Obtaining a Canadian Work Permit for Seasonal Agricultural Work

1. Determine eligibility:

Before applying for a Canadian work permit, ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). Generally, you must:

• Be a citizen of a participating country
• Have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer
• Meet health and security requirements

2. Find a Canadian employer:

Contact Canadian agricultural employers or recruitment agencies to secure a job offer. You may need to go through an interview process to demonstrate your skills and experience.

3. Submit an application:

Once you have a job offer, your Canadian employer will need to apply for a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) on your behalf. The LMIA confirms that hiring a foreign worker will not negatively impact the Canadian labour market.

The LMIA application will be submitted to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), and the process typically takes several weeks.

4. Apply for a work permit:

Once the LMIA is approved, you can submit your work permit application. This can be done online or by mailing the application to the appropriate visa office in your home country.

Be prepared to provide necessary documents, such as a valid passport, proof of job offer, LMIA confirmation, and proof of eligibility based on health and security requirements.

5. Pay the necessary fees:

There are fees associated with applying for a Canadian work permit. Payment instructions will be provided during the application process.

6. Wait for processing:

Processing times for work permits can vary depending on the country and the volume of applications being received. You can check the processing times on the official Canadian immigration website.

7. Travel to Canada:

If your work permit application is approved, you will receive a letter of introduction or a temporary resident visa (TRV) depending on your country of citizenship. These documents will allow you to travel to Canada and the specified work period.

Ensure that you have all the necessary travel documents and are aware of the COVID-19 travel restrictions and requirements.

8. Complete border procedures:

Once you arrive at the Canadian border, you will undergo immigration control. Present your passport, letter of introduction or TRV, and other relevant documents to the immigration officer.

The officer will verify your details, take your biometrics if required, and may ask you questions about your purpose of visit and your stay in Canada.

9. Start working:

Once you have successfully cleared border procedures, you can begin your seasonal agricultural work in Canada as per your job offer.

Remember to comply with all Canadian laws and regulations related to employment and work conditions during your stay.

10. Renew or extend your permit if needed:

If you wish to extend your stay in Canada for seasonal agricultural work beyond the initially approved period, you would need to apply for a permit extension or a new work permit, depending on the situation. Consult the official Canadian immigration website or an immigration expert for guidance.