Canadian farms cannot find enough local workers to harvest their crops, care for livestock, or maintain dairy operations. The shortage is so severe that the federal government created a dedicated program specifically to bring in foreign farm workers — and employers pay for your visa as part of the deal.
Over 60,000 foreign workers enter Canada on farm work visas every year. Here is how to become one of them.
Why Canadian Farms Hire Foreign Workers
Canada’s agricultural sector employs over 300,000 workers, but rural areas cannot attract enough Canadian residents to fill seasonal and permanent roles. Farms in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta, and the Atlantic provinces face critical labour shortages every year.
The government solution is the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) and the broader Agricultural stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Both allow farms to hire foreign workers directly with full visa sponsorship.
Types of Farm Jobs Available
Fruit and vegetable harvesting — apple, cherry, berry, grape, tomato, potato, and root vegetable harvesting across Ontario (Niagara region), BC (Okanagan), and Atlantic provinces. Seasonal: June to November.
Dairy farm work — milking, animal care, equipment maintenance, feed management. Year-round positions. Ontario, Quebec, and BC are the largest dairy regions. Free housing provided on most dairy farms.
Greenhouse and nursery work — planting, growing, and packaging flowers, vegetables, and herbs. Ontario’s Leamington region is the largest greenhouse cluster in North America. Year-round employment.
Livestock operations — cattle, pig, and poultry farms across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Tasks include feeding, health monitoring, facility maintenance.
General farm labour — planting, weeding, irrigation, equipment operation. Entry-level positions requiring no prior farm experience.
Pay and Benefits
Average hourly wages for foreign farm workers in 2026:
- General farm labour: $17.05/hour (federal minimum for TFWP)
- Skilled agricultural workers: $19–$23/hour
- Dairy farm operators: $21–$25/hour
- Greenhouse supervisors: $22–$28/hour
Most farms provide:
- Free or low-cost housing on or near the farm
- Transportation from housing to worksite
- Access to basic amenities — kitchen, laundry, internet
- Overtime pay for hours above 40/week (varies by province)
The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)
The SAWP is a bilateral agreement between Canada and certain sending countries. If you are from any of these countries, you qualify for fast-tracked farm worker visas:
Eligible SAWP countries: Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Mexico.
Under SAWP:
- Your government handles placement with Canadian farms on your behalf
- You register through your country’s SAWP office — contact your national employment agency
- Contract length: 8 weeks to 8 months
- You can return to the same farm for multiple seasons
Workers from countries not on the SAWP list apply directly through TFWP.
How to Find LMIA-Approved Farms
Method 1: Job Bank Canada
Go to jobbank.gc.ca and search for “farm worker,” “agricultural worker,” or specific crops. Filter by province. Any posting mentioning TFWP, LMIA, or visa sponsorship is from a pre-approved farm.
Method 2: ESDC LMIA database
Employment and Social Development Canada publishes approved LMIA employers at open.canada.ca. Filter by NAICS code 111 (crop production) or 112 (animal production). You can see the exact farm name, location, number of positions, and wage offered.
Method 3: Seasonal farm recruitment events
Ontario and BC host annual agricultural job fairs where LMIA-approved farms attend specifically to recruit foreign workers. These are listed on provincial agriculture ministry websites.
Method 4: Direct contact
Identify farms in your target region using Google Maps or provincial farm directories. Contact their HR department directly stating you are a foreign worker seeking visa sponsorship. Farms with active labour shortages respond quickly.
How to Apply Step by Step
- Find an LMIA-approved farm with an open position
- Apply directly — send CV with work experience and availability
- If offered the position, the farm initiates the LMIA and work permit process
- You receive a job offer letter and LMIA number
- Apply for a Temporary Foreign Worker work permit at canada.ca/immigration
- Government processing: 2–8 weeks for most TFWP agricultural applications
- Receive work permit and travel to Canada
Documents you need: valid passport, proof of prior work experience (farm or general labour), police clearance, medical exam from approved panel physician.
From Farm Work to Permanent Residency
Working on a Canadian farm is not just a temporary job — for many workers it is the first step toward Canadian permanent residency.
After completing one year of agricultural work in Canada (at least 1,560 hours), you qualify for the Agri-Food Pilot program which provides a direct pathway to permanent residency for workers in:
- Meat processing
- Mushroom production
- Greenhouse and nursery operations
- Year-round crop production
- Livestock raising
The Agri-Food Pilot has no minimum CRS score and no points system. You need the job, the work history, and language proficiency at CLB 4 (lower than standard immigration requirements).