Every winter, snow and ice management companies brace for chaos: Early storms, subcontractor no-shows and crew shortages. But in the world of seasonal employment, snow removers may be sitting on something more valuable than salt — prime access to H-2B workers.
While landscapers and hospitality operators face intense competition every spring to secure H-2B visas, snow and ice companies are uniquely positioned to come out ahead. With the right strategy and timing, they can bring in workers before the busy season starts and keep them through the spring using a legal provision many employers overlook.
The winter advantage
The H-2B visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers for temporary, non-agricultural jobs such as landscaping, hospitality and snow removal. The program caps out at 66,000 visas per fiscal year. Half are allocated to jobs starting from October through March; the other half is for jobs beginning April through September.
Each year, demand for spring visas far outweighs supply. Most landscapers file for April start dates, which means the odds of being selected can drop significantly. Snow and ice operators, however, have the advantage of applying under the fall cap, which is significantly less crowded.
Even if your plowing routes don’t begin until December, you can justify an October start by building in pre-season tasks. These include fall clean-ups, equipment preparation, salt staging, site walkthroughs and crew training. Filing early means your team is in place before the first snowflake falls.
Cap-exempt gold mine
Here is where snow operators truly strike gold. Once an H-2B worker is counted against the cap in one fiscal year — for example, with an October start — he or she is exempt from the cap for the rest of that fiscal year. This creates a huge opportunity for spring planning.
If you bring in workers through an October filing, you can later file a second petition for those same workers to continue with you or transfer to a new role in the spring. No lottery. No waiting on a cap. No starting over.
Snow companies can legally use the same H-2B workers in the spring, whether for cleanup, early landscaping or transitioning to another seasonal business.
There are also options if you missed these deadlines and the gold rush the program can offer. Consider worker-sharing options where you collaborate with other employers whose winter workload ends early. Their cap-counted H-2B workers may be available for transfer.
If your needs expand or you land new contracts mid-winter, mid-season filings also can help. You can still file petitions, especially if you are hiring workers already in the U.S.
Focus on compliance
With increased scrutiny from immigration authorities, compliance must be a top priority. Ensure your operation is clean and audit-ready. That means:
⦁ No illegal recruitment fees paid by workers.
⦁ Accurate and up-to-date I-9s and payroll records.
Keep detailed documentation in case of a site visit or audit.
2025 program updates
New federal rules are reshaping how the H-2B program works. There are tools available to move quickly, but there is also more accountability. These updates include:
⦁ Workers may now begin work immediately after a valid in-country transfer petition is filed.
⦁ A 60-day grace period allows time to find new employment or make departure plans if a job ends early.
⦁ Employers face stricter penalties for violations, including whistleblower retaliation or non-cooperation with audits.
The snow-and-ice edge
If you operate in snow and ice, you have a rare advantage. Your business fits the fall cap filing period. Your season gives you early access to workers. And best of all, you can keep those same workers into the spring, even when others are locked out by the visa cap.
The H-2B program isn’t simple. But with the right planning, it can be your most reliable tool to keep crews working and contracts fulfilled through winter and beyond.
Don’t miss the labor gold rush. In a market where reliable workers are more valuable than gold, snow and ice operators have a unique opportunity to secure talent now and carry it into spring while others are left behind.
