Annual Update: Meal Charge and Subsistence Rate

DOL has announced their annual update to allowable meal charges as well as updated minimum and maximum travel-related subsistence reimbursements. This will go into effect on 3/24/25 and can be found in the federal register.

H-2A Allowable Meal Charge 

H-2A employers, other than herding or production of livestock on the range, must provide workers three meals per day or free and convenient cooking facilities.

This allowable meal charge has been updated to $16.28 per day. Unless approved by an OFLC certifying officer, a worker must not be charged more than that.

Reimbursement for Travel-Related Subsistence

The travel-related subsistence rate has been updated to a minimum of $16.28 up to a maximum of $68 per day (with receipts). If a worker does not provide receipts, the employer is not obligated to reimburse above the minimum rate.

H-2 employers must pay reasonable travel and subsistence costs, including meals and lodging, incurred by the workers during travel from the place which the worker departed to work for the employer to the place of employment. Also included are any costs incurred by the worker incident to obtaining a visa authorizing entry to the U.S for the purpose of their H-2employment.

Similarly, upon the worker completing the job order period or being dismissed early (for any reason), the employer is responsible for providing (or paying at the time of departure) the worker’s cost of return transportation and daily-travel related subsistence to the place from which the worker departed to come work for the employer. This is not required to be more than the most economical and reasonable costs for transportation. 

For more information regarding DOL’s meal charges and travel subsistence, you can visit the official page on OFLC’s website.

Please call us if you have any questions regarding your obligations as an H-2 employer!

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