Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
H-2A: Temporary Agricultural Employment of Foreign Workers
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Overview Section 218 of the Immigration and Nationality Act authorizes the lawful admission into the United States of temporary, nonimmigrant workers (H-2A workers) to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature. Before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can approve an employer's petition for such workers, the employer must file an application with the Department’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) stating, among other things, that there are not sufficient workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available, and that the employment of aliens will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of workers similarly employed in the U.S.. Any employer using H-2A workers must have initially attempted to find U.S. workers to fill these jobs. H-2A workers and domestic workers in corresponding employment must be paid special rates of pay that vary by locality, must be provided housing and transportation from that housing to the job site if their employment requires them to be away from their residence overnight, and must be guaranteed an offer of employment for a total number of hours equal to at least 75% of the work period specified in the contract. Key News
General Guidance
Fact Sheets Fact Sheet #26 - general information concerning the application of the H-2A requirements to the agricultural industry for H-2A applications submitted on or after March 15, 2010.
Fact Sheet #26A - general information concerning the application of the H-2A requirements to the agricultural industry for H-2A applications submitted between January 17, 2009 and March 14, 2010. Fact Sheet #26B - general information concerning the application of the H-2A requirements to the agricultural industry for H-2A applications submitted prior to January 17, 2009. Fact Sheet #77D - Retaliation Prohibited under the H-2A Temporary Visa Program Posters Presentations Applicable Laws and Regulations
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