This is what a work visa looks like in the United States. These visas are issued at US Consulates for citizens of countries eligible to work seasonally in agricultural work (H2A) and jobs that do not require professional degrees (H2B).
H-1B visas allow foreign professionals to work legally in the U.S. in jobs that require specialized skills or knowledge.

North Carolina, Raleigh-  There are different visa alternatives for foreigners coming from eligible countries and are looking for job opportunities, can work temporarily in the United States. Two of the most requested by Latin Americans are H-2A visas and H-2B.

These visas allow employers and companies in the United States, sponsor and hire to workers from eligible countries, as part of the temporary work program, known in English as “seasonal jobs” .

What is the difference  between H2A and H2B visa 

While the H2A visa is intended for seasonal agricultural work , the H2B visa covers temporary jobs non-agricultural  and that do not require  that the worker has a professional or university degree; For example, I work in the hotel industry, or services such as gardening.

In both cases, visas are granted to workers from eligible countries temporarily for one year, and can be renewed three times in a row.

These temporary work visas are processed in some of the Consulates that the United States has abroad. For example, In Mexico there are 7 consulates that process H2A Visas


We tell you how to find opportunity work in the United States  with these visas, click on the following link Companies that sponsor Work Visas in the United States in 2023


Citizens of which countries are eligible for H2A and H2B visas?

However, not all citizens of all countries may be eligible for these work visas in the United States. Instead, USCIS approves H-2A and H-2B petitions only for nationals of countries selected by the Department of Homeland Security.

Eligible Countries in Latin America

There are 12 countries whose citizens are eligible to apply for these visas:

ArgentinaEl SalvadorNicaragua
BrazilGuatemalaPanama
ChileHondurasPeru
ColombiaMexicoUruguay
Latin American countries whose citizens are eligible to apply for H2023A and H2B temporary work visas in 2

Rest of the world

Below you will find a table updated as of 2023 with all countries eligible for the H2A and H2B visa program in the United States.


Update 

On November 8, 2023, the list of countries whose citizens are eligible for the H2A and H2B visa program in 2024 was published, Bolivian nationals  They are candidates to apply to the program starting November 9, 2023. Click here to find out about the changes to the 2024 list of Work Visas in the USA


The table contains a search engine, where you can enter the country of interest to find out if you are eligible.

Exceptions to the countries mentioned to obtain temporary work visas in the United States

In 2023 there are 88 countries eligible for the H2A and H2B visa.

Mongolia and the Philippines  They are eligible to participate in the H-2B program, but not the H-2A. Instead, Paraguay  is eligible to participate in the H-2A program, but not the H-2B.

Anyway, USCIS could approve H-2A and H-2B petitions for nationals of countries not on the list.

These kinds of cases are analyzed one by one. The United States government will accept or reject such individuals based on its own discretion.

After the storm

A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity. 

🎧 In this episode, learn how Latino organizations transformed crisis into resilience.

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17 Comments

  1. Hello, I am a Cuban with a degree in Technical Coentific Information and Biblioyecology with 17 years in the activity, what are my chances of getting a job in the United States?

  2. Hello, I am interested in working in the United States with a visa.
    When and where can I apply with you? I am from Veracruz Mexico and I have a valid passport

    1. Good afternoon Victor. We appreciate his comment.
      In the following link you can find information related to temporary work visas in the United States, and the sources of the United States Department of Labor in which you can review temporary job offers https://enlacelatinonc.org/empresas-que-patrocinan-visas-de-trabajo-en-estados-unidos-en-2023/
      To review the list of US Consulates where h2a visas can be processed, visit https://enlacelatinonc.org/cuales-son-los-consulados-de-estados-unidos-en-mexico-que-tramitan-visas-h-2a/

    1. Hello, my name is Blanca González, I need help to work, I have experience in cleaning, I take care of children and the elderly and as a kitchen helper and washing dishes, I am Nicaraguan, my family needs my help.

  3. Hello, my name is Blanca González, I need help to work, I have experience in cleaning, I take care of children and the elderly and as a kitchen helper and washing dishes, I am Nicaraguan, my family needs my help.

  4. I am Marisol Pinto. I would like a work visa, I have a degree in science and literature but I have worked here in Guatemala in many things from butchery to making pizzas and clothing and shoe boutiques, I learn everything.

  5. Hello, good evening, I need help with a passport and visa. To work, I have been working as a nanny or chambermaid for more than twenty years and I also know how to cook as a domestic worker.
    I have letters of recommendation I am Mexican

    1. Good morning Clementine. Thank you for sharing her concern with us. H2A and H2B work visas can be processed at some of the United States Consulates in the United States, here you can read information. The Mexican Passport is processed directly in some of the consular offices that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has in Mexican territory, On this SRE page you can locate the one closest to you and the requirements for the ordinary passport for adults..
      On the U.S. Department of Labor's “Seasonal Jobs” page You can search for job offers with temporary visas, in Spanish and filtering by job type and US state.
      We hope that the information is useful to you and success in your job search.

  6. Good morning, I'm from Guatemala.
    I want to apply for a visa to be able to work in the United States
    I have 75% English and I would also like to practice it to improve it
    I have a bachelor's degree in computing with 12 years of experience in customer service.

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