USCIS Announces 68 Countries Whose Nationals are Eligible for H-2A and H-2B Participation
December 19, 2014



USCIS has announced that Czech Republic, Denmark, Madagascar, Portugal and Sweden have been added to the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B Visa programs for the coming year.
Effective January 18, 2015, nationals of the following countries are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B Visa programs. Each country’s designation is valid for one year from January 18, 2015.
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Barbados
Belize
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Ethiopia
Fiji
Grenada
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Kiribati
Latvia
Lithuania
Macedonia
Madagascar
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Nauru
The Netherlands
Nicaragua
New Zealand
Norway
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Peru
The Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Samoa
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Tonga
Turkey
Tuvalu
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Vanuatu
The notification, however, does not affect the status of beneficiaries who are currently in the United States in H-2A or H-2B status unless they apply to change or extend their status.
Note: While generally, USCIS only approves H-2A and H-2B petitions for nationals of countries designated as eligible to participate in the programs, it may also approve H-2A and H-2B petitions for nationals of countries not on the list if it is determined to be in the interest of the United States.
Thomas Joy