DOL Introduces H-2A, H-2B Online Filing

Employers that rely on temporary foreign workers when needed will soon be able to file H-2A and H-2B foreign labor certifications online.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) says that electronic filing for the H-2B program is scheduled to be implemented on October 15, and electronic filing for the H-2A program is scheduled for December 10.

The H-2A and H-2B programs establish a means for U.S. employers to hire foreign workers on a temporary basis when qualified U.S. workers are not available, and the employment of those workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers.

Key features of the new filing process include: online account management, which will enable employers to manage client membership lists; the ability to prepare, submit, and track H-2A and H-2B applications; and the option to reuse applications from previous seasons, thereby reducing data entry time. Real-time electronic form validations will warn users of missing data entries, helping them avoid application processing delays, and email notifications will keep users informed throughout the application process. In addition, says DOL, the paperless submission process will significantly reduce administrative time and costs by enabling users to upload supporting documents for more efficient storage and retrieval.

Federal Register notice