Fully Understanding the H-2B Program: A Guide for Jobseekers
- In: On the Job
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As we approach a new H-2B season, it’s essential for jobseekers to fully understand the program and manage their expectations. Here’s everything you need to know about the benefits, realities, and responsibilities that come with the H-2B Program.
The Benefits of the H-2B Program:
- Employer-Covered Costs: Your program fees, travel, and visa expenses are typically covered by the employer.
- Visa Extensions: You can extend your stay for up to three years by securing consecutive assignments.
- Reapplication Opportunities: As long as you maintain a good record, you can reapply indefinitely.
Important Realities
- Limited Visas: Only 33,000 visas are issued per season (Winter and Summer), a fraction of the demand.
- Competition: Many applicants are vying for a small number of positions, with landscapers being the most sought-after occupation—not hospitality workers as many believe.
- Flexibility Matters: Being picky about job location or type lowers your chances of placement.
Responsibilities of Applicants
To improve your chances of securing an H-2B job, it’s important to follow these guidelines:
- Complete Registration: Simply emailing your resume won’t suffice. Register on our platform and upload your updated resume.
- Update Your Resume: Employers won’t review outdated or incomplete resumes. Include relevant experience, employer names, and accurate dates.
- Meet Qualifications: Ensure you meet the job requirements. U.S. regulations prohibit hiring workers who don’t fit the job description.
- Understand Job Details: Before accepting a job, clarify housing costs, living conditions, and transportation logistics.
- Be Honest: If you’re exploring multiple job offers, inform us. Accepting a job and later backing out wastes time and opportunities for others.
- Commit to the Role: Leaving early or quitting due to overtime concerns reflects poorly on you and other workers from your country. Maintain professionalism and fulfill your commitments.
Avoid Paying Placement Fees: The H-2B program is free for workers. Paying illegal fees to agencies can result in visa cancellation and legal issues. Be cautious of scams.
Why Doing the Right Thing Matters
- The H-2B Program is a privilege and an incredible opportunity. Employers invest heavily in the process, and not all petitions are approved due to high competition and regulatory caps. If you’re fortunate enough to secure a job, strive to leave a positive impression by:
- Working hard and staying reliable.
- Maintaining professionalism and integrity.
- Supporting the program’s reputation to benefit future jobseekers.
Securing an H-2B position requires effort and responsibility from both jobseekers and agencies. At e-JAM, we are committed to helping you succeed, but we ask that you value this opportunity and approach it with respect and professionalism.
Let’s make this H-2B season a success—together!
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Becoming Verified: Raising the Bar on Your Job Search
Why Get e-JAM Verified?
Here are some key points, but please, please read through this whole article for full benefits!
• Get your questions answered in 1-on1 20-Minute Consultation with an e-JAM Recruiter
• Resume Critique
• Profile Photo Review
• Help uploading documents
• Profile Shared with Targeted Employee
• Early Job Alerts
• Access to Exclusive e-JAM Verified WhatsApp Group
When job hunting, standing out from the crowd can be the key to securing that dream position. So, what is e-JAM Verified?
It's a powerful tool exclusively offered by e-JAM that provides a multitude of benefits for jobseekers. But what exactly does becoming verified entail, and why is it so essential for your career journey?
Power of Verification:
Becoming verified on the e-JAM platform isn't just about getting a badge next to your name. It's about creating a professional online presence that attracts potential employers. Through the verification process, e-JAM gets to understand your aspirations, your targeted job role, and your professional background. This process is designed to ensure that the information on your resume is accurate and aligned with your career goals.
Precision and Confidence:
One of the most significant advantages of becoming verified is the assurance it provides to both job seekers and employers. Verified profiles reflect accurate job titles, precise employment dates, and detailed job duties. This accuracy ensures that your resume aligns with the positions you're applying for, making your applications more relevant and compelling to employers.
Confidence for Employers:
Employers are more likely to engage with verified candidates because they have the confidence that the information on the candidate's resume is accurate. Verified profiles help establish a level of trust, which is crucial in today's competitive job market. When your potential employer sees that you've gone the extra mile to verify your information, it signals a commitment to professionalism and honesty.
Verification Questions to Consider:
• Job Title: Is your job title accurate and reflective of your role?
• Start and End Date: Are the dates of your employment precise?
• Salary: Is your stated salary in line with industry standards?
• Job Duties: Are your job duties detailed and accurate?
• Reasons for Termination or Leaving: Is the information about why you left your previous job correct and verifiable?
• Social Media and Email: Is your online presence professional and clean?
• Updated Resume: Is your resume up-to-date and aligned with your career goals?
• Criminal Record: Have you provided information about any relevant criminal record?
Your Path to Success:
Investing in the effort to become verified is an investment in your professional future. It's a tangible way to demonstrate your commitment to accuracy, professionalism, and the pursuit of your career goals. So, why wait? Become verified today and open the door to a more promising future.
Remember at e-JAM, we're not just about jobs – we're about YOUR journey to success.
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President Trump Bans Work Visas
- In: On the Job
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US Travel Ban for the H-2B and J1 Visa Programs
Trump’s Executive Order June, 22, 2020 - H-2B and J1 Workers who are currently outside USA are banned from entry until December 31, 2020.
