Blog Post
Different Visa Options for Sheepherders
5/26/2025
If you are a sheepherder interested in working in the United States, you should know the different Visa options specific to the job role. You can opt for an EB-3C or H-2A Visa, depending on your situation.
EB-3C Visa Category
The EB-3C Visa is a subcategory under the Employment-Based Third Preference (EB-3) program. It is specifically for non-citizens engaged in unskilled labor that requires six to 24 months of training or experience. To qualify under this category, you must meet the following criteria:
Possess the ability to perform unskilled labor that requires less than two years of training and experience.
A job offer from a U.S. employer who can prove that there are no qualified U.S. workers for it.
The offered job should not be seasonal or temporary.
The annual allocation for EB-3C Visas stands at 10,000. Since this employment-based immigrant Visa category allows foreign workers to obtain a Green Card, substantial demand for this category has been observed in recent years.
H-2A Visa Category
The H-2A Visa is a temporary nonimmigrant Visa that allows U.S. employers to bring in foreign individuals to fill seasonal agricultural jobs. For foreign nationals to be qualified under this category, the employer must:
Have a temporary or seasonal job offer.
Prove there are not enough U.S. workers available, qualified, and willing to do temporary agricultural jobs.
Prove that workers under this Visa category do not negatively impact the working conditions of U.S. workers.
Present a temporary labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the H-2A petition.
Essentially, the H-2A Visa connects foreign agricultural workers with employment opportunities in the U.S. agrarian sector. One of its key provisions is the concept of continual care of workers by their employers. This means that employers must provide housing and transportation for their H-2A workers and ensure that they are paid the prevailing wage for their work.
Demonstrating continual care is essential if you want to transition from H-2A Visa status to obtaining a Green Card. It shows that your employer has provided consistent employment opportunities and has not abruptly terminated the employment relationship. In some cases, sheepherders can use this work experience to qualify for the EB-3 Visa category for skilled workers.
5718 University Heights Blvd #104,
San Antonio, TX 78249