Six Caribbean countries eligible for US visa program

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) states that six Caribbean countries are among 63 countries worldwide that are eligible to participate in two visa programs this year.

The H-2A and H-2B Visa programs enables US employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural and non-agricultural jobs, respectively.

The USCIS identified that the Caribbean countries eligible to participate in the visa are Barbados, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti and Jamaica.Generally, USCIS said it only approves H-2A and H-2B petitions for nationals of countries the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as eligible to participate in the programs.

However, USCIS also said it may approve H-2A and H-2B petitions for nationals of countries not on the list if it is determined to be in the interest of the United States. Effective January 18, 2014, USCIS said nationals of the identified Caribbean countries are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B Visa programs.

It said the notice does not affect the status of beneficiaries who currently are in the United States in H-2A or H-2B status unless they apply to change or extend their status. The USCIS said each country’s designation is valid for one year from January 18, 2014.

Source: Caribbean360