Skip to main content
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government    Here's how you know
Español
Multilingual Resources
Official Government Website

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Website

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
 
Sign In  
Access USCIS online services.
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
Sign In
Create Account
Horizontal Menu
  • Topics
  • Forms
  • Newsroom
  • Citizenship
  • Green Card
  • Laws
  • Tools
  • Contact us
  • Multilingual Resources
  • Ask Emma
Main navigation
Skip to main content
  • Working in the United States
    • International Entrepreneur Rule
    • Temporary Workers
      • CW-1: CNMI-Only Transitional Worker
      • E-1 Treaty Traders
      • E-2 CNMI Investor
      • E-2 Treaty Investors
      • E-3 Certain Specialty Occupation Professionals from Australia
      • H-1B Specialty Occupations and Fashion Models
        • H-1B Cap Season
        • H-1B Electronic Registration Process
        • Extension of Post Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 Status for Eligible Students under the H-1B Cap-Gap Regulations
        • Fee Increase for Certain H-1B and L-1 Petitions (Public Law 114-113)
        • Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses
      • H-2A Agricultural Workers
      • H-2B Non-Agricultural Workers
      • H-3 Nonimmigrant Trainee
      • I Representatives of Foreign Media
      • L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager
      • L-1B Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge
      • O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
        • O Nonimmigrant Classifications: Question and Answers
      • P-1A Internationally Recognized Athlete
      • P-1B Member of Internationally Recognized Entertainment Group
      • P-2 Performer or Group Performing under Reciprocal Exchange Program
      • P-3 Artist or Entertainer Part of a Culturally Unique Program
      • Q Cultural Exchange
      • R-1 Temporary Religious Workers
      • TN NAFTA Professionals
    • Permanent Workers
      • Employment-Based Immigration: First Preference EB-1
      • Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference EB-2
      • Employment-Based Immigration: Third Preference EB-3
      • Employment-Based Immigration: Fourth Preference EB-4
        • Special Immigrant Juveniles
        • Religious Workers
      • Employment-Based Immigration: Fifth Preference EB-5
        • EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Centers
        • EB-5 Integrity Fund
        • About the EB-5 Visa Classification
        • EB-5 Immigrant Investor Process
    • STEM Employment Pathways
      • Immigrant Pathways for STEM Employment in the United States
      • Nonimmigrant Pathways for STEM Employment in the United States
    • Entrepreneur Employment Pathways
      • Immigrant Pathways for Entrepreneur Employment in the United States
      • Nonimmigrant or Parole Pathways for Entrepreneur Employment in the United States
    • Students and Exchange Visitors
      • Conrad 30 Waiver Program
      • Exchange Visitors
      • Students and Employment
    • Temporary Visitors for Business
      • B-1 Temporary Business Visitor
      • GB Temporary Business Visitor to Guam
      • WB Temporary Business Visitor under Visa Waiver Program
    • Information for Employers and Employees
      • Automatic Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Extension
      • DHS Support of the Enforcement of Labor and Employment Laws
      • Employer Information
        • Employment Authorization
        • VIBE
      • Employment Authorization in Compelling Circumstances
      • Options for Nonimmigrant Workers Following Termination of Employment
      • Report Labor Abuses
      • Petition Process Overview
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Working in the United States
  3. Temporary Workers
  4. H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers

H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers

Update: June 16, 2021 is the final date that USCIS will accept H-2A petitions requesting flexibilities under the below temporary final rule. The changes made by this temporary final rule will automatically terminate on June 16. All H-2A petitions received after the termination of this temporary final rule will be subject to the permanent provisions of the H-2A program.

