Is there an annual cap on H-2A visas?

No. The H-2A visa program has no annual numerical cap, which is a key distinction from the H-2B program. As long as the employer meets all requirements and obtains a Temporary Labor Certification from the DOL, there is no risk of the cap being reached.

What benefits must employers provide to H-2A workers?

Employers must provide H-2A workers with: (1) free housing that meets applicable federal and state standards; (2) free transportation between housing and the worksite; (3) at least one meal per day or cooking facilities; (4) wages at or above the highest of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), prevailing wage, or federal/state minimum wage; (5) a Three-Fourths Guarantee of at least 75% of the work hours in the contract period; and (6) reimbursement of inbound transportation and subsistence costs from the worker's home country (after completing 50% of the contract).

Can H-2A workers change employers?

Yes, but the new employer must file a new I-129 petition and receive approval. H-2A workers may not unilaterally transfer to a new employer or engage in unauthorized employment. If they leave their current employer, they must wait for the new employer's H-2A petition to be approved before commencing new employment. Status may be at risk during the transition period.

What is the difference between H-2A and H-2B?

H-2A is for temporary or seasonal agricultural work with no annual cap, and employers must provide housing and transportation. H-2B is for temporary non-agricultural work with an annual cap of 66,000 visas, and employers have no mandatory housing requirement. Both require a DOL Temporary Labor Certification and the work must be temporary in nature.

What is the maximum period of stay on H-2A?

The maximum period of stay in H-2A status is 3 years. The initial approval period corresponds to the duration of the Temporary Labor Certification, typically not exceeding 1 year. Extensions may be granted in increments of up to 1 year. After reaching the 3-year maximum, the worker must depart the United States for at least 60 days before becoming eligible for a new H-2A admission.

The Peng Law

H-2A临时农业工人签证

H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker

H-2A签证允许美国农业雇主在无法招到足够的美国本地工人时，从海外引进临时农业工人来填补季节性或临时性农业劳动岗位。

Overview

概述

H-2A签证允许美国农业雇主在无法招到足够的美国本地工人时，从海外引进临时农业工人来填补季节性或临时性农业劳动岗位。H-2A签证不受年度名额限制，但雇主必须先获得美国劳工部（DOL）颁发的临时劳工认证（Temporary Labor Certification），证明没有足够的美国工人愿意、有能力且可以从事该临时农业工作，且引进外国工人不会对类似岗位的美国工人工资和工作条件产生不利影响。H-2A工人的最长居留期限为3年。

Eligibility

申请条件

必须有美国农业雇主担保，且工作性质属于临时性或季节性农业劳动

雇主必须证明没有足够的美国工人愿意、有能力且可以从事该农业工作

雇主必须获得DOL颁发的临时劳工认证（TLC）

引进外国工人不会对类似岗位美国工人的工资和工作条件产生不利影响

申请人通常需为DHS指定的符合条件的国家公民（特殊情况除外）

雇主须向H-2A工人提供免费住房和工作相关的交通

Application Process

申请流程

提交临时劳工认证申请

雇主在工作开始日前75天内向DOL提交ETA 9142A表格及工作说明（Job Order），同时在州劳动力机构（SWA）登记招聘美国工人。

本地招聘

雇主必须按DOL要求进行积极的美国工人招聘，包括刊登广告、联系前雇员等，直到H-2A工人到岗前50%的合同期。

DOL审批TLC

劳工部审查招聘结果，确认无足够美国工人后颁发临时劳工认证。

提交I-129

雇主向USCIS提交I-129表格及获批的TLC，申请H-2A工人入境许可。

USCIS审批

USCIS审查申请并作出决定。常规处理时间约2-4周（农业案件通常优先处理）。

签证/入境

获批后，工人到美国驻外使领馆面签获得H-2A签证，入境开始工作。

Timeline Reference

时间线参考

阶段	预计时间
提交TLC申请	工作开始前75天
DOL审批	约30天
I-129审批	2-4周
签证面签	1-2周
初始居留期	与TLC批准期限一致（最长1年）
最长居留	3年（之后须离境至少60天）