What Does H-2A Cost? Fees and Costs for Small Farms

Most of what H-2A costs is the cost of having a crew: wages, housing, travel and meals. Filing fees are a smaller slice, but they add up. Here is what to budget.

Government fees

These are the main government fees as of 2025. Fees change, so confirm current amounts with DOL, the USCIS fee schedule and the State Department before you file.

Fee	Amount
DOL certification	$100 plus $10 per worker, capped at $1,000
USCIS petition (Form I-129), named workers, employers with fewer than 25 employees	$545 per petition
USCIS petition, named workers, larger employers	$1,090 per petition
USCIS asylum program fee	$300 for small employers, $600 for larger ones
Customs entry fee (Form I-94)	$24 per worker
Visa application fee	$205 per worker

Example: a small farm with 6 named workers

DOL: $100 + (6 x $10) = $160
USCIS petition and asylum fee: $545 + $300 = $845
Entry fees: 6 x $24 = $144
Visa fees: 6 x $205 = $1,230
Total: about $2,379

Who pays which fee, and when visa and travel costs are reimbursed, follows specific rules. We walk every farm through them before the season.

The costs that make up most of a season

Wages. You pay the highest of several rates, usually the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR). See AEWR explained.
The three-fourths guarantee. You must offer at least 75% of the hours in the contract. See the three-fourths guarantee.
Housing. Free, inspected housing for workers who cannot go home each night. See housing requirements.
Travel and meals. Inbound travel is reimbursed once a worker finishes half the contract, and return travel is paid at the end. See travel reimbursement.
Meals or a kitchen. Three meals a day, or free cooking facilities.
Workers' compensation covering the whole contract period.

Agency fees

Agencies charge for preparing and filing your paperwork, coordinating the consulate and travel, and supporting you through the season.

Battenkill Ag provides a reliable, low-cost service for the farming families we work with. Request a quote for your farm.

Quick answers

How much are the government fees for H-2A?

For a small farm bringing in 6 named workers, government fees run roughly $2,400 at 2025 fee levels. That covers the DOL fee, the USCIS petition and asylum program fees, entry fees and visa fees. Fees change, so confirm current amounts before you file.

Is the biggest H-2A cost the paperwork?

No. Wages are the largest cost, followed by housing, travel and meals. Filing and agency fees are a smaller share of the season.

Can workers pay any of the H-2A fees?

Workers cannot be charged recruitment fees or the employer's program costs. Some personal costs, like a passport, are the worker's own, and reimbursement rules apply to travel and some visa costs.

Battenkill Ag is an H-2A agent, not a law firm. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the linked regulations or talk to an immigration attorney about your situation. Last reviewed October 13, 2026.