Farm work in Canada for foreigners can seem like an uphill battle, but it’s not impossible.
There are certain requirements you’ll need to meet in order to be considered eligible to apply for farm work in Canada.
But if you are qualified and have your heart set on working on the country’s beautiful family farms, this article will show you questions you must ask about farm work in Canada for foreigners.
Farm Work in Canada for Foreigners: Questions People Ask and Things You Must Know
Farm work is not the glamorous work that many people think it is. A lot of the time, it can be monotonous and involve tasks such as picking up rocks and raking fields.
The reality of farm work
For some people, farm work may be perfect for them, but for others, it could lead to feelings of depression or isolation.
In addition, there are dangers associated with farm work. These include equipment malfunctions or accidents involving animals and other workers.
If you’re considering becoming involved with farm work, it’s important that you know what you’re getting into. You should also be aware of how Canadian farm work differs from other types of agriculture jobs.
Regardless of whether or not you want to do it, simply being aware of these differences can help save your future self some frustration and disappointment down the line.
As you may have guessed, working on a farm involves physical labor. This can involve everything from watering crops and milking cows to picking up rocks and raking hay fields, and every activity carries its own set of risks.
For example, when you’re handling heavy machinery or livestock, there’s always a risk that something will go wrong and someone could get hurt.
On top of this, because farms rely heavily on natural resources like water and soil quality, natural disasters like floods and droughts can wreak havoc on farmland which means more physical labor and more risk for those who still choose to keep working during emergencies.
Where to find jobs
While considering farm work in Canada for foreigners, you must know where to find jobs. Working on a farm in rural British Columbia, Alberta, or Ontario is an excellent way for foreigners to experience Canadian culture up close. Jobs are often advertised online and through local job centers.
Farm work includes tasks such as milking cows, harvesting vegetables, and performing general maintenance duties on machinery and equipment. The pay rate can be anywhere from $10/hour up to $20/hour depending on the type of work performed.
The most common forms that hire foreigners are strawberry and cherry farms, but it’s possible you could find opportunities working on other types of produce farms.
Be prepared for any job offers that come your way, though. These jobs often involve physically demanding work in potentially inhospitable environments, such as outdoors or near livestock.
There is also always a risk of injury. Most applicants will not have previous experience with farming, which may make it more difficult to get hired for these positions. All applicants should be aware of this before applying.
Hiring Process
We cannot talk about farm work in Canada for foreigners without talking about the hiring process. A shortage of agricultural labor is an issue that affects the entire food industry in Canada. One way you can help meet this demand is by coming to work on Canadian farms. To do so, you must follow these four steps:
1) Apply for a work permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
2) Contact the Canadian embassy or consulate nearest you for the application package and instructions.
3) Fill out all required forms and supporting documents, including your employment contract with the farm in question.
4) Submit your application package and supporting documents by mail. Once CIC reviews your application, it will issue you with an open work permit and send you an official letter of approval for travel purposes.
You’ll need both documents to apply for your eTA or visa at a Canadian port of entry or consulate.
Make an appointment at your local
Canadian embassy or consulate to apply for your work permit, visa, and eTA. You must bring all required documents with you for each application. Be prepared for questions about your upcoming job and how you’ll support yourself while working in Canada.
If approved, you’ll get temporary entry permits that allow you to enter Canada as needed until your application is finalized, including extensions if necessary.
How much it pays
We cannot also talk about farm work in Canada for foreigners without talking about how much you will earn. Workers are paid according to how much they produce, but an average day of work is about 8 hours and can result in anywhere from $500-$1000. The cost of living is also much lower than in most other countries, so you’ll be able to save more money.
In addition, Canada is one of the most sought-after countries by immigrants, so you’ll be able to integrate into society easily. In fact, its welcoming environment makes it more attractive than America for many newcomers, who often speak French and English. With such high demand, there are plenty of opportunities to find work.
If you want to go beyond farm work, there are plenty of options for skilled and semi-skilled workers. Construction jobs are readily available since Canadians can’t always fill them, so your chances of finding good pay and stable hours will be high if you’re willing to relocate.
If you don’t want to move, farm work is also available right across Canada. Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec are all popular destinations for jobs on farms and ranches. In fact, because it’s so easy to get farm work there, many farmers choose Canadians over foreigners. So while you can still find plenty of opportunities there, they’ll be harder to land than in other provinces.
How can I apply for farm work in Canada?
How to apply for farm work in Canada is something we must talk about while talking about farm work in Canada for foreigners. Interested in getting farm work in Canada? There are various steps you’ll need to take before arriving for your Canadian farm job. First, apply for the appropriate visa and ensure it’s valid for the duration of your planned work in Canada.
If you’re from the United States, this is usually an open work permit or a work visa. If you’re not a citizen of one of Canada’s NAFTA partners (Mexico or America), then you will need an open work permit, too.
