Embark on a rewarding career in Canada’s agricultural sector! Navigate the Canada Agriculture Stream for Temporary Foreign Workers for exciting employment opportunities.
Like the USA, Canada is a popular choice for foreigners looking for work. The government offers several visa types for this purpose, including the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which carers for people seeking short-term employment in the country.
The TFWP has several programs, such as the agricultural stream. This initiative allows farmers to hire workers from other countries for temporary jobs when Canadian nationals aren’t available.
Some of the openings available under the agricultural stream include farm supervision, agriculture and horticulture management, ground maintenance, machine operation, harvesting, and nursery.
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Eligibility Requirements for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
The government of Canada is quite stringent about offering jobs to foreigners because it wants to protects its citizens.
An employer must prove that they need to hire a foreigner by applying for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
The LMIA proves that an employer advertised a job but was unable to find a Canadian citizen to fulfil the role. As a result, they must hire a foreigner for the job. It takes several months to get such approval.
For job seekers, you must meet the following criteria to qualify for the agricultural stream under the TFWP.
- A job offer from a Canadian employer
- Proof that you’ll leave Canada after the expiry of your job contract
- Proof of subsistence during your stay in the country
- A clean criminal record and proof that you aren’t a security threat
- Proof of good health
- Proof that you won’t engage in commercial sex work and related jobs
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Application Process for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
Here are the steps to follow when applying to work temporarily in Canada.
1. Get a Job in Canada
Before applying for a work permit, you must have a job offer from a Canadian employer. You can look for jobs online platforms.
2. Obtain the LMIA
After offering you a job, your employer must apply for the LMIA from the government. The application must be approved for you to proceed. Otherwise, you’ll need to seek employment elsewhere.
3. Apply for Visa and Work Permit
If your employer gets LMIA approval, you can apply for your visa and work permit. You can do this online or at the nearest Canadian embassy.
During application, you must provide the following documents.
- A passport valid for more than six months after the expiry of your job contract.
- Two passport-size photographs.
- A valid job offer from your Canadian employer.
- If you reside in a different country, proof of your immigration status.
- A criminal record from the police.
- Your CV and academic certificates.
- Copies of children’s birth certificates and marriage certificate if applicable.
You must also provide additional documents requested by the embassy.
4. Complete Medical Examination
You must undergo medical examination from a licensed doctor to prove you’re in good health. Failure to do so limits you from some career prospects, such as agricultural jobs, child care, teaching, etc.
5. Attend the Interview
The embassy usually schedules an interview to assess the truthfulness of the information provided during visa and work permit application. You might also be requested to provide biometric details.
After the interview, you’ll wait between three and 27 weeks for processing.
