Every year, the United States updates its list of countries whose citizens are eligible for H2A (agricultural sector) and H2B (non-agricultural sector) temporary work visas. In 2025, there were significant changes, including the addition of Belize.

In this article, we explain what's changed since 2024, what the application process is like, and which sectors offer the most job opportunities.

What are H2A and H2B visas? 

H2A and H2B visas are documents that allow citizens of selected countries to travel to the United States to work temporarily for an employer with a job offer specific to that visa type.

H2A work visas are intended for temporary workers in the agricultural sector, i.e., in the fields; while H2B visas allow for hiring employees in non-agricultural sectors, such as construction, hospitality, and landscaping.

These visas are a key option for many Latinas and Latinos seeking legal employment in the U.S. on a seasonal basis without needing to apply for permanent residency.

List of countries eligible for work visas in 2025 

The updated list of authorized countries is based on bilateral agreements and the reliability of each nation's immigration system. In 2025, eligible countries include nations that were already authorized in 2024.

The novelty is that Belize  This is the country added to the list by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State. This addition brings the total number of countries eligible to apply for an H89B temporary work visa to 2 in 2025, and 88 for H2A work visas.

2025 roster changes: 

• H2A Visa Eligible Countries in 2025:  88
• H2B Visa Eligible Countries in 2025:  89
• New countries added:  Belize.
• Countries that remain:  all those included in the 2024 list, such as Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and others.
• Eliminated countries:  So far, no exclusions have been reported.
• Validity of the list:  from November 8, 2024 to November 8, 2025

Andorra	Estonia	Madagascar	Santa Lucía
Argentina	Kingdom of Eswatini (Swaziland)	Malta	San Marino
Australia	Fiji	Mauritius	Serbia
Austria	Finland	Mexico	Singapore
Barbados	France	Monaco	Slovakia
Belgium	Germany,	Mongolia*	Slovenia
Belize	Greece	Montenegro	Solomon Islands
Bolivia	Granada	Mozambique	South Africa
Bosnia y Herzegovina	Guatemala	Nauru	South Korea
Brazil	Haiti	Netherlands	Spain
Brunei	Honduras	New Zealand	San Vicente y las Grenadines
Bulgaria	Hungary	Nicaragua	Sweden
to Canada	Ireland	Northern Macedonia	Switzerland
Chile	Iceland	Norway	Taiwan***
Colombia	Israel	Panama	Thailand
Costa Rica	Italy	Papua New Guinea	Timor-Leste
Croatia	Jamaica	Paraguay**	Türkiye
Republic of Cyprus	Japan	Peru	Tuvalu
Czech Republic	Kiribati	Philippines*	Ukraine
Denmark	Latvia	Poland	United Kingdom
Dominican Republic	Liechtenstein	Portugal	Uruguay
Ecuador	Lithuania	Romania	Vanuatu
El Salvador	Luxembourg

source country table: federalregister.gov

* As in 2024, citizens of Mongolia and the Philippines  are eligible to participate in the H2B non-agricultural visa program, but are not eligible to participate in the H2A program.

** Citizens of Paraguay  are eligible to participate in the H2A agricultural visa program, but are not eligible to apply for an H2B work visa program.

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Resources in Spanish 

>>> Guide for Agricultural Workers with H2A Visas

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Why was Belize added in 2025? 

Belize's inclusion on the list may be related to its geographical proximity and demand for labor. Belize has maintained diplomatic relations with the United States since 1981, the year it gained independence from the United Kingdom. The Central American country is a member of the Commonwealth, which facilitates bilateral collaboration in areas such as trade and labor. 

An important fact is that the Belizean government has worked on improve their migration mechanisms, which may have facilitated its inclusion.

How to apply for an H2A or H2B visa in 2025? 

1. Search for a job offer : It is necessary to have a US employer sponsor the visa.
2. The employer submits the application : The company must manage the permit with the Department of Labor.
3. Application process Once the permit is approved, the worker can apply at the U.S. embassy or consulate.
4. Interview and approval If everything is in order, the visa is granted and you can travel to work legally.

