h2a Visa

The H‐2A Program is authorized under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and allows a U.S. employer to hire foreign workers on a temporary basis to perform agricultural work when there are not sufficient U.S. workers available. This is a multi-stage process which requires the filing for authorization from the State Work Agency, filing the H2A application with the US Department of Labor, Recruiting US Workers, obtaining certification from the US Department of Labor, and the filing and approval of the visa petition by the USCIS. Once the USCIS has approved the visa application (Form I-129), it is necessary to have the foreign laborers appear for an appointment with the US Consulate and arrange for transportation to the worksite within the United States.

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If you find that your farming operation could benefit from this type of seasonal labor, I would love to help your operation grow and assist you with the H2A visa application process from the filing of the necessary

H2A Visa Application Process

Quick Facts & Government Fees

H2A workers must be employed full time (at least 35 hours per week).  The work must be agricultural in nature. The need for the work must be seasonal or temporary, normally lasting 10 months or less.

Government Fee Schedule (subject to change):

 US DOL $100 + $10 per worker

USCIS $460 + $300 Asylum Fee
(Small Employers)
(the fees are more if you have more than 25 full time employees)

Consulate Interview Fee (per worker) $205


Other Fees (subject to change):
 Administrative Fees to set appointment with consulate (per worker) $50
Travel & Meals during trip to and from worksite (estimate per worker) $300

Base Fee: $2,000.00 (Per application)*
*Services Included in Base Fee:

• The preparation & filing of the required applications and related materials with the local, state, and federal agencies;
• Necessary communications with the State Work Agency and the US Department of Labor, including responding to notices and coordinating inspections;
• US Worker Recruitment by preparing and filing Recruitment Report with the US DOL;
• Preparation & filing of I-129 with US Citizenship & Immigration Services
• Preparation & filing of necessary documents during term of H2A visa related to early departures.

H2A Attorney
Fee Schedule

2- H2A workers:

Attorney Fees:
Base Fee: $ 2,000.00
Scheduling Fee*: $ 100.00
_____________________________
$ 2,100.00

Government Fees (subject to change):
US DOL Fee: $ 120.00
USCIS Fee: $ 460.00 + $300 (Asylum Fee)
Consulate Fee: $ 410.00
____________________________
$ 1290.00

Other Fees & Costs:

Transportation & Meals from place of residence to US worksite and return trip (estimate only) $300.00 per worker = $600

Total Estimated Cost for H2A Visa Application for 2 Workers: $ 3,990.00*
*$ 4,290.00 (to schedule own Consulate appointments)

Example of costs for initial h2a application process

Optional Services fee schedule:

Once the visas are approved, the H2A workers must be report for an appointment with the US Consulate and be issued a work visa. The employer can handle this step of the process, or I can handle it for you.

Fee to Coordinate & Schedule appointment with US Consulate:
$50 Per Worker*

*Services Included in this fee:
• Communication with Mexico to prepare for Consulate appointments;
• Coordinating & scheduling visa issuance appointments with Consulate;
• Communication regarding worker departure to employer.

GREEN CARD

read more details below

The Employer-Sponsored Green Card is sometimes called the PERM process. It basically allows an employer to sponsor an alien worker for Lawful Permanent Residence (also known as a Green Card.) This application process is a multi step process.

Employer-Sponsored Green Card Process

click for next step

Step 1: PERM Application

The PERM application is a 2 step process. The initial step is filing an ETA 9141 for a Prevailing Wage Determination with the US DOL. Once they issue the PWD, then you will need to post a notice in the work place to notify current employees that you are filing a PERM application and place ads in local newspapers. The second step of the PERM Application is to file an ETA 9089, Application for Permanent Employment Certification for the named beneficiary including information about the job & wage offered. Once the US DOL certifies the ETA 9089, you can move to Step 2.

next step

Step 2: I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers

This petition is filed by the employer on behalf of the named beneficiary that the employer is sponsoring. Following a review, if the petition is approved, it allows the beneficiary of the petition to file for Adjustment of Status. Approval of this petition does not grant immigrant status or guarantee that the beneficiary will be approved for adjustment of status.

next step

Step 3: I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

The Form I-485 is filed by the named beneficiary of the I-140.

next step

Step 4: Application for Employment Authorization

While the I-485 is pending, the named beneficiary can file an I-765 in order to obtain employment authorization to remain in the US while the I-485 is pending.

The cost of the PERM process runs several thousand dollars.
This is an estimate of the actual costs:


• PERM Application:  includes the filing of the ETA 9141 & ETA 9089.
           $2,500 due when the ETA 9141 is filed;           
• I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers:
           $750 due when I-140 is filed
• I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status:
           $750 due when the I-485 is filed
• I-765 Application for Employment Authorization:
           $500 due when I-765 is filed

PERM 
Fee Schedule

costs & government fees

Advertising: The employer will need to place in certain required publications. The cost usually runs $500-$1000

Government Fees
• PERM Applciation: None
• I-140: $715 payable to the USCIS
• I-485: $1440 payable to the USCIS, includes filing fee and biometrics fee
• I-765: None
These fees are all subject to change.

ATTORNEY FEES

Naturalization

gather these documents:

Naturalization is the process through which eligible immigrants become U.S. citizens. It offers a pathway for individuals who have met certain requirements, such as residency and language proficiency, to fully integrate into American society.  I can help you through each step.  Start by downloading the checklist and then getting in contact with us.

Naturalization


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green card extension

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A green card extension allows individuals with lawful permanent resident status in the United States to prolong their stay beyond the card's expiration date.

Green Card Extension

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staci thibodeaux

Louisiana Labor Law Attorney Serving Farmers and Workers

2400 F E Landry Rd., Jennings, LA 70546