Airline ticket +/- R18,000 – R26,000 depending on various factors. (Half of the ticket will be reimbursed by the employer upon your arrival in the US. The balance will be reimbursed by your employer to you when you finish your term)
Visa +/- $190 (+/- R3 500) depending on the exchange rate on the day of your visa application. (The cost will be reimbursed to you by your employer on arrival in the US)
Travel and medical insurance (the cost is determined by your age and length of stay)
Firstly complete the online application on nspinnaclerecruit.com For your convenience we have added a link to an agent in your area/province or nearest to it. Just click on the area/province and you will immediately have your own personal agent to guide and assist you throughout the process.
Your agent will contact you to arrange an interview either in person or online
We submit your application to the farmers seeking employment.
Your agent will be notified if & when the farmer wants to interview you.
We receive an offer of employment from the farmer
All paperwork goes to our US agency. They submit the paperwork to the Department of Labor (DOL) and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will then issue a work permit. NOBODY (not us or the US agency) has any control on the length of this process. It can take between 3 – 4 months for processing. That is why we urge you to apply long in advance.
Your agent will notify you once we receive your work permit. You may then apply for the H-2A Visa. We can assist you with this process through a Visa Agency at an extra fee (+/- R1500 – we do recommend that you choose this option, as it is quite an important part of your application) OR you can do the application yourself on the US Consulate website. Once your visa application has been received by the US Consulate, you will be notified if you need to go to the Consulate for an interview (not always necessary), after which your visa will be granted. It will take between 1 – 4 weeks before you receive your Visa.
Once your visa is received you are in the final stages of your process. Now things will move quite fast. Your agent will book your flight ticket (we work with a well-known Travel Agency – Ritz Travel, who will ensure you get the best option and price possible.
With your air ticket in hand we will arrange your Travel Insurance through a specialist. (This expense will not be reimbursed to you, you will pay them directly)
Your agent will send you an information pack before your departure with:
Your itinerary
Information on your employer, accommodation, etc.
Information on the US, including useful facts and what’s important to know during your stay in the US.
Now it’s up to you – embrace your journey to success in the US.
The H-2A Visa is a temporary agricultural visa (non-immigrant visa) that allows foreigners to enter the USA and perform agricultural labor on a seasonal basis. It is only valid for a maximum of 10 months.
To apply for the H-2A Visa you need:
A work permit from the employer (see the process in the previous answer)
Valid passport (it needs to be valid for at least 6 months after you arrive back in South Africa)
Visa photos – 5cm x 5cm
How to apply
You have 2 OPTIONS:
Your agent will refer you to our Visa Agency at an extra fee of R1500. They will prepare your application, secure your interview (if applicable) and coach you before you have to go for the interview (if applicable). They will also see to it that your visa is delivered. (We highly recommend that you use this option as the Visa Agent has many years of experience in this and this can be quite a complicated and strenuous process)
OR
You complete the DS160 application online. Your NS Pinnacle Recruit agent can assist you with the completion hereof but we cannot guarantee that your visa will be successful as this is not in our hands at all.
You will only be invited for an interview if the consulate has a query on your paperwork or if you have a criminal record. It is VERY IMPORTANT to disclose the information about the criminal record. The US criminal record system is unbelievably good and up to date – even with the SA records.
We use a well-known travel agency – Ritz Travel to book all the airline tickets on your behalf. It is easier to coordinate all the employees’ travel arrangements if done by one travel agency. They also have years of experience and can therefore secure the best option and best price on your airline ticket. You will have to pay for your airline ticket in advance. Please ensure beforehand that you have enough funds available to pay for your ticket, as this part of the process happens quite quickly and needs to be paid within 24 hours of confirming the booking.
Your airline ticket will be reimbursed in full by the US employer – half will be paid to you on arrival at your employer, the remaining part will be paid on completion of your contract.
We HIGHLY recommend you to take out travel and medical insurance before you leave South Africa. We will refer you to our broker to assist you with this. This will be at your own cost and will not be reimbursed to you.
The H-2A program states that you must at least be paid the minimum wage per hour of the State in which you work. The minimum wage is different in each State, see info per state below.Â
The employer is responsible for providing housing for foreign workers. The housing must meet certain health and safety standards, and must undergo a housing inspection by the US Department of Labor
Transport to and from the farm will also be provided
Meals will be your OWN responsibility
Agriculture is natures most beautiful part.
Trust us to help you plan and reach your Career Goals.
