Temporary Agricultural Workers

The employer bears most of the cost. They must pay the **I-129 petition fee** (~$460), the job order filing fees with the Department of Labor, and all recruitment costs. You pay the DS-160 visa application fee ($190) and any costs at your home country embassy. Critically, the employer must also pay for your **inbound transportation** from your home country and **outbound transportation** home when the job ends.

No — the H-2A program has **no annual numerical cap**, unlike the H-2B (66,000/year) or H-1B (85,000/year). As long as the employer can demonstrate a genuine shortage of US workers and meets all program requirements, there is no federal ceiling on approvals. This makes it far more accessible than other US work visas.

The AEWR is the **minimum hourly wage** your employer must pay you, set annually by the Department of Labor per state to prevent downward pressure on US farm worker wages. It is typically higher than both federal and state minimum wages. Your offer letter must guarantee at least the AEWR for your state and crop activity — verify the current rate at dol.gov before signing.

Yes, if you are not reasonably able to return to your home each day. Your employer must provide **free housing** that meets federal and state safety standards. If they provide a housing allowance instead of actual housing, it must be sufficient to cover local rental costs. Substandard housing is a common violation — document any issues immediately and report to the Department of Labor.

Only with extreme difficulty. Your H-2A status is tied to the **specific employer and job** listed on your I-129 petition. To change employers, the new employer must file a brand-new I-129 petition on your behalf before you can legally begin working for them. Working for an unapproved employer — even temporarily — is unauthorized employment and grounds for immediate deportation.