Fruit-picking and agricultural jobs in America
Fruit-picking and agricultural jobs in America
In this article, we have a special approach to temporary agricultural jobs and those for gathering fruits, but before we get to know these jobs, let us first get acquainted with the regional guide to agricultural jobs in the United States of America, as it is very useful in this topic, Then we move on to the agricultural business visa, which clarifies the topic of agricultural jobs more clearly.
Regional Directory of Agricultural Jobs in the Western States
It is a guide attached to a map, issued by the Agricultural Labor Services Division of the US Department of Labor and the US Employment Agency in 1962. The guide provided information in Spanish, to migrant workers, on temporary agricultural jobs in seven western states: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. The map includes inside text with a Spanish translation of the names of important fruits and vegetables, as well as the ideal dates for temporary employment at peak harvest seasons in different parts of each state.
The shading on the numbered agricultural areas on the map relates to the written text, by state. Workers are advised not to go to work in such temporary agricultural work without securing actual jobs first and to consult state employment agencies before and during their trips. The map shows the locations of state employment service centers, information centers, federal highways, interstate highways, and interstate highways.
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Fruit-picking and agricultural jobs in America |
The map was designed to meet the needs of owners of large farms who required seasonal workers to harvest their crops. It was published in the same year that César Chavez co-founded the Workers' Union that later became the United Farm Workers Association (UFW), seeking to raise salaries and improve the often miserable working conditions of migrant farm workers.
H2A visa and agricultural work in America
There are two main types of H-2 visas available to those wishing to work temporarily in the United States:
H-2A visa: for agricultural workers
H-2B visa: For temporary and non-agricultural workers
For what the visa?
Seasonal: A “seasonal” job or position means that the work takes place within a specific time period or event
Temporary: A “temporary” position or position means that a job does not take more than one year to complete
Many US employers who operate farms rely on the H-2A visa program to find the labor needed to complete work throughout the year - for example, during the harvest season.
The United States does not set a maximum limit for H-2A visas. Anyone who applies for a visa and gets approval can come to the United States to work.
H-2A visa requirements for an employer
Have a vacancy for temporary or seasonal agricultural work
Demonstrate that he can hire a foreign worker without negatively affecting the wages or working conditions of US employees in the same sector
Evidence that no U.S. workers are willing, qualified, able or available to work in the available jobs
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Fruit-picking and agricultural jobs in America |
Obtain the required documents, pay the fees and approve the petition
How to apply for an H-2A visa?
The H-2A visa application process begins by the employer. An employer who wants to hire foreign workers to fill temporary seasonal agricultural jobs will need to complete the following requirements:
Certificate from the Ministry of Labor
Employers seeking to employ foreign workers under the H-2A visa program will need to obtain certification from the Ministry of Labor. This differs from other types of visa programs. Employers need to submit the following two forms:
ETA-790 Form: Application for Agricultural and Food Treatment Permit. This form must be submitted to your state's manpower agency 60 to 75 days before hiring foreign workers.
ETA-9142A Form: Foreign Employment Certificate. Once you receive your Form ETA-790 and ETA-9142A, you must send the forms to the Chicago National Processing Center (NPC) approximately 45 days prior to bringing foreign workers to the United States.
The H-2A visa processing times vary. It may take longer to process visa in the harvest season, for example, because many employers in the United States try to hire foreign workers in this period.
Employers can file a USCIS petition up to 120 days before they need to bring foreign workers to the United States under the H-2A visa program. You cannot file a petition earlier. It is recommended that you start the application process at least 60 days in advance before you need a foreign worker.