H-2A - FEWA Global

H-2A Visas

Temporary Agricultural Workers

The H-2A program establishes a means for agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers to the U.S. to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature.

In this video, FEWA Vice President, Arnulfo Hinojosa, reviews how FEWA helps the Agricultural community manage their seasonal worker programs.

Six Top Occupations in The H-2A Program

Farmworkers/ Nursery Laborers
Agriculture Equipment Operators
Agricultural Construction Laborers
Heavy Truck Drivers
Agricultural Graders and Sorters
Farm Equipment Mechanics

QUALIFYING CRITERIA TO PARTICIPATE

Prove you have a temporary/seasonal need
Prove there are no domestic workers willing and capable by testing the U.S. labor market
No layoffs of similarly employed U.S. workers
Job opportunity is full time for the entire season
Provide free of charge all tools & supplies required to perform the job
Inbound & Outbound transportation & subsistence expenses provided or reimbursed
Provide housing at no cost to the workers
Guarantee an offer of employment for a total of ¾ of the hours specified in work contract

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND ABOUT THE H-2A PROGRAM

Not a way to ‘legalize’ undocumented workers currently in the U.S.
U.S. Department of Labor sets the wage
Not a means by which to hire “cheap labor”
Complete process can take 4-5 months, get started early
As an agribusiness you must be prepared to follow the rules
Process requires a coordinated effort on the part of FEWA staff and the individual FEWA employer-members