You can find information here about companies sponsoring work visas in 2025.

Job opportunities in 2025 

Sectors with the highest demand for H2 visas include:

• Agriculture : Harvesting and crop maintenance.
• Construction : Residential and commercial projects.
• Hospitality : Hotels, restaurants and tourism.
• Landscaping : Gardening and maintenance of green spaces.

Tips for applicants  and success stories

Temporary work visas offer many Latinas and Latinos the opportunity to work legally in the United States. Additionally, employers in the U.S. benefit from skilled labor, and temporary workers can improve their quality of life and that of their families. 

Some key tips to increase your chances:

• Stay informed about the list of employers hiring under this program.
• Make sure you meet all requirements and submit valid documents.
• Prepare well for the embassy interview.

Would you like to hear stories from people who have worked on temporary work visas in North Carolina?  You can do it Listen here to the episode “From Sun to Sun” of the ELNC PodcastHearing firsthand experiences can be helpful.

Frequently Asked Questions 

• Do I have to hire a recruiter? . It's not necessary; there are various ways to contact employers in the United States directly. See this note: How to apply for a temporary work visa without going through a recruiterIt's important to note that paying recruiters to participate in these programs is illegal.
• How long does the visa last?  It depends on the employment contract, but it is generally for short periods of less than a year.
• Can I bring my family?  It is not possible, these visas do not include benefits for family members.
• What if my country is not on the list?  Some companies in the U.S. can apply for exemptions, but this is rare. One alternative is to look for options in other countries. For example, Canada has the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program, which offer temporary work visas to citizens of certain countries.

2025 brings renewed opportunities for those seeking employment in the U.S. on H2A and H2B visas. Belize's addition to the list of countries eligible for work visas in 2025 is a significant opportunity for Belizeans seeking employment in the U.S., and the process remains a viable option for many workers.

If you have any questions or comments about the information on countries eligible for work visas in 2025, please write to us through our whatsapp channel or leave us a comment below.

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Countries eligible for US work visas in 2025: updated list and key changes

