H-2 Visa

At present, the United States has two main programs for temporarily importing low-skilled workers, sometimes referred to as guest workers. Agricultural guest workers enter through the H-2A visa program, and other guest workers enter through the H-2B visa program. Employers interested in importing workers under either program must first apply to the U.S. Department of Labor for a certification that U.S. workers capable of performing the work are not available and that the employment of alien workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S.

ETA News Release: [07/08/2010]
Contact Name: Lina Garcia
Phone Number: (202) 693-4661
Release Number: 10-971-NAT

Web tool will make it easier for US workers to learn about job opportunities in agriculture

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today launched an online registry allowing the public to retrieve information about temporary agricultural jobs that fall under the H-2A program. The new tool was developed in compliance with regulations implemented by the department on March 15.

[Federal Register: July 1, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 126)]
[Notices]
[Page 38145-38146]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01jy10-111]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

Announcing the New National Electronic Job Registry for Use in the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Labor Certification Program

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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The Department has posted the first round of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) addressing the H-2A program under the new regulations, which took effect March 15, 2010. To see the FAQs check the attachment.

[Federal Register: March 23, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 55)]
[Notices]
[Page 13784]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23mr10-99]

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

Announcement of Public Webinar on the Changes to the Labor Certification Process for the Temporary Agricultural Employment of H-2A Aliens in the United States

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice of webinar.

After the publication of the H-2A Final Rule addressing the Temporary Agricultural Employment of H-2A Aliens in the United States, the Department's Office of Foreign Labor Certification has reopened its H-2A Regulations mailbox for public inquiries. The interested public should direct all general inquiries regarding the H-2A program to the H-2A.Regulations@dol.gov mailbox. However, any case specific inquiries should be directed to the Chicago National Processing Center mailbox at TLC.Chicago@dol.gov

The Office of Foreign Labor Certification and the Wage and Hour Division have conducted 3 public briefings to advise stakeholders of the contents of the new H-2A Final Rule, which will be effective March 15, 2010. For the materials used in the briefings, click here.

[Federal Register: February 18, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 32)]
[Notices]              
[Page 7293-7294]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18fe10-59]                        

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

Temporary Agricultural Employment of H-2A Aliens in the United States. The Department has published in the Federal Register a Final Rule amending the regulations governing the labor certification process for the temporary agricultural employment of H-2A aliens in the United States, codified at 20 CFR part 655, and enforcement of employer obligations under the H-2A program, codified at 29 CFR Part 501. The new regulations will go into effect on March 15, 2010.

USCIS issues memo to provided guidance on the processing and adjudicating of Form I-129 filed on behalf of H-1B "specialty occupation" and H-2B "temporary nonagricultural" workers.