Steps to becoming an H-2A Employer
- Determine Wage Rate to Offer – highest of:
- Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR)
- Prevailing hourly wage or piece rate
- Agreed-upon Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Wage (if applicable)
- Federal or State Minimum wage
- Place a Job Order with local State Workforce Agency (SWA).
- Submit Application for Labor Certification to U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).
- Submit supporting documentation (where required).
- Conduct positive recruitment (in addition to job order submitted to SWA).
- Publish employment ad in local area and in labor supply states (as directed by USDOL).
- If applicable, contact local union.
- Contact domestic workers who performed the job last year.
- Complete and submit initial Summary of Recruitment Activities to US DOL.
- USDOL makes Labor Certification determinations.
- Submit Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Receive Approved Petition
- Workers apply to U.S. Department of State (at Consulate office in workers home country).
- Workers report to work.
Special consideration on recruitment includes: continued cooperation with the SWA by accepting referrals of eligible U.S. workers until 50% of the period of the work contract has passed. Recruitment logs and reports must be kept through that time period.
A supplemental recruitment summary must be submitted to US DOL through-out the entire requirement period (50% rule above).
Please see Electronic Code of Federal Regulations for clarification on employer Obligations and Assurances (20CFR655.135) CLICK HERE
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A supplemental recruitment summary must be submitted to US DOL through-out the entire requirement period (50% rule above).
Please see Electronic Code of Federal Regulations for clarification on employer Obligations and Assurances (20CFR655.135) CLICK HERE