Canada · “From Sea to Sea”
Psalm 72:8 (KJV)
“He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth”
This verse inspired the phrase A Mari usque ad Mare (From Sea to Sea), which is Canada’s motto, representing the nation's breadth from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
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🍁 Canada · SAWP · Ontario 2026
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
Work in Canada.
Your Season Starts Here.
Your Season Starts Here.
600 positions. Ontario orchards. A real path forward.
TRC is hiring 600 Apple Harvest Workers for the 2026 season in Ontario, Canada through the federal Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). This is a legitimate, government-approved pathway for Caribbean and Mexican nationals to earn in Canada — with no lottery, no backlogs, and a faster process than any U.S. visa program.
Application Window Open
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Application deadlineMay 22, 2026
Departure deadlineJune 5, 2026
Available positions600 spots
Hourly rate$24.69 CAD / hr
Contract length8 months
Job Description
Apple Harvest Worker — Ontario, Canada
A federally approved agricultural role in one of Canada's most productive fruit-growing regions. Full details below — read everything before you apply.
Role Overview
The Apple Harvest Worker role is a full-season agricultural position based in Ontario, Canada under the federal Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). Workers are placed with vetted farm employers across Ontario's apple-growing regions for the 2026 harvest season, working on primary farm operations from hand-picking through post-harvest handling.
This is a physically demanding outdoor role requiring early starts, sustained effort through harvest hours, and the ability to work in all seasonal weather conditions. It is ideal for candidates with agricultural, outdoor labor, or hospitality backgrounds who are seeking a structured overseas work opportunity with guaranteed hours and housing support.
Duties & Responsibilities
Hand-picking apples at optimal ripeness according to farm standards and supervisor direction
Operating picking bags, bins, and ladders safely in orchard rows
Sorting, grading, and packing harvested fruit into bins for transport
Thinning, pruning, and maintaining apple trees during non-peak harvest periods
Loading and moving harvest bins using equipment under supervisor direction
Maintaining clean, organized work areas in compliance with food safety standards
Reporting equipment issues, crop damage, or safety concerns to supervisors promptly
Following all farm health and safety protocols including PPE requirements
Meeting daily productivity targets established by the farm employer
Minimum Requirements
Citizen of a participating Caribbean country or Mexico (SAWP eligibility requirement — see below)
Minimum 18 years of age with physical capacity to perform the duties of the role
Valid passport with at least 12 months remaining validity at time of departure
Willingness to relocate to Ontario, Canada for the full 8-month contract period
Ability to stand, bend, lift, and perform physical labor for sustained periods outdoors
Available to depart and be fully onboarded by June 5, 2026
No current Canadian immigration violations or outstanding inadmissibility issues
Preferred Qualifications
Prior agricultural, farming, or outdoor labor experience
Previous participation in the SAWP or Canadian seasonal work programs
Basic English or French communication ability
Experience working in teams under supervisor direction in outdoor settings
Comfort with early morning starts (4:30 AM–6:00 AM typical start time during peak harvest)
Compensation & Benefits
$24.69 CAD per hour (approximately $18.15 USD) — Ontario minimum wage for agricultural workers
Guaranteed minimum of 240 hours of work within the first 6-week period
Employer-provided or employer-arranged housing for the duration of the contract
Access to Canadian provincial healthcare benefits during your stay
Return airfare arrangements coordinated through TRC and the SAWP agreement
Canadian labor law protections including overtime, rest periods, and workplace safety rights
Enrollment in TRC Aftercare program — cultural adaptation and pre-departure preparation sessions
Estimated earnings over 8 months: Working 40 hours/week, you could earn approximately $4,280 CAD (~$3,145 USD) per month before deductions — and because housing is provided, your ability to save is significantly higher than working in most Caribbean home markets.
Application Fee
$500 CAD
≈ $368 USD · One-time government processing fee
This is not a TRC recruitment fee. It is the Canadian government's work permit processing fee, submitted on your behalf through TRC's immigration team. Unlike the H-2B program, this fee is not reimbursed by your employer — it is your contribution to the cost of your own permit processing.
Non-refundable: Once submitted, this fee cannot be returned. Candidates who withdraw after payment will receive a cancellation letter and will be placed on TRC's no-rehire list.
Where to Apply
Candidates must apply using the application form in the “Apply” section on this page.
About the Program
What is the SAWP?
The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program is a federal Canadian government program — not a TRC program. Understanding it helps you know exactly what you're signing up for.
Government-Backed Program
The SAWP is a bilateral agreement between Canada and participating countries — not a private employer arrangement. It has been operating since 1966 and is one of Canada's most established and trusted pathways for temporary foreign agricultural workers.
Contract Window
Employers can hire SAWP workers for a maximum of 8 months. Workers must be guaranteed a minimum of 240 hours of work within the first 6 weeks or less from the start of the contract.
