This document discusses key things lawn care business owners should know about the H-2B visa program for hiring foreign seasonal workers. It notes that the program has a lengthy approval process involving multiple agencies, costs money in fees, and has a limited annual cap on the number of foreign workers allowed. The summary advises having a backup plan, as there are no guarantees of getting workers approved even if all requirements are met due to the caps. Relying solely on the program could potentially damage a business if not enough workers are obtained for the season.

1. 5 Things Every
Lawn Care
Business
Owner Should
Know About
the H-2B Visa
Program

2. In a seasonal industry like landscaping,
maintaining a great workforce is a
consistent challenge.

3. The lawn care and
landscaping industry
has grown about 3%
each year, but finding
enough workers has
continued to be a
challenge.
Tips for building great lawn care teams.

4. Most local workers
are not looking for
seasonal work,
and/or are not
willing to work out
in the summer
heat.

5. Therefore, many employers are turning to
the guest-worker program available
through the federal government.
Learn more about this program.

6. Known as the H-2B Visa program, it allows
employers who qualify to hire foreign
workers to fill seasonal jobs.

7. 1) The program requires jumping through
a few time-consuming hoops.

8. The step-by-step process necessary to hire a
foreign worker involves three federal agencies
and one state agency.
• A request to the Department of Labor to figure out the wage for a
particular job in a particular region (i.e. mowing yards in Austin TX)
• 3-4 weeks later when that is received, a work order must be sent to the
state Workforce Agency indicating the position, qualifications needed, and
prevailing wage
• Then, must advertise the job for 10 days in area where job is located. Must
hire all qualified applicants
• Next, send info about number hired to Department of Labor with list of
how many laborers still needed
• After receiving permission to hire through H-2B program, must apply for
visas through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.
• Prospects have to meet with U.S. Dept. of State at the closest American
consulate in their countries and must pass a background check.

9. All told, these steps can take up to
4 months from start to finish.

10. 2) The H-2B program requires you to pay
for each work order placed

11. There are fees involved in almost all
steps of the H-2B process.

12. Each work order placed costs
approximately $1,750 alone.

13. Plus you must pay at the rate for each job
that is prevailing in your region.

14. 3) Only a limited number of foreign
workers are allowed into the U.S. each
year

15. The program has a cap of 66,000 total
workers per year.
• 33,000 allowed in from October 1–March 31
• Another 33,000 allowed in from April 1–September 30.

16. 4) There are no guarantees you will get
workers even if you do everything right

17. If the cap of 33,000 foreign workers is
reached before your request is filled,
then you will not get any foreign
workers for your season.

18. If you planned
on filling all of
your labor
needs with
foreign
workers, this
will leave you
in a very bad
position.

19. 5) Have a backup plan!

20. It is critical that you
not rely only on the
H-2B guest worker
program for your
seasonal workers
Learn 5 smart ways to find new team members.

21. You could potentially kill your business if
you can't service your clients in the
growing season.

22. Figure out the
minimum
number of
people you need
to service your
customers even if
you were unable
to hire the
foreign laborers.

23. Spend more time on trying to hire
local workers.
• Improve your benefits, whether short-term
perks or long-term benefits.
• Reward employee referrals and loyalty.
Learn what perks can and can’t do for your business.

24. • Tell your customers if something happens and
you don't have enough staff.
• Work hard on training your teams so you
provide exceptional customer service
Ways to get your teams to increase their work quality.

25. Do not assume that
you will always
receive employees
through the H-2B
visa program
because it may not
happen one year.
Plan accordingly.

26. Service Autopilot offers software built
specifically help service businesses grow.
Take a virtual tour today!