Fruit/vegetable picker Jobs in Canada with Visa Sponsorship for Foreigners

Canada’s farms, orchards, and greenhouses rely on thousands of seasonal and year‑round harvest workers to bring fruits and vegetables from field to table. From Okanagan cherries and Fraser Valley blueberries to Leamington’s greenhouse tomatoes and Quebec’s apples, demand for reliable pickers remains strong every year. As an employer who regularly hires foreign workers, I can confirm there are genuine, legal pathways for “visa sponsorship” (in Canadian terms, an employer-supported work permit), particularly through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP).

If you are exploring fruit/vegetable picking roles (NOC 85101 – Harvesting labourers), this guide explains the skills you need, where the best-paying regions are, what you can realistically earn, who’s hiring, and the work-permit options available. It also covers where to find jobs and how to apply from abroad. While policies can evolve, the fundamentals below reflect current practice and expectations in 2024–2025. Always verify details with official government sources before you apply.

Entry-level skills and experience required

Most fruit/vegetable picker roles are entry-level. Experience helps, but employers focus on reliability, stamina, and safety awareness.

• Physical stamina: Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift 10–25 kg, and work repetitive motions for 8–10 hours.
• Speed and accuracy: Productivity matters, especially for piece-rate crops (e.g., berries, cherries).
• Weather readiness: Outdoor work in heat, cold, rain, or dusty environments; indoors for greenhouse roles.
• Ladder/height comfort: Orchard jobs (apples, cherries, pears) often require climbing and balance.
• Basic communication: Basic English or French is helpful; some crews are multilingual. Supervisors provide on-the-job training.
• Safety and hygiene: Follow food-safety and farm-safety procedures; use PPE correctly.
• Reliability: Punctuality, consistency, and willingness to work early mornings, weekends, or shifts.
• Documentation: Valid passport and ability to obtain a Canadian work permit (employer support provided).
  Nice-to-have credentials:
• Forklift or tractor experience for certain roles.
• First aid/WHMIS training (often provided after hire).
• Prior harvesting/greenhouse experience or references.

Regions with the Highest Payment Structures

Below are five regions that consistently offer competitive pay and/or strong hours for pickers. Pay structures may be hourly, piece-rate, or a mix with productivity bonuses.

• British Columbia (Okanagan + Fraser Valley)
  • What you’ll pick: Cherries, apples, pears, berries; greenhouse cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers.
  • How you’ll be paid: Piece-rate for many orchard crops; hourly or hourly + bonus in greenhouses.
  • Why it pays: High-value crops (especially cherries), high provincial minimum wage, long harvest days in peak season.
• Ontario (Leamington–Kingsville greenhouse belt + Niagara)
  • What you’ll pick: Greenhouse tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers; apples, tender fruits (peaches, grapes).
  • How you’ll be paid: Mostly hourly with performance bonuses in greenhouses; orchard work may be piece-rate per bin/lb.
  • Why it pays: Year‑round greenhouse work offers steady hours and benefits; strong demand for labour.
• Quebec (Montérégie, Laurentides, Estrie)
  • What you’ll pick: Apples, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, various field crops.
  • How you’ll be paid: Piece-rate for many berries/apples; hourly for some field roles.
  • Why it pays: Large, well-organized orchards; consistent seasonal demand and competitive piece rates.
• Alberta (Lethbridge, Medicine Hat areas)
  • What you’ll pick: Greenhouse vegetables, some field vegetables.
  • How you’ll be paid: Predominantly hourly for greenhouse roles; occasional piece-rate incentives.
  • Why it pays: Steady greenhouse shifts, reliable hours, and opportunities with large operators.
• Nova Scotia (Annapolis Valley)
  • What you’ll pick: Apples, berries, and some vineyard/field crops.
  • How you’ll be paid: Often piece-rate for apples/berries; hourly for other farm tasks.
  • Why it pays: Concentrated harvest seasons with potential for strong earnings during peak weeks.

Salary Expectations for Immigrants

Note: Employers must pay at least the provincial/territorial minimum wage. In 2024–2025, that typically ranges around CAD $15–$17.50 per hour, depending on province. Piece-rate earnings can exceed hourly rates for fast, careful pickers.

