Is your citizenship eligible for an H2 Visa?

Eligible countries for the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in 2024

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), has announced the list of countries eligible for the H-2A and H-2B visa programs for 2023-2024. The H-2A program covers agricultural jobs, while the H-2B program includes non-agricultural temporary work.

The H-2 visa programs provide U.S. businesses with a legal pathway to hire temporary foreign workers for specific roles when there are insufficient U.S. workers to fill those positions.

Bolivia has been added to the list, while Mongolia and the Philippines are eligible only for the H-2B program. This designation is valid from November 9, 2023, to November 8, 2024. Nationals from the following countries are eligible to apply for the H-2A and H-2B visas:

Full List of Eligible Countries:

1. Andorra
2. Argentina
3. Australia
4. Austria
5. Barbados
6. Belgium
7. Bolivia
8. Bosnia and Herzegovina
9. Brazil
10. Brunei
11. Bulgaria
12. Canada
13. Chile
14. Colombia
15. Costa Rica
16. Croatia
17. Czech Republic
18. Denmark
19. Dominican Republic
20. Ecuador
21. El Salvador
22. Estonia
23. Eswatini (The Kingdom of Eswatini)
24. Fiji
25. Finland
26. France
27. Germany
28. Greece
29. Grenada
30. Guatemala
31. Haiti
32. Honduras
33. Hungary
34. Iceland
35. Ireland
36. Israel
37. Italy
38. Jamaica
39. Japan
40. Kiribati
41. Latvia
42. Liechtenstein
43. Lithuania
44. Luxembourg
45. Madagascar
46. Malta
47. Mauritius
48. Mexico
49. Moldova*
50. Monaco
51. Mongolia*
52. Montenegro
53. Mozambique
54. Nauru
55. The Netherlands
56. New Zealand
57. Nicaragua
58. North Macedonia
59. Norway
60. Panama
61. Papua New Guinea
62. Paraguay**
63. Peru
64. The Philippines*
65. Poland
66. Portugal
67. Romania
68. San Marino
69. Serbia
70. Singapore
71. Slovakia
72. Slovenia
73. Solomon Islands
74. South Africa
75. South Korea
76. Spain
77. St. Lucia
78. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
79. Sweden
80. Switzerland
81. Taiwan***
82. Thailand
83. Timor-Leste
84. Turkey
85. Tuvalu
86. Ukraine
87. United Kingdom
88. Uruguay
89. Vanuatu

• Moldova, Mongolia, and the Philippines are eligible only for the H-2B visa program.
• *Paraguay is eligible only for the H-2A visa program.
• **Taiwan includes the residents of Taiwan and is recognized as a separate customs territory.

Understanding the H-2 Visa Programs

The H-2A visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign agricultural workers for seasonal or temporary work. The H-2B visa program, on the other hand, is aimed at filling temporary or seasonal non-agricultural jobs, such as those in hospitality, construction, or landscaping.

Employers seeking to hire H-2 workers must demonstrate that:

• There are not enough U.S. workers able, willing, qualified, and available to do the temporary work.
• The employment of H-2 workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.

Next Steps for H2 Employers and Workers

Employers interested in participating in the H-2A or H-2B programs must file a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and obtain certification from the U.S. Department of Labor that proves the need for foreign labor. Workers from the listed eligible countries can apply for H-2 visas, subject to the regulations and requirements set forth by the U.S. government.

The H-2A and H-2B visa programs continue to be a vital resource for U.S. employers in industries with labor shortages. The inclusion of countries like Andorra, Eswatini, and Madagascar demonstrates the expanding global reach of these programs, offering opportunities for both U.S. businesses and foreign workers.

Stay updated on any further developments regarding the H-2 visa programs by visiting USCIS’s newsroom or consulting with The JTP Agency.

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