Eligible Countries
Only citizens from Mexico and participating Caribbean countries qualify for SAWP positions. This includes Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and others. If you are not from an eligible country, you do not qualify for this specific program.
Primary Agriculture Only
SAWP positions must be in on-farm primary agriculture in specific commodity sectors. Apple harvesting in Ontario qualifies. This is not a pathway for restaurant, hotel, or urban employment — this role is specifically agricultural.
3 Employer Criteria to Qualify for SAWP
1
Workers hired must be citizens from Mexico or participating Caribbean countries — citizenship, not just residency, is required.
2
Production must be in specific commodity sectors approved under the SAWP framework — including fruit, vegetable, tobacco, and nursery crops.
3
The activity must relate to on-farm primary agriculture — direct crop production, harvesting, and related farm operations only.
Why Canada?
A Faster, Simpler Path Than the U.S.
Canada's immigration system is genuinely more accessible than the U.S. system for most Caribbean nationals. Here's what that means in practice.
Faster Processing
Canadian work permit processing can be as fast as 2 weeks for nationals from countries with strong diplomatic ties to Canada. Even for countries with longer timelines, the SAWP pathway is significantly faster than a U.S. H-2B or H-1B application.
No Lottery. No Cap Roulette.
The U.S. H-1B visa is subject to an annual lottery — thousands of qualified applicants are rejected purely by chance. Canada's SAWP has no lottery system. If you qualify and a position is available, your application moves forward on merit.
Strong Worker Protections
Canadian labor law protects all workers — including temporary foreign workers. You have the right to minimum wage, overtime pay, safe working conditions, and access to provincial healthcare. These are not optional employer courtesies; they are legal requirements.
80+ Immigration Pathways
Canada offers over 80 different immigration programs. Starting on a SAWP permit and building Canadian work experience is one of the strongest foundations for future permanent residency through pathways like Express Entry or the Provincial Nominee Program.
Healthcare Access
SAWP workers receive access to provincial health insurance during their stay. Medical emergencies don't become financial catastrophes — a protection most temporary work programs in the U.S. do not offer.
Fewer Interview Requirements
Many Canadian work permit applications — including SAWP — require fewer in-person embassy interviews than U.S. visa processes. Depending on your country, your application may be processed entirely by mail or electronically.
🍁 Canada SAWP
This program
VS
🦅 U.S. H-2B
TRC also offers
✅ No lottery — apply on merit
✅ 2-week processing possible
✅ Healthcare included
✅ Government-bilateral agreement
✅ Path to permanent residency
✅ Strong labor law protections
ℹ️ Annual cap — limited spots
ℹ️ 2–6 month processing typical
ℹ️ No employer healthcare requirement
ℹ️ Embassy interview almost always required
ℹ️ Temporary — must return home after
ℹ️ Employer reimburses $205 fee on arrival
Both programs are legitimate and valuable. TRC offers both. This page covers the Canada SAWP program only — visit our H-2B page for full U.S. program details.
The Process
How It Works — Start to Season
From application to your first day in the Ontario orchard — here is exactly what happens and who handles what.
1
You
Apply Through TRC
Submit your application before May 22, 2026. TRC screens for SAWP eligibility, citizenship, and physical requirements.
2
TRC
Interview & Selection
TRC conducts your interview and submits approved candidates to the employer. The employer confirms final placement selections.
3
TRC
Permit Processing
Your $500 CAD fee is collected. TRC's immigration team submits your work permit application through official Canadian government channels.
4
You
Aftercare & Prep
Upon enrollment, you join TRC's Aftercare sessions — Canadian culture adaptation, workplace expectations, weather readiness, and financial basics.
5
You
Depart by June 5
Fully onboarded and prepared to depart by June 5, 2026. Your employer arranges housing. You arrive ready to work.
Included With Your Enrollment
TRC Aftercare Program
Enrollment is automatic upon payment. No extra registration. TRC stays with you before you leave and after you arrive.
Canadian Culture Adaptation
Practical orientation on Canadian workplace culture, social norms, weather preparation, and everyday life in Ontario — so you hit the ground running, not stumbling.
Agricultural Work Preparation
What to expect on the farm — daily schedules, supervisor relationships, productivity standards, safety protocols, and how to pace yourself through an 8-month harvest season.
Financial & Life Basics
How to open a Canadian bank account, understand your pay stub, send money home, access healthcare, and manage your finances as a temporary foreign worker in Ontario.
Ready to Apply?
Deadline: May 22, 2026. Departure: June 5, 2026. Don't wait — 600 spots go fast and processing takes time. If you are a Caribbean or Mexican national with a valid passport and the physical ability to do the work, this is your opportunity.
The application fee is $500 CAD (~$368 USD), non-refundable, and covers your government work permit processing. No recruitment fees. No placement fees. Just your government permit cost.
The application fee is $500 CAD (~$368 USD), non-refundable, and covers your government work permit processing. No recruitment fees. No placement fees. Just your government permit cost.
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