Farm Labor Contractor Bonds (Federal H-2A)

H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers

The official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services H-2A program allows for approved employers to employ foreign workers for temporary positions. There are critical standards in place to become an official H-2ALC. The standards ensure that the positions are temporary or seasonal in nature, that there are not enough qualified or available US workers, and that similar US workers are not otherwise put at a disadvantage financially.

The H-2A program covers the spouse and unmarried children (under the age of 21) of the worker.

The H-2A Surety Bond

The H-2A Surety bond must be written to cover liability incurred during the term of the work contract period listed on the H-2A Application and must remain in effect for a period of at least 2 years from the expiration date of the labor certification. The bond amount (aka bond penalty) varies depending on the number of workers covered by the bond. The bond protects the rights of the foreign nationals employed under the H-2A and ensures that the employer follows the labor practices and standards outlined by The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and the H-2A program.