• Home
  • About Us
    • Stacy E. Cozart Martin
    • Michael M. Jolic
    • Scott Bratton
    • Staff
  • Services
    • Non-Immigrant Visas
      • E-1/E-2 Visas
      • H-1B Visas
      • H-1B visas for Physicians
      • H-2B Visas
      • J-1 Visa Waivers
      • L-1A and L-1B Non-immigrant Visas
      • O-1 Visa
      • The TN for Professionals
    • Immigrant Visas
      • EB-11 Alien of Extraordinary Ability
      • EB-12 Outstanding Professors or Researchers
      • Multi-National Executive or Manager Category
      • Immigrant Investors/Employment Creation Visas
      • Immigration Issues for Physicians
      • National Interest Waivers (NIW)
      • National Interest Waiver for Physicians Working in Medically Underserved Areas
      • Permanent Residency based on Labor Certification (PERM)
      • I-9 Services
    • Asylum, Deportation, Removal and Crimmigration
      • Asylum
      • Removal Proceedings
      • Crimmigration
      • Bond
      • Appeals – Board of Immigration Appeals
      • Federal Appeals
      • Federal Litigation in District Courts
      • I-601A/I-212
      • Motion to Reopen
  • Consultation
  • News
  • Contact

Mobile Menu

Schedule A Consultation Now!

Give us a call to speak with an immigration attorney.

(216) 328-9878

  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

Speak with an Immigration Attorney  (216) 328-9878

MJB Immigration

Immigration Attorneys

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services
    • Non-Immigrant Visas
      • E-1/E-2 Visas
      • H-1B Visas
      • H-1B Visas for Physicians
      • H-2B Visas
      • J-1 Visa Waivers
      • L-1A and L-1B Visas
      • O-1 Visas
      • The TN for Professionals
    • Immigrant Visas
      • EB-11 Visas
      • EB-12 Visas
      • Multi-National Executive or Manager Category
      • Immigrant Investors/Employment Creation Visas
      • Immigration Issues for Physicians
      • National Interest Waivers (NIW)
      • National Interest Waiver for Physicians Working in Medically Underserved Areas
      • Permanent Residency based on Labor Certification (PERM)
      • I-9 Services
    • Asylum, Deportation, Removal and Crimmigration
      • Asylum
      • Removal Proceedings
      • Crimmigration
      • Bond
      • Appeals – Board of Immigration Appeals
      • Federal Appeals
      • Federal Litigation in District Courts
      • I-601A/I-212
      • Motion to Reopen
  • Consultation
  • News
  • Contact

News: USCIS Announces Countries Eligible for H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs

