H-2A Visa Program Overview

The H-2A visa program allows U.S. agricultural employers to hire temporary foreign workers for seasonal jobs when there are not enough domestic workers available. It is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the State Department.

The H-2A program originated from the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, which created the broader H-2 visa for temporary workers. In 1986, the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) formally split the H-2 program into two categories:

• H-2A (seasonal agricultural workers)

• H-2B (seasonal non-agricultural workers)

Since its establishment, the program has expanded significantly due to labor shortages in the U.S. agricultural sector.  In 2010, approximately 79,000 workers participated. By 2022, that number had grown to over 370,000 as domestic agricultural labor has become more scarce.

Most H-2A workers come from Latin America, with Mexico being the dominant source country. In 2022, about 90% of all H-2A visas were issued to Mexican workers. Other significant countries include Guatemala, Honduras, and South Africa.

Hiring H-2A workers can be expensive for U.S. farmers. Costs include:

• Wages: Employers must pay the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), which varies by state.  In 2025, the AEWR for both Washington and Oregon is $19.82 per hour.

• Housing: Employers must provide free housing.

• Transportation: Employers must cover round-trip travel expenses from the worker’s home community.

• Visa and Recruitment Fees: These include fees for processing applications and recruiting workers, averaging $1,500–$3,000 per worker.