How the H-2B Visa Solves Seasonal Staffing Challenges for Hospitality Employers
Finding and retaining a reliable workforce has become one of the biggest challenges facing the hospitality industry. Hotels, resorts, restaurants, and event venues across the U.S. are struggling with labor shortages, high turnover rates, and seasonal demand fluctuations—all of which put stress on operations and impact guest satisfaction.
According to a 2024 survey from the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), nearly 76% of hoteliers are facing staffing shortages, despite many reporting efforts to increase wages, expand benefits, and provide more scheduling flexibility for employees.
To bridge this workforce gap, many hospitality employers are turning to international talent for support. In fact, of the 8 million hospitality workers in the U.S., about one-third are immigrants or foreign nationals. For hospitality businesses, the H-2B visa program can be particularly beneficial, offering a scalable, reliable solution for meeting peak seasonal demand and ensuring businesses have the staff needed to maintain service excellence.
So, what is the H-2B visa program, how does it work, and why is it such a strong fit for the hospitality industry? Let’s dive into the details.
What Is the H-2B Visa?
The H-2B visa is a temporary, non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for seasonal, peak-load, or one-time occurrence positions in non-agricultural industries like hospitality and construction. This program is essential for businesses that experience fluctuating labor demands where seasonal staffing shortages are common.
Key characteristics of the H-2B visa include:
- Annual Cap: The U.S. government issues 66,000 H-2B visas each fiscal year—33,000 for positions starting October 1 to March 31, and 33,000 for positions starting April 1 to September 30. If demand exceeds the cap, visas are allocated through a lottery system.
- NOTE: For FY 2025, an additional 20,000 supplemental visas were approved for country-specific allocations and reserved for nationals of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador, and Costa Rica.
- Duration: Workers can typically stay in the U.S. for an initial period of up to ten months.
- Labor Market Protections: Employers must prove that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the roles and that hiring H-2B workers will not negatively impact U.S. wages or working conditions.
- Wage Requirements: Employers must offer prevailing wages set by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to ensure fair compensation. The prevailing wage rate is the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in a specific occupation in the area where the job is located.
Why the H-2B Visa Is a Good Fit for Hospitality Employers
With a clear understanding of the H-2B visa and its benefits, let’s explore why it is an ideal solution for hospitality employers looking to fill staffing gaps and maintain service excellence.
Addresses Seasonal Staffing Challenges
The hospitality industry is uniquely dependent on seasonal labor, making workforce planning a challenge for many businesses. Whether it’s a beach resort ramping up for summer tourism or a ski lodge preparing for peak winter months, employers need a flexible staffing solution that ensures they can meet guest demand without carrying excess labor costs year-round.
One of the greatest advantages of the H-2B visa program is its ability to help businesses scale their workforce up or down based on their seasonal needs. Hotels, resorts, and event venues often experience dramatic fluctuations in guest volume, making it impractical to hire full-time staff for positions that are only needed part of the year. The H-2B visa allows businesses to legally and reliably recruit temporary workers, ensuring they are adequately staffed during peak seasons without long-term employment commitments.
Expands the Talent Pool
The hospitality industry continues to experience significant labor shortages, with many employers struggling to find and retain domestic workers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, trend data suggests the hospitality industry will see the third largest projected employment increase across all 17 major sectors (after professional services and healthcare) by 2033, and it is anticipated that 1 in every 8 jobs added to the U.S. economy in the next decade will be in the hospitality and leisure sector.
However, the leisure and hospitality sector also experienced the highest employee turnover rate of any industry in early 2024, with nearly 3 million people exiting their roles in the industry between January and April alone, at a rate 204% above the national average. This indicates a persistent supply and demand issue when it comes to securing qualified talent.
By hiring through the H-2B visa program, employers gain access to a broader workforce of reliable employees, often consisting of workers who return season after season. This reduces turnover rates, onboarding costs, and training expenses, helping businesses maintain continuity in their operations. Additionally, participating in a structured visa program can enhance employer branding, making it easier to attract both domestic and international talent for career opportunities.
Enhances Customer Satisfaction and Operational Efficiency
Understaffing leads to overworked employees, service delays, and diminished guest experiences, all of which can negatively impact customer satisfaction and business revenue. A consistent and well-trained workforce enables hospitality employers to maintain high service standards, improve employee morale, and enhance operational efficiency. Sufficient staffing levels also allow businesses to reduce overtime costs, optimize employee workloads, and ensure that guests receive top-tier hospitality experiences.
Getting Started: Steps for Hospitality Employers
Successfully leveraging the H-2B visa program requires careful planning and early preparation. Due to the program’s strict timelines, annual visa cap, and regulatory requirements, hospitality employers should start the process well in advance to maximize their chances of securing international talent for peak seasons. Below are key steps to ensure a smooth and efficient H-2B hiring process.