Update: On Dec. 18, DHS published a new temporary final rule extending the Aug. 20 temporary final rule. In the new rule, DHS extended the provision that temporarily allows all H-2A petitioners with a valid temporary labor certification (TLC) to start employing certain foreign workers who are currently in the United States and in valid H-2A status. DHS also extended the provision that allows H-2A workers to change employers and begin work before USCIS approves the new H-2A petition. DHS will apply this temporary final rule to H-2A petitions requesting an extension of stay, if they were received on or after Dec. 18, 2020, through June 16, 2021. Additional information is available under the H-2A Requirements During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency section on the USCIS Response to COVID-19 page

The H-2A program allows U.S. employers or U.S. agents who meet specific regulatory requirements to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural jobs. A U.S. employer, a U.S. agent as described in the regulations, or an association of U.S. agricultural producers named as a joint employer must file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, on a prospective worker’s behalf.

Who May Qualify for H-2A Classification?

To qualify for H-2A nonimmigrant classification, the petitioner must:

  • Offer a job that is of a temporary or seasonal nature.
  • Demonstrate that there are not enough U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available to do the temporary work.
  • Show that employing H-2A workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.
  • Generally, submit a single valid temporary labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor with the H-2A petition. (A limited exception to this requirement exists in certain “emergent circumstances.”See e.g., 8 CFR 214.2(h)(5)(x) for specific details.)

H-2A Program Process

  • Step 1: Petitioner submits temporary labor certification application to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).  Before requesting H-2A classification from USCIS, the petitioner must apply for and receive a temporary labor certification for H-2A workers from DOL. For further information regarding the temporary labor certification requirements and process, see the Foreign Labor Certification, Department of Labor Web page.
  • Step 2: Petitioner submits Form I-129 to USCIS. After receiving a temporary labor certification for H-2A employment from DOL, the petitioner must file Form I-129 with USCIS. With limited exceptions, the petitioner must submit original temporary labor certification as initial evidence with Form I-129. (See the instructions to Form I-129 for additional filing requirements.)
  • Step 3: Prospective workers outside the United States apply for visa and/or admission. After USCIS approves Form I-129, prospective H-2A workers who are outside the United States must:
    • Apply for an H-2A visa with the U.S. Department of State (DOS) at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad and then seek admission to the United States with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at a U.S. port of entry; or
    • Directly seek admission to the United States in H-2A classification with CBP at a U.S. port of entry, if a worker does not require a visa in cases where an H-2A visa is not required.

H-2A Eligible Countries List

Except as noted below, H-2A petitions may only be approved for nationals of countries that the secretary of homeland security has designated, with the concurrence of the Office of the Secretary of State, as eligible to participate in the H-2A program.

The Department of Homeland Security publishes the list of H-2A and H-2B eligible countries in a Federal Register notice. Designation of eligible countries is valid for one year from publication.

Effective Nov. 10, 2022, nationals from the following countries are eligible to participate in the H-2A program:

Andorra Fiji Malta Serbia
Argentina Finland Mauritius Singapore
Australia France Mexico Slovakia
Austria Germany Monaco Slovenia
Barbados Greece Montenegro Solomon Islands
Belgium Grenada Mozambique South Africa
Bosnia and Herzegovina Guatemala Nauru South Korea
Brazil Haiti The Netherlands Spain
Brunei Honduras New Zealand St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Bulgaria Hungary Nicaragua Sweden
Canada Iceland North Macedonia Switzerland
Chile Ireland Norway Taiwan*
Colombia Israel Panama Thailand
Costa Rica Italy Papua New Guinea Timor-Leste
Croatia Jamaica Paraguay Turkey
Czech Republic Japan Peru Tuvalu
Denmark Kiribati Poland Ukraine
Dominican Republic Latvia Portugal United Kingdom
Ecuador Liechtenstein Republic of Cyprus Uruguay
El Salvador Lithuania Romania Vanuatu
Estonia Luxembourg Saint Lucia  
The Kingdom of Eswatini Madagascar San Marino  

*Regarding all references to “country” or “countries” in this document, it should be noted that the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Pub. L. No. 96-8, Section 4(b)(1), provides that “[w]henever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to Taiwan.” See 22 U.S.C. § 3303(b)(1). Accordingly, all references to “country” or “countries” in the regulations governing whether nationals of a country are eligible for H-2 program participation. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(5)(i)(F)(1)(i) and 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(i)(E)(1), are read to include Taiwan. This is consistent with the United States’ one-China policy, under which the United States has maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan since 1979.

