States

The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.

  • Afghanistan
  • Burkina Faso
  • Chad
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Laos
  • Libya
  • Mali
  • Myanmar (Burma)
  • Niger
  • Palestinian Territories
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Yemen

Source: Proclamation 10949 - Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats (Federal Register, 10 Jun 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 - Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States (Federal Register, 19 Dec 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 full text (GovInfo)Source: U.S. Department of State - Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United StatesSource: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for FY2027 (Federal Register, 2 Oct 2026) - cites Proclamation 10998 as in force

Life in United States

Money

3

Currency

US Dollar

USD

US Dollar

Cost of living

100

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

10–37%

Income tax (national)

social security 7.65%

Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.8

#22 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Workers abroad offered a temporary, non-agricultural job (for example in landscaping, hospitality, seafood processing or construction) by a US employer that has a certified temporary need.

Eligibility

  • Job offer from a US employer

    A US employer must petition for the worker. The employer needs a US place of business, an employer relationship with the workers, and a valid federal employer ID number (FEIN).

  • Temporary need

    The employer's need must be temporary and fit one of four types, even if the job itself is not temporary.

    • One-time occurrence
    • Seasonal need
    • Peakload need
    • Intermittent need
    Official wording

    The employer's need must be temporary and fit one of four types: a one-time occurrence, a seasonal need, a peakload need, or an intermittent need. The job itself does not have to be temporary by nature, but the employer's need does.

  • No available US workers

    The employer must show there are not enough able, willing, qualified and available US workers, and that hiring H-2B workers will not harm the wages and conditions of similar US workers.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementTemporary labor certification
  • Document checklistPrevailing wage determination (Form ETA-9141)
  • FeesForm I-129 H-2B, named workers (paper)

The full requirements are for members

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  • 6 more requirements
  • 9 documents
  • 6 fees
  • 7 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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