Summary: Fast, experienced pickers on piece-rate crops (cherries, apples, berries) frequently out-earn hourly peers during peak weeks. Greenhouse roles trade slightly lower peak pay for steadier, year‑round income and predictable schedules.

Companies Hiring Fruit/Vegetable Pickers in Canada

These employers and grower groups regularly recruit seasonal and/or year‑round harvesters. Requirements vary, but most will support a work permit under the SAWP or TFWP (Agricultural Stream) when hiring from abroad.

• Jealous Fruits (Lake Country, BC) – Cherries
  • Requirements: Ability to work at heights and outdoors; endurance for long harvest days; eligible for SAWP or employer-specific work permit; team player. Housing often available.
• Coral Beach Farms (Lake Country, BC) – Cherries
  • Requirements: Similar to above; piece-rate experience is a plus; willingness to work in variable weather; valid passport; ability to follow safety protocols.
• Mastronardi Produce / SUNSET (Leamington/Kingsville, ON) – Greenhouse vegetables
  • Requirements: Stand/walk for long periods; work in warm, humid conditions; basic English; shift availability; eligible for LMIA-supported work permit.
• Nature Fresh Farms (Leamington, ON) – Greenhouse vegetables
  • Requirements: Entry-level welcome; productivity targets; weekend/holiday shifts; adherence to food safety; employer-specific work permit support available.
• Mucci Farms (Kingsville, ON) – Greenhouse vegetables
  • Requirements: Speed and quality focus; ability to lift and move carts; basic communication; LMIA-supported permit eligibility.
• Windset Farms (Delta/Abbotsford, BC) – Greenhouse vegetables
  • Requirements: Greenhouse hygiene protocols; shift flexibility; reliable transportation/housing arrangements; valid work authorization pathway.
• Pure Flavor (Leamington, ON) – Greenhouse vegetables
  • Requirements: Teamwork, attention to quality; ability to meet harvest quotas; potential shift premiums; support for TFWP hires where applicable.
• Highline Mushrooms (ON/AB/BC) – Mushrooms
  • Requirements: Indoor picking; early shifts; attention to consistency; year‑round availability preferred; LMIA-supported hires common.
• Grower associations and co-ops (multiple provinces)
  • BC Fruit Growers Association members (orchards, berries), Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers members, Scotian Gold member orchards (NS), Quebec orchard networks.
  • Requirements: Vary by farm; most accept entry-level; many provide or arrange housing for TFWs.

Tip: Many reputable employers are now part of the Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) for LMIAs, which can speed processing. Ask if an employer participates.

Visa Types and Options for Fruit/Vegetable Picker

In Canada, “visa sponsorship” usually means an employer helps you obtain a work permit. Common routes:

• Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)
  • Who it’s for: Citizens of Mexico and participating Caribbean countries recruited for up to 8 months per year.
  • How it works: Employer gets an approved LMIA under SAWP; workers apply through their home government’s SAWP office and IRCC. Housing is arranged by the employer; transportation and certain costs are covered/regulated.
  • Good for: Repeating seasonal jobs (you may be invited back each year).
• TFWP – Agricultural Stream
  • Who it’s for: Workers from any country hired for seasonal or longer terms (often up to 24 months).
  • How it works: Employer obtains an LMIA; you apply for an employer-specific work permit. Employer must provide or arrange suitable, affordable housing and meet wage/standards requirements.
  • Good for: Greenhouse and mixed-crop farms needing year‑round or multi-season workers.
• International Experience Canada (IEC)  Working Holiday (select nationalities)
  • Who it’s for: Young adults (typically 18–35) from partner countries.
  • How it works: Open work permit; you can take farm jobs without needing an LMIA. You must secure your own job.
  • Good for: Quick entry where eligible; flexibility to change employers.
• Open work permits (already in Canada)
  • Examples: Post‑graduation work permit (PGWP), spousal open work permit.
  • Good for: Applicants who already hold open work authorization; employers can hire without LMIA.
• Pathways to permanent residence (after Canadian experience)
  • Agri‑Food Pilot: For non-seasonal workers in specific agri-food industries (e.g., greenhouse production) who meet experience, job offer, language, and education requirements.
  • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Several provinces offer employer-driven pathways after you gain eligible work experience in the province.
    Note: Program rules change. Always consult IRCC and your province’s website for current criteria and document lists.

