What to Know About the US Seasonal Agricultural Worker (H2A) Visa
The American H2A, also known as the seasonal agricultural worker visa, is a type of visa that allows you to work in agricultural activities in the United States for a temporary period.
The H-2A visa allows a U.S. employer, such as a farm operator or agricultural producer association, to hire foreign nationals to fill seasonal positions if they meet certain requirements. Unlike other types of temporary worker visas, there are no annual quotas or application deadlines for H2A visa applications.
How to Get a Temporary Agricultural Worker Visa in the USA?
The US temporary agricultural worker (H2A) visa process requires both the employer and you to complete procedures. In the first step of the H2A visa application process, the employer in the US must obtain a certificate from the US Department of Labor stating that they can employ foreign workers. Employers who receive approval from the Department of Labor will then apply to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to obtain approval for the I-129 form, also known as the nonimmigrant worker petition, and send the form to you.
After receiving the original I-129 form, you must fill out the online DS-160 form completely and print the confirmation page. After completing the online form, complete the application fee payment and consulate appointment procedures at usvisa-info.com. On the appointment date, go to the consulate visa unit in person, submit the required application documents, provide fingerprints, and have an interview with the visa officer. At the end of the interview, you will be notified whether your H2A visa application has been approved or not.
What are the Required Documents for the US H2A Visa?
Prepare the documents listed below for the US H2A visa application.
- Passport (old passport and US visa if available)
- Original US I-129 form from employer
- US visa application form confirmation page
- Interview appointment confirmation email printout
- Supporting documents for H2A visa*
- Current biometric photo
- Identity card
* In US H-2A visa applications, you are asked to submit additional documents to evaluate your financial situation and to prove that you will return to Turkey at the end of your visa period. You can view the comprehensive and explanatory H2A document list by selecting temporary work visa and H2A from the US visa application documents page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions frequently asked to our consultants regarding US H2A visa applications and the rights granted to visa holders are answered below.
How Much Does a US Temporary Agricultural Worker Visa Cost?
The US temporary agricultural worker (H2A) visa application fee for 2024 is $190. You can pay the H2A visa application fee at usvisa-info.com before making an appointment.
The employer is responsible for any fees that must be paid during the H2A visa processing process in the United States, including the $460 application fee for Form I-129.
How to Get an Appointment for a Seasonal Agricultural Worker Visa in the USA?
You can make an appointment for the US seasonal agricultural worker visa at the US Embassy in Ankara or the Consulate General in Istanbul online at usvisa-info.com with the receipt number on the I-129 form after the fee payments are completed.
The estimated waiting time for the US H2A visa application appointment is 50 days for the Ankara Embassy and 180 days for the Istanbul Consulate General as of July 2024.
How Long Can I Work in the US with a Seasonal Agricultural Worker Visa?
You can work in the U.S. for 1 year with a seasonal agricultural worker visa. However, if you have not completed the job and the employer needs it or you find another employer, the H-2A visa can be extended.
Extensions are made in one-year increments, and the total length of time you can stay in the US with an H-2A visa is three years. In this context, you can extend your visa in the US for a total of 2 times for an H-2A visa. After these three years, you must return to your home country and stay there for 3 months without interruption in order to be eligible to re-apply for a visa as an H-2A worker.
What US Visa Should I Apply For to Work in Non-Farm Sectors?
To work in non-agricultural sectors, you must obtain an H-2B visa.
A non-agricultural worker visa (H2B) is a type of visa that allows you to work temporarily in the United States in a non-agricultural sector. Under the H2B visa program, U.S. employers who meet certain criteria can hire foreign nationals to fill temporary non-agricultural job positions.