H-2A: A Potential Solution for H-2B Landscapers

Don’t let H-2B visas hold you back; H-2A could be your solution

Do you have a nursery or greenhouse arm of your business? Have you been considering starting a growing operation? If so, you might be eligible for the H-2A visa.

The uncapped potential of H-2A

Unlike H-2B, the H-2A program is uncapped and available for start dates based off of your true labor need. This has allowed those employers with a nursery or greenhouse operation in addition to their landscaping business to better allocate their existing workforce around their H-2B results, while still staying competitive in the industry.

The H-2A visa class is reserved for agricultural uses, which can overlap with some landscaping-related business operations.

To qualify, the operation must still be temporary or seasonal in nature, as well as meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Grow to maturity at least 50% of the commodities

• Have the growing operation on land that is either owned, leased, or controlled by the filing entity

• Able to keep job duties between both programs wholly separate

• Have access to free, employer-provided housing

Whether you have an established nursery operation, or you are starting from scratch, the H-2A program can provide security in having the workers needed to keep your business moving forward.