New Pay Rules Hit for H-2A Foreign Farm Workers
Published Date: 7/11/2025
Notice
Summary
The Department of Labor just updated the minimum wages that farmers must pay temporary foreign farm workers (H-2A workers) for certain jobs outside livestock herding. These new wage rates help protect U.S. workers by making sure everyone gets fair pay. The changes kick in soon and affect employers hiring seasonal farm workers across various states.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Employers Must Pay Updated AEWRs
If you hire temporary or seasonal farmworkers (H-2A), you must offer, advertise, and pay the updated Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) for covered jobs. These AEWRs are the minimum wages the Department of Labor requires employers to pay so U.S. workers in similar jobs are not harmed.
Workers Protected by Minimum Wage Update
If you work in seasonal or temporary farm jobs, the updated AEWRs set the minimum wages that must be paid to H-2A workers and to U.S. workers in the same jobs. These rates are meant to protect U.S. workers' wages and working conditions by preventing lower-paid foreign labor from undercutting them.
Which Jobs and Areas Are Covered
The updated AEWRs apply to agricultural jobs that are not livestock herding on the range (non-range occupations) and to certain field and livestock worker jobs located in States or regions where the USDA Farm Labor Survey does not report a wage. The notice bases these AEWRs on wage data from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-06270 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Job Corps Health Questionnaire
The Department of Labor wants to keep using the Job Corps Health Questionnaire to learn about applicants’ medical needs. They’re asking for your thoughts on this paperwork by June 1, 2026, aiming to keep things simple and clear without extra hassle. This helps make sure Job Corps can support students’ health while keeping paperwork light and easy.
2026-06324 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; Student Experience Assessment (SEA) of Job Corps Centers
The Department of Labor wants to keep collecting feedback from Job Corps students to make their centers better. They’re asking for your thoughts on this plan by June 1, 2026, to keep paperwork light and easy. This helps ensure students’ voices are heard without wasting time or money.
2026-05683 — Agency Information Collection Activities for Application for Prevailing Wage Determination; Comment Request
The Department of Labor wants to keep using its forms for employers to request wage info for foreign workers, but they’re asking for your thoughts before extending the approval. No changes to the forms, so no new costs or hassles, just a chance to speak up by May 26, 2026. This helps keep paperwork easy and clear for businesses hiring workers from other countries.
2026-05700 — Revised Schedule of Remuneration for the Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX) Program That Reflects the Military Pay Increase Effective
Starting January 1, 2026, military veterans filing for unemployment benefits under the UCX program will see updated pay rates that match the new military pay raise. This change helps states calculate benefits more accurately when official military discharge papers aren’t available. If you’re an ex-servicemember filing a first claim after this date, your benefits could reflect these higher pay rates!
2026-05204 — Agency Information Collection Activities for H-2B Foreign Labor Certification Program; Comment Request
The Department of Labor wants to update and renew the forms used in the H-2B Foreign Labor Certification Program, which helps employers hire temporary non-agricultural workers from other countries. They plan to get rid of one form that’s no longer needed to make things easier and reduce paperwork. Employers and the public can send their thoughts by May 18, 2026, so changes can be smooth and less costly.
2025-14510 — Temporary Suspension of H-2A Certification Fees
Starting September 2, 2025, the Department of Labor is pausing H-2A certification fees to switch from paper checks to electronic payments. Employers applying for H-2A temporary work visas won’t have to pay fees during this break, but any bills sent before the pause still need to be paid on time. This change makes paying easier and more modern, with updates coming later on when fees start again.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-12909 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Request for Public Comment
The Department of Labor wants your thoughts on some forms they use to collect info, making sure they’re not too much work for people and businesses. They’re asking for comments on extending these forms, so everyone affected can weigh in before any changes happen. This helps keep things clear, easy, and fair—plus, it might save time and money down the road!
Next: 2025-12911 — Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under OMB Review
The Small Business Administration (SBA) wants to keep collecting some info but needs the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) thumbs-up first. This notice gives everyone 30 more days to share their thoughts before SBA moves forward. If you’re a small business or someone who deals with SBA forms, this could affect how and when you report info, but no new costs are expected right now.
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in