El Salvador launches portal to apply for work in the US

This article was written and published in Spanish and has been translated into English via Google Translate. Click here to read the original article.

The Salvadoran government has recently launched a digital platform for citizens to submit applications for registration of a H2A temporary work visa program for ​​agriculture in the United States, Labor Minister Ronaldo Castro confirmed.

The requirements that the interested parties must meet are to have a productive age, not to have links with criminal groups, to present criminal records and solvency of the National Civil Police (PNC), to have "an eminently agricultural vocation", and to be "highly honest", said the minister.

According to the website of the Ministry of Labor, other requirements include "solid family roots", "optimal physical health, not having any physical impediment, having a valid passport, without previous immigration violations, currently working in the agricultural sector and having an offer of a company in the United States."

In addition, Castro reiterated that interested people must be "extremely committed that they will have to return to the country again."

"They have to understand that it is for a period of time, that it is temporary, that they have to return to El Salvador after those five to eight months," he said.

He added that one of the proposals of businessmen in the United States is that a quota be sent for ten months, with two months of rest in El Salvador, and then return for a new period of time.

Castro called on the population to avoid entering the system if they are not interested in applying, to avoid saturation and give the opportunity "to genuine people who hope to transform their lives and travel to the United States legally.”

He said a technology team has foreseen the technical mishaps they might face when enabling the portal, but he said they have security mechanisms to ensure that it does not collapse.

He said that the cost of transportation to the US will be covered in whole or in part by the contractors. He added that an airline has already made an offer to the Government to grant air tickets at cost and will request a tax exemption from the Legislature so that the value is even lower.

Castro said they are still "in the process of negotiating food" and "hospitality" that will be given to Salvadorans, as well as hourly wages.

More countries

Castro added that they are working to find similar agreements in countries in Europe and Canada.

"In Canada we have been a little behind on the electoral issue, but we hope it will stabilize," he said.

He mentioned that in Germany "they are applying for nurses" and workers for other "occupational areas" and will seek to do the paperwork.

This article was written and published in Spanish and has been translated into English via Google Translate. Click here to read the original article.

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