Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
Table of Contents
Foreign agricultural workers are permitted to work in Canada for up to eight months of the year under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). It is intended to assist Canadian farmers with planting, harvesting, and other farm tasks where there is a seasonal labour shortage. The majority of the program’s recruits are from the Caribbean and Mexico.
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP): What is it?
When competent Canadian workers are unavailable, Canadian firms in the agriculture sector can engage foreign workers through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which includes the SAWP.
- Allows employment in some agricultural businesses (e.g., fruit picking, vegetable growing, livestock care)
- Open to workers from Mexico and 11 Caribbean countries.
- Employees are permitted to remain in Canada for a maximum of eight months annually.
- After their contract expires, employees must return home, and employers are required to pay for housing and travel expenses.
Who Is Eligible for Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)?
You must be a citizen of one of the eligible nations (see list below) in order to be eligible for SAWP.
- Be recruited through the government of your participating country and be hired to work for an approved SAWP employer in Canada.
- Be at least eighteen.
- Have agricultural or farming experience.
- Meet the Canadian immigration and work-permit requirements that apply to your case, including any medical or other admissibility requirements IRCC requests.
Eligible Countries for SAWP
The program is open to citizens of:
- 🇲🇽 Mexico
- Anguilla
- 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda
- 🇧🇧 Barbados
- 🇩🇲 Dominica
- 🇬🇩 Grenada
- 🇯🇲 Jamaica
- 🇲🇸 Montserrat
- 🇰🇳 St. Kitts and Nevis
- 🇱🇨 St. Lucia
- 🇻🇨 St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- 🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago
SAWP is not Canada’s general seasonal work visa for every nationality. If you are not a citizen of a participating SAWP country, SAWP does not apply. Canada also has a separate Agricultural Stream under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program for eligible primary-agriculture jobs where workers can be from any country. High-wage or low-wage TFWP streams may apply to other agricultural positions depending on the job and production. These routes have different employer, LMIA and work-permit requirements.
How to Apply for SAWP?
Step 1: Start With Your Participating Government
- For SAWP, recruitment and worker selection are handled by the participating foreign government; Canadian employers cannot use a private recruiter to select SAWP workers.
- Your participating government recruits and selects workers through its own SAWP process; this is not a direct self-application to a Canadian SAWP employer.
- To inquire about job openings, get in touch with your country’s Ministry of Labor or Employment.
Step 2: Send in an Application
After your participating government selects you and an approved employer position is arranged, you will:
- Fill out an application that your government has issued.
- Provide the documents required by your government and IRCC for your application, including your passport and any medical or other admissibility documents that apply to your case.
- Participate in an interview (if necessary).
Step 3: Employer LMIA and Your Work-Permit Application
- The Canadian employer applies to Service Canada for the required SAWP Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
- The employer provides the SAWP employment contract setting out pay, housing and working conditions.
- You then apply to IRCC for the work permit using the required SAWP and employer documents. IRCC decides the work-permit application; participation in SAWP does not guarantee approval.
Step 4: Travel to Canada and Begin Approved Employment
- Your employer will pay for your travel expenses to Canada.
- Housing that meets SAWP program requirements must be provided by employers.
- Work starts on the dates specified in the contract.
Are SAWP Employees Eligible to Apply for PR?
SAWP is a temporary work program and does not itself provide a direct permanent residence stream. Other immigration pathways may be available based on a worker’s full facts and current program rules:
- The Agri-Food Pilot ended on May 14, 2025 and is closed to new applications. SAWP participation does not create eligibility under a closed pilot.
- A provincial nominee pathway may be available where you meet that province’s current stream requirements; SAWP work experience alone does not guarantee a nomination.
- Express Entry eligibility depends on the federal program rules, including the NOC or TEER and qualifying work experience, language and other criteria; SAWP work alone does not automatically create Express Entry eligibility.
SAWP is employer-driven, but if you are exploring other Canadian work options, a licensed consultant can assess your eligibility.
Official Sources Reviewed
Last checked: September 18, 2026 — the participating-country rules, government recruitment requirement, transfer controls, 8-month maximum and January 1 to December 15 season were re-verified against current IRCC and ESDC guidance. Last reviewed: September 2026 — the list of participating countries was re-checked the same day against the ESDC Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program page (page modified 3 June 2026), and three country names were corrected to St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Current program details should be verified against the Government of Canada before filing.
