The United States offers a range of temporary and seasonal employment opportunities for foreign workers. These jobs are particularly common in agriculture, hospitality, tourism, landscaping, seafood processing and other industries where employers experience increased demand during specific periods of the year.

For many international workers, the main U.S. immigration programs associated with seasonal employment are the H-2A visa for temporary agricultural workers and the H-2B visa for temporary non-agricultural workers. The two programs have different eligibility requirements and application procedures.

If you are considering seasonal work in the United States, understanding how these programs operate is essential before applying for a job or paying a recruiter.

What Are Seasonal Jobs?

Seasonal jobs are positions that employers need for a limited period because demand increases during a particular season, harvest period, tourism period or other temporary business cycle.

Examples include:

• Farm and agricultural workers
• Fruit and vegetable pickers
• Harvest workers
• Hotel workers
• Resort staff
• Landscaping workers
• Seafood processing workers
• Housekeeping workers
• Restaurant and hospitality workers
• Grounds maintenance workers
• Certain construction-related seasonal positions

The availability of jobs varies by state, industry and time of year.

H-2A Seasonal Agricultural Jobs

The H-2A program allows eligible U.S. agricultural employers or qualifying agents to bring foreign nationals to the United States for temporary or seasonal agricultural work.

Agricultural jobs can include:

• Fruit picking
• Vegetable harvesting
• Planting
• Crop cultivation
• Farm maintenance
• Nursery work
• Greenhouse work
• Livestock-related agricultural work
• Agricultural equipment operations

The H-2A program is particularly relevant to foreign workers looking for temporary farm employment.

An employer generally needs to demonstrate that the work is temporary or seasonal and that there are not enough available U.S. workers who are able, willing and qualified to perform the work. Other requirements concerning wages and working conditions also apply.

H-2B Seasonal Non-Agricultural Jobs

The H-2B program is designed for temporary non-agricultural employment.

Unlike H-2A, H-2B can cover seasonal work in industries outside agriculture. USCIS explains that an employer’s temporary need can be based on a seasonal need, peak-load need, intermittent need or certain one-time occurrences.

Potential H-2B jobs can include:

Hospitality

Hotels, resorts and other tourism businesses may need additional workers during busy travel seasons.

Possible positions include:

• Housekeepers
• Hotel attendants
• Kitchen workers
• Restaurant staff
• Laundry workers
• Resort workers
• Groundskeepers

Landscaping

Landscaping companies may experience increased demand during spring and summer.

Jobs can include:

• Landscaping workers
• Grounds maintenance workers
• Lawn-care workers
• Tree-care assistants
• Gardening workers

Seafood Processing

Some seafood businesses require additional workers during seasonal processing periods.

Potential jobs include:

• Seafood processors
• Fish-processing workers
• Packing workers
• Production workers

Tourism and Resorts

Seasonal tourism destinations can require additional staff during their busiest periods.

Positions may include:

• Resort attendants
• Housekeeping staff
• Food-service workers
• Maintenance workers
• Recreation staff

Whether a particular job can be filled through H-2B depends on the employer’s circumstances and the applicable immigration rules.

H-2B Visas Have an Annual Cap

One of the biggest differences between H-2A and H-2B is the numerical limit on H-2B workers.

The regular H-2B statutory cap is 66,000 workers per fiscal year, generally divided between the first and second halves of the fiscal year.

Because demand can be high, H-2B availability can become limited. Congress and the federal government can also authorize additional H-2B visas in particular fiscal years.

For example, USCIS announced a temporary increase in H-2B visas for FY 2026 for certain employers with late-season needs and workers beginning employment between May 1 and September 30, 2026.

This means foreign workers should apply early and should not assume that every seasonal employer can obtain an H-2B worker visa.

How Seasonal Visa Sponsorship Works

Foreign workers generally cannot simply apply for an H-2A or H-2B visa independently and then look for a job in the United States.

The U.S. employer normally starts the immigration process.

A simplified process can look like this:

1. Find a legitimate seasonal employer.
2. Receive a genuine job offer.
3. The employer completes the required labor-certification process where applicable.
4. The employer files the required petition with USCIS.
5. After petition approval, the worker follows the appropriate visa application process.
6. Attend a visa interview if required.
7. Travel to the United States after receiving authorization.
8. Work only according to the terms and period authorized by the immigration program.

The exact process varies depending on the visa category and the worker’s circumstances.

Where Can Foreign Workers Find Seasonal Jobs?

International applicants can search for seasonal employment through legitimate recruitment companies, U.S. employers, government employment resources and established job-search platforms.

When searching online, useful terms include:

• “H-2A farm jobs USA”
• “H-2A seasonal agricultural jobs”
• “H-2B seasonal jobs USA”
• “H-2B hospitality jobs”
• “USA seasonal jobs with visa sponsorship”
• “H-2B landscaping jobs”
• “seasonal resort jobs H-2B”
• “temporary farm jobs USA”

However, applicants should not rely solely on the words “visa sponsorship” in a job advertisement.

A company may advertise a seasonal position without actually being able or willing to sponsor a particular foreign worker.

Check the Employer Before Applying

Before sending money or sensitive documents to a recruiter, research the employer.

Try to verify:

• The company’s legal name
• Physical business address
• Official website
• Contact information
• Job location
• Job duties
• Expected start and end dates
• Wage
• Housing arrangements
• Transportation arrangements
• Whether the employer is actually petitioning for H-2A or H-2B workers

USCIS also provides employer data resources, including an H-2A Employer Data Hub containing information on employers that have filed H-2A petitions.

What Qualifications Are Needed?

