Since 2008, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has been issuing temporary foreign worker visas to help attain a balance between the supply and demand of food across Canada. This has led to an increase in demand for migrant farm workers among farmers who have found it difficult to fill positions in their workforce. Look into how you can easily immigrate as a temporary foreign worker under Canada’s farming visa program. [I]f you are an entrepreneur looking for the best temporary residency program in the world, you have probably come across the E2 program. Although it is already a very enticing program, Canadian immigration officials can make your application even more successful by making sure that you are not one of the candidates that they turn away at the border.

Farming Visa In Canada

Canada’s Global Agricultural Stream (GAS) program is a permanent residence program based on the Canada Agriculture Job Offer – Unfilled Rural Positions, under the Express Entry stream.

Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program

If you are hired through the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP), you can work for any SAWP employer in Canada.

Who can apply

You can qualify for the program if:

• you’re a citizen of a country that takes part in the program,
• your government recruited you, and
• you’ll be working for SAWP employers in Canada.

Participating countries

How to apply

Each foreign government has its own process to recruit and select workers. Your government will make sure that you have all of the needed documents and that you are eligible for the program.

Paying your fees

Your fees and payment options depend on where you are applying from. You may also need to pay for biometrics.

Find out how to pay your fees.

Working for different employers

You may be asked to work on more than one farm while you’re in Canada. You don’t need a new work permit for each employer.

Note: You can’t be asked to work for a different employer without your consent.

Other agricultural workers

Your work permit will be employer-specific. This means that you can only work for the employer named on your work permit.

Before you apply

Your employer must get a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An LMIA is a document from Service Canada that allows an employer to hire a foreign worker through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

Your employer must give you:

• a copy of the positive LMIA, and
• your job offer letter or contract.

How to apply

Get the forms and documents you need to apply for a work permit.

Working for different employers

If you plan to work for other employers (not listed on your work permit), you must apply for a new work permit. We recommend you do this as soon as possible after you enter Canada.

You can only work for one employer at a time, and you can’t work for a different employer until you receive your new work permit(s).

To apply for your new permit(s), follow these steps:

1. Get the application package.
2. Complete a separate application on paper for each new employer.
3. Send all of your applications and supporting documents in the same envelope.

Self-Employed Farmer Stream

This stream is for farm owner/operators with proven management skills and the financial resources to establish a sustainable farming business in Alberta.

Applicants under this stream must meet the following requirements:

• The applicant must provide proof of prior managerial experience with an existing farming business;
• The applicant must provide documentation as proof of the education, training and work experience necessary to develop a sustaining farming business in the province of Alberta;
• The applicant must submit a proposed business plan for the farming operation;
• The applicant must be able to provide evidence that a Canadian financial institution is willing to provide a financial investment into the proposed farming business;
• The applicant must invest a minimum of $500,000 CAD of equity into the proposed farming business. It is possible that the applicant may be required to demonstrate the ability to invest more than the $500,000 minimum;
• The applicant must have a net worth of $500,000 CAD or demonstrate that he or she has access to these funds from other sources.