Step One: Need worker, hire locally

• Need a worker to fill a job in a specific agricultural industry.
• Attempt to hire or train Canadians or permanent residents of Canada.
• If unsuccessful, locate a suitable foreign national.

Step Two: Apply, demonstrate effort

• Send the appropriate application form to Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada. A list of them are found at this website.
• Provide evidence (for example: copies of ads) showing that they tried to hire or train Canadians but were unsuccessful.
• Demonstrate that wages and working conditions offered are consistent with what Canadians receive when doing this kind of work.
• Demonstrate that the job requirements are usual for the occupation.
• Formally declare that there is not a labour dispute in progress at the employer’s firm.
• Demonstrate that they have suitable accommodation for the foreign worker(s).

Step Three: Agreement, accommodation and travel

If the application is approved by Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada, employers must:

• Sign a formal agreement with Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada.
• Send Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada the immigration processing fee for each foreign national.
• Upon being contacted by regional heath authority, allow an inspection of the foreign nationals’ intended accommodation. Make any repairs as required.
• Stay in contact with travel agency; pay return airfare for foreign nationals and obtain their flight plans.
• Pick up foreign nationals at airport.

Step Four:

• Provide accommodation for foreign workers.
• Before foreign nationals begin work, view their work permits to ensure that the terms and conditions listed will allow them to begin work.
• If the Canadian employer has not already done so, he/she is responsible for providing the foreign nationals with a copy of the employment contract along with the terms and conditions of work.
• Ensure foreign nationals obtain a Social Insurance Number or, if they already hold one, ensure that it is up to date.
• Obtain non-occupational health insurance for foreign nationals.
• Submit monthly payroll records to Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada.
• Adhere to: terms and conditions under which foreign nationals were hired; terms and conditions on work permits and; terms and conditions of the agreement.

Step Five: Changing terms

• If employer wishes to change terms or conditions of foreign nationals’ employment,before doing so, contact Service Canada/Human Resources and Skill Development Canada for instruction. (Parts of some steps may need to be repeated).
• Once foreign nationals have completed their terms of employment, the employer is responsible for arranging transportation to the Canadian airport.

Step One: Origin, skills, passport

• Be a citizen of a country with which Canada has a formal SAWP agreement.
• Have the skills, education and experience needed for the job.
• Have a current, valid passport.
• Be in good health.

Step Two: Depending on country..

• Recruitment procedures vary depending on which foreign country is involved.
• Generally, an advertisement is published or an announcement is made and interested foreign nationals will be instructed on how to apply for the positions offered.

Step Three: Interview, medical

• Interview procedures vary depending on which foreign country is involved. Generally, foreign nationals will be interviewed by representatives of the foreign county’s government.
• If chosen for the program, foreign nationals will be given instructions on where to report for a medical examination. The medical examination must be passed.

Step Four: Help with documents

• Representatives of the foreign country’s government will generally provide assistance to foreign nationals when applying for work permits and if required, temporary resident visas. Foreign nationals are NOT required to pay processing fees for work permits. The Canadian employer pays the entire amount and is not permitted to recover the cost from the foreign national.

Step Five: S.I.N.

• Foreign nationals require a Social Insurance Number (SIN). Some foreign countries will assist foreign nationals to obtain a new SIN or update an existing SIN before the arrival in Canada. If the foreign country does not provide this service, after arriving in Canada, the foreign national must apply for a SIN or update his/her existing SIN.

Step Six: Travel, airfare

• Making travel arrangements to Canada can vary depending on which foreign country is involved. Often, representatives of the foreign country’s government will work together with a travel agent, the foreign national and the Canadian employer to make these arrangements.
• The Canadian employer pays for return airfare and, after the foreign nationals begin working in Canada, the employer may deduct part of the airfare from the foreign nationals wage.

Step Seven: Changing conditions

• If, within the two-year period that the foreign graduate is permitted to work, he/she wishes to change the terms or conditions of his/her employment (for example: change employers or; change occupations or; change the location of his/her work) before doing so, the foreign graduate must first obtain a new work permit from Citrizenship and Immigration Canada