Did you ever think about working in USA and also see new places at same time. Many people from other countrys go to America every year to help on farms. These are called agriculture jobs. The farms in USA are very big and need many helpers. You don’t even need to be super smart or have a big school degree to do this. You just need to be ready to work hard and like outside work.
There is a thing call H-2A visa. This is a paper that let people from other countrys come to USA to work on farms for some months. This is a safe and legal way to work and make money. Lots of workers use this visa every year.
What is H-2A Visa
H-2A is a special farm worker visa. The USA goverment makes this so farms can ask helpers from other countrys when there are not enough local people to do the job. The farm boss must first tell the goverment they need help. Then the goverment checks and if they say yes the worker can apply.
This is good for both sides. The farmer get good helpers and the worker get legal job and money. Without H-2A many farms cannot plant or pick crops on time.
Who Can Apply
You must be at least 18 years old. You need to be strong enough for farm work because it can be heavy. You dont always need to have old farm job before but it can help. Mostly they just want you to be healthy, ready to learn and to listen to boss.
Good Things About H-2A Jobs
There are many nice things when you get this job:
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Legal Work – You can work in USA with no fear because it is legal.
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Good Pay – They must pay fair money. There is a rule called AEWR (Adverse Effect Wage Rate) that says how much they must pay. They cannot pay lower.
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Free House to Stay – The farm boss give you free house to sleep. It must be clean and safe. You don’t need to pay rent.
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Free Travel Help – They pay for your travel from your country to the farm or they give money back later.
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Tools and Safety – The boss must give you tools and clothes for safe work.
This makes it easier because you don’t need to spend all your own money.
Type of Farm Jobs
There are many kind of farm jobs you can do. Some jobs are light and some are more hard.
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Planting and Picking Crops – This is maybe the most common. You plant seeds, pick fruits or vegetables like apples, berries, corn, nuts and more.
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Packing Fruits and Veggies – After picking, someone must pack them in boxes for sending to market.
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Animal Farm Work – Some farms have cows, sheeps, goats or chickens. You can help feed them, clean barn or milk cows.
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Green House – Some farms grow plants inside a glass house. You help water, move pots, clean, etc.
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Machine Helper – If you know a little about tractors or machines you can help drive or fix them. Some farms train you for this.
Each farm is different. Some jobs are inside, some outside, some hot and some cold.
How To Get The Visa Step by Step
It is not super hard but you need to follow steps:
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Farm Boss Ask for Help – First the farm owner must ask USA goverment for a paper called Temporary Labor Certificate. This shows there are not enough USA workers.
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Farm Boss Send Form – After that they send another paper called I-129 to immigration office.
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Worker Fill DS-160 – You as the worker fill a online form DS-160 and pay small fee.
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Visa Interview – Then you go to USA embassy in your country. You talk to officer, show your papers and tell them about the job.
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Get Visa and Travel – If they say yes, you get the visa on your passport. Then you can fly to USA and the farm boss maybe pay the ticket or give money back.
It sounds like many steps but the farm usually helps you.
After You Reach USA
When you arrive you will go to the farm house. The boss will show you where you sleep and where you work. They also give free ride from house to farm every day.
You will get pay every week or every two weeks. They pay by hour or by piece. There is a special rule called three-fourths guarantee. It means they must pay you at least for 3/4 of the work days on the contract even if there is less work. This is very good for workers because you still get some money if weather is bad or crop is small.
How Life on Farm Feels
Farm work is not like sitting in a office. You wake up early, sometimes when it is still dark. You might work in hot sun or in rain. You may pick fruits for many hours or carry heavy boxes. It can be very tiring but many people like it because it is honest work and you can see big nature and fresh air.
You will live with other workers from many countrys. You might share room with 2 or 4 persons. It is fun to meet new friends but also you need to be clean and kind so everyone is happy.
Some Small Problems
Of course there are also some hard things:
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Language – If you dont speak English well it can be little hard. But many farms have other workers who can help translate.
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Long Hours – During harvest time you may work 10 or 12 hours. Your body can be sore.
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Far From Family – You will miss your home. It is only for some months but still can feel long.
But if you stay positive and remember why you came it is worth it.
Tips to Do Better
Here are some simple tips so you can have good experience:
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Always listen to farm boss and follow safety rules.
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Drink water and take care of your body because it can be hot.
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Try to learn some English words for farm things like bucket, ladder, tractor.
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Keep your room clean so everyone is happy.
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Save your money. Don’t waste on silly things.
How Long Can You Stay
Most H-2A jobs are for some months, less than one year. Sometimes you can ask to stay longer or do another season but the total time cannot be more than 3 years in a row. After that you need to go home for some time before you can apply again.
FAQs
Do I need to pay for visa and flight?
Sometimes you pay first but the boss must give back later or pay for it.
Can I bring my family?
No. H-2A is only for the worker. Family cannot come on same visa.
What if boss not follow rules?
You can tell the USA Department of Labor. They will help.
Do I need farm experience?
Not always. If you are strong and ready to learn they will train you.
Conclusion
Working on a USA farm is a big adventure. You can earn good money, learn new things, and see a new country. It is not easy but it is a chance to change your life. Many people come back every year because they like the job and the friends they make.
If you dream to work in America but dont know where to start, the H-2A farm visa is maybe the door for you. Pack your hope, follow the steps, and you can be part of the big USA farms that feed the world