The secretary of homeland security may consider adding a country to the Eligible Countries List upon receiving a recommendation from the U.S. Department of State or a written request from an unlisted foreign government, an employer that would like to hire nationals of an unlisted country in H-2A status, or another interested party or parties. When designating countries to include on the list, the secretary of homeland security, with the concurrence of the Office of the Secretary of State, will take into account factors that include the following:

  • The country’s cooperation with issuing travel documents for citizens, subjects, nationals and residents of that country who are subject to a final order of removal
  • The number of final and unexecuted (meaning completed but not yet carried out) orders of removal against citizens, subjects, nationals and residents of that country
  • The number of orders of removal executed against citizens, subjects, nationals and residents of that country
  • Other factors as may serve the U.S. interest. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(5)(i)(F)(1)(i) and 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)(i)(E)(1).

If you want DHS to consider adding a country to the Eligible Country List, send a written request to DHS’s Office of Policy, or the Department of State at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Country listings are valid for one year. DHS may add a country to the Eligible Country List whenever the secretary of homeland security determines that the country is eligible.

A national from a country not on the list may only be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A petition if the secretary of homeland security determines that it is in the U.S. interest for the national to be the beneficiary of such a petition. See 8 CFR 214.2(h)(2)(iii) and 8 CFR 214.2(h)(5)(i)(F)(1)(ii) for additional evidentiary requirements.

Note: If you request H-2A workers from both eligible and non-eligible countries, USCIS suggests that you file two separate petitions. Filing one petition for workers from eligible countries and a separate petition for workers from non-eligible countries may help decrease delays in processing your request for H-2A workers.

Period of Stay

Generally, USCIS may grant H-2A classification for up to the period of time authorized on the temporary labor certification. H-2A classification may be extended for qualifying employment in increments of up to 1 year each. A new, valid temporary labor certification covering the requested time must accompany each extension request. The maximum period of stay in H-2A classification is 3 years.

A person who has held H-2A nonimmigrant status for a total of 3 years must depart and remain outside the United States for an uninterrupted period of 3 months before seeking readmission as an H-2A nonimmigrant. Additionally, previous time spent in other H or L classifications counts toward total H-2A time.

Exception: Certain periods of time spent outside of the United States may “interrupt” an H-2A worker’s authorized stay and not count toward the 3-year limit. See the Calculating Interrupted Stay for H-2 Classifications Web page for additional information.

Family of H-2A Workers

An H-2A worker’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age may seek admission in H-4 nonimmigrant classification. Family members are not eligible for employment in the United States while in H-4 status.

Employment-Related Notifications to USCIS

OMB Control Number 1615-0107

Petitioners of H-2A workers must notify USCIS within 2 workdays if any of the following occur:

  • No show: The H-2A worker fails to report to work within 5 work days of the latter of:
    • The employment start date on the H-2A petition, or
    • The start date established by the employer;
  • Abscondment: The H-2A worker leaves without notice and fails to report for work for 5 consecutive workdays without the consent of the employer;
  • Termination: The H-2A worker is terminated before completing of the H-2A labor or services for which he or she was hired; or
  • Early Completion: The H-2A worker finishes the labor or services for which he or she was hired more than 30 days earlier than the date specified in the H-2A petition.

Petitioners must include the following information on the employment-related notification:

  1. The reason for the notification (for example, explain that the worker was either a “no show,” “absconder,” “termination,” or “early completion”);
  2. The reason for untimely notification and evidence for good cause, if applicable;
  3. The USCIS receipt number of the approved H-2A petition;
  4. The petitioner’s information, including:
    • Name
    • Address
    • Phone number
    • Employer identification number (EIN)
  5. The employer’s information (if different from that of the petitioner):
    • Name
    • Address
    • Phone number
  6. The H-2A worker’s information:
    • Full Name
    • Date of birth
    • Place of birth
    • Last known physical address and phone number

Additionally, to help USCIS identify the H-2A worker, submit the following for each H-2A worker, if available:

  • Social Security number
  • Visa number

Failure to Notify USCIS: A petitioner who fails to comply with these employment notification requirements, or fails to demonstrate good cause for untimely notification, may be required to pay $10 in liquidated damages for each instance of noncompliance.

