In federal fiscal year 2025, two southwest Montana counties contributed significantly to the state’s temporary foreign-worker positions. According to an analysis by Montana Free Press using U.S. Department of Labor data, they accounted for over 40% of the positions certified for Montana employers. The labor certification process, first among several federal approvals, plays a crucial role in granting foreign workers H-2 visas.
Labor certification involves the Labor Department certifying positions by assessing the availability of qualified U.S. workers and ensuring no adverse effects on local wages and conditions. The H-2A program deals with temporary agricultural jobs on farms and ranches, while H-2B covers nonagricultural work that is seasonal or intermittent. Multiple federal agencies manage these programs.
Though the Department counts positions, it doesn’t equate to visas issued or actual foreign worker arrivals. Employers, after certification, must file petitions with USCIS, and workers abroad may need visas from the State Department. In fiscal 2025, 4,470 H-2A and H-2B positions were certified in Montana, down by 3.3% primarily due to a notable 13.5% drop in H-2B certifications.
Statewide, 2,117 H-2A and 2,353 H-2B positions were certified in 2025. The H-2A program has no cap, whereas H-2B visas generally have a limit of 33,000 per 6-month period. Despite authorized supplemental visas, limitations apply later when visas are requested, not at certification. These numbers indicate employer demand rather than visa issuance.
In fiscal 2025, Madison County led with 1,005 certified positions, followed by Gallatin County with 844. Combined, they accounted for over 1,800 positions, or 41% of the state’s total. Yellowstone County had 303, Beaverhead County 190, and Missoula County 143, with the top five counties representing more than 55% of the statewide total. H-2B certifications constituted about 90% in Madison and Gallatin, whereas Beaverhead focused on agriculture with 184 H-2A positions.
Madison and Gallatin counties alone made up 71% of Montana’s H-2B positions, highlighting a concentration in nonagricultural roles.
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