In my Consulta Migratoria® column this week, I write about the federal government's recent announcement naming the countries eligible for H-2A and H-2B visas in 2017.
Each case is different. Please consult with an immigration attorney for personalized legal advice before beginning any proceedings.
This is the column:
Citizens of 85 countries will be eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in 2017, allowing U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to work temporarily in the United States.
H-2A visas are for temporary agricultural employment, while H-2B visas are for temporary non-agricultural employment.
With few exceptions, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services only approves petitions from citizens of countries eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B program.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security the following Latin American countries are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs as of January 18, 2017:
Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Uruguay.
Spain and Portugal are also on the list.
You can see the complete list of all countries by clicking here. click here.
This new list does not affect the status of individuals currently holding H-2A or H-2B visas.
The new list of eligible countries is announced on the Federal Register and is valid for one year from the date of publication.
Not everyone is eligible for an H-2A or H-2B visa. I recommend that you consult with an immigration attorney or a Board of Immigration Appeals accredited representative before beginning any immigration proceedings.