Visa application will not be approved prior to December 31st, even if the US Embassy is open. The executive order will be reviewed again in Dec 2020 and can be extended.
Exceptions are for:
Workers outside USA who currently have a valid stamped H-2B or J1 visa can enter.
Workers already in the US applying for Extension, or transfer.
How to Apply for a Job on e-JAM Using Your Computer
- In: On the Job
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Step 1
First, log into your e-JAM Jobseekers’ profile and click the “Jobs” tab in the tool bar, on the left-hand side of the screen.
Step 2
By clicking this, you will be redirected to the list of jobs e-JAM has available for you.
Step 3
Click on a Job Title that you are interested in and qualified for from the list of options available to you. The job you apply for must reflect the skills and experience outlined in your resume.
Step 4
When you narrow down your desired job, take the time to thoroughly read the Job Description and the Job Details so you can determine whether it's a good fit for you.
Step 5
After reading the Job Description and the Job Details, you decide, based upon your professional history and qualifications, to apply - scroll down and click the “Apply For This Job” button
Step 6
A pop up window will appear, prompting you to answer a few questions; answer them to the best of your ability. Your answers should be applicable to the job you are applying for and highlighting the skills specific for the position according to the Job Description and the Job Details.
If you are applying for more than one job or have experience in more than one area of industry, it is best to create individual resumes for each of your professional histories. Doing this helps to better organize your professional experience in different industries, instead of putting them all in one resume. Therefore, we recommend labeling and saving each resume with a title that illustrates its contents when you upload them into your e-JAM Jobseekers’ profile under the "Resume" tab.
If you have resumes already saved into your e-JAM Jobseeker profile, this pop-up window will give you the option to select one of them from the drop down menu, “Select your resume”; rather than, uploading the files by clicking “Browse...” beneath the prompt “Upload your resume”.
Then, you are asked to provide three brief examples from your resume; this is your chance to show the hiring manager you are a match for the position you are applying for. Make sure you highlight key skills and experiences listed in your resume that are relevant to the job description. This is the first thing employers see when you apply for a job, so make sure it is professionally done and demonstrates why you are more qualified for the position compared to your competition.
Cover letters are not required, but if done correctly, it helps to give an employer a more complete first impression of who you are and why hiring you for the position in question will be an asset to their company.
If you are applying for more than one job, have experience in more than one area of industry, or for any other reason, it is best to create individual cover letters for each of the job applications you will be completing. Therefore, we recommend labeling and saving each cover letter with a title that illustrates its contents when you upload them into your e-JAM Jobseekers’ profile under the "Cover Letters" tab.
If you have cover letters already saved into your e-JAM Jobseeker profile, this pop-up window will give you the option to select one of them from the drop down menu, “Select your cover letter”.
Upon registration, especially if you are applying for an overseas position, it is important you upload all your documents, such as: any certifications, references, and a copy of your passport, and/or government ID card into your e-JAM Jobseeker profile ahead of time. We recommend labeling and saving each document with a title that illustrates its contents when you upload them into your e-JAM Jobseekers’ profile under the "Documents" tab.
If not, you will have to upload these documents every time you fill out an application. Therefore, uploading these documents ahead of time will help your e-JAM hiring experts expedite your application.
If you have uploaded your documents into your e-JAM Jobseeker profile, as mentioned before, you will be able to select them from the drop-down menu provided beneath the section titled "Select your document:"
Finally, you will complete the Captcha at the bottom of the application and then click the “Apply” button.
Step 7
This will immediately redirect you to the “Applied Jobs” tab back into your e-JAM Jobseeker profile, illustrating to you all of the jobs you have applied to up until this point.
Step 8
If you check the email you used to create your e-JAM Jobseeker profile with, you will have received an email detailing your next steps in terms of your application.
How long can I extend my H-2B Visa?
eJAM provides H-2B Extensions for persons from any country already in the U.S. looking to extend their H-2B Visa. It is a fairly simple process and starts with persons signing up to be notified of jobs.
You can file for a H-2B Extension for up to three years.
Generally, USCIS may grant H-2B classification for up to the period of time authorized on the temporary labor certification. H-2B classification may be extended for qualifying employment in increments of up to 1 year each. A new, valid provisional labor certification covering the requested time must accompany each extension request. The maximum period of stay in the H-2B classification is 3 years.
A person who has held H-2B nonimmigrant status for a total of 3 years must depart and remain outside the United States for an uninterrupted period of 3 months before seeking readmission as an H-2B nonimmigrant. Additionally, previous time spent in other H or L classifications counts toward total H-2B time.
Exception: Certain periods of time spent outside of the United States may "interrupt" an H-2B worker's authorized stay and not count toward the 3-year limit.
-- source: uscis.gov ---
What is an interrupted stay?
