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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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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.
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‍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.
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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.

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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.

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.

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.