United States | Certain Belizean nationals eligible for H-2A and H-2B visas

The Department of Homeland Security announced on Nov. 8 that Belize is one of more than 80 countries eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B seasonal worker programs for the coming year.

Key Points:

• DHS noted the designations are effective from Nov. 7, 2024, through Nov. 8, 2025.
• The H-2A and H-2B seasonal worker visa programs allow eligible foreign nationals to work in temporary agricultural and nonagricultural roles, respectively.
• Eligible countries must satisfy several regulatory factors, including meeting minimum standards established by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA).
• While Belize does not yet fully meet the TVPA’s minimum standards, it is making significant efforts toward compliance with those standards.

Additional Information: In 2018, Belize was removed from the H-2A and H-2B eligible countries list because it neither met the standards nor made significant efforts to meet the standards of the TVPA. DHS published the first lists of eligible countries for the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in December 2008.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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