The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) is Canada’s oldest and most structured temporary foreign worker initiative, operating under bilateral government agreements with Mexico and several Caribbean countries including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) member countries. Under SAWP, workers are selected and referred by their home governments, and then placed with Canadian agricultural employers under standardised government-reviewed contracts. Employers benefit from an established pipeline of experienced agricultural workers, fast LMIA processing (~10 business days), and a fee-exempt LMIA.

SAWP is designed specifically for seasonal, temporary agricultural employment. Workers may stay for up to 8 months per year, must return home at the end of each season, and are not intended as a permanent residence pathway. However, many workers participate in SAWP over multiple years, building long relationships with Canadian employers while returning home between seasons.

Eligibility Requirements

• Workers must come from participating countries: Mexico, and Caribbean (Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, etc.)
• Work permits valid for up to 8 months per year
• Employer must provide accommodation and transportation (return airfare)
• Managed via bilateral agreements with sending countries
• Workers must return home at end of the agricultural season
• Primarily for fruit/vegetable harvesting, greenhouse, and nursery work

Participating Countries and Worker Selection

SAWP workers must be nationals of one of the participating sending countries:

• Mexico
• Jamaica
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Barbados
• Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (OECS countries)

Worker selection is managed by the sending country’s government — the Canadian employer does not directly recruit from the general public in these countries. Instead, the employer submits a request for workers to ESDC, which coordinates with the sending country’s government liaison. Workers are typically those who have participated in SAWP before (named workers) or new recruits selected by the sending government (unnamed workers).

Employers who have used SAWP before can request named workers — specific individuals they have worked with in prior seasons — which increases continuity and reduces training time.

Standardised Employment Contracts

SAWP operates on government-approved, standardised employment contracts specific to each sending country. These contracts specify the minimum wage (at least the higher of the provincial minimum wage or the SAWP order wage), hours, accommodation, transportation, health insurance, and terms for early repatriation. Employers cannot deviate from the standardised contract terms without approval from both ESDC and the sending country’s government.

The standardised contract structure protects workers from exploitation and gives employers clarity on their obligations. Violations of the contract — particularly regarding housing standards, wages, or working conditions — are taken seriously and can result in an employer being removed from the SAWP programme and barred from future participation.

Employer Obligations Under SAWP

Canadian employers participating in SAWP must:

• Provide approved, inspectable accommodations at no cost to the worker (or at a regulated cost deducted from wages)
• Pay round-trip airfare for the worker from their home country
• Provide private health insurance during the waiting period before provincial health coverage commences
• Ensure wages meet at least the applicable provincial minimum and SAWP order wage
• Comply with all provincial occupational health and safety regulations
• Report any early repatriation or contract termination to ESDC and the sending government liaison

ESDC and the sending country’s government may inspect worksites and accommodations. Canada also has in-country liaisons for SAWP (typically from the sending country’s consulate or embassy) who visit worksites and act as first-line support for workers with concerns.

LMIA Process for SAWP

Because SAWP is a bilateral programme, the LMIA process is simplified compared to the standard agricultural LMIA. Employers do not need to undertake the standard Job Bank advertising and Canadian recruitment documentation in the same manner — the bilateral agreement itself is the basis for the labour market justification. ESDC processes SAWP LMIAs with a target of approximately 10 business days, and there is no LMIA fee for agricultural positions.

After the positive LMIA is issued, the worker’s work permit is processed — typically through the Canadian embassy or high commission in the sending country, and coordinated by the sending government. Work permits are issued for the duration of the seasonal contract, up to a maximum of 8 months.

How VGIS Can Help

While SAWP is a government-managed programme, Canadian employers benefit from professional guidance on LMIA applications, contract compliance, and worker registration processes. Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308, and the VGIS team advise agricultural employers on SAWP LMIA filings and compliance obligations. Book a paid consultation to discuss your farm’s seasonal staffing programme.

Fees & Costs

Fee Component	Amount (CAD)
Government Fee	Employer LMIA fee: $0 (agricultural exemption). Worker: $155 work permit fee.
Biometrics	$85 individual

Fees current as of 2026. IRCC may update fees periodically — confirm on the official source link below before paying.

Key Documents Required

• LMIA approval (agricultural stream)
• Work permit application
• Government-to-government agreement documents
• Employment contract (standardized SAWP contract)
• Medical clearance (from sending country)
• Passport

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a SAWP worker apply for permanent residence in Canada?

SAWP is explicitly designed as a temporary, cyclical programme — workers must return home at the end of each season. However, some SAWP workers who meet other immigration criteria (age, education, language) may be eligible for other pathways such as the Express Entry Agriculture category or certain PNP streams. The SAWP work experience itself may count toward Canadian work experience requirements in some PR streams, even though SAWP is managed as a temporary programme.

What happens if a SAWP worker needs to return home early due to a family emergency?

SAWP contracts have provisions for early repatriation. The employer is generally responsible for the cost of early return flights in emergencies. The situation must be reported to ESDC and the sending country’s liaison. Workers who leave early for legitimate reasons can typically participate in future SAWP seasons, though the employer may have a preference to prioritise named workers with good attendance records.

Can I request the same SAWP workers from last year?

Yes. Employers can request named workers by name in their SAWP LMIA application. ESDC coordinates with the sending country’s government to facilitate these requests. Named worker requests are a major advantage of the SAWP system — employers who invest in training workers typically want to bring the same people back each season.

Is SAWP available for greenhouse and nursery work, or only field crops?

SAWP covers primary agricultural work broadly — field crops, greenhouse work, orchards, nurseries, and livestock operations all qualify, provided they meet the primary agriculture definition. The work must be genuinely agricultural and seasonal in nature.

What is the maximum time a SAWP worker can stay in Canada each year?

SAWP work permits are issued for a maximum of 8 months per calendar year. Workers must return to their home country at the end of the seasonal contract and may return in the following season if both the employer and the sending country confirm the arrangement.

Official Government Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/agricultural/seasonal.html

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Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration laws and IRCC policies change frequently. For advice specific to your case, please book a paid consultation with our licensed RCIC-IRB. VG Immigration Services Inc. — Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308.