| Although a great number of jobs in American companies are filled by American citizens, a small yet crucial percentage of jobs go unfilled by the local labour every season. A lot of employers have begun to rely on international workers to fill the entry-level seasonal job void. There are two alternatives for making up for the labour shortage: filing for H-2B visas or employing J-1 student visa workers. Both types of visas help to fill a temporary need for unqualified entry-level workers.
In the recent time, employing H-2B visa workers has been essential for local, seasonal, service industry companies, such as restaurants, hotels, landscaping and construction outfits. Every season a total of 33, 000 H-2B visa holders are allowed into the USA. There are two H-2B seasons: from October 1 to March 31 (winter) and from April 1 to September 30 (summer). So, the total number of H-2B visa issued averages at 66,000.
Because of the complicated nature of the H-2B visa application process and the existing limitation on its usage, some employers are seeking J-1 student workers instead.
There is no cap to the number of J-1 visa workers entering the country. The law allows J-1 student employees to have several jobs simultaneously. The student completes all visa applications in their mother country and is either approved or denied by the Visa Council of the U.S. Embassy.
J-1 student workers have proved to be a great solution to the shortage of labour. For many employers they are a viable option.
Yet, J-1 visas have the downside. J-1 student visa workers are only permitted to work four months a year - the period that covers their summer vacation time.
J-1 student visa holders work for about 90 days, starting from June/May, and then travel for a month - the so-called grace period - before leaving for their home counties. Thus, J-1 visa holders can lawfully stay in the USA for up to four months in total.
For H-2B and J-1 visa holders the Work & travel USA Program is a great opportunity to make money, discover the United States with new-found friends. |
