Agency Information Collection Activities; Reinstatement, With Change, of a Previously Approved Collection for Which Approval Has Expired: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker: H-2A Classification
USCIS has published a notice seeking public comment as part of a routine Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) process to reinstate and update the information collection associated with the H-2A nonimmigrant worker petition. This is a "reinstatement with change," meaning the prior OMB approval had lapsed and USCIS is seeking renewed clearance with some modifications to the form or its instructions. The notice opens a 30-day public comment window before the collection is submitted to OMB for final approval. There are no substantive policy changes to H-2A eligibility, program requirements, or processing procedures announced in this notice.
If you are an agricultural employer sponsoring H-2A workers, or a worker in H-2A status, this notice does not change your rights or obligations right now. A revised version of the H-2A petition form may be coming, so watch for an updated form version on the USCIS website in the months ahead. No action is needed from you at this time, but if you'd like to comment on the form's burden or design, you have 30 days from the publication date to do so.
Key changes
- Routine PRA reinstatement — the H-2A petition information collection is being renewed after its OMB approval expired.
- USCIS is submitting a revised version of the collection ('with change'), which may reflect updates to the form or instructions.
- A 30-day public comment period is open for feedback on the form's paperwork burden.
- No changes to H-2A eligibility rules, program policies, or processing timelines are introduced by this notice.