H-2 Visa News

On March 14th, 20th and 27th, the Department conducted three webinars intended to educate program users and other interested stakeholders on the requirements of the 2012 H-2B Final Rule. Today the Department posted Round 1 of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). The FAQs are largely based on questions received from the webinar participants and other members of the regulated public and are published to assist employers, workers, and other interested parties in understanding the 2012 Final Rule as it goes into effect.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it extended an accommodation for H-2A workers in the sheepherding industry to transition to the three-year limitation of stay requirements. USCIS will require H-2A sheepherders who have reached their maximum three-year period of stay to depart the United States by Aug. 16, 2012. These sheepherders must then remain outside the country for at least three months before petitioning for H-2A classification again.

The Chicago National Processing Center has announced that it will be expanding its E-Mail Notification Program to all H-2A stakeholders who elect to participate in the program. In addition, all H-2A employers who elect to participate in the program will no longer receive hard copy notifications of the following actions: Notice of Deficiency, Notice of Acceptance, Denials, Withdrawals, Extensions, and Redeterminations.

NOTE: Certifications and partial certifications will continue to be issued to H-2A stakeholders via electronic transmission and by hard copy.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it extended an accommodation for H-2A workers in the sheepherding industry to transition to the three-year limitation of stay requirements. USCIS will require H-2A sheepherders who have reached their maximum three-year period of stay to depart the United States by Aug. 16, 2012, and remain outside the country for at least three months before petitioning for H-2A classification again.

The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has established a process by which members of the public may subscribe to receive e-mail alerts whenever the Department posts an announcement updating some aspect of the OFLC website, e.g., program updates, outreach announcements, new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), disclosure data, etc.

Please check the attachment to read the instructions on how to subscribe to OFLC e-mail alerts.

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 7, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13635-13636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5602]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Labor Certification Process for the Temporary Employment of
Aliens in Agriculture in the United States: 2012 Allowable Charges for

The OFLC announced the establishment of an H-2A Ombudsman Program. The H-2A Ombudsman Program is here to facilitate the fair and equitable resolution of concerns that arise within the H-2A filing community, by conducting independent and impartial inquiries into issues related to the administration of the H-2A program.

For more information on the H-2A Ombudsman Program click here.

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 42 (Friday, March 2, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12883-12884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5159]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

Wage and Hour Division


Announcement of Public Briefings on the Changes to the Labor
Certification Process for the Temporary Non-Agricultural Employment of

To assist H-2A employers in preparing their agricultural job offers and applications, the Department of Labor has posted a sixth round of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) providing clarifications on several H-2A issues raised recently.

Please check attachment to read round Six FAQs.

To continue to assist H-2A employers in preparing their agricultural job offers and applications, the Department of Labor has revised its Employer Guide for Participating in the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Program. This guide summarizes and explains key regulatory requirements for a U.S. employer to participate in the H-2A Program, including what documents to file, important timeframes and deadlines, helpful filing tips, and how to contact the OFLC Chicago National Processing Center for further assistance.