Currently, FarmRaise Payroll does not support H-2A visa workers. We know this might be disappointing, especially if you're managing a diverse crew of seasonal workers—but we want to be clear and upfront about why.
Why Can’t FarmRaise Support H-2A Payroll (Yet)?
H-2A payroll comes with its own set of complexities. These visa-sponsored positions are subject to a different set of federal, state, and labor regulations compared to other agricultural employees. That means payroll for H-2A workers isn’t just about cutting a check—it’s about staying compliant with a long list of evolving legal requirements.
Here are a few reasons why it’s tricky:
Special wage rules: H-2A workers must be paid the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), which changes annually and varies by state.
Housing and transportation requirements: Employers must often provide housing and transportation, which may need to be reflected in payroll reporting.
Visa compliance: Employers must track work terms, employment periods, and ensure alignment with visa documentation.
State-specific taxes and exemptions: Many H-2A wages are exempt from certain payroll taxes, but this varies by jurisdiction and needs to be tracked correctly.
Reporting requirements: H-2A payroll reporting forms (like IRS Form 943 and state equivalents) differ from standard employee payroll.
Because of all these intricacies, we’ve chosen not to support H-2A payroll at this time. Our top priority is providing accurate, compliant, and easy-to-use payroll tools—and we don’t want to offer a solution until we can do it right.
Want H-2A Payroll Support?
We’re actively exploring what it would take to support H-2A payroll in the future. If this feature would be helpful for your farm or ranch, we’d love to hear from you!
Here’s how you can help us prioritize it:
Send us a message through the Help Center.
Let us know how many H-2A workers you hire and for how long.
Share your biggest payroll pain points.
The more we know about your needs, the better we can design a solution that works for you.