Seasonal Intake: Farm Workers Canada – Visa Sponsorship & Work-Permit Fast-Track
Canada’s fruit, vegetable, and grain farms are gearing up for the 2025 growing season, and recruiters have opened a special seasonal intake for foreign laborers under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) and the Agricultural Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Both pathways offer full visa sponsorship, lightning-fast work-permit approval, and wages around CAD 17–18 per hour (roughly CAD 650–720 per week before overtime).
Benefit of Working as a Seasonal Farm Worker in Canada
- Reliable pay at or above new 2025 wage floors – SAWP and Ag-Stream employers must meet the published provincial ag-wage, e.g., CAD 17.23 in Ontario and CAD 17.98 in Alberta, with time-and-a-half after 44 hours
- Employer-paid work permit – farms cover LMIA fees, biometrics, and most flight costs; you pay little or nothing up front.
- Free or subsidised housing on-site – bunkhouses meet strict federal standards, and many farms offer free Wi-Fi and bikes for local errands.
- Quick processing – once a farm files your LMIA, seasonal permits often arrive in four to six weeks, letting you capture the entire harvest window.
- Repeat-season bonus – complete one contract in good standing and you’re first in line for a renewal the following year (some workers return for a decade straight).
Job Requirements
- Age 18 + and physically fit to lift 20 kg and work outdoors in varied weather.
- At least three months’ paid farm, greenhouse, landscaping, or food-processing experience (references or payslips).
- Conversational English or French (no formal test required, but you must follow safety briefings).
- Clean police certificate and standard immigration medical exam.
- Passport valid for at least 18 months beyond your arrival date.
Typical tasks you’ll handle each day
- Planting & harvesting fruit, vegetables, or grains using hand tools or small machinery.
- Sorting, grading, and packing produce in temperature-controlled sheds.
- Operating tractors, irrigation pumps, or forklifts after on-site training.
- Maintaining field hygiene—weeding, pruning, pest monitoring.
- Recording yields on a digital scanner or paper tally sheet for traceability audits.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the contract?
Most SAWP placements run four to eight months (spring to late autumn). Ag-Stream jobs can span up to two years, with the option to renew.
Can I switch farms?
SAWP lets you move to any approved SAWP employer if your current farm agrees and space is available.
Do I pay Canadian taxes?
Yes, but seasonal earnings under the basic personal amount are usually refunded. Keep your T4 slip to file a tax return before leaving.
Is there a path to permanent residency?
Seasonal roles themselves don’t grant PR, but many workers move into full-time ag positions and apply through provincial nominee programs after gaining experience.
