H2A Farm Labor Bond Application
The H-2A Farm Labor Contractor Bond is required by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for any business or individual hiring temporary agricultural workers under the H-2A visa program. This bond ensures compliance with federal and state regulations while protecting workers' rights. It is mandatory for contractors who hire temporary foreign workers for agricultural work in the United States under the H-2A visa program. The bond provides financial protection to both the workers and the federal government if a contractor fails to meet these obligations.
Why You Need an H-2A Farm Labor Bond
The H-2A Surety Bond guarantees that farm labor contractors and agricultural employers meet all financial responsibilities to their H-2A workers. This includes proper payment of wages, benefits, and transportation costs as outlined in H-2A program rules. Without this bond, your company cannot be licensed or approved to participate in the H-2A program.
H2a Farm Labor surety bonds are underwritten and approved based upon the owner of the company’s personal credit score. Most of our surety companies/carriers utilize a “soft pull” therefore it typically will not affect your personal credit score.
Farm Labor Bond FAQs
These are some of the most common questions asked about Farm Labor Bond FAQs and how they work.
An H-2A farm labor contractor (H-2A FLC) bond is required by the U.S. Department of Labor for any employer wanting to be certified by the H-2A program. The H-2A program provides a temporary certification to hire, recruit, solicit, employ, house, furnish or transport foreign employees when there is a domestic labor shortage.
Farm labor contractor bonds guarantee that workers receive payment for their labor during the contract period. This includes any wages and benefits owed to an H-2A worker, or a U.S. worker who is:
- Improperly rejected
- Laid off
- Displaced
The Bond Amounts required will depend on the Number of workers. This can change annually. The attached are the 2025 bond amounts
Business owners with a personal credit score over 680, typically pay in the 1% range annually. If your personal credit score is low, we can still get you bonded at a great price. We are licensed with over 65 surety companies allowing us to offer the most competitive premiums!
We are Nationwide Agriculture Product Dealer Bond experts and we can make sure you are in compliance with your state required bonding, in most cases, the same day.
Farm Labor Bond, also commonly referred to as a Farm Labor Contractor Bond or an H-2A Contractor Bond in relation to federal H-2A program regulations, is a type of surety bond required by those engaging in farm labor recruitment and/or arranging farm labor transportation.
Below is a short description of how they work:
Key Function and Purpose
The main objective of a farm labor bond is to act as a type of financial guarantee that ensures the Farm Labor Contractor (FLC) or the Principal is involved in honest and legitimate business activities, especially in terms of labor law regulations.
Labor Protection:
Essentially, it is those farm workers that benefit most from this agricultural labor bond. Farm Laborers
Guarantees:
The guarantee covers that the FLC will meet all their obligations as per the contract as well as in terms of law. This
Paying wages and benefits in a timely and accurate fashion.
Offering a safe work environment as well as adequate working conditions.
Adhering to all labor standards and regulations.
The Three-Party Agreement
Like all surety bonds, a farm labor bond is an agreement that occurs between three parties, including:
- “The Principal”: This is the Farm Labor Contractor mandated to purchase a bond.
- Obligee: This is actually a government body (such as a State Department of Labor or the U.S. Department of Labor in the case of an H-2A program) that demands that a bond be posted.
- Surety: This refers to the company that underwrites or secures a bail bond.
U.S. Farm labor contractors who recruit, employ, or transport agricultural workers, particularly those using the federal H-2A visa program will need one.
Complete the application below, or email [email protected] to renew your Farm Labor bond.
The Bond Amounts required will depend on the Number of workers. This can change annually. The attached are the 2025 bond amounts.