Seasonal jobs can have different requirements from professional employment.

For agricultural positions, employers may prioritize:

• Physical fitness
• Ability to work outdoors
• Previous farm experience
• Ability to perform repetitive physical tasks
• Reliability
• Ability to follow workplace instructions

For hospitality and tourism positions, employers may look for:

• Customer-service skills
• Previous hotel or restaurant experience
• Basic English ability
• Teamwork
• Reliability
• Ability to work flexible schedules

Some specialized jobs may require additional qualifications or experience.

How Much Do Seasonal Workers Earn?

Wages vary substantially according to the job, location, occupation and applicable federal and state requirements.

Workers should always receive clear information about:

• Hourly or piece-rate pay
• Expected working hours
• Overtime rules where applicable
• Deductions
• Housing costs
• Transportation costs
• Other expenses

Do not accept a job simply because an advertisement promises a high salary. Ask for the terms of employment in writing and compare the offer with the applicable wage requirements.

Housing and Transportation

Some seasonal employers provide or arrange accommodation, particularly for agricultural workers and employees working in remote locations.

Others may not provide housing.

Before accepting an offer, find out:

• Whether housing is provided
• Whether it is free or paid
• How much rent costs
• How many people share the accommodation
• Whether transportation to work is provided
• Whether transportation costs are deducted from wages
• How far the accommodation is from the workplace

These details can make a major difference to how much money a seasonal worker actually saves.

Beware of Seasonal Job Scams

Foreign workers should be particularly careful about recruitment scams.

Be suspicious if a recruiter:

• Guarantees a U.S. visa.
• Promises a job without an interview or proper application.
• Requests a large payment for “visa sponsorship.”
• Claims to sell an H-2A or H-2B visa.
• Asks for money through an untraceable payment method.
• Refuses to identify the U.S. employer.
• Does not provide a written job offer.
• Promises an unusually high salary for simple work.
• Asks you to surrender your passport.
• Tells you to lie during your visa interview.

A recruiter should not be treated as proof that a job is legitimate. Verify the employer and immigration process independently.

Workers Have Rights

Foreign workers do not lose their basic workplace protections because they are temporary workers.

The U.S. Department of Labor and other government agencies enforce employment laws relating to areas such as wages and working conditions.

Workers should understand the terms of their employment and know where to seek assistance if an employer or recruiter attempts to exploit them.

It is particularly important to keep copies of:

• Employment contracts
• Job offers
• Visa documents
• Passport
• Employer contact details
• Wage records
• Receipts for legitimate expenses
• Important immigration documents

Can Seasonal Workers Bring Their Families?

Whether family members can accompany a seasonal worker depends on the immigration category and individual circumstances.

H-2A and H-2B workers have specific rules governing eligible dependants, so applicants who intend to travel with a spouse or children should check the current U.S. government requirements before making arrangements.

Do not assume that a seasonal work visa automatically gives every family member permission to work in the United States.

How Long Can Seasonal Workers Stay?

Seasonal work visas are temporary.

The period of authorized employment depends on the employer’s approved petition and the applicable immigration rules. Workers should not assume that obtaining a seasonal visa means they can remain in the United States indefinitely.

H-2B, in particular, is designed around an employer’s temporary need, which must meet the applicable regulatory requirements.

Workers should leave the United States when required unless they have obtained lawful authorization to remain under another status.

Tips for Getting a Seasonal Job in the USA

International applicants can improve their chances by following a careful process.

Start Early

Seasonal recruitment often happens months before the actual work begins. Begin searching well before the season you want to work.

Prepare a Simple Résumé

Include:

• Name and contact information
• Work experience
• Education
• Relevant skills
• Languages
• Previous agricultural, hospitality or seasonal experience

Apply to Multiple Legitimate Employers

Do not depend on one recruiter or one job advertisement.

Verify the Visa Category

Ask the employer which visa category they intend to use and make sure the job genuinely fits that program.

Keep Written Records

Save copies of job offers, contracts, emails and immigration documents.

Never Pay for a Guaranteed Visa

No recruiter can legitimately guarantee that a U.S. government agency will approve your visa.

Best Seasonal Jobs for Foreign Workers

For people specifically looking for temporary employment, some of the most common areas to investigate include:

Industry	Possible Seasonal Jobs	Typical Visa Category
Agriculture	Farm, harvesting, crop work	H-2A
Hotels	Housekeeping, hotel support	H-2B
Resorts	Resort and tourism staff	H-2B
Landscaping	Grounds and lawn workers	H-2B
Seafood	Processing and packing	H-2B
Tourism	Seasonal service jobs	H-2B
Nurseries	Plant and nursery work	H-2A
Food service	Certain seasonal hospitality jobs	H-2B

The table is a general guide rather than a guarantee that a particular vacancy qualifies for the listed visa.

Final Thoughts

Seasonal employment can provide foreign workers with a legitimate way to work temporarily in the United States. The two major programs to understand are H-2A for temporary agricultural employment and H-2B for temporary non-agricultural employment.

H-2A can be particularly relevant to farm and harvest workers, while H-2B can cover certain seasonal jobs in hospitality, landscaping, tourism, seafood processing and other non-agricultural industries.

However, seasonal U.S. employment is highly regulated. H-2B has an annual numerical cap, employers must satisfy specific requirements, and the availability of jobs can change from one season to another.

For international workers, the safest approach is to find a genuine employer, understand the relevant visa category, verify the job terms and avoid recruiters who demand money in exchange for guaranteed sponsorship.

Before applying, always check the latest information from USCIS, the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of State, because immigration rules, visa availability and seasonal programs can change.