H-2B visas are for nonagricultural temporary work, and have a limit of 66,000 participants per year. Though the quota of participants is rarely reached, the Department of State advises anyone who would like an H-2B visa to apply as soon as possible (but not more than six months before you would like to begin your job).

In order to receive an H-2B visa, you must first find a job in the United States before your visa can be approved. This is because your American employer must send a copy of Form I-129, the Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

You also need to fill out the following forms as part of your visa application:

A Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-156)

A supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-157), which is required for all male applicants 16 to 45 years of age and all applicants over 16 from North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Iran and Sudan.

A Contact Information and Work History (Form DS-158)

A valid passport for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond the end of your intended stay

A 2x2 photograph

The Department of State requires an interview with all potential H-2B visa applicants at either the American Embassy or Consulate in your home country.

You will not be able to schedule your visa application interview unless you have the approved Form I-129 petition receipt number.

During your interview, a photo and a scan of your fingerprints will be taken as part of the program. The waiting time for interviews can vary, so it is advised that you set up an interview as soon as you have the Form I-129 receipt number from your employer.

You will need to be able to show that you have binding ties to a residence outside of the United States, and that you have no intention of abandoning your home. The government does not have a set guide on how much proof you will need to provide, unfortunately, so plan to bring ample evidence of your stability.

Your visa will be valid for a set amount of time (depending on the length of time granted by the Department of State), but in some cases those limits can be extended for completion of services.

If you would like to return to the United States on another H-2B visa in the future, you will need to spend a fixed time period abroad before you can be readmitted under any temporary worker program.

You may bring your spouse and unmarried children under age 21 along under an H-2B visa, but they are not allowed to accept employment in the country. In addition, you will need to prove you can support for your spouse and children for them to join you.

DS-156 and DS-157: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html

To learn the cost of visa services, visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1263.html.