H-2A temporary agricultural worker visa
Official name: H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers
US farm employers can bring foreign workers for temporary or seasonal agricultural jobs after getting a temporary labor certification from the Department of Labor. The employer files the petition; workers then apply for the visa at a US consulate. Stays follow the certification, with extensions of up to 1 year at a time, up to 3 years in total, after which the worker must leave for at least 60 days. Since 17 January 2025 USCIS no longer considers whether the worker's country is on an eligible-countries list.
3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo, Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
If you're not a US citizen and you've been in DR Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days, you can't enter the United States. This includes green card holders. The US government renewed this on 11 October 2026 for another 30 days.
CDC Order: Suspending the Right to Introduce Certain Persons... (order history) Federal Register 2026-18948 (Sept 16, 2026 continuation) CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas (updated Sep 11, 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Entry refused after a stay in DR Congo in the last 21 days
Anyone who has been in DR Congo in the last 21 days, Americans included, can't board a commercial flight to the United States. US citizens are asked to wait outside DR Congo for 21 days before flying.
CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas CDC Travel Health Notice Level 2: Ebola Bundibugyo in DRC and Uganda (reviewed Aug 28, 2026) Checked October 19, 2026
Health screening after a stay in Uganda, South Sudan in the last 21 days
US citizens who have been in Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days must fly into Washington-Dulles, Atlanta or New York JFK for a health check, and get text-message check-ins for 21 days.
CDC: Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas CDC: Enhanced Ebola Airport Screening Begins at Washington-Dulles Checked October 19, 2026
Entry restrictions apply to 20 passports for United States
The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.
- Afghanistan
- Burkina Faso
- Chad
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Laos
- Libya
- Mali
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Niger
- Palestinian Territories
- Republic of the Congo
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Yemen
Afghanistan
Burkina Faso
Chad
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Laos
Libya
Mali
Myanmar (Burma)
Niger
Palestinian Territories
Republic of the Congo
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
YemenSource: Proclamation 10949 - Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats (Federal Register, 10 Jun 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 - Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States (Federal Register, 19 Dec 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 full text (GovInfo)Source: U.S. Department of State - Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United StatesSource: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for FY2027 (Federal Register, 2 Oct 2026) - cites Proclamation 10998 as in force
Life in United States
Finance
3
Currency
US Dollar
USD
US Dollar
Cost of living
100
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10–37%
Income tax (national)
social security 7.65%
Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).
Living
1
Happiness
#22 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Workers recruited by a US employer for temporary or seasonal farm work.
Eligibility
Job offer and labor certification
Sign in to check this route against your profileA US employer, agent or joint employer association offers temporary or seasonal agricultural work and generally obtains a single valid temporary labor certification (TLC) from the Department of Labor showing there are not enough qualified, available US workers and that wages and conditions of US workers will not be adversely affected.
No prohibited fees
Sign in to check this route against your profileEmployers may not collect prohibited fees from workers; USCIS will deny or revoke petitions where prohibited fees were collected.
Commercial vehicle driversDrivers
Sign in to check this route against your profileFor commercial motor vehicle jobs, the labor certification must include an English proficiency standard, and petitions generally need evidence of English proficiency.
From 15 June 2026- Based on DOL guidance
Official wording
For commercial motor vehicle jobs, the labor certification must include an English proficiency standard (DOL guidance effective 15 June 2026), and petitions generally need evidence of English proficiency.
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