DHS announces Latin American countries that are eligible for H-2A and H-2B visa programs

• Countries eligible for H-2A and H-2B visa programs.
• The Department of Homeland Security released the new list.
• Which countries aren’t eligible?

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released great news for many immigrants.

The official list of countries that will be eligible to participate in the temporary work visa program has been announced.

This notice was published on November 9, 2023, for fiscal year 2024.

There are a total of 90 nations on the list, with one notable exception — Cuba will not be eligible for this program.

H-2A and H-2B visas

This program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals into the country to fill temporary agricultural and non-agricultural jobs.

The goal is to find workers for jobs that can’t be filled by U.S. citizens.

The visas will be granted to temporary workers in the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors.

This includes jobs in hotels, restaurants, landscaping and more.

Countries that are eligible for the H-2A and H-2B visa programs

There are several Latin American countries on the list of those whose citizens can apply for these visas.

They include: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Peru.

However, it is important to highlight that it was confirmed that other nations will also be able to eligible to apply for these temporary work visas.

According to the DHS press release, Mongolia and the Philippines will be eligible for the H-2B program, but not in the H-2A.

Here’s everything you need to know

Paraguay is eligible for the H-2A visa, but not the H-2B, according to the recent announcement.

This is excellent news for those seeking to obtain a temporary visas to work in the United States.

H-2A and H-2B visas are two fundamental categories in the temporary work visa program.

The H-2A visa is intended for temporary employment in the agricultural sector, allowing employers to recruit foreign workers to meet seasonal needs.

Temporary non-agricultural jobs

On the other hand, the H-2B visa focuses on temporary non-agricultural jobs, such as those in the hotel industry, restaurants and landscaping, among others.

Cuba’s exclusion from this program has an impact on both migrant workers and employers.

Historically, Cuban citizens have been beneficiaries of the temporary work visa programs in the United States, according to El Periódico Cubano.

The decision not to include Cuba in the list of countries eligible for the temporary work visa program reflects the current diplomatic dynamics between both countries.

More job opportunities for migrant workers

The announcement of the 90 countries that are eligible to participate in the temporary work visa program benefits a wide range of nations.

It allows its citizens to seek temporary employment in the United States and contribute to the workforce in various economic sectors.

People interested in obtaining these visas must follow the procedures and requirements established by the DHS and meet the application deadlines.

Citizens from Paraguay can apply for an H-2A visa, but will not be eligible for an H-2B visa. This will allow them to be hired for agricultural jobs in the U.S.

In summary…

Despite the exclusion of Cuba, 90 nations will be eligible for this program, providing job opportunities to a wide variety of workers.

The selective inclusion of countries such as Mongolia, the Philippines and Paraguay in the H-2A and H-2B categories opens new job prospects for their citizens.

This announcement highlights the importance of migrant labor for the U.S. economy.

It also highlights unmet labor demands in a different sectors.