Streamline Your H-2A Visa Process with Labor Consultants International

Your Trusted Partner in Agricultural Labor Solutions

Learn about h-2A Visas

What is an H-2A Visa?

The H-2A visa program allows U.S. agricultural employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural jobs. This program is essential for meeting seasonal labor needs and ensuring that farms and agricultural businesses can operate efficiently.

Main Benefits of Using Labor COnsultANTS International

Meet Labor Demands

We help farms and agricultural businesses address their shortage of domestic labor by facilitating a means of temporary labor.

Support Agricultural Productivity

We take the burden of meticulously handling all the necessary paperwork to ensure your valuable time is spent maintaining your agricultural commodities.

Legal Compliance

Operate within the legal framework set by the U.S. government for hiring foreign agricultural workers.

Enhance Workforce Stability

Reduce turnover and increase the reliability of your labor force during critical seasons.

Our Leadership Team

Why Use Labor Consultants International? 

Extensive Industry Expertise

Our deep understanding of the H-2A program ensures that your application is handled with precision and efficiency.

Personalized Service & Support

We take the time to understand your requirements, offer strategic insight based on your specific labor needs, and provide ongoing support.

Proven Track Record of Success

We have 26+ years of experience helping numerous companies across various sectors meet their seasonal and peak load labor demands.

Comprehensive Compliance 

At LCI, we ensure that every aspect of your application meets the necessary regulatory standards from labor certification to visa petitions.

Commitment to Relationship

At LCI, we are committed to each client and their own unique needs. We ensure that you aren’t just a number, and work to maintain individual relationships with each of our clients.

Our Process

Our Simple Steps to Secure Your H-2A Visa

Interested in learning more about our timelines and deliverables?

Check Your Timeline

1.

Initial Consultation

During the initial consultation, we assess your specific agricultural labor needs and provide tailored advice on the best H-2A visa options for your business. 

2.

Document Preparation

Our team assists in gathering and organizing all necessary documents, ensuring that your H-2A visa application is complete and accurate.

3.

Submission & Follow-Up

We handle the submission of your H-2A visa application to DOL and USCIS while diligently following up with them to track its progress.

4.

Approval & Deployment

Once your H-2A visa is approved, we guide you through the final steps, ensuring a smooth transition going into your working season.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

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Do my current employees have to make the same as my foreign workers?

Department of Labor (Wage and Hour Division) has a regulation concerning “corresponding employment.” This means that any non H-2 worker employed by an employer that has a certified application who performs substantially the same work as the foreign worker have at least the same protections and benefits as those offered or provided to an H-2 worker.

In short, yes, any current, domestic workers you have doing the same work as the foreign workers have to make at least the same wage.

See the full explanation regarding corresponding employment through the link below.

Click here
Are we responsible for housing the workers?

H-2A: Yes, you are required to house the workers at no cost to the foreign workers and the workers in corresponding employment who cannot reasonably return home at the end of the day. H-2A employers are also required to provide three meals per day or to furnish free and convenient cooking/kitchen facilities where meals can be prepared.

Learn more here.

H-2B (all industries other than forestry/carnival): No, you are not required to provide housing, but you must assist in helping them find housing. Whether that be setting up hotels or a space they can rent, the workers will likely need assistance finding somewhere to live. Unlike H-2A, you do not have to provide meals or a kitchen.

H-2B (Itinerant: Forestry/Carnival): Yes, all forestry and carnival type employers are required to pay housing throughout the duration of the job because it is seen as a benefit to the employer due to the nature of a mobile workforce. These employers are not required to cover or provide meal costs during the duration of the job like an H2A employer would.

Learn more about itinerant housing requirements here.

What do you mean by "job code"?

DOL will classify the work you do into specific job codes. There are countless of job codes to look through, but there can only be ONE job code per application/certification.

FOR EXAMPLE: if you own a hotel and you need housekeepers, dishwashers, and an outdoor maintenance crew, you would need to file three separate applications to obtain certifications for those three very different jobs.

Each job code has different wages, and with each application, we have to explain the seasonality and need for the occupation within your business. It would be impossible to put three very different types of jobs onto one singular application.

You can search various occupational codes through this link.

Click here
What deductions come out of my H2 worker's paychecks? Do they pay taxes?

Your H2 workers will have the same taxes and deductions made from their paychecks as any domestic worker would. So yes, they do pay taxes!

Here’s a helpful link that will help with deductions and fees you cannot charge to your workers.

Click Here
What are some common H-2 Visa Job Codes?

DOL categorizes each job into a specific code. There are many different job codes for the A and B programs. Below are the more common job codes.

H-2A

  • 45-2092.00 Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
  • 45-2092.01 Nursery Workers
  • 45-2092.02 Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop
  • 45-2091.00 Agricultural Equipment Operators
  • 45-2093.00 Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals
  • 45-2093.00 Beekeepers

H-2B

  • 37-3011 Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
  • 45-4011 Forest and Conservation Workers
  • 35-2014 Cooks, Restaurant
  • 37-2011 Janitors & Cleaners, (Except Maids & Housekeeping)
  • 37-2012 Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
  • 39-3091 Amusement and Recreation Attendant
  • 51-3022 Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters
  • 47-2061 Construction Laborers
  • 51-9198 Helpers, Production Workers

How can employers ensure compliance with H-2A program regulations?

Employers should stay informed about all H-2A regulations, maintain accurate records, provide proper wages and working conditions, and comply with housing and transportation requirements. Working with Labor Consultants International can also help ensure compliance.

What are the requirements for employers to participate in the H-2A program?

Employers must prove that there are not enough U.S. workers available, willing, and qualified to perform the temporary agricultural work. They must also show that hiring H-2A workers will not negatively impact the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers. They must also provide housing for these employees.

How long can H-2A workers stay in the United States?

H-2A workers can stay for the period of employment specified in the labor certification. Extensions can be requested, but the maximum stay for a worker is three years. An H-2A certification, however, is only valid for 10 months per employer barring an extension request.

Is there a cap on the number of H-2A visas issued each year?

No, there is no cap on H-2A visas.

What are the prevailing wage requirements for an H-2A visa?

The prevailing wage for H-2A employees is based on the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) and differs per state.

How long can workers stay in the U.S. under each visa type?

H-2A visa holders can stay for the period specified in the labor certification, typically up to 10 months with the possibility of extensions.

Who is eligible for an H-2A visa?

Foreign workers from eligible countries who have a job offer for temporary or seasonal agricultural work from a U.S. employer can apply for an H-2A visa. The employer must also meet specific regulatory requirements.

What is the H-2A visa program?

The H-2A visa program allows U.S. agricultural employers to hire foreign workers for temporary or seasonal agricultural work when there are not enough U.S. workers available.

What are the differences between H2A and H2B visas?

H-2A and H-2B visas are both temporary work visas in the United States, but they cater to different industries and job types. H-2A visas are designed for seasonal agricultural workers, addressing the labor needs of U.S. farmers during peak growing seasons. On the other hand, H-2B visas cater to non-agricultural, temporary work positions in various industries, such as hospitality, landscaping, and construction. The key distinction lies in the nature of the work – H-2A for agricultural and H-2B for non-agricultural sectors.

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