May 8, 2019

Feds Introduce New H-2B Application Process for Additional 30k Visas with May 14 Deadline

The Departments of Homeland Security and Labor have launched an application process for an additional 30,000 H-2B visas for fiscal 2019. Companies wishing to take advantage of this new application process need to act fast as there is has a very tight deadline.

These visas will be limited to returning workers who received H-2B visas in one or more of the previous three fiscal years (2016, 2017 or 2018).

Beginning May 8, employers with a valid Department of Labor temporary labor certification for a start date of April 1 can apply directly to the Department of Homeland Security – US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) without re-advertising or going back through the DOL process, provided that their visa petitions are submitted to USCIS before the expiration of their labor certification, which should run through May 14.

Employers will also need to submit an attestation form that without H-2B workers, the employer will suffer “irreparable harm” or permanent and severe financial loss.

The attestation form is available from the Department of Labor and is posted at:  https://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/form.cfm.

After May 14, employers will need to re-advertise jobs and file a new application for labor certification with DOL.

You can view a pre-publication copy of the rule at: https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2019-09500.pdf.

According to Craig Regelbrugge, AmericanHort’s senior vice president of advocacy and research, the new application process is based on input coordinated with the other H2B Workforce Coalition chairs.