USCIS officers use the term “interrupted stay” when adjudicating extension of stay requests in the H-2A and H-2B nonimmigrant classifications. It refers to certain periods of time an H-2 worker spends outside the United States during an authorized period of stay, that does not count toward the alien’s maximum 3-year limit in the classification. You can find interrupted stay regulations at:
8 CFR 214.2(h)(5)(viii)(C) – H-2A
8 CFR 214.2(h)(13)(i)(B) -- General H-2 regulations
8 CFR 214.2(h)(13)(iv)-(v) – H-2B
Interrupted stay regulations are the same for both H-2A and H-2B. They are summarized as follows:
If the worker was in the United States in H-2 status for... Then H-2 time is interrupted if he or she is outside the United States for…
18 months or less at least 45 days, but less than 3 months
More than 18 months, but less than 3 years at least 2 months, but less than 3 months
Time in H-2 status is not automatically interrupted if the H-2 worker departs the United States. It will be considered to be interrupted if the guidelines in the chart above are met. Additionally:
If H-2 time is interrupted, time stops accruing toward the H-2 worker’s 3-year limit. Once he or she returns to the United States in H-2 status, time toward the 3-year limit begins to accrue again from the point where it stopped.
If the H-2 worker has reached the 3-year limit, he or she must depart and remain outside the United States for at least 3 months before being readmitted in H-2 status.
Any time the H-2 worker is outside the United States for at least 3 months, his or her 3-year limit restarts from the beginning upon the worker’s readmission to the United States in H-2 status (for example, starts again at “day one”).
What are important factors to consider when calculating interrupted stays? Important factors to consider include:
The definition of “day”: For purposes of interrupted stays, a day is a full 24-hour period (from midnight to midnight) outside the United States. USCIS calculates a travel day to or from the United States as a full day in the United States – even if the H-2 worker departs at 12:01 a.m.
The definition of “month”: For purposes of interrupted stays, a month can be anywhere from 28 to 31 days, depending on which month is used to calculate the interruption.
Distinguish between months and days: The chart above tracks the regulations. If the chart states months, we calculate months – not an equivalent number of days.
Leap years: When counting days, we always consider whether a particular year has February 29.
Effect of multiple interrupted stays: An H-2 worker may acquire more than one interrupted stay during the same 3-year period. It is important to remember that the 3-year maximum period of stay is calculated from the worker’s first date of entry in H-2 status – not from his or her most recent date of entry in H-2 status (unless the worker was outside the United States for at least 3 months between entries).
When does USCIS calculate an interrupted stay?
We will calculate an interrupted stay only when you (the petitioner) request us to do so. Alternatively, your representative may make the request on your behalf if he or she has filed Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, with your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.
Who has the responsibility to show evidence of an interrupted stay?
You (the petitioner) have the responsibility to show that an interrupted stay occurred. To show this, submit evidence with Form I-129 of all the beneficiary’s entries in, and departures from, the United States during the current 3-year period of stay. If the evidence you submit is insufficient, we may request additional evidence from you.
What is acceptable evidence to show that an interrupted stay occurred?
There is no piece of evidence that is “better” than others or “always acceptable.” Evidence must clearly show a departure date from or arrival in, the United States. We consider each piece of evidence on a case-by-case basis.
The evidence you submit must show that it is “more likely than not” that the beneficiary arrived in or departed from the United States on the dates that you request. We may not grant an interrupted stay if we cannot verify your claims.
Should I file separate petitions for some of the H-2 workers I am requesting?
You are not required to file more than one petition per temporary labor certification. However, you may benefit from filing multiple petitions. Here are some examples of how you could benefit:
If we request additional evidence to verify interrupted stays for some H-2 workers, petition processing may be delayed. Filing a separate petition for H-2 workers for whom you are not requesting interrupted stays may enable you to obtain approval on behalf of those workers more quickly (if they are otherwise eligible) while processing continues for the other petition.
We may shorten the validity period for one or more of your H-2 workers if we are unable to verify your claims for some periods of interrupted stay. Doing this may cause the validity period for all other workers to be shortened because petition validity periods are limited to the worker with the shortest approvable validity period. Filing a separate petition for workers for whom you are not requesting interrupted stays may allow them to get the full validity periods you request if they are otherwise eligible.
We may shorten the validity period of one or more of your H-2 workers if they will reach the 3-year maximum period of stay during your requested validity period. Doing this may cause the validity period for all other workers to also be shortened. Filing a separate petition for workers who are not nearing the 3-year limit may allow them to get the full validity periods you request if they are otherwise eligible.
What do I need to know if I choose to file separate petitions for H-2 workers?
If you do choose to file more than one petition with the same temporary labor certification, you may do so if:
You pay all relevant fees for each petition;
The total number of beneficiaries you request on the petitions you submit does not exceed the total number of workers approved by the Department of Labor on the temporary labor certification;
The original temporary labor certification accompanies one petition; and
The other petitions are accompanied by photocopies of the same labor certification and a statement explaining why the original was not submitted, such as:
“I submitted the original temporary labor certification in connection with a previously filed petition. The receipt number for that petition is [insert number]”; or
“I am filing more than one H-2 petition at this time for some of the total of [Insert number of workers] workers covered by the original temporary labor certification. I submitted (or am submitting) the original temporary labor
certification with the other petition, covering the remaining number of workers authorized in the temporary labor certification.”
-- source: uscis.gov ---