Fruit picking season is one of the most labor-intensive times on farms across the United States each year.
While backbreaking work, fruit picking jobs can offer excellent opportunities for overseas workers seeking seasonal employment in America.
This guide provides an in-depth look at some of the highest paying fruit picking jobs available to foreign workers that also offer H-2A visa sponsorship.
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Peak Seasons and Top Crops
Different fruits have varying harvest seasons throughout the year. Some of the highest paying crops to target include:
Apples
Apple picking season runs from August through October in most regions. States with large apple crops like Washington, New York, Michigan, and Virginia offer plenty of work during this period. Hourly wages for apple picking average around $13-15/hour.
Blueberries
The blueberry harvest occurs from June through August depending on location. Michigan, New Jersey, Georgia, and Oregon are important blueberry producing states. Pay rates for hand-picking blueberries range from $11-13/hour on average.
Cherries
Sweet cherries are harvested from May through July, while tart cherries peak in August. Washington and Michigan have the largest cherry crops. Cherry pickers can earn $14-16 per hour during these seasons.
Grapes
Table grape harvest spans July through October in California’s Central Valley. Wages for grape picking are competitive, averaging between $14-16/hour depending on experience and productivity.
Top Employers Offering H-2A Visas
The H-2A temporary agricultural work visa program allows US farms to directly sponsor foreign workers for seasonal jobs.
Here are some of the largest fruit growers actively recruiting overseas pickers through the H-2A process:
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Gebbers Farms (Washington)
As one of the top 10 tree fruit producers in the United States, Gebbers has a major need for harvest help.
They sponsor H-2A visas for hundreds of positions each year picking apples, cherries, and pears. Hourly pay rates start at $15.
Mariani Packing Company (California)
Specializing in table grapes, Mariani employs over 1,000 pickers annually. In addition to housing and transportation, they pay grape harvesters a competitive $14.75 per hour.
Welch Foods Inc. (New Jersey)
As the largest blueberry farm east of the Mississippi, Welch’s offers plentiful opportunities for blueberry harvesting paid at $12.50 hourly. Housing is provided at no cost.
Andrade Fruit, Inc. (Michigan)
A major grower of cherries, blueberries, and apples, Andrade recruits H-2A workers each season with pay up to $14 per hour along with free shared housing.
Milne Fruit Products (Washington)
Operating multiple orchards, Milne is consistently one of Washington’s top H-2A employers for jobs like apple and pear harvesting starting at a baseline of $15 per hour.
The H-2A Application Process
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Applying through the official H-2A government program offers participants important protections and benefits not available through unauthorized work. Here are the basic steps involved:
1. Contact an Employer Directly – Growers actively recruit laborers and have information on their application process and expected start dates.
2. Submit a Petition – Employers handle submitting the H-2A petition to the Department of Labor on behalf of approved jobseekers along with a job offer outline.
3. Interview at the US Consulate – If the petition is certified, candidates must attend a visa interview and receive a medical exam from an approved doctor.
4. Arrive in the USA – With the H-2A non-immigrant visa, you can legally enter and work solely for the sponsoring employer during the authorized period of stay.
5. Return Home Afterwards – The visa is non-immigrant and temporary, requiring participants to depart the United States at the conclusion of their employment contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
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1. What are the eligibility requirements for H-2A participation?
To qualify for an H-2A agricultural work visa, applicants must be able to perform the temporary or seasonal job duties required, pass a background check demonstrating no felony convictions, and intend to depart the US at the end of their authorized stay.
2. How long does an H-2A visa last?
Most H-2A work contracts and visas are approved initially for a period of up to one year. Some farm jobs like crop harvesting may only need foreign workers present for 3-6 months at a time on a renewable basis each season.
3. What benefits and protections are H-2A visa holders entitled to?
Key protections include payment of at least the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, reimbursement for visa/travel costs by the employer, free housing that meets standards, and guaranteed work for at least 3/4 of the contract period. Termination before the contract end date requires justification.
4. How difficult is it to qualify for an H-2A visa through the application process?
While it requires coordination between the worker and employer, approval rates for H-2A petitions currently exceed 90% as long as all requirements are met.
The main challenges are prompt submission of complete applications and successfully attending the visa interview appointment.
5. Can H-2A jobs in fruit picking lead to permanent US residency over time?
The H-2A program is strictly non-immigrant and temporary in nature. However, some workers choose to reapply for new H-2A contracts year after year.
After working in US agriculture for a total of 10 years (not necessarily consecutive), an individual may become eligible to seek legal permanent residence under certain exceptional circumstances.