Citizens of Uzbekistan will be able to gain opportunities for seasonal work in the US agricultural sector through H-2A visas. The American company Head Honchos intends to deepen its partnership with Uzbekistan in this area and also provide training to candidates according to the requests of American employers.
A visit by the head of Head Honchos, Todd Miller, to Uzbekistan is scheduled for August. This visit is facilitated by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in the USA and will focus on developing a program for temporary employment of the republic's citizens in the American agro-industrial complex.
Meetings between the parties will allow for consideration of the potential to attract Uzbeks to seasonal employment on US farms, as well as agreeing on the signing of a memorandum of cooperation. According to the plans for the future agreement, candidates will be prepared in accordance with the requirements of American employers and support will be provided in obtaining legal employment through the H-2A visa.
The H-2A program grants foreign citizens the right to temporarily work in US agriculture provided there is an official invitation from an employer. Furthermore, the delegation from the American company plans to visit farms and enterprises in the Bukhara and Fergana regions to assess opportunities for further interaction.
Previously, the Migration Agency of Uzbekistan and the US Embassy held discussions regarding the expansion of legal employment schemes for the republic's citizens in the United States, covering issues of personnel training and the preparation of all necessary documentation.
According to the State Labor Inspectorate of Uzbekistan, in the first half of 2026, the inspectorate received 1495 appeals from citizens who were employed without their knowledge.
As a result of studying these appeals, administrative and criminal measures were applied to the heads of 143 operating enterprises and organizations. Additionally, written orders were issued to 56 other enterprises and organizations to eliminate the identified violations.
It was found that some organizations mentioned in the appeals had already ceased operations. Incorrect information entered into the Unified National Labor System between 2020 and 2025 was removed to restore citizens' rights.
The Inspectorate urged citizens who discovered that information about their employment activity was processed without their knowledge to contact the authorized bodies.
Uzbekistan authorities are urging a halt to mass work during the daytime due to extremely high air temperatures and require strict adherence to safety measures. Additional requirements have been introduced regarding how labor processes should be organized in open areas.
The State Labor Inspectorate warns that prolonged exposure to strong sunlight is dangerous and can lead to heatstroke, dehydration, and serious bodily function impairment. According to sanitary norms and Article 359 of the Labor Code, air temperatures exceeding 36 degrees Celsius are classified as hazardous for performing work outside.
For this reason, employers are strongly advised to avoid holding hashar events, as well as any other collective activities between 10:00 and 17:00. Instead, all necessary work tasks should be moved to safer hours—either early morning or evening after 17:00.
If postponing work is impossible, a special work regime must be implemented. This regime entails reducing working hours, alternating periods of work and rest, and ensuring personnel have drinking water, shade, necessary protective equipment, and first aid kits.
Particular attention must be paid to the health status of employees. If the first signs of discomfort appear, the employee must be immediately removed from work and receive qualified medical assistance. The Inspectorate also reminds that violating established labor protection standards and creating conditions that threaten people's lives and health will result in legal liability under Uzbekistan's legislation.
Furthermore, the critical importance of medical control is emphasized: employees who have not undergone a mandatory medical examination are not allowed to work in hot conditions. Employers are recommended to organize an additional check of their employees' health status.
The Director of the Migration Agency of Uzbekistan, Behzod Musaev, held a meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Jonathan Henick.
The parties discussed ways to develop interaction in the field of legal labor migration, as well as the implementation of pilot projects for the employment of Uzbek citizens.
Uzbekistan presented information on improving the labor migration system in accordance with international standards, diversifying foreign labor markets, preparing candidates for work abroad, and measures to protect the rights and legitimate interests of migrant workers.
Special attention was paid to launching pilot projects aimed at employing Uzbek citizens in the agricultural sector of the USA, including processing the necessary documentation.
The U.S. Ambassador emphasized the critical importance of high-quality training for participants in legal labor migration programs. According to Henick, candidates must receive complete information in advance about the place of work, living and working conditions, possible expenses, available support, and return conditions to Uzbekistan.
The American side also advised carefully monitoring the correct completion of documents according to established requirements and conducting preliminary checks of candidates' visa and migration history. After the meeting, the parties agreed to establish cooperation between the Migration Agency and the consular service of the U.S. Embassy. This cooperation will include information exchange and joint coordination of interviews with employers and advance document submission.
Both sides confirmed their mutual interest in the gradual development of partnership in the field of legal labor migration through these pilot initiatives.
