Canadian agricultural sector uses workforce on farms, greenhouses, animal farms, nurseries and other agricultural establishments. If you are not a Canadian citizen, then working on the farms may become a way for you to secure temporary employment, although all farms do not allow foreign applicants.
The key here is to know where to look and understand the Canadian temporary foreign worker system.
At the point of writing, the Job Bank of Canada is listing job openings for farm workers, where some of the job openings require temporary foreign workers. The recent job openings include general farm workers, fruit workers, dairy workers, livestock workers, and poultry workers.
What Does a Farm Worker Do in Canada?
Farm work can involve much more than picking fruit.
Depending on the employer and type of farm, duties can include:
Planting and harvesting crops
Picking fruits and vegetables
Sorting and packing produce
Feeding and caring for livestock
Cleaning barns and farm equipment
Operating agricultural machinery
Greenhouse work
Irrigation and watering
General farm maintenance
Assisting with planting and cultivation
The job you apply for will determine the experience and skills required.
Can Foreign Workers Get Farm Jobs in Canada?
YES.
There are specific schemes in Canada through which agricultural employers can recruit temporary foreign workers in case Canadian citizens and permanent residents cannot be recruited for the job.
One of them is called the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP).
The Canadian Agricultural Stream enables employers to recruit temporary foreign workers for on-farm primary agricultural production. Eligible agricultural commodities include fruits and vegetables, dairy, livestock, grains, poultry, mushrooms, nursery products, and many more.
Yet getting a job on a farm does not equate to automatically securing a work permit in Canada.
You will have to fulfill the immigration criteria required for a work permit.
What Is the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program?
You might also come across Canada’s Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP).
This program enables qualified agricultural employers in Canada to employ temporary agricultural workers from Mexico and Caribbean nations participating in the program. Workers are allowed to work for a maximum of eight months within the period of January 1 to December 15 under this program.
It becomes very relevant for those who are applying from countries which are not covered under SAWP.
If you are applying from another country, do not automatically think that the SAWP is your way in. There are other agricultural work permit programs too.
Where Can You Find Farm Worker Jobs in Canada?
1. Canada Job Bank
A good starting point would be the official Job Bank of Canada.
Through Job Bank, you can find specific employers who are hiring temporary foreign workers. The current Job Bank temporary-foreign-workers search features farm workers among other categories.
You can search terms such as:
Farm worker
General farm worker
Fruit farm worker
Dairy farm worker
Livestock worker
Poultry farm worker
Greenhouse worker
Farm labourer
You can also filter results by province or location.
2. Job Bank's Foreign Candidate Search
It is especially useful for those who are not in Canada right now.
There is a special page on Job Bank for foreign workers in search of companies recruiting abroad. It states that positions available for international applicants are readily distinguishable.
What Farm Worker Jobs Are Available?
Although vacancies vary from time to time, examples of the available agricultural jobs can be seen through the Job Bank.
For example, recent listings have included:
| Job type | Example recent wage |
|---|---|
| Farm worker, fruit | $17.60/hour |
| Dairy farm worker | $16.50–$17.30/hour |
| Livestock farm worker | $18.25/hour |
| Farm worker, general | Around $21/hour |
| Grain farm worker | $26.50/hour |
This is only an example taken from individual job postings and does not represent a guarantee of wage rate for all agricultural workers. The salary rate varies depending on profession, province, and employer.
Check always the specific job posting before any financial or immigration decision.
Which Provinces Have Farm Jobs?
Agricultural employment exists across several Canadian provinces.
Depending on the type of farming, you may find opportunities in places such as:
Ontario
British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland and Labrador
Quebec
In particular, recent job bank postings have involved agriculture positions in British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.
Do not select any province merely on the basis of employment opportunities available there.
Take into account the job description, remuneration, housing, travel arrangements, and the immigration process as well.
How to Apply for a Farm Worker Job From Outside Canada
Here's a simple process.
Step 1: Search for the right vacancy
Begin your search through Job Bank for agriculture jobs.
If you are not in Canada, filter the jobs using the foreign candidate filters as opposed to applying to all the farm jobs available.
Job Bank particularly cautions that individuals who are not authorized to work in Canada cannot apply to all jobs available on the website.