Assess Workforce Needs Early
The first step for hospitality employers is to identify their seasonal staffing needs and hard-to-fill roles as early as possible. This means evaluating:
- Peak operational periods when customer demand is expected to increase, heightening the need for talent (example: ski resorts ramping up for winter or beach resorts preparing for summer).
- Positions with high turnover rates that historically have been difficult to fill with domestic workers.
- The number of workers required to ensure consistent service levels.
Hospitality businesses should collaborate with their legal, HR, and operations teams to determine the best strategy for incorporating H-2B workers into their workforce plan. Since the process involves multiple government agencies and strict deadlines, waiting too long can result in missed filing windows and lost recruitment opportunities.
Partner with an Experienced H-2B Solutions Provider
Navigating the complex H-2B visa process can be overwhelming, especially for hospitality employers unfamiliar with the program. Partnering with an experienced visa workforce solutions provider, such as Alpha Global Biz, can help streamline the process. A trusted provider offers:
- Strategic program planning to optimize recruitment success.
- Guidance on legal and compliance requirements, ensuring all documentation is completed accurately.
- Recruitment and candidate placement from a vetted pool of qualified foreign workers.
Working with an H-2B provider can help avoid costly mistakes, ensure compliance, and maximize the likelihood of securing visas for seasonal staff.
Stay Updated on Key H-2B Dates & Changes
The H-2B visa process is time-sensitive, and missing a deadline can mean delays or disqualification from the program. Employers should stay informed about key filing dates and regulatory changes. For example:
- Prevailing Wage Determination (ETA 9141): Employers must request and obtain a wage determination from the National Prevailing Wage Center before filing their H-2B application.
- ETA 9142B Temporary Labor Certification: Must be filed 90 to 75 days before the job start date. Filing on the 90-day mark is recommended to ensure timely processing.
- USCIS Petition Filing: Once the labor certification is approved, the employer must file an I-129 petition with USCIS. Since H-2B visas are cap-subject, timely filing is critical.
Recommended Timeline Example:
For a December 1, 2025 start date, an employer should begin preparing their H-2B petition by May 2025:
• May–June 2025: Submit Prevailing Wage Determination request.
• August 2025: File ETA 9142B with the Department of Labor.
• September 2025: File I-129 petition with USCIS upon certification approval.
• November 2025: Workers complete visa processing and consular interviews.
• December 1, 2025: H-2B workers arrive for their start date.
Key Dates to Remember for FY 2025:
• April 1 – Sept 30 Start Dates: Applications open in early January of the same year.
• Oct 1 – March 31 Start Dates: Applications open in early July of the previous year.
• Supplemental visa allocations may be announced for industries facing critical labor shortages.
Given the rigid processing timelines and high demand for H-2B visas, hospitality employers should begin preparations 6 to 7 months in advance to ensure a smooth and successful hiring process.
By taking a proactive approach and working with an experienced visa workforce solutions provider, hospitality businesses can secure the workforce they need to maintain service excellence and operational efficiency.
Conclusion
The H-2B visa program is a strategic, scalable solution for hospitality employers facing persistent labor shortages. By tapping into a reliable international workforce, businesses can effectively manage seasonal demand fluctuations, reduce hiring challenges, and maintain high-quality service standards—all while staying compliant with labor regulations.
By leveraging the H-2B program and partnering with a reliable workforce immigration partner, hospitality employers can:
- Ensure service excellence by maintaining adequate staffing levels during peak seasons.
- Reduce recruitment challenges and turnover, creating a more stable and experienced workforce.
- Gain access to a dedicated talent pool that meets their operational needs, helping them stay competitive in a tight labor market.
Successfully navigating the H-2B visa process requires expert guidance, strategic planning, and compliance expertise. That’s where Arkansas Global Connect (AGC) comes in. With our parent company, Alpha Global Biz, we are a leader in visa workforce solutions, helping hospitality employers streamline the international recruitment process, secure top talent, and optimize their staffing strategy for long-term success.
AGC received the Clearview Certification for Responsible Recruitment Practices, a designation that recognizes AGC as a global leader in trustworthy, ethical recruiting. Furthermore, H-2B workers recruited by AGC have a 99%+ visa approval rate and a retention rate of over 98% for hospitality workers. We have staffed hundreds of front and back of the house workers for hotels, resorts, and clubs around the United States, including food and beverage, front desk, housekeeping, groundskeeping, and lifeguards.
Don’t let labor shortages impact your business. Contact us today to learn how the H-2B visa program can help you build a stronger, more reliable workforce.