January 17, 2020

<div id=”main-body” class=”clearfix”>

<div class=”field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden”><div class=”field-items”><div class=”field-item even”><p><span>U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), have announced the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in 2020. The <a href=”https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/01/17/2020-00795/identification-of-foreign-countries-whose-nationals-are-eligible-to-participate-in-the-h-2a-and-h-2b”>notice</a> listing the eligible countries will be published in the Federal Register on Jan. 17, 2020. </span></p><p>For 2020, the acting secretary of Homeland Security has determined, with the concurrence of the Office of the Secretary of State, that the countries designated as eligible in 2019 will remain unchanged.&nbsp;</p><p>DHS maintains its authority to add countries to the eligible countries list at any time, and to remove any country whenever DHS and DOS determine that a country fails to meet the requirements for continued designation. Examples of factors that could result in the exclusion of a country or the removal of a country from the list include fraud, abuse, denial rates, overstay rates, human trafficking concerns, and other forms of noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the H-2 visa programs by nationals of that country.</p><p><span>The H-2A and H-2B visa programs allow U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural and nonagricultural jobs, respectively. Typically, USCIS approves H-2A and H-2B petitions only for nationals of countries that the secretary of Homeland Security has designated as eligible to participate in the programs. However, USCIS may approve H-2A and H-2B petitions, including those that were pending as of the date of the Federal Register notice, for nationals of countries <strong>not</strong> on the list on a case-by-case basis only if doing so is determined to be in the interest of the United States.</span></p><p>Effective Jan. 19, 2020, nationals of the following countries are eligible to receive H-2A and H-2B visas:</p><table width=”100%”><tbody><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Andorra</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Finland</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”25%”><p>Malta</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Serbia</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Argentina</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>France</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”25%”><p>Moldova*</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Singapore</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Australia</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Germany</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”25%”><p>Mozambique</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Slovakia</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Austria</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Greece</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”25%”><p>Mexico</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Slovenia</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Barbados</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Grenada</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”25%”><p>Monaco</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Solomon Islands</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Belgium</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Guatemala</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”25%”><p>Mongolia</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>South Africa</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Brazil</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Honduras</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”25%”><p>Montenegro</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>South Korea</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Brunei</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Hungary</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”25%”><p>Nauru</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Spain</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Bulgaria</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Iceland</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”25%”><p>The Netherlands</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>St. Vincent and the Grenadines</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Canada</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Ireland</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”25%”><p>Nicaragua</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Sweden</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Chile</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Israel</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”25%”><p>New Zealand</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Switzerland</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Colombia</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Italy</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”25%”><p>Norway</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Taiwan**</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Costa Rica</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Jamaica</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”25%”><p>Panama</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Thailand</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Croatia</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Japan</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”25%”><p>Paraguay*</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Timor-Leste</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Czech Republic</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Kiribati</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”25%”><p>Papua New Guinea</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Tonga</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Denmark</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Latvia</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”25%”><p>Peru</p></td><td valign=”top”><p>Turkey</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Dominican Republic*</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Liechtenstein</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”25%”><p>Poland</p></td><td valign=”top”><p>Tuvalu</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Ecuador</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Lithuania</p></td><td valign=”top”><p>Portugal</p></td><td valign=”top”><p>Ukraine</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>El Salvador</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Luxembourg</p></td><td valign=”top”><p>Romania</p></td><td valign=”top”><p>United Kingdom</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Estonia</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>North Macedonia</p></td><td valign=”top”><p>Samoa</p></td><td valign=”top”><p>Uruguay</p></td></tr><tr><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Fiji</p></td><td valign=”top” width=”24%”><p>Madagascar</p></td><td valign=”top”><p>San Marino</p></td><td valign=”top”><p>Vanuatu</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>*Moldova, Paraguay, and the Dominican Republic are eligible to participate in the H-2A program, but they are not eligible to participate in the H-2B program.</p><p><span>**Regarding all references to “country” or “countries” in this document, it should be noted that the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Pub. L. No. 96-8, Section 4(b)(1), provides that “[w]henever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to Taiwan.” 22 U.S.C. § 3303(b)(1). Accordingly, all references to “country” or “countries” in the regulations governing whether nationals of a country are eligible for H-2 program participation, 8 CFR 214.2(h)(5)(i)(F)(1)(i) and 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(i)(E)(1), are read to include Taiwan. This is consistent with the United States’ one-China policy, under which the United States has maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan since 1979.</span></p><p><span>This notice does not affect the status of H-2 beneficiaries who currently are in the United States unless they apply to extend their status. It does apply to nonimmigrants changing status in the United States to H-2A or B. Each country’s designation is valid, subject to removal for failure to meet the requirements for continued designation, from Jan. 19, 2020, until Jan. 18, 2021.&nbsp; </span></p><p><span>For more information on these programs, see the <a href=”/working-united-states/temporary-workers/h-2a-temporary-agricultural-workers”>H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers</a> and <a href=”/working-united-states/temporary-workers/h-2b-temporary-non-agricultural-workers”>H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers</a> pages on our website.</span></p></div></div></div>

</div>
<p>Last Reviewed/Updated: 01/16/2020</p>

{$inline_image

Filed Under: Uncategorised

You May Also Be Interested In:

Legal Alert Title

May 11 – Permanent Residency, House Bill

Article: Obtaining I-551 Stamp as Evidence of Conditional Lawful Permanent Residency during COVID-19 By Wolfsdorf Rosenthal LLP

Article: Stuck Abroad And Unable To Return To The U.S. Within 180 Days? By David H. Nachman, Esq., Michael Phulwani, Esq. and Ludka Zimovcak, Esq.

May 8 – Travel Restrictions, COVID-19

May 7 – Top Articles And News For April 2020

Article: Recommendations for U.S.C.I.S. Reopening Offices during Covid-19 By Alan Lee, Esq.

Article: COVID-19 Exacerbates Form I-829 Processing Pain for EB-5 Investors, Mandamus Lawsuits Growing in Popularity By Matt Galati

May 6 – Healthcare Immigration Now

Previous Post: « News: USCIS Final FY 2019 Statistics Available
Next Post: Jan 17 – Trump Immigration Agenda, H-2A and H-2B »

Primary Sidebar

Have a Quick Question?

Send us a message and one of our immigration attorneys will respond to you within 24 hours.

Footer

Martin Jolic and Bratton LLC (formerly known as Sharon & Kálnoki LLC) is a full service Cleveland-based immigration law practice. We offer representation for almost all immigrant and nonimmigrant processes to clients worldwide.

Phone: (216) 328-9878
Fax: (216) 328-9879
Email: info@mjbimmigration.com

6050 Oak Tree Blvd., Suite 250
Independence, Ohio 44131

AILA Member Logo
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Consultation
  • News
  • Contact

Site Footer

Attorney advertising. This website is informational only. Information provided herein does not address any specific set of individual facts. Each immigration case is unique and nothing on this or associated pages, documents, forms, comments, e-mails, articles or other communication constitutes legal advice for any individual case or situation. Information provided on this site is not intended as a substitute for legal advice directed to a particular set of circumstances. Legal advice on specific, individual cases should be obtained from an experienced immigration attorney. In exchange for using this site to gather information, you agree not to hold any person involved in the preparation and presentation of this site responsible or liable, either directly or indirectly, for any damages whatsoever that may arise from the use, misuse, and/or reliance on anything contained within this site. Viewing or using information presented on this website is not privileged and does not create an attorney-client relationship. An attorney-client relationship will be created only upon the express agreement of the parties.

Copyright © 2021