What Costs are Involved with Joining?
Joining costs generally consist of standard expenses associated with the H-2B application process. Certain costs may be reimbursed by the employer, typically through payroll, in line with U.S. labor laws and employer policy. These costs may include, but are not limited to, the following:
You will be required to pay the U.S. Embassy visa application fee when submitting your visa application during the final stages of the process. Payment is made directly through the embassy’s official website. The visa application fee is currently $205 USD (approximately R3,500 ZAR), subject to change by the U.S. government.
As part of the application process, candidates may be required to obtain a police clearance or criminal background check. This process is typically completed through an approved third-party provider. Costs generally range from R200–R250 ZAR, depending on the provider and processing time.
Processing times may vary. Some government-issued clearances can take several weeks to complete, which may affect application timelines.
A police clearance indicating a criminal history that impacts eligibility for employment or travel may affect your ability to proceed in the program. Minor traffic violations are generally not considered criminal offenses.
As part of the application process, candidates may be required to complete a medical checkup to confirm fitness for work. This is typically conducted by an approved medical professional or medical facility. Costs generally range between R1,000 and R1,500 ZAR, depending on the provider.
In some cases, employers may choose to cover this cost or arrange payment directly. Where applicable, this will be communicated to you in advance before any payment is required.
When you arrive in the United States, you should plan to have sufficient personal funds to cover basic living expenses during your first one to two weeks, before receiving your first paycheck and any applicable reimbursements.
A recommended amount is approximately $300 USD (around R5,100 ZAR). This money is for personal use and is not refundable, as it is intended for everyday expenses such as groceries, meals, local transportation, and other necessities.
Additional guidance, including nearby grocery options and tips for managing day-to-day expenses, will be provided in the candidate handbook, along with information on food and grocery delivery services commonly used in the United States.
In Summary here are the totals on Average:
Visa R3500 + R250 + R1250 + R5000 = R10,000
You will be refunded Approx. R5000 from the total within your first 2 to 4 weeks
FWRD will never ask you to pay money directly to FWRD as part of the application or hiring process.
Certain travel-related and employment-related costs may be reimbursed by the employer, in accordance with U.S. labor regulations and the employer’s policies. Reimbursement terms, amounts, and timing vary by employer and role and will be confirmed as part of the employment offer.
FWRD is committed to operating within the legal and ethical standards governing the H-2B hiring process, in line with applicable regulations in both the United States and South Africa.
For more information, please refer to our guide and candidate handbook.
Out Of Country Applicants
The total estimated upfront costs typically range around R10,000 ZAR, based on common third-party and personal expenses associated with the process.
Certain costs may be reimbursed by the employer, in whole or in part, in accordance with U.S. labor regulations and employer policy. Reimbursement amounts and timing vary by employer and role and will be confirmed as part of the employment offer.
Candidates should plan to cover initial personal expenses independently until regular payroll begins.
If you are already in the United States, you may need to cover the cost of your initial travel to the job location. In some cases, employers may reimburse these travel expenses through payroll or choose to cover them upfront. Travel arrangements and reimbursement policies vary by employer and should be discussed during the interview process.
When arriving at a new place of employment, there may be a short period before your work schedule and first paycheck begin. Candidates should plan to have enough personal funds to cover basic expenses such as groceries and local transportation during this initial period. Your employer will confirm your start date and payroll schedule during onboarding.