Step 2: Read the entire job advertisement
Check:
Employer name
Location
Salary
Job duties
Experience requirements
Working hours
Accommodation information
Application instructions
Whether international candidates can apply
Whether an LMIA is requested or approved
Step 3: Prepare your résumé
Your résumé should clearly show:
Your full name
Where you currently live
Previous farm experience
Other relevant work experience
Skills
Education or training
Contact information
It is suggested by Job Bank that foreign applicants provide details like their whereabouts, experience, and status of having a work permit in Canada.
Step 4: Apply directly
Follow the instructions in the job advertisement.
Don't send money to someone simply because they claim they can "guarantee" you a Canadian farm job.
Do You Need Farm Experience?
Not always.
Some positions as a farm worker do not need to have much training in agriculture, while some require knowledge and experience working with livestock, machinery, or crops.
You could increase your chances by showing your practical experience.
For instance, if you have worked in any agricultural activity within your family’s farm, then tell us precisely what you have done.
Instead of writing:
"I have farm experience."
Write:
"I have two years of experience caring for poultry, feeding livestock, cleaning housing areas and assisting with daily farm operations."
Practical experience holds far greater value for an employer.
Do Farm Workers Need a Work Permit?
Usually, foreigners must be allowed to work in Canada.
According to Canada, farm workers can take alternative routes in regard to how they get their jobs. Foreign farm workers under SAWP follow the rules of the SAWP program. Foreign farm workers who are not under SAWP can acquire an employer-specific work permit.
Employer-specific work permit refers to the fact that one is allowed to work for the particular employer specified on one’s permit.
That is why one should not just book their tickets after acquiring the job.
One should first know the work permit procedure relevant to one’s case.
What Is an LMIA?
It is common to see references to LMIA in Canadian farm job postings.
LMIA is short for Labour Market Impact Assessment.
In some cases, a Canadian employer needs to get an LMIA in order to employ a temporary foreign worker. The purpose of the assessment is to ascertain whether there is a need for the employment of a foreign worker due to a lack of Canadian citizens or permanent residents available for the position.
There are certain criteria that employers need to fulfill in order to be eligible to apply for an LMIA for agricultural jobs.
Some of the recent Job Bank farm-worker job postings carry the label "LMIA requested."
"LMIA requested" does not mean that the visa will surely be issued.
Watch Out for Farm Job Scams
This is one of the most important parts when you do your search.
Be careful if someone promises:
Guaranteed Canadian farm jobs
Guaranteed visas
Guaranteed work permits
Immediate approval
A job without an interview
A Canadian job in exchange for a large upfront payment
Check both the employer and position separately.
As often as possible, use government employment and immigration websites from Canada.
A legitimate job offer does not automatically mean that everyone who posts it on the Internet is legitimate.
What Should You Put on Your Farm Worker Résumé?
If you're applying from outside Canada, keep your résumé straightforward.
Example
Name: Michael Example
Location: Ghana
Position: General Farm Worker
Experience:
Assisted with planting and harvesting
Fed and cared for livestock
Maintained farm equipment
Assisted with irrigation
Worked safely outdoors for extended periods
Skills:
Physical labour
Teamwork
Basic equipment handling
Crop harvesting
Livestock care
If you don't have professional farm experience, don't invent it.
Instead, highlight genuine experience that demonstrates reliability, physical ability, outdoor work or practical skills.
Is Farm Work a Good Way to Move to Canada?
Work on the farm can be an opportunity to get temporary employment in Canada for eligible foreign workers.
However, it is important not to take at face value what some websites and agents are offering that every job on the farm guarantees you permanent residence.
That is not the case.
It all depends on your situation and eligibility for a particular program.
Separate the two processes.
A Simple Strategy for Finding Canadian Farm Jobs
If you're outside Canada, you can follow this process:
Choose your type of farm work
Search Job Bank
Filter for foreign/international candidates
Check the employer and job requirements
Prepare a targeted résumé
Apply directly
Wait for the employer's response
If selected, understand the work-permit process
Use official Canadian immigration information
This approach is safer than paying an unknown person to "find you a visa."
Final Thoughts
Jobs for farm workers may be a feasible choice of employment for certain international workers, and there are some programs in place in Canada where they recruit foreign workers for their agriculture industry.
The important thing is to locate a legitimate employer, apply for jobs that take in international candidates, know about work permit requirements, and stay away from people promising immigration success.
You should begin your search from the official Job Bank site and their foreign candidates' section instead of going through social media ads randomly.
And note that: job posting is not a work permit, LMIA application is not a visa, and job offer does not necessarily mean entering Canada.
Make sure you know about the most recent requirements from the Canadian government.