Where to Find Fruit/Vegetable Picker Job Opportunities

• Government job boards
  • Job Bank (Canada): Filter by “Harvesting labourer” or NOC 85101; use “LMIA available” filter to prioritize employer‑supported roles.
  • Provincial portals: WorkBC (BC), Quebec’s Emploi sites, Ontario job sites, Nova Scotia Works.
• Industry associations and co-ops
  • BC Fruit Growers Association, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, Quebec orchard associations (UPA networks), Scotian Gold (NS) member farms. Check member directories and seasonal hiring pages.
• Company career pages
  • Search the employers listed above directly (e.g., “Mastronardi jobs,” “Jealous Fruits careers,” “Highline Mushrooms careers,” “Mucci Farms jobs”).
• General job boards
  • Indeed, Eluta, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn (search “harvest worker,” “greenhouse harvester,” “seasonal farm worker”).
• Recruitment agencies
  • Some farms use licensed recruiters for TFWP/SAWP. Ensure the recruiter is licensed in the province (where required) and never pay illegal placement fees.
• Community and seasonal channels
  • Farm Facebook pages/groups, regional classifieds, and local settlement agencies can surface seasonal roles verify legitimacy before sharing documents or money.

Timing tip: Orchard jobs post late winter to spring; greenhouse roles recruit year‑round; berry picking ramps up late spring; apple seasons peak late summer to fall.

How to Apply for Fruit/Vegetable Picker Jobs as an Immigrant in Canada

Step 1: Choose your pathway

• If you’re from a SAWP country, contact your home government’s SAWP office or ministry of labour to be placed with a Canadian employer.
• If not, target TFWP Agricultural Stream roles where the employer is willing to obtain an LMIA.
• If you qualify for IEC Working Holiday or already hold an open work permit, you can apply directly to employers.

Step 2: Prepare a focused resume (1–2 pages)

• Include physical/production skills (speed, accuracy, weights you can lift).
• List any farm, warehouse, or production experience and your availability window.
• Add language ability, driver’s license (if any), and willingness to work shifts/weekends.
• References from previous supervisors help—even if informal.

Step 3: Search and shortlist jobs

• Use Job Bank filters (NOC 85101; “LMIA available”), company pages, and association boards.
• Align your search with the right season (e.g., cherries: June–Aug in BC; apples: Aug–Oct across several provinces).

Step 4: Apply professionally

• Send a brief cover note highlighting your availability, visa pathway (e.g., SAWP-eligible, or need LMIA), and relevant experience.
• Be honest about your location and whether you need visa support.

Step 5: Interview and job offer

• Expect questions about stamina, schedule, and experience with piece-rate.
• If selected, you’ll receive a written job offer with wage, location, duties, and (if applicable) housing details.

Step 6: Employer secures LMIA (if required)

• For SAWP/TFWP roles, the employer applies for an LMIA. Recognized Employer Pilot participants may have faster processing.
• Do not pay for an LMIA; employers cover LMIA application costs.

Step 7: Apply for your work permit

• You’ll submit your work permit application to IRCC with your job offer, LMIA (if required), passport, biometrics, and any required medical exam.
• Processing times vary by country and season. Track your application online.

Step 8: Travel and onboarding

• SAWP: Your government liaison coordinates travel with the employer; housing is arranged and regulated.
• TFWP: Employer often helps with housing; fees and standards are regulated. On arrival, you’ll get a SIN (Social Insurance Number) and safety orientation.

Step 9: Know your rights

• You must be paid at least the posted wage and provided safe working conditions.
• Keep copies of your contract, pay stubs, and housing agreements. If problems arise, provincial employment standards offices and TFW support lines can help.

Practical tips to stand out

• Mention piece-rate success (if any) and comfort with ladders/heights.
• Show flexibility with shifts/weather and willingness to relocate within Canada for seasons.
• Ask if the employer participates in SAWP/TFWP and the Recognized Employer Pilot.
• Never send money to “secure” a job. Legitimate employers do not ask you to pay recruitment or LMIA fees.

Fruit and vegetable picking work in Canada offers a clear, legal path for foreign workers to gain valuable experience and steady income sometimes with the possibility of returning annually or even progressing to year‑round roles. With the right preparation and an employer who supports your work permit, you can build a reliable seasonal career or a longer-term future in Canada’s agri‑food sector.