Hiring Farm Workers to Service Other Farmers
Using the H2A Visa Program as a Farm Labor Contractor or Custom Harvester
Making the H2A Visa Program work as a Farm Labor Contractor
Planning to operate as a Farm Labor Contract (FLC) next season? If you provide services on farms for other farmers—chances are you’re an FLC and may not even know it. USA Farm Labor has a proven process and extensive experience helping hundreds of FLCs get certified and secure seasonal, reliable farm labor.
Not sure if you qualify as a Farm Labor Contractor (FLC)?
Most likely you’re an FLC if your customers are seasonal farmers or growers who hire you to:
Build or maintain irrigation or drainage systems
Drill wells
Repair farm equipment
Spray fertilizer or pesticides
Provide mobile vet services
Pilot ag aircraft or operate drones
Spread manure
Provide crop dusting services
Build barns, fences, or other farm structures
And more …
What’s different about FLCs and how they participate in the H-2A Visa Program?
Before H-2A workers can legally work on your customers’ farms, you need to be registered as an FLC through the Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Wage & Hour Division (WHD)—which adds time to the H-2A application process. The sooner we start the process, the better. USA Farm Labor has a proven process and extensive experience supporting FLCs.
USA Farm Labor’s Focused FLC Filing Window
Timing is everything. USA Farm Labor’s FLC Certification Filing Window is officially open from April 1st – August 1st to ensure your application is submitted correctly and on time.
4 reasons to take advantage of USA Farm Labor’s Focused FLC Filing Window
Gives you start-to-finish hands-on guidance from our experienced Case Managers
Positions you perfectly for February or March 2027 start dates
Reduces the risk of delays, deficiencies, and last-minute filings (which often fail)
Ensures a complete submission that aligns with WHD processing timelines
Helps ensure approval, giving you the predictable workforce you need during your busiest time of the year
Step 1: Getting your Farm Labor Contractor License (120 days)
Requirements to get your Farm Labor Contractor License include:
As an FLC Owner you must:
Have a FEIN number
Have an active Workman’s Comp policy
Have vehicle liability insurance
Inspect all vehicles that workers will have access to (WH514 form)
Provide proof for all vehicles, include the make, model, and year
Provide a copy of your driver’s license (front & back)
Provide your fingerprints on an FD-258 form (we can mail to you)
List 3 — 5 worksites (keep in mind you can only travel a maximum of 1 hour to each site to qualify as a Farm Labor Contractor)
Provide a Surety Bond to cover you in the event something unforeseen, such as a hurricane or damage at the worksite, prevents you from offering the full hours listed in the job contract
As FLC Employees (anyone driving H-2A farm workers) you must:
Provide a copy of your driver’s license (front & back)
Provide a medical certificate (either a DOT form or Federal/DOL for H-2A form WH515)
Provide your fingerprints on an FD-258 form (we can mail to you)
Once we have all the above, we mail your application to the Wage & Hour division. It can take up to 120 days to get your license once we submit your application.
Very Pleased with the Professionalism
“We’ve been very pleased with the professionalism of the entire staff … they made wading through the federal and state paperwork a breeze.”
Jacklyn (Fairview, MT)
Step 2: Getting farm workers through the H2A Visa Program (90 days)
While we’re waiting to get your Farm Labor Contractor License, we can get the H2A Visa Program ball rolling. This process takes approximately an additional 90 days.
Learn about H2A Visa Program requirements
Learn about the H2A Visa Program process
Helping Custom Harvesters use the H2A Visa Program
Custom Harvesters are a special classification of Farm Labor Contractors. As a Custom Harvester, you typically travel to the same farms, year after year, to harvest crops for other farmers. This saves farmers from having to invest in expensive equipment.
As a Custom Harvester Owner:
You are not required to get a Farm Labor Contractor License
You must provide 3 — 5 worksites
Your worksites must be in contiguous states
You must provide a Surety Bond to cover you in the event something unforeseen, such as a hurricane or damage at the worksite, prevents you from offering the full hours listed in the job contract
Read how Matt and Valerie Brack increased output, enhanced harvesting efficiency, and regained control of their lives with USA Farm Labor and the H2A Visa Program.
Enabling Personal and Business Growth
