The Biggest Mistake Agricultural Employers Make with H-2A Visas — And How to Avoid It

Every harvest season, we see the same costly mistake: agricultural employers wait until they desperately need workers to start the H-2A visa process. By then, it’s already too late. If you need extra hands for your fall harvest, the time to start is now — not when the crops are almost ready to pick.

Why? Because the H-2A process takes a minimum of 75–90 days. Waiting until September to hire for an October harvest means your workers won’t arrive in time, and your operation could face serious labor shortages.

Understanding the H-2A Program

The H-2A visa is designed for agricultural and forestry operations that require temporary or seasonal labor. It allows eligible U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to fill critical roles when there aren’t enough domestic workers available.

To qualify for H-2A classification, an employer must:

• Offer temporary or seasonal work

• Prove there aren’t enough U.S. workers who are able, willing, and qualified to do the job

• Show hiring H-2A workers will not harm U.S. worker wages

• Submit a valid Temporary Labor Certification (LCA) to the Department of Labor, along with a detailed Statement of Need

The Multi-Step Process

Securing H-2A workers isn’t a one-form application — it’s a carefully sequenced process with its own built-in timelines:

1. Prepare a Job Order and file the Temporary LCA with the Department of Labor

2. Recruit U.S. workers and document your efforts

3. File Form I-129 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

4. Workers apply for visas at a U.S. consulate abroad before traveling to the United States

Even in the best-case scenario, these steps take about three months to complete. Any delay in one stage can ripple through the entire process.

Why the H-2A Visa Is Worth the Effort

While the timeline is strict, the benefits can be substantial:

• Workers may stay for the duration authorized on the labor certification

• Extensions are available for eligible positions

• Maximum stay is three years (with qualifying breaks outside the U.S.)

With proper planning, the H-2A program can provide a reliable, returning workforce season after season.

Timing Is Everything

Over the years, I’ve seen too many farms and forestry operations miss out on crucial labor simply because they started too late. Your crops won’t wait while visa paperwork moves through the system.

If you’re aiming for a November harvest, your application window is already open. Start now to ensure your workers arrive on time — and your harvest is brought in without unnecessary stress or loss.