United States•North America14-21 days
2,850 USD
1 year
Yes
Required
Allowed
No
Not Required
Seasonal or temporary agricultural work when qualified U.S. workers are unavailable. No annual cap.
The H-2A is a US temporary work visa for foreign nationals to fill seasonal or temporary agricultural jobs when qualified US workers are unavailable. It requires employer sponsorship via DOL labor certification and USCIS petition, with no annual cap on numbers.
Initial stay is up to 1 year, extendable in 1-year increments to a 3-year total. Workers must spend at least 3 months outside the US after reaching the limit. No education is required. Employers must pay the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, provide housing, and guarantee three-quarters of contract hours.
This visa is ideal for agricultural laborers from any country who have a US employer offering seasonal farm work and intend to return home after the contract.
I-129 filing fee (small employer, ≤25 FTE) | 545 USD |
I-129 filing fee (large employer, >25 FTE) | 1,090 USD |
Asylum Program Fee (small employer) | 300 USD |
Asylum Program Fee (large employer) | 600 USD |
DOL labor certification base fee | 100 USD |
DOL per-worker fee | 10 USD |
DS-160 consular visa fee (per worker) | 205 USD |
| DOL certification (complete application) | 2 weeks – 3 weeks |
| DOL certification (incomplete application) | 1 month – 2 months |
| USCIS I-129 standard | 2 weeks – 3 weeks |
| Initial grant | 1 year |
Unlimited (no annual cap)
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
United StatesUnited StatesEmployer must be a U.S. agricultural employer, agricultural association, or agent
Job must be of a temporary or seasonal nature (typically ≤10 months)
Employer must obtain DOL temporary labor certification (ETA Form 9142A)
Employer must demonstrate insufficient U.S. workers are available
Hiring foreign workers must not adversely affect wages or working conditions of U.S. workers
Worker must intend to depart after the authorized period
Work must be agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature
Employer must pay the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) or prevailing wage, whichever is higher
Employer must provide free housing or a housing allowance
Employer must pay inbound transportation costs (and outbound if worker completes the contract)
Job Offer
Required
Education
none or higher
Form I-129 (Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker) — filed by employer
ETA Form 9142A (H-2A Application for Temporary Employment Certification) — filed by employer
DOL labor certification approval notice
Job offer or work contract specifying wages, housing, and transportation terms
Form DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application) — filed by worker
Valid passport
Evidence of agricultural employer status
Evidence of temporary or seasonal need
Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) upon entry
| I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker | Fill online |
| ETA Form 9142A H-2A Application for Temporary Employment Certification | Fill online |
| DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application | Fill online |
| I-94 | — |
| Application Steps | Employer files ETA Form 9142A (temporary labor certification) with DOL OFLC via FLAG system; DOL pro… | uscis.gov |
| Dependent Visa | H-4 | uscis.gov |
| Fee Breakdown | I-129 filing fee (small employer, ≤25 FTE): 545 USD; I-129 filing fee (large employer, >25 FTE): 109… | uscis.gov |
| Fees | I-129: $545 (small employer ≤25 FTE) or $1,090 (large employer) + Asylum Program Fee $300/$600; DOL … | uscis.gov |
| Forms | Form I-129 (Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker); ETA Form 9142A (H-2A Application for Temporary Employ… | uscis.gov |
| Forms · DS-160 · description | Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application | travel.state.gov |
| Forms · ETA Form 9142A · description | H-2A Application for Temporary Employment Certification | dol.gov |
| Forms · ETA Form 9142A · url | https://flag.dol.gov/programs/H-2A | flag.dol.gov |
Let's check your eligibility against published requirements. 2 minutes. Free trial.
Check Eligibility