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Overview of H-2A Visa Program

The H-2A visa program, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Department of State, allows U.S. agricultural employers to hire foreign nationals for temporary or seasonal agricultural jobs when there are insufficient U.S. workers available. The program covers agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature, as defined under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This includes field work related to crop production, livestock care, and certain ancillary activities like equipment operation, but excludes permanent or non-agricultural roles (those fall under the H-2B program).

There is no exhaustive, fixed list of "all jobs" because eligibility depends on the specific job order submitted by the employer, which must demonstrate a temporary need and compliance with wage, housing, and recruitment requirements. However, based on official definitions and common certifications, H-2A covers a broad range of roles in crop and livestock agriculture. Below is a compiled list of typical job categories and examples drawn from DOL guidelines, USCIS data, and program statistics.

Key Job Categories Covered by H-2A

Crop Production and Harvesting

Planting, cultivating, irrigating, and harvesting fruits, vegetables, grains, tobacco, hops, and other field crops. Examples: Apple/fruit pickers, vegetable harvesters, grape/vineyard workers, hay/grain cutters, custom combine operators.

Nursery and Greenhouse Operations

Growing, propagating, and maintaining plants in controlled environments. Examples: Nursery workers, greenhouse laborers, seedling handlers.

Livestock Production and Care

Feeding, herding, milking, and maintaining animals on farms or ranges. Examples: Dairy farm workers, cattle/livestock handlers, sheep/goat herders, horse breeders.

Beekeeping and Apiary Management

Maintaining hives, harvesting honey, and pollinating crops. Examples: Beekeepers, hive inspectors.

Tree and Specialty Crop Farming

Pruning, harvesting, and caring for trees or specialty plants. Examples: Christmas tree growers, nut/berry pickers, tobacco field workers.

Agricultural Support and Equipment Operation

Operating farm machinery, irrigation systems, and transport within the worksite. Examples: Tractor drivers, equipment operators, farm truck drivers (for on-site transport).

General Farm Labor

Miscellaneous temporary tasks like weeding, soil preparation, and packing produce at the worksite. Examples: Field laborers, crop scouts.

NOTES

Exclusions: Jobs must be temporary (typically 1–10 months) and tied to seasonal agricultural needs. Non-agricultural roles (e.g., construction, forestry) are not covered, despite occasional misstatements in unofficial sources. Permanent positions, supervisory roles, or those requiring advanced skills are ineligible.
Data Trends: In FY 2023, over 370,000 jobs were certified, primarily in states like California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Washington, focusing on crops (about 90% of certifications) over livestock.
Employer Requirements: Employers must offer at least the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), provide housing/meals, and recruit U.S. workers first. For full details, consult DOL's H-2A page or the FLAG system for job orders.

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