The H-2A programme lets US farmers hire foreign workers for seasonal agricultural work such as planting, harvesting, packing and tending livestock on seasonal operations. Unlike H-2B, H-2A has no annual cap, and US employers file for hundreds of thousands of positions each year.
What H-2A workers are paid
Employers must pay at least the highest of several wage rates, usually the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for the state. The AEWR is published by the Department of Labor and varies by state and job type, roughly $15 to $19 an hour in many areas.
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What employers must provide
- Free housing that meets safety standards, for workers who cannot reasonably return home each day.
- Meals or cooking facilities.
- Travel reimbursement to the worksite once you complete half the contract, and return travel when you finish it.
- The “three-quarter guarantee”: you must be offered work for at least 75% of the hours in the contract period.
- Workers’ compensation insurance and tools needed for the job.
Who can apply
Most jobs need physical fitness and farm experience. No degree is needed. Eligibility depends on the DHS list of participating countries, so check USCIS first. Nigeria was not on the most recently published list.
How to find real H-2A jobs
- Search approved job orders on SeasonalJobs.dol.gov.
- Note the employer name, case number, wage and start date, then contact them or their named agent.
- The employer files the labour certification and the USCIS petition. You then attend a visa interview.
Never pay a recruiter for an H-2A job. Charging workers recruitment fees is prohibited, and employers can be penalised for it.
Frequently asked questions
Do H-2A jobs require experience?
Many job orders ask for 1–3 months of experience in similar crop or farm work. The exact requirements are written in each job order.
Is housing really free?
Yes. Employers must provide housing at no cost to H-2A workers who cannot reasonably return home each day.
Can H-2A lead to a green card?
Not directly. H-2A is a temporary visa, and you must intend to return home when it ends.
Information checked in October 2026. Immigration rules change often, so always confirm the latest requirements on the official government website before applying or paying any fees.