by Luis Tellez, Enlace Latino NC
March 22, 2025

Enlace Latino NCMarch 22, 2025 Each year, the United States updates its list of countries whose citizens are eligible for H2A (agricultural sector) and H2B (non-agricultural sector) temporary work visas. In 2025, there have been significant changes, including the addition of Belize. In this article, we explain what's changed since 2024, what the application process is like, and which sectors offer the most job opportunities. What are H2A and H2B visas? H2A and H2B visas are documents that allow citizens of selected countries to travel to the United States to work temporarily for an employer with a job offer specific to that visa type. H2A work visas are intended for temporary workers in the agricultural sector, i.e., in the fields; while H2B visas allow for hiring employees in non-agricultural sectors, such as construction, hospitality, and landscaping. These visas are a key option for many Latinas and Latinos seeking legal employment in the U.S. on a seasonal basis without needing to apply for permanent residency. List of countries eligible for work visas in 2 The updated list of authorized countries is based on bilateral agreements and the reliability of each nation's immigration system. In 2025, eligible countries include nations that were already authorized in 2024 . The latest development is that Belize is the country added to the list by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State Department. Esta incorporación, hace un total de 89 países cuyos ciudadanos pueden aplicar a una visa de trabajo temporal H2B en 2025 y, 88 para visas de trabajo H2A.</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cambios-en-la-lista-de-2025"><strong>Cambios en la lista de 2025:</strong></h3> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong>Visa H2A países elegibles en 2025:</strong> 88</li> <li><strong>Visa H2B países elegibles en 2025:</strong> 89</li> <li><strong>Nuevos países añadidos:</strong> Belice.</li> <li><strong>Países que permanecen:</strong> todos los incluidos en el listado de 2024, como México, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador y otros.</li> <li><strong>Países eliminados:</strong> Hasta ahora, no se han reportado exclusiones.</li> <li><strong>Vigencia del listado:</strong> a partir del 8 de noviembre de 2024 hasta el 8 de noviembre de 2025</li> </ul> <figure class="wp-block-table"> <table class="has-fixed-layout"> <tbody> <tr> <td>Andorra</td> <td>Estonia</td> <td>Madagascar</td> <td>Santa Lucía</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Argentina</td> <td>Reino de Esuatini (Suazilandia)</td> <td>Malta</td> <td>San Marino</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Australia</td> <td>Fiyi</td> <td>Islas Mauricio</td> <td>Serbia</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Austria</td> <td>Finlandia</td> <td>México</td> <td>Singapur</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Barbados</td> <td>Francia</td> <td>Mónaco</td> <td>Eslovaquia</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Bélgica</td> <td>Alemania</td> <td>Mongolia*</td> <td>Eslovenia</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Belice</td> <td>Grecia</td> <td>Montenegro</td> <td>Islas Salomón</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Bolivia</td> <td>Granada</td> <td>Mozambique</td> <td>Sudáfrica</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Bosnia y Herzegovina</td> <td>Guatemala</td> <td>Nauru</td> <td>Corea del Sur</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Brasil</td> <td>Haití</td> <td>Países Bajos</td> <td>España</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Brunéi</td> <td>Honduras</td> <td>Nueva Zelanda</td> <td>San Vicente y las Granadinas</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Bulgaria</td> <td>Hungría</td> <td>Nicaragua</td> <td>Suecia</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Canadá</td> <td>Irlanda</td> <td>Macedonia del Norte</td> <td>Suiza</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Chile</td> <td>Islandia</td> <td>Noruega</td> <td>Taiwán***</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Colombia</td> <td>Israel</td> <td>Panamá</td> <td>Tailandia</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Costa Rica</td> <td>Italia</td> <td>Papúa Nueva Guinea</td> <td>Timor-Leste</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Croacia</td> <td>Jamaica</td> <td>Paraguay**</td> <td>Turquía</td> </tr> <tr> <td>República de Chipre</td> <td>Japón</td> <td>Perú</td> <td>Tuvalu</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Republica Checa</td> <td>Kiribati</td> <td>Filipinas*</td> <td>Ucrania</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Dinamarca</td> <td>Letonia</td> <td>Polonia</td> <td>Reino Unido</td> </tr> <tr> <td>República Dominicana</td> <td>Liechtenstein</td> <td>Portugal</td> <td>Uruguay</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Ecuador</td> <td>Lituania</td> <td>Romania</td> <td>Vanuatu</td> </tr> <tr> <td>El Salvador</td> <td>Luxemburgo</td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </figure> <p class="has-small-font-size">fuente tabla de países: <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/11/08/2024-25790/identification-of-foreign-countries-whose-nationals-are-eligible-to-participate-in-the-h-2a-and-h-2b" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">federalregister.gov</a></p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> <p>*&nbsp;Al igual que en el 2024, ciudadanos de <strong>Mongolia y Filipinas</strong> son elegibles para participar en el programa H2B de visas no agrícolas, pero no son elegibles para participar en el programa H2A. ** Citizens of Paraguay are eligible to participate in the H2A agricultural visa program, but are not eligible to apply for an H2B work visa program. Resources in Spanish >>> Guide for Farmworkers with H2A Visas Why was Belize added in 2? Belize's inclusion on the list may be related to its geographic proximity and demand for labor. Belize has maintained diplomatic relations with the United States since 2025, the year it gained independence from the United Kingdom. The Central American country is a member of the Commonwealth , which facilitates bilateral collaboration in areas such as trade and labor. An important fact is that the Belizean government has worked on target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mejorar sus mecanismos migratorios</a>, lo que pudo haber facilitado su inclusión.