The H-1B is used for high-tech workers to come to the USA to supplement IT staff, as well as other "highly skilled" work.
The H-2B visa, according to this article, is the H-1B "cousin" for seasonal workers, those not here for several-year business project stints, but for summer work at amusement parks, or winter work at ski resorts.
I presume this means that they want the Australians and Nordics to go to Vail, Aspen, Tahoe, etc., to be the "snow bunnies" for the rich and famous to play with during winter ski retreats.
-PJ
Nope. I think you’re minimizing the impact. It applies to everyone with specialized skills, and that means everyone.
The H2B visa programme is the programme whereby people with specialised skills, foreign nationals with specialised skills, are supposed to be able to come in and be sponsored by their employer. That’s the idea,” he said at a campaign event in Duryea, Pennsylvania yesterday.
Noting that there are some “highly specialised” areas meant to be covered under it, Obama said:”Let’s say, you know, you need a nuclear physicist in a particular area, and you just can’t find one. And it turns out there’s a guy who is Indian, who fits the bill. And you’ve gone out and you’ve tried to recruit people. ... And your business needs this. That’s what the H2B visa is supposed to be for.”