- 1). Confirm your employment, including your contract details such as salary and start date. Your employer should issue this information in writing, as it will be used later on during the interview stage.
- 2). Have your employer file an I-129 petition for you. Only employers who have been cleared by USCIS to hire foreign workers by receiving a temporary labor certification for H2B workers may file this petition for you. The petition contains information about the employer, the position, your salary and the terms of your contract. Once the petition is approved, you will be notified by the embassy or consulate in your country that you are eligible to apply for your visa.
- 3). Fill out your visa application forms. The application form DS-156 will be mailed to you by the embassy. If you are a male between the ages of 18 and 55, you will also need to fill out the Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application. Do not sign the applications until a consular officer instructs you to do so.
- 4). Gather your supporting information. This includes your job offer and contract details, passport, two 2-by-2-inch U.S. passport-style photographs, financial details such as savings and details of your accommodation in the United States. You will need this information for your interview.
- 5). Alert the U.S. embassy or consulate that you are ready for your visa interview. This process varies from country to country. You may have been issued a letter or checklist to mail back to signal your readiness, or you may be able to schedule by phone or email. Check the embassy's website for details on how to complete the process.
- 6). Attend your visa interview. You will be asked questions by a consular officer, who will interview you about your new job, your immigration history and your plans in the United States. If your answers are satisfactory, you will be granted an H2B visa and may enter the United States to work.
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