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Temporary Agricultural (H-2A) And Non-Agricultural (H-2B) Foreign Labor Certification Requests

Important Updates for H-2A and H-2B Employers

Alert

  1. On August 3, 2026, the U.S. DOL's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) published a Federal Register Notice (FRN) announcing current Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) for the employment of all non-range H-2A job opportunities. Visit the U.S. DOL's FLC Program page for the full announcement, as well as the FRN publication with updated hourly AEWRs for non-range occupations.
  2. On July 20, 2026, the U.S. DOL's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) invited stakeholders to participate in a webinar which took place on Wed, July 29, 2026, covering technical assistance and helpful tips for using surveys to complete an Application for Prevailing Wage Determination (Form ETA-9141). Visit the U.S. DOL's FLC Program page to view the original webinar announcement.
  3. On July 13, 2026, the OFLC invited stakeholders to participate in a webinar which took place on Wed, July 22, 2026, covering technical assistance and tips for preparing Form ETA-9141, as well as Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) prevailing wage requests. Visit the U.S. DOL's FLC Program page to read the original webinar announcement.

General questions should be directed to the U.S. DOL's Office of Foreign Labor Certification at: oflc.tlc@dol.gov

H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Program

For information on additional requirements, prevailing wage determinations, and how and when to apply for H-2B certification, visit the U.S. DOL's Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) and Employment and Training Administration (ETA) respective H-2B program pages.

After certification, see the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)'s H-2B Temporary Non Agricultural Workers page for information on filing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.

Submitting Job Orders in Alaska for H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Program

  1. Before you apply for certification via the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG), create the Alaska H-2B State Workforce Agency (SWA) job order in AlaskaJobs or contact the nearest Alaska Job Center for assistance. See H-2B Job Order Instructions and the H-2B Job Order Checklist . The job order will be reviewed by job center staff to ensure that it meets Alaska requirements and will remain On Hold until you receive a Notice of Acceptance from the Chicago National Processing Center (CNPC). Note: Creation of a job order in AlaskaJobs does not submit the job order to the SWA. See step 3 below.
  2. 90 — 75 days prior to the date of need, submit a copy of the staff-reviewed AlaskaJobs SWA job order and H-2B application (Form ETA-9142B and Appendices) with supporting documents to the CNPC via FLAG.
  3. When you submit the application and copy of the AlaskaJobs SWA job order to CNPC, also submit the job order to the SWA by providing the employer name, position, location, and AlaskaJobs job order number to dol.flc@alaska.gov. Alaska FLC program staff will review the job order, respond in FLAG, and open it upon receipt of a Notice of Acceptance from CNPC. Job center staff will refer qualified U.S. applicants to your position until the job order closes and can also show you how to conduct your own recruitment in AlaskaJobs.

H-2A Temporary Agricultural Program

For information on additional requirements, as well as how and when to apply for H-2A certification, visit the U.S. DOL's H-2A program pages on the FLAG and ETA sites.

After certification, see the USCIS's H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers page for information on filing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.

Submitting Job Orders in Alaska for H-2A Temporary Agricultural Program

  1. 75 — 60 days before your date of need for workers:
    1. Submit ETA Form 790, 790A and all required addenda to the CNPC via the FLAG system . See H-2A Agricultural Clearance Order Form ETA-790A General Instructions for H-2A program-specific requirements.
    2. Create an Alaska H-2A job order via AlaskaJobs or by contacting the nearest Alaska Job Center for assistance. Your job order will be reviewed by job center staff to ensure that it meets Alaska requirements and will remain On Hold in AlaskaJobs until it is opened by FLC staff.
    3. Provide your employer name, position, location, AlaskaJobs job order number, and a written request for a housing inspection to occur no later than 31 days before your date of need to the Alaska SWA at dol.flc@alaska.gov .
  2. Alaska's FLC staff will review your job order, work with you to address necessary changes, coordinate any required housing inspections, and open your approved AlaskaJobs job order for recruitment of U.S. applicants. Job center staff will refer qualified U.S. applicants to your position until the job order closes and can also show you how to conduct your own recruitment in AlaskaJobs.
  3. No less than 45 days before your date of need, submit Form ETA 9142A with appendices via FLAG. CNPC will issue notices to the employer via FLAG.
  4. After acceptance by CNPC, follow instructions in your Notice of Acceptance which could include submitting a recruitment report, proof of housing inspection, and proof of workers' compensation coverage via FLAG by 30 days before your date of need.

COVID-19 Health and Safety Resources for Migrant Seasonal Farmworkers and Agricultural Employers

In an effort to minimize the spread and transmission of COVID-19, the Alaska Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development is providing the following resources to support the health and safety of both migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFW), U.S. job seekers and agricultural employers. While this list is not exhaustive, it is meant to inform MSFW's and U.S. job seekers, while encouraging agricultural employers to follow health and safety guidance.

last updated: August 4, 2026