DOL Revises H-2A Visa Forms to Cut Farmer Paperwork Hassles
Published Date: 9/10/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Labor wants to change the forms and rules for hiring temporary farm workers under the H-2A program. They’re rolling back some recent updates from 2024 but keeping a few improvements from earlier rules. This affects farmers and workers, aims to cut down paperwork, and invites public comments before final decisions.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
H-2A Forms Revert to 2022 Versions
The Department of Labor proposes to replace the current H-2A information collection tools under OMB Control Number 1205-0466 with the forms and instructions required by the October 12, 2022 Final Rule. This proposal (part of the July 2, 2025 NPRM) is intended to reduce paperwork and respondent burden under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Rescinding 2024 Worker Protections
The Department proposes to rescind provisions from the April 29, 2024 final rule titled "Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States," while keeping some 2024 changes. The NPRM dated July 2, 2025 would replace the information collection with 2022 Final Rule forms (October 12, 2022) under OMB Control Number 1205-0466.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-18978, Federal-State Unemployment Compensation (UC) Program; Data Availability
Starting November 16, 2026, Federal officials will get easier access to important unemployment data from States to help catch fraud and keep the system honest. States must update their laws by September 16, 2027, to share this info smoothly. This change helps protect taxpayer money and makes sure unemployment benefits go to the right people.
2026-16982, Wagner-Peyser Act Employment Service Staffing
Starting October 19, 2026, States can choose the best way to staff their Wagner-Peyser Employment Services without being forced to use State merit staff. This change helps States save money and work more efficiently while still providing great job help to people. If you work in or run these services, get ready for more flexibility and smarter staffing choices!
2026-10456, Department of Labor Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Annual Adjustments for 2026
Good news for businesses and workers: the Department of Labor won’t raise any fines or penalties in 2026 because the usual inflation data wasn’t available. This means all civil penalties stay the same starting May 27, 2026. So, no surprise cost hikes this year—just steady rules and steady fees!
2026-18043, Federal-State Unemployment Compensation Program: Notice of Federal Agency With Adequate Safeguards To Satisfy the Confidentiality Requirement of 20 CFR 603.9(d)
In this notice, the Department of Labor (Department) recognizes that, for purposes of digital identity verification services, Login.gov, a shared technology service within the United States General Services Administration (GSA), has in place safeguards adequate to satisfy the requirements of the Federal regulation on the confidentiality and disclosure of unemployment compensation (UC) information. As a result, the safeguards and security requirements enumerated in the regulation do not apply to disclosures of confidential UC information by state UC agencies to GSA's Login.gov for digital identity verification services.
2026-17833, Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Student Safety Assessment (SSA) of Job Corps Students
The Department of Labor's (DOL or Department) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is soliciting comments concerning a proposed revision for the authority to conduct the information collection request (ICR) titled, "Student Safety Assessment (SSA) of Job Corps students." This comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).
2026-17834, Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Job Corps Placement and Assistance Record
The Department of Labor's (DOL or Department) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is soliciting comments concerning a revision to the information collection request (ICR) titled "Job Corps Placement and Assistance Record". This comment request is part of continuing Departmental efforts to reduce paperwork and respondent burden in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-17388, Arkansas-Oklahoma Railroad, Inc.-Lease and Operation Exemption Including Interchange Commitment-BNSF Railway Company, Inc.
Arkansas-Oklahoma Railroad (AOK) is extending its lease to keep running trains on a 10.7-mile rail line in Shawnee, Oklahoma, that it’s been operating since 2021. They’ve promised to keep working smoothly with BNSF Railway and are asking to skip the usual 60-day labor notice before this extension kicks in. This move keeps things rolling without big changes to costs or service.
Next: 2025-17391, Proposed Exemption for Certain Prohibited Transactions Involving the International Union of Operating Engineers Local Union 627 Training Fund of Oklahoma (the Plan or the Applicant) Located in Oklahoma City, OK
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 627 wants to lend money to their Training Fund to buy heavy machinery. Normally, this kind of loan breaks the rules, but they’re asking for a special okay to make it happen. If approved, the Plan can get the equipment it needs without breaking any laws, helping workers train better and faster.