The Labor Assistance You Need, One Visa at a Time

We Help American Businesses Acquire Temporary or Seasonal Help Through the Visa Process

Take it from our Clients
LCI has been helpful to our company. Very professional service. Thank you for all you do for us
Armando Hernandez
-
HDZ Landscape
LCI Client Since
2014

1000's of Happy Clients

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Years in Business

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DOL Applications Certified in fY2023

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Application Success Rate

Our proven track record shows that we handle each application professionally and efficiently to help businesses meet their labor needs. Trust us to navigate the visa process and provide you with skilled workers to support your operations.

Our Visa Services

Our specialty is helping you navigate the best visa options for your business. Let our team help you strategize between the three visa types and find which options are best suited for you.

H-2A Visas

The H-2A Visa Program offers American farmers a reliable, efficient, and legal way to meet farm labor demands with temporary visa workers.

H-2B Visas

The H-2B Visa Program provides American businesses access to workers for industries such as landscaping, seasonal hospitality, retail, and more.

EB-3 Visas

The EB-3 PERM Visa Program provides employment-based permanent residency to year-round workers, giving them a 10-year green card.

Our Team of Visa Experts

25+ Team Members & Growing

Serving You

Dedicated Support

Each of our clients works directly with one of our skilled team members – you know exactly who is advocating for you.

Barbara Lyon

H-2B Account Manager/ Client Relations

Paris Kerns

H-2B Account Manager

Monica Thode

Senior H-2B Account Manager

Learn about Visas

What is a Visa?

A visa is an official document issued by a country's government that allows a foreign individual to enter, stay, or leave its territory for a specific purpose and period. LCI helps American businesses secure H-2A, H-2B, and EB-3 Visas to help meet their staffing needs.

Why use labor consultants international?

Meet Labor Demands

We help businesses address their shortage of domestic labor by facilitating a means of temporary labor.

Support BUSINESS Productivity

We take the burden of meticulously handling all the necessary paperwork to ensure your valuable time is spent on your business' day to day.

Legal Compliance

We operate within the legal framework set by the U.S. government for hiring foreign workers.

Enhance Workforce Stability

We help reduce turnover and increase your labor force’s reliability during critical seasons.

Our Process

We make it simple to secure your visaS

Interested in learning more about timelines and deliverables?

Check Your Timeline

1.

Initial Consultation

During the initial consultation, we assess your specific needs and provide tailored advice on the appropriate visa options for your situation.

2.

Document Preparation

Our team assists in gathering and organizing all necessary documents, ensuring that your visa application is complete and accurate.

3.

Submission & Follow-Up

We handle the submission of your visa application to DOL and USCIS while diligently following up with them to track its progress.

4.

Approval & Deployment

Once your visa is approved, we guide you through the final steps, ensuring a smooth transition going into your working season.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of support does Labor Consultants International offer?

We provide comprehensive support throughout the entire visa application process, including initial consultation, document preparation, submission, follow-up, and final approval. Our team ensures compliance with all regulations and works to maximize the chances of successful application approval.

What are the application steps for obtaining visas?

The application steps generally include obtaining labor certification from the Department of Labor, filing a petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and completing consular processing or adjustment of status for the worker.

What are the basic requirements for employers?

Employers must prove that there are not enough U.S. workers available for the job, their need for the labor is on a temporary basis, that hiring foreign workers will not negatively impact the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers, and must comply with recruitment, wage, and other regulatory requirements.

Who can apply for these visas?

U.S. employers can apply for H-2A and H-2B visas to fill temporary labor needs when there are not enough U.S. workers available. Employers can apply for EB-3 visas to secure permanent residency for workers in permanent positions. Workers must have a job offer from a U.S. employer to qualify.

How can I get started with the visa application process?

Contact Labor Consultants International to schedule an initial consultation. Our experienced team will assess your needs, provide tailored advice, and guide you through each step of the application process.

What are the differences between H-2A, H-2B, and EB-3 visas?

The H-2A visa is for temporary agricultural workers, the H-2B visa is for temporary non-agricultural workers, and the EB-3 visa is for employment-based permanent residency, covering skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers performing permanent, non-seasonal work.

Can family members accompany visa holders?

