USA H2A Work Visa Process 2023 (Seasonal Visa for USA)

3rd October 2023

The US H2A Visa is a non-immigrant temporary work visa that allows U.S. Employers, and agents to bring Foreign workers from outside the United States to work in agriculture-related activities. This post is about the US H2A Work Visa Process 2023. The maximum period of stay on an H2A Visa is 3 years. According to the U.S. Department of Labor the H2A Employers who will offer a Job will provide housing and transportation from that housing to the job site.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service has a list of approved Employers to bring foreign workers for seasonal work. In 2021, 258,000 H-2A visas were issued, whereas, in 2022, this number increased to 298,000, in 2023 they aim to give 370,000 H2A Visas. These numbers can be verified through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. More details about the US H2A Work Visa Process 2023 are given below

Details About US H2A Work Visa Process 2023

 

Job Country: United States
Who can Apply: Non-US Citizens
No Visas in 2023: 370,000
Visa Name: H2A Agriculture Visa
Benefits from the Employer

Transportation to the USA: $400 to $650 (Paid by Employer)
Visa Application Fee
Housing Management
Labor Certification Fee
All Fees are Paid by the employer.
H2A Visa Statistics

The following number of H2A Visas were approved in the Fiscal year 2021, 2022, and now in 2023.

Year 2021: 258,000
Year 2022: 298,000
Year 2023: 370,000
US H2A Working Industry

Temporary or seasonal agricultural work can happen on farms, plantations, ranches, nurseries, ranges, greenhouses, orchards, or other similar locations.

Picking fruits and vegetables
Planting and transplanting crops
Pruning trees and shrubs
Milking cows and goats
Feeding and caring for livestock
Processing poultry and meat
Landscaping and groundskeeping
Planting and harvesting trees
Fishing and aquaculture
US H2A Work Visa Sponsorship Companies 2023

There are hundreds of companies and employers in the USA that are recognized by the U.S. government for hiring foreign workers under the H2A Visa Program.

These companies can hire people from outside the United States. For Instance, the screenshot is given below that shows the name of the Employer and the number of H2A Visas sponsored by a particular company.

 

Period of Stay

Minimum 1 Year, Maximum renewable to 3 years.

US H2A Visa Processing Time in 2023

The standard application process can take up to 75 days.

US H2A Visa Cost

Employers will be responsible for hiring and employing foreign workers under the H-2A Visa Program. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the employer will cover:

  • Labor Certification Fee: $100
  • Non-Immigrant Worker Petition Filing Fee: $460
  • H-2A Visa Application Fee: $190
  • Border stamp fee: $6
  • Agent fees: $100
  • Transportation to the USA: $400 to $650 (Paid by Employer)
  • Housing and livable fittings: Approximately $9,000 to $13,000 per worker

You can verify the above information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Website.

US H2A Visa Sponsorship Jobs

Step by Step US H2A Work Visa Process 2023

Step 1: Find a Job

You must be able to find a Job first in Agriculture related companies. You can use the above sponsorship companies, or other sites too.

Step 2: Labor certification

Your employer will submit a Labor Certification to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)

Step 3: Form I-129 to USCIS

After receiving a temporary labor certification for H-2A employment from DOL, the petitioner/employer must file Form I-129 with USCIS.

Step 4: Apply for the H2A Visa

Once all of the above steps are completed and you have a Green signal. You have to apply for the US H2A Visa at the US Embassy. You will need to apply online for the Visa and attend the interview at the Embassy.

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