Next, you’ll need to have your application approved by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). You will also be required to attend an interview.
For most Canadian farm jobs, you’ll need documentation showing that you have at least three years of full-time work experience within your industry. This should be included with your work permit application.
How much do migrant farm workers get paid in Canada?
Migrant farm workers in Canada get paid on average $11.05 per hour with the top-paying province being Alberta and the lowest being Ontario. There are some jobs that do not pay migrant farm workers at all, such as harvesting tomatoes or eggplants.
Migrant farm workers who are from outside of Canada are usually paid $11.05 per hour. A few provinces have an employment insurance (EI) premium that is required by migrant farm workers, who do not have EI coverage provided by their employers and must pay $1.50 per $100 earned towards EI premiums. Ontario has announced plans to eliminate its employer EI rate for migrant farm workers by 2017.
What qualifications do you need to be a farm worker?
To be a farm worker, you need to be physically fit and willing to work hard. You also need to have a valid work permit. If you are not a Canadian citizen, you must have a temporary resident visa that allows you to work legally in Canada.
To apply for the type of visa that permits farm work, you must have had your job offer verified by the government with a labor market impact assessment (LMIA).
Before starting any farm jobs, make sure you understand the terms and conditions of your employment contract. Be aware that some farms may require their employees to work overtime or even live on-site.
Does Canada need farmers?
Canada needs farmers. Agriculture is Canada’s largest industry, and according to the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council, there will be an annual shortfall of 40,000 farm operators in Canada by 2020.
Although it might not sound like a lot, this shortage has the potential to cause food shortages and sky-high prices for produce.
So, if we need farmers, why are there not enough? Well, there are several reasons. For one thing, baby boomers (people born between 1946 and 1964) who have operated farms for years are now retiring or ready to retire.
Another reason is that millennials (young adults born between 1981 and 1997) have been slow to enter agriculture. In fact, only 1 percent of Canada’s agriculture workers are under 30.
What qualifications do you need to be a farm worker?
To be eligible to work on a farm, you need to apply for a work permit through Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The following are the qualifications needed to do so:
- A completed application form (IMM 1294)
- A police certificate from the applicant’s country of residence
- Proof that the applicant has enough money to support themselves while they are in Canada, such as proof of savings or a bank statement.
Visit the website for more information about how much money is needed.
The applicant can also provide proof of family ties in Canada. If a spouse or common-law partner is living with them, proof of their relationship is needed.
The relationship must show that one person has committed to supporting the other financially, emotionally, and physically. Documentation may include copies of birth certificates, marriage licenses, or divorce decrees.
Can farmers immigrate to Canada?
Canada has an open immigration policy and does not require skilled workers to have work permits. Farmers can immigrate to Canada by applying for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
The CEC is designed for foreign nationals with at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years. The program allows applicants to become permanent residents if they meet certain criteria.
One way for farmers to immigrate to Canada is by filling out an online questionnaire. Another option is by applying online or submitting an application through a Canadian Visa Office.
Regardless of which route you choose, be prepared to provide proof of your skill and experience with information such as a CV or resume.
Other useful documents you can include are educational certificates and letters of reference from former employers. You will also need passport copies and three passport-sized photos of yourself.
What qualifications do you need to be a farm worker?
The qualifications you need to be a farm worker depend on the job. For example, on a dairy farm, you will likely have to be able to carry 50 pounds, but if you are working with plants or animals you may not need this qualification.
Generally, most farms require that you can read and write English well enough to do your job well. You will also need a clean criminal record and a health card for foreign workers with HIV or AIDS.
In addition to looking for these skills, an employer may want you to have farming experience or q related to farming. You might also need additional qualifications such as:
When applying for jobs look for farms offering night work or weekend work. Many migrant workers do not like working at night so it is better if you can get day work and make twice what you would make working at night.
Even if you are offered night work, there are always days off that can be used during weekdays and weekends.
What skills does a farm worker need?
Farm work is a term that typically refers to tasks that are agricultural in nature, but can also be used for certain tasks at the farm. It is usually performed outdoors and may require bending, lifting, and carrying. Some common tasks include planting crops, caring for livestock, and picking fruit or vegetables.
The skills required for farm work vary depending on the task being completed. For example: working with livestock requires experience handling animals; harvesting crops requires knowledge of the crop; working with heavy equipment requires experience using heavy machinery.
If you have any type of experience related to farm work, it is likely that you will be more employable than if you do not have any experience.
Conclusion on Farm Work in Canada for Foreigners
In conclusion, it is worth noting that it may be difficult for you to get farm work if you do not speak English. Fortunately for some people who come from places where there are not many farmers and agriculture, this is an opportunity for them to come here and get farm work in Canada. Do you have suggestions and questions about farm work in Canada for foreigners? Please leave a comment below.