Yes, family members of H-2A and H-2B visa holders can apply for H-4 visas, allowing spouses and unmarried children under 21 to accompany the primary visa holder. EB-3 visa holders can also bring their spouses and children, who may also apply for permanent residency.

What are the differences between H2A and H2B visas?

H-2A and H-2B visas are both temporary work visas in the United States, but they cater to different industries and job types. H-2A visas are designed for seasonal agricultural workers, addressing the labor needs of U.S. farmers during peak growing seasons. On the other hand, H-2B visas cater to non-agricultural, temporary work positions in various industries, such as hospitality, landscaping, and construction. The key distinction lies in the nature of the work – H-2A for agricultural and H-2B for non-agricultural sectors.

How long does the visa application process take?

The processing time varies based on the visa type and specific case details. H-2A and H-2B visa processes typically take a few months, while the EB-3 visa process can take several years.

What is the role of the Seasonal Employment Alliance?

The Seasonal Employment Alliance is an organization dedicated to addressing the needs and concerns of employers, workers, and other stakeholders involved in seasonal employment, particularly in the United States. It serves as a resource hub, advocating for policies that support seasonal workforce requirements and facilitating collaboration between various industry players to promote fair practices and effective solutions in the realm of temporary labor migration. To become a member, visit their website.

What about taxes?

Foreign workers are required to fill out an I-9 Form, and W-4 Form. Foreign workers are required to pay the same taxes as your U.S workers

For more information regarding tax responsibilities for noncitizens click the link below.

Click here
What do I do if one of my workers fails to report to work or goes MIA?

Unfortunately, this program isn’t perfect, and you will always have people try to take advantage of a good opportunity. If you have a worker that is no longer showing up to work, has not contacted you, and you have no idea where they are, it is your duty as the employer to report them to both the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor.

If this happens to you, please reach out to us. We can get you the appropriate templates and contact information for the respective government agencies to report to.

Depending on when the worker absconds, we could potentially bring in another worker to fill that spot. However, if too much time has passed and you have no other visas available, we may not be able to replace the worker at all.

Are we responsible for housing the workers?

H-2A: Yes, you are required to house the workers at no cost to the foreign workers and the workers in corresponding employment who cannot reasonably return home at the end of the day. H-2A employers are also required to provide three meals per day or to furnish free and convenient cooking/kitchen facilities where meals can be prepared.

Learn more here.

H-2B (all industries other than forestry/carnival): No, you are not required to provide housing, but you must assist in helping them find housing. Whether that be setting up hotels or a space they can rent, the workers will likely need assistance finding somewhere to live. Unlike H-2A, you do not have to provide meals or a kitchen.

H-2B (Itinerant: Forestry/Carnival): Yes, all forestry and carnival type employers are required to pay housing throughout the duration of the job because it is seen as a benefit to the employer due to the nature of a mobile workforce. These employers are not required to cover or provide meal costs during the duration of the job like an H2A employer would.

Learn more about itinerant housing requirements here.

Do my current employees have to make the same as my foreign workers?

Department of Labor (Wage and Hour Division) has a regulation concerning “corresponding employment.” This means that any non H-2 worker employed by an employer that has a certified application who performs substantially the same work as the foreign worker have at least the same protections and benefits as those offered or provided to an H-2 worker.

In short, yes, any current, domestic workers you have doing the same work as the foreign workers have to make at least the same wage.

See the full explanation regarding corresponding employment through the link below.

Click here
What is the role of NALP?

The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) is the trade association representing an industry of more than 1 million landscape, lawn care, tree care, irrigation, and horticulture professionals in the United States, Canada and overseas. We are committed to advancing the industry and helping our members succeed through advocacy, education, networking, training, and professional development. NALP is a leader in advocacy for the H-2B program being the voice for landscape businesses to make a difference in regulations that impact the industry.

Check out their website below

NALP Official Site
What is the role of US Lawns?

U.S. Lawns has been providing full service, all-season commercial grounds management services since 1986. Our nationwide network of landscape professionals, dedicated local owner operators and their teams, supported by the expertise of today’s most accomplished industry leaders, carefully develop customized plans for each client. We partner with US Lawns franchises to assist them with their H-2B needs across the country.

If you are interested in franchising your landscape business, click the link below.

U.S. Lawns Official Site