New H-2C Visas for Essential Temporary Workers in Low Unemployment Areas.
This act establishes the H-2C temporary nonimmigrant visa category for essential, non-agricultural workers to fill persistent job openings in areas experiencing low unemployment. Employers must demonstrate robust recruitment of U.S. workers, pay prevailing wages, and adhere to strict anti-displacement rules. The program starts with a cap of 65,000 positions annually, aiming to address labor shortages while protecting domestic employment standards.
Key points
Creates the H-2C visa for temporary non-agricultural workers in regions designated as "full employment areas" (unemployment rate 7.9% or less).
Employers must prove they could not find qualified U.S. workers and pay a scarcity recruitment fee for special allocations.
H-2C workers are granted an initial stay of up to 36 months and gain job portability after one year with their initial employer.
H-2C workers are explicitly ineligible for certain federal public benefits, such as the premium assistance tax credit.
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