H-2A Certification FAQs

The H-2A labor certification program establishes a means for agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers to the U.S. to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature.
  • The H-2A labor certification application shall be valid for the period of employment indicated on the Form ETA 790; however, in no event shall the validity period exceed more than a year. As temporary or seasonal agricultural employment, the work is performed at certain seasons of the year or for a limited time period of less than one year when the employer can show that the need for the foreign worker is truly temporary.
  • The employer's need for a worker must be of a seasonal or other temporary basis. A seasonal basis is the kind exclusively performed at certain seasons or periods of the year and which, from its nature, may not be continuous or carried on throughout the year. A temporary basis is for a limited time only or is contemplated for a particular piece of work, usually of a short duration.

  • Employers are advised to file requests for H-2A certifications at least 45 days before certification is needed, but no more than 60 days before certification is needed. An ETA Form 790 should be submitted to the H-2A Program Manager listed below.

    • Agricultural and Food Processing Clearance Order - ETA Form 790
    • Application for Temporary Employment Certification - ETA Form 9142
    • Agricultural Program Only - ETA Form 9142 Appendix A2

    The forms listed above may accessed through this link: Foreign Labor Certification Forms

    Details about how to file a request for H-2A certification and additional information may be accessed through this link:  Foreign Labor Certification Frequently Asked Questions

    The Workforce Services Division is the state agency that administers the ALC Program in Montana. Funding, oversight, and processing is provided by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration.

  • Sandy Sands, Program Manager
    Workforce Services Division
    PO Box 1728
    Helena, MT 59624-1728
    Phone: (406) 444-2981
    Email: DDLIWSDH-2A@mt.gov