Note: USCIS defers to DOL’s definition of “workday.”  According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), this generally means the period of time on any particular day when an employee begins and ends his or her “principal activities.”

How do I notify USCIS?

Email or mail your notification to the California Service Center at the following addresses. Although not required, email notification is strongly recommended to ensure timely notification.

California Service Center

By email: CSC-X.H-2AAbs@uscis.dhs.gov

By mail:

California Service Center
Attn: BCU Section
P.O. Box 30050
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607–3004

Fee-Related Notifications to USCIS

OMB Control Number 1615-0107

A petitioner, agent, facilitator, recruiter, or similar employment service is prohibited from collecting a job placement fee or other compensation (either direct or indirect) at any time from an H-2A worker as a condition of employment.

Petitioners are provided with the opportunity to avoid denial or revocation (on notice) of their H-2A petition if they notify USCIS that they obtained information concerning the beneficiary’s payment of (or agreement to pay) a prohibited fee or compensation to any agent, facilitator, recruiter, or similar employment service only after they filed their H-2A petition. This narrow exception does not apply, however, where a petitioner knew or should have known at the time of filing of its H-2A petition that the prospective worker had paid (or agreed to pay) such recruitment-related fees to any such persons or entities.

Petitioners must notify USCIS of an H-2A worker’s payment of or agreement to pay prohibited fees to a recruiter, facilitator or similar employment service within 2 workdays of gaining knowledge of such payment or agreement.

Petitioners must include the following information in their fee-related notification:

  1. The reason for the notification;
  2. The USCIS receipt number of the approved H-2A petition;
  3. The petitioner’s information:
    • Name
    • Address
    • Phone number
  4. The employer’s information (if different from that of the petitioner):
    • Name
    • Address
    • Phone number
  5. Information about the recruiter, facilitator, or placement service to which the beneficiaries paid (or agreed to pay) the prohibited fee:
    • Name
    • Address

How do I notify USCIS?

Email or mail your notification to the California Service Center at the following addresses. Although not required, email notification is strongly recommended to ensure timely notification.

California Service Center

By email: CSC.H2AFee@uscis.dhs.gov

By mail:

California Service Center
Attn: H-2A Fee
P.O. Box 10695
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607–1095

Inquiring About a Pending H-2A Petition

USCIS provides expedited processing of Form I-129 for H-2A petitions. You can check the status of your case using Case Status Online. If your petition has been pending for more than 15 days and we have not sent you a decision or request for more evidence, you may call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 to ask about the status of your case.

Note: We can only provide case-specific information to authorized individuals (for example, petitioners and attorneys of record). For H-2A petitions, the petitioner is the petitioning individual or company. We cannot provide case-specific information to unauthorized third parties, such as the beneficiary (the temporary worker).

Other USCIS Resources

  • Paperwork Reduction Act: H-2 Petitioner's Employment Related or Fee Related Notification
  • H-2A Petitioners Must Include Temporary Labor Certification Final Determination with Form I-129
  • Calculating Interrupted Stays for the H-2 Classifications
  • Reminder: Certain Fees May Not Be Collected From H-2A and H-2B Workers
Last Reviewed/Updated:
11/09/2022
Was this page helpful?
0 / 2000
To protect your privacy, please do not include any personal information in your feedback. Review our Privacy Policy.
Return to top
  • Topics
  • Forms
  • Newsroom
  • Citizenship
  • Green Card
  • Laws
  • Tools
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
LinkedIn
Email
Contact USCIS
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal

USCIS.gov

An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Important links
  • About USCIS
  • Accessibility
  • Budget and Performance
  • DHS Components
  • Freedom of Information Act
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Privacy and Legal Disclaimers
  • Site Map
  • Office of the Inspector General
  • The White House
  • USA.gov
Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov