List of H2A and H2B Eligible Countries for 2021
On January 13, 2021, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published the list [link] of countries whose nationals will be eligible to participate in the H2A and H2B nonimmigrant visa programs in 2021.
The 2021 list of eligible H2A and H2B countries is nearly identical to the 2020 list. The following countries have different statuses than they did in 2020:
Nationals of the Philippines are now eligible to participate in the H2B program.
Nationals of the State of Samoa are no longer eligible to participate in the H2A or H2B programs.
Nationals of Tonga are no longer eligible to participate in the H2A or H2B programs.
Nationals of Mongolia are no longer eligible to participate in the H2A program.
The DHS may add or remove countries from the H2A and H2B programs during the year if it decides that doing so is warranted.
List of H2A and H2B Eligible Countries
Andorra
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Barbados
Belgium
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Columbia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Fiji
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Kiribati
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malta
Mexico
Monaco
Montenegro
Mozambique
Nauru
The Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
North Macedonia
Norway
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Turkey
Tuvalu
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Vanuatu
List Countries That Are H2A Eligible, But Not H2B Eligible
Dominican Republic
Moldova
Paraguay
List of Countries That Are H2B Eligible, But Not H2A Eligible
Mongolia
Philippines
Conclusion
The vast majority of countries that are eligible for either the H2A or H2B programs are eligible for both. Three countries are only H2A eligible while two countries are only H2B eligible. All unlisted countries are not part of either the H2A or H2B program. Employers seeking to employ H2A or H2B workers should consult with an experienced immigration attorney in the area of employment immigration [see category] for case-specific guidance.