Temporary visas welcome international employees to support clubs and resorts throughout the year.
The federal government offers specialized visas for nonimmigrant workers coming to the US for a temporary stay. Specifically, H-2B visas apply to non-agricultural workers in industries ranging from hospitality and foodservice to construction and landscaping.
Hiring H-2B employees is quite popular in the golf, country club, and resort industry particularly due to the vast number of seasonal job fluctuations. Employees can request this status for their workers if the position meets a set of requirements set by the DOL.
Basic H-2B Worker Checklist
Hiring an H-2B employee is ideal when a club can prove that there are no U.S. workers available and willing to do the given position, nor will it negatively affect US workers’ wages. Typically, this entails posting the job notice open to all US citizens before opening up the pool to potential workers from abroad.
On a basic level, requirements for the H-2B worker are as follows:
- The position must be:
- Seasonal (less than nine months)
- A one-time occurrence (up to a year at a time for no more than three years in total)
- For peak-load need
- For intermittent need
- Additionally, no matter the timing of the position, an H-2B employee must also:
- Work full-time (at least 35 hours a week)
- Perform a non-agricultural role
- Prove that they plan to return home at the end of their contract
- Meet the skills and education to qualify for the job
The process takes a good deal of time, especially if the US has already met the maximum number of H-2B employees allocated for the year. According to the DOL website, the employer must register the job 75-90 ahead of the intended start date, but premium processing is available for a fee.
Club and resort dining scenes have the opportunity to work with H-2B workers in a number of ways, from inside the kitchen to the front of house. Since the H-2B process adapts over time, it is important to reference the USCIS and DOL website for updates.
