What is the H2A program?
Farm work for SOUTH AFRICANS in the USA
The H2A visa is a seasonal agricultural visa for non-immigrants to work in the USA. The visa is valid for maximum 10 months.
To obtain a H2A visa, your USA employer must obtain a work permit. The permit is taken out every year for that specific season and it takes 3-4 months to finalize. You can apply for a visa once your work permit is ready.
What to expect
Your home away from home
Payment: The H2A program states that you must at least be paid the minimum wage per hour of the State in which you work.
Housing: Under the H2A program employers are responsible for providing housing for foreign workers. The housing must meet certain health and safety standards, and must undergo a housing inspection by the US Department of Labor.
Transport to and from the housing must also be provided.
Be prepared for hard work. As with anything in life, anything worth doing is going to be difficult.
“What you plant now, you will harvest later.”
Requirements to apply
relevant Farming experience
Seasonal work opportunities include crop picking, general farm work, harvest drivers, dairy and cattle ranch hands and more.
AGE
Farmers prefer workers between 25 and 45 with combination of farming/driving/mechanical skills and recent, relevant farming employment history.
valid south african passport
The passport must be valid until at least 6 months after your return date from the USA.
good general health
No criminal record
Enough funds to cover travel and visa cost
Once you are in the USA, the travel and visa cost will be reimbursed to you by the employer. But you need to have enough funds to initially pay for your own visa and flight ticket.