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-como-solicitar-una-visa-h2a-o-h2b-en-2025"><strong>¿Cómo solicitar una visa H2A o H2B en 2025?</strong></h2> <ol class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong>Buscar una oferta de trabajo</strong>: Es necesario contar con un empleador estadounidense que patrocine la visa.</li> <li><strong>El empleador presenta la solicitud</strong>: La empresa debe gestionar el permiso con el Departamento de Trabajo.</li> <li><strong>Proceso de aplicación</strong>: Una vez aprobado el permiso, el trabajador puede aplicar en la embajada o consulado de EE.UU.</li> <li><strong>Entrevista y aprobación</strong>: Si todo está en orden, se otorga la visa y se puede viajar para trabajar legalmente.</li> </ol> <p><a href="https://enlacelatinonc.org/visas-para-trabajar-usa-2025-como-y-donde-buscar-empresas/">Puedes consultar información aquí sobre las empresas que patrocinan visas de trabajo en 2025 </a></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://enlacelatinonc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/tractor_en_campo_eeuu_que_contrata_trabajadores_con_visas_de_trabajo_termporales-1024x768.jpg" alt="Tractor en un campo agrícola de Estados Unidos, uno de los países en el mundo que cuenta con un programa de empleo temporal a través de las visas H2A y H2B" class="wp-image-115321" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">El trabajo agrícola es una de las principales fuentes de oportunidades para encontrar una oferta con visa de trabajo temporal en Estados Unidos</figcaption></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oportunidades-laborales-en-2025"><strong>Oportunidades laborales en 2025</strong></h2> <p>Los sectores con mayor demanda para visas H2 incluyen:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong>Agricultura</strong>: Cosecha y mantenimiento de cultivos.</li> <li><strong>Construcción</strong>: Proyectos residenciales y comerciales.</li> <li><strong>Hostelería</strong>: Hoteles, restaurantes y turismo.</li> <li><strong>Paisajismo</strong>: Jardinería y mantenimiento de espacios verdes.</li> </ul> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consejos-para-solicitantes-e-historias-de-exito"><strong>Consejos para solicitantes</strong> e historias de éxito</h2> <p>Las visas de trabajo temporales ofrecen la posibilidad a muchas latinas y latinos de trabajar legalmente en los Estados Unidos.&nbsp; Además, los empleadores en USA se benefician con mano de obra calificada,&nbsp; los trabajadores temporales pueden mejorar su calidad de vida, y la de sus familias.&nbsp;</p> <p>Algunos consejos clave para aumentar tus posibilidades:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Mantente informado sobre la lista de empleadores que contratan bajo este programa.</li> <li>Asegúrate de cumplir con todos los requisitos y presentar documentos en regla.</li> <li>Prepárate bien para la entrevista en la embajada.</li> </ul> <p><strong>¿Te gustaría escuchar historias de personas que han trabajado con visas de trabajo temporales en Carolina del Norte?.</strong> Puedes hacerlo <a href="https://enlacelatinonc.org/podcast/episodio-8-el-camino/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">escuchando aquí el episodio "De Sol a Sol" del Podcast de ELNC</a>. Hearing firsthand experiences can be helpful. Frequently Asked Questions Do I have to hire a recruiter? It's not necessary; there are various mechanisms that allow you to contact employers in the United States directly. Check out this note: How to apply for a temporary work visa without going through a recruiter . It is important to note that paying recruiters money to participate in these programs is illegal. How long is the visa valid for? It depends on the employment contract, but it's generally for short periods of less than a year. Can I bring my family? It's not possible; these visas don't include family benefits. What if my country isn't on the list? Some companies in the U.S. can apply for exemptions, but it is rare. One alternative is to look for options in other countries. For example, Canada has the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program, which offer temporary work visas to citizens of some countries. 2025 brings renewed opportunities for job seekers in the U.S. with H2A and H2B visas. Belize's addition to the list of countries eligible for work visas in 2025 is a significant opportunity for Belizeans seeking employment in the U.S., and the process remains a viable option for many workers. If you have any questions or comments about the information on countries eligible for work visas in 2025, please contact us through our WhatsApp channel or leave a comment below. This <a target="_blank" href="https://enlacelatinonc.org/visas-de-trabajo-eeuu-2025-paises-elegibles-lista-actualizada-y-cambios/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://enlacelatinonc.org">Enlace Latino NCand is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: "https://enlacelatinonc.org/visas-de-trabajo-eeuu-4.0-paises-elegibles-lista-actualizada-y-cambios/", urlref: window.location.href }); } }

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