TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKERS

Helping producers meet critical labour needs

There are four programs through which an employer can hire a temporary foreign worker (TFW) in Canada. Each program has specific criteria that must be met. Temporary foreign workers help BC producers meet their labour needs during peak agricultural periods when Canadian workers and permanent residents are not available. The Government of Canada sets the rules and requirements for Canadian employers wanting to access foreign workers. WALI works primarily with the Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program and to a lesser degree, the Agricultural (Ag) Stream. Detailed information on program requirements and how to apply for workers can be found on the Government of Canada's website, here.

Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)

  • The TFWs hired must be citizens from Mexico or participating Caribbean countries.
  • The production must be in specific commodity sectors.
  • The activity must be related to on farm primary agriculture.

    • Agricultural Stream (AgStream)

  • The production must be in specific commodity sectors; and
  • The activity must be related to on-farm primary agriculture.


    • View the 2024 SAWP Contracts
  • Mexican Contract
  • Mexican Contract - Spanish
  • SAWP Mexico 2024 Guidelines for Employers (prepared by the Consulate of Mexico)
  • Caribbean Contract
    • Sample SAWP Employer Agreements
  • Sample SAWP Employment Agreement - English
  • Sample SAWP Employment Agreement - Spanish
    • View the AgStream 2022 contract
  • AgStream 2022 contract
    • Sample AgStream Employer Agreement
  • Sample AgStream Employment Agreement

    • Learn more about SAWP here.

    Learn more about the Agricultural Stream here.

    Stream for Low-Wage Positions

  • Production is not included on the National Commodities List
  • Temporary foreign workers can be hired for a low-wage agricultural position

    • Learn more about the Stream for Low-Wage Positions here.

    Domestic Workers

  • Visit BC Job Connector
  • Visit go2HR Job Board

    • Learn more about the Stream for High-Wage Positions here.