Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

www.hrsdc.gc.ca

Breadcrumb

  1. Home >
  2. Skills >
  3. Foreign Workers

Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Application Forms and Contracts

A positive opinion from HRSDC/Service Canada supports the work permit application that the worker must submit to CIC. The worker will be able to come to work in Canada only if CIC issues a work permit to him or her.

Agriculture Workers

There are 4 streams available for employers hiring agricultural workers. Please read the following descriptions carefully to ensure the appropriate application is used:

1. Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program

The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) is limited to specific on-farm primary agriculture commodity sectors. This includes: fruits, vegetables, greenhouses, nurseries, apiary products, tobacco, sod, flowers, Christmas trees and certain animal commodities.

Under the SAWP, employers can hire agricultural workers for a maximum duration of 8 months between January 1 and December 15 of the same year. These seasonal agricultural workers come from Mexico and the following Caribbean countries: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Trinidad and Tobago. The participating countries are responsible for the recruitment and the selection of the workers.

The SAWP allows employers to hire agricultural workers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Newfoundland and the territories do not participate in the SAWP.

2. Agricultural Stream of the Pilot Project for Occupations Requiring a Lower Level of Formal Training (NOC C and D)

The Agricultural Stream of the NOC C and D Pilot Project applies to temporary foreign workers (TFWs) entering Canada from any country to work in low skilled occupations. According to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) coding system, low skilled occupations usually require, at most, secondary school education and/or on the job training (NOC skill level C and D).

Like the SAWP, the Agricultural Stream is limited to on-farm primary agriculture commodity sectors. This includes: fruits, vegetables, greenhouses, nurseries, apiary products, tobacco, sod, flowers, Christmas trees and certain animal commodities.

Under the Agricultural Stream, employers are responsible for the recruitment and selection of the workers.

3. Low Skilled Occupations - Pilot Project for Occupations Requiring a Lower Level of Formal Training (NOC C and D)

Employers hiring low skilled agricultural workers in commodities other than the following sectors: fruits, vegetables, greenhouses, nurseries, apiary products, tobacco, sod, flowers, Christmas trees and certain animal commodities, must apply under the Regular Stream of the Pilot Project for Occupations Requiring Lower Levels of Formal Training.

According to the NOC coding system, low skilled occupations usually require, at most, secondary school education and/or on the job training (NOC skill level C and D).

4. High Skilled Occupations Stream

Employers hiring high skilled agricultural workers (e.g. farm manager, apiary technician) can apply either under the SAWP (e.g. workers from Mexico or one of the included Caribbean countries) or the High Skilled Occupations Stream.

Live-in Caregivers

Employers who need someone to reside in their homes and provide care for children, elderly persons or persons with disabilities can hire live-in caregivers under the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP).

Exotic Dancers 

Employers can hire regular exotic dancers and/or headliner dancers to perform dances for customers in adult entertainment establishments.

Low Skilled Occupations - Pilot Project for Occupations Requiring a Lower Level of Formal Training

Low skilled occupations usually require, at most, secondary school education and/or on the job training. These occupations can be found in clerical; health; sales and service, transportation and equipment operators, primary industry and manufacturing sectors. According to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) coding system, these occupations have been assigned the skill level C and D.

Academics

Employers can hire foreign academics as full professors, associate professors, or assistant professors to meet their staffing and teaching needs and attract new knowledge and expertise to Canadian campuses.

For administrative positions such as Deans there is no need to provide the "Foreign Academic Recruitment Summary". These applications must be sent to the appropriate regional Service Canada Centre, not to the national Centre of Specialisation in New Brunswick.

High Skilled Occupations

High skilled occupations include management or other positions requiring post-secondary education/training such as a university degree, college diploma or apprenticeship. These positions are related in general to management, scientific, professional and technical occupations and trades. According to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) coding system, these occupations are classified under the skill type 0 (management) and skill level A and B.

Show details on how to access a Portable Document Format (PDF) reader

To access the Portable Document Format (PDF) version you must have a PDF reader installed. If you do not already have such a reader, there are numerous PDF readers available for free download or for purchase on the Internet:

Footer

Date Modified:
2012-05-02