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NGA Initiation Fees
and Membership Dues
 Annual membership dues are waived for the year in which the initiation fee is paid.
Initiation FeesA one-time initiation fee is based on peak employment for the previous business year.Peak employment last year: - 1-25 employees: Initiation fee = $500
- 26- 50 employees: Initiation fee = $1,000
- 51-100 employees: Initiation fee = $1,500
- 101-200 employees: Initiation fee = $2,000
- 201-400 employees: Initiation fee = $3,000
- Over 400 employees: Initiation fee = $4,000
Membership Dues- $100 per year for members who paid $1,000 or more
in initiation fees.
- $50 per year for members who paid less than $1,000
in initiation fees.
Note: If membership dues lapse for one year, the lapsed year's dues may be paid along with the current year's dues and a $100 lapse fee. If dues lapse for more than one year or the lapse fee is not paid, an initiation fee must be paid to reinstate membership.
NGA H-2A Services Fees15 or fewer employees: - $3,000 non-refundable H-2A Services fee, to be paid when submitting the Application for H-2A Services
More than 15 employees: - $3,000 non-refundable H-2A Services fee, to be paid when submitting the Application for H-2A Services
- $100 per worker over 15 workers, to be paid on the date of need or when H-2A workers arrive (whichever is later)
Foreign Worker Orientation - $1,000 non-refundable Foreign Worker Orientation fee, to be paid when submitting the Application for H-2A Services
The Foreign Worker Orientation fee covers an in-person foreign worker orientation and contract explanation at the point of recruitment. The in-person Foreign Worker Orientation is a critical quality assurance activity which reduces the risks of miscommunication, uninformed recruitees and related legal action.
The NGA H-2A Services fee includes all recruiting and application costs, including: - Advertising
- Application development
- Interviewing and screening domestic referrals
- Applications to and communication with the U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. State Department and consulates
- Communication with foreign recruiters
- Application fees to U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State for labor certifications and visas.
Transportation expenses are billed separately.
Transportation CostsUnder the H-2A program, the employer is required to pay round-trip travel expenses for foreign workers, and domestic workers from out of the normal commuting area who are in the H-2A occupation. Transportation costs for foreign H-2A workers typically run between $400 - $600 from Mexico, depending on the place of departure and the availability of charter service. NGA will arrange the transportation. Employers participating in the NGA H-2A program must pay inbound and outbound transportation costs within one week after the foreign workers have arrived at the place of employment and reimburse workers for subsistence incurred by the workers during their travels, up to $39 per 24-hour travel day, in the paycheck covering the first week of employment. Employers must pay outbound transportation costs for all employees who complete the contract period. Employers are required to pay the lowest cost common carrier rate plus meals (up to $39 per day). The employer must provide transportation for employees from the housing site to the work site.
Employers must pay the minimum of the state minimum wage, the prevailing wage for the job as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), or the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, a sort of "super minimum wage" determined by USDOL for the H-2A program intended to prevent the deflation of wages for domestic workers. If the job is normally paid on a piece-rate basis, the employer must pay the prevailing piece rate as established by USDOL. Depending on the crop or product produced and the task performed, the actual earnings on a piece-rate basis may fall below the Adverse Effect Wage Rate. In this case, the employer must subsidize the employee up to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate. Prevailing productivity standards may be applied.
The 2008 Adverse Effect Wage Rates are:- Washington...$9.94
- Oregon...$9.94
- Idaho...$8.74
- California...$9.72
- Hawaii...$10.86
The Adverse Effect Wage Rates for 2007 were:- Washington...$9.77
- Oregon...$9.77
- Idaho...$8.76
- California...$9.49
- Hawaii...$10.32
Click here for more information about the 2008 AEWRs
HousingThe employer must provide housing, including bedding and cooking facilities and hardware at no charge. Meals may be provided in lieu of cooking facilities. The housing does not have to be on the farm, but it must meet all local, state and federal regulations applicable to temporary agricultural workers. The employer must provide transportation for the employees from the housing site to the work site.
Cost SavingsTwo types of cost savings come with the H-2A program: - Payroll tax savings
Foreign H-2A employees are exempt from FICA (7.65 percent of gross wages) and FUTA. In many states, foreign H-2A employees are also exempt from state unemployment taxes. (Those savings depend on the tax rate for your individual business -- usually 2 percent to 5 percent of wages.)
- Operational savings
Grower experience with the H-2A program shows that employees on an H-2A contract are less likely to quit, thereby reducing operational costs due to turnover and lower efficiency. Employees on an H-2A contract are also more likely to work the full day as requested by the employer.
Learn more about NGA
Learn more about the H-2A Program
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