| Most jobs in American businesses are filled by Americans. Nonetheless, there is a significant seasonal labour shortage. A lot of businesses have started to rely on foreign employees to fill the entry-level seasonal job void. Local businesses have two options for taking on the foreign labour force they need: filing for H-2B visas or employing J-1 student visa workers. Both visas help to serve a temporary need for unskilled entry-level employers.
Lately, employing H-2B visa holders has been necessary for local, seasonal, service industry companies, such as restaurants, hotels, landscaping and construction outfits. A total of 33, 000 H-2B visa holders are allowed in the country each season. H-2B visa holders come to the States twice a year: from October 1 to March 31 (winter season) and from April 1 to September 30 (summer). So, the total number of H-2B visa issued averages at 66,000.
In light of the complex nature of the H-2B visa application process and the current limits on its usage, some employers are seeking J-1 student employees instead.
There are no limits on how many J-1 visa workers can enter the United States. Employees can have a few jobs simultaneously and there is minimal paperwork to be done by an employer. Students complete all visa applications in their mother countries and are either approved or denied there.
J-1 student workers have proven to be a great solution to the shortage of workforce. For many businesses they are a viable alternative.
Still, J-1 visas have the downside. J-1 student visa workers are only allowed to work four months a year - the period that covers their summer vacation time.
Student employees work for about 90 days, starting from June/May, and then travel for a month - the so-called grace period - before going back home. So, J-1 student employees can legally reside in the USA for about 4 months in total.
For H-2B and J-1 visa holders the Work & travel USA Program is a wonderful opportunity become a part of the U.S. Culture as a paid employee. |
