Find fruit picker jobs in Canada for foreign workers, including salaries, LMIA work permits, farm employers, accommodation, RCIP options and application requirements.
Fruit picker jobs in Canada generally do not require a university degree, professional certificate or extensive formal education. Employers are more concerned with physical fitness, reliability, availability during harvest and the ability to work safely in changing weather conditions.
Government of Canada Job Bank data classifies fruit pickers as harvesting labourers under NOC 85101. The national median wage is approximately CAD 18 per hour, and no formal education is normally required. Fruit-picker labour-market information
At CAD 18 per hour, a person working 40 hours weekly for an entire year would earn approximately CAD 37,440 before tax. Reaching CAD 40,000 is possible with a higher hourly rate, overtime, greenhouse employment or year-round farm work. It should not be presented as the guaranteed average for seasonal workers.
Important: Fruit-picking work is frequently seasonal. A high hourly rate does not guarantee 12 months of employment or CAD 40,000 in annual earnings.
Fruit Picker Salaries in Canada
Employment arrangement
Illustrative hourly wage
Possible gross income
Seasonal fruit picker
CAD 16 to CAD 19
CAD 15,000 to CAD 30,000 per season
Full-time harvesting labourer
CAD 18 to CAD 21
CAD 37,440 to CAD 43,680 yearly
Greenhouse harvesting worker
CAD 18 to CAD 23
CAD 37,440 to CAD 47,840 yearly
Experienced machine-assisted harvester
CAD 20 to CAD 25
CAD 41,600 to CAD 52,000 yearly
Harvesting team leader
CAD 21 to CAD 28
CAD 43,680 to CAD 58,240 yearly
Farm supervisor
CAD 23 to CAD 32
CAD 47,840 to CAD 66,560 yearly
Annual figures assume 40 paid hours per week for 52 weeks. Seasonal workers may earn less because their contracts are shorter. Piece-rate employees must still receive compensation consistent with provincial employment rules.
Canada’s agricultural wage requirements vary by province and commodity. Employers hiring temporary foreign workers must pay at least the applicable wage published by the federal government. Agricultural wage tables
What Does a Fruit Picker Do?
Fruit pickers and harvesting labourers may:
Pick apples, cherries, berries, grapes or other crops
Sort produce by size, colour and quality
Pack fruits into containers
Load harvested products
Remove damaged produce
Clean tools and work areas
Assist with planting, thinning and pruning
Operate basic harvesting equipment
Maintain records of completed work
Follow food-safety and pesticide precautions
The work involves standing, bending, lifting and repetitive movement. Outdoor employees may work in heat, rain or cold conditions.
Do You Need a Certificate?
A formal academic or professional certificate is usually unnecessary for NOC 85101 harvesting labourer positions. Some advertisements accept applicants without previous experience and provide training.
Nevertheless, an employer may require:
Basic English or French
Previous farm experience
Ability to lift 20 kilograms or more
Willingness to work early mornings and weekends
Valid driver’s licence for equipment-related duties
Workplace safety training
Legal eligibility to obtain a Canadian work permit
A farm supervisor, equipment operator or pesticide applicator may need additional qualifications.
Visa Sponsorship for Fruit Pickers
There is no Canadian visa officially called a “fruit-picking visa.” Most foreign agricultural workers use an employer-specific work permit supported through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Agricultural Stream
The Agricultural Stream allows eligible Canadian employers to hire temporary foreign workers from any country for qualifying on-farm agricultural work.
The employer normally applies for a Labour Market Impact Assessment, or LMIA. After obtaining a positive LMIA, the worker applies for a work permit.
Under federal requirements, employers may have obligations relating to suitable housing, transportation, employment contracts and workplace safety. Where required, transportation between the provided housing and worksite must be free to the worker. Agricultural Stream requirements
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, commonly called SAWP, is restricted to workers from Mexico and participating Caribbean countries.
Nigeria is not a SAWP participating country. Nigerians and applicants from other non-participating countries should investigate the Agricultural Stream, not pay someone claiming to provide a Nigerian SAWP placement.
Regular High-Wage or Low-Wage LMIA Stream
Agricultural businesses may use another Temporary Foreign Worker Program stream when the occupation, business activity or position does not meet the dedicated agricultural requirements.
The employer must comply with the wage, advertising, housing and recruitment conditions applicable to that stream.
Steps to Get a Fruit-Picking Job With Sponsorship
Step 1: Search for NOC 85101 Vacancies
Use relevant titles such as:
Fruit picker
Orchard worker
Harvesting labourer
Berry picker
Apple picker
Vineyard labourer
Greenhouse worker
General farm worker, harvesting
Fruit packer
Job Bank reported more than 1,200 fruit and vegetable picker vacancies across Canada in August 2026, although not every position was open to applicants abroad. Current Job Bank opportunities
Read the “Who can apply” section carefully. If an advertisement says only Canadian citizens, permanent residents or existing work-permit holders may apply, an overseas application is unlikely to succeed.
Step 3: Prepare a Simple Canadian CV
Include:
Farm or outdoor work experience
Crops previously harvested
Packing and sorting experience
Machinery or irrigation knowledge
Physical tasks performed
Employment dates
Languages
Driver’s licence
Safety training
Verifiable references
Do not invent agricultural experience. Many positions accept beginners.
Step 4: Attend an Employer Interview
Ask the employer about:
Contract duration
Guaranteed weekly hours
Hourly or piece-rate pay
Overtime
Accommodation
Housing deductions
Transport to the farm
Flights
LMIA status
Work-permit support
Step 5: Receive the LMIA and Contract
A genuine employer should provide a written employment contract and the documents required for the work-permit application.
Depending on the circumstances, you may need biometrics, a medical examination and police clearance.
Step 7: Verify the Permit Before Travelling
An employer-specific work permit is usually connected to the named employer. It does not automatically allow the worker to change farms.
Do not travel based solely on an offer letter, LMIA screenshot or WhatsApp message. Wait for the required immigration approval.
Canadian Farms and Agricultural Employers to Check
The following companies employ workers in fruit, vegetable, greenhouse or agricultural operations. Sponsorship depends on the position and recruitment channel.
Nature Fresh Farms states that it does not recruit temporary foreign workers directly from abroad. Its overseas recruitment is conducted only through identified licensed partners in specific countries. This warning shows why applicants must follow each employer’s official recruitment procedure. Nature Fresh Farms recruitment notice
A company appearing in this table is not confirmation that it currently has an approved LMIA.
F.A.R.M.S. is not a general overseas recruitment agency for every nationality. Nigerian applicants should not pay someone claiming to sell a place in SAWP.
Permanent Residence Pathways
Fruit-picking work does not automatically lead to permanent residence.
Express Entry
Harvesting labourers under NOC 85101 are classified as TEER 5. Ordinary fruit-picking experience therefore does not normally qualify as skilled work for the principal Express Entry programs, which generally focus on TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations.
A worker who later obtains a genuine higher-skilled position may become eligible, but changing a job title without changing duties does not alter the NOC classification.
Rural Community Immigration Pilot
RCIP may accept eligible TEER 5 offers when:
The employer is designated by the community
The occupation is included in the community’s priorities
The applicant meets the work-experience rule
The applicant satisfies language and education requirements
The community issues a recommendation
RCIP is not available through every farm. Each participating community controls its employer and occupation lists. RCIP job-offer process
Provincial Nominee Programs
Some provinces operate employer-driven or entry-level streams that can include agricultural workers. Requirements change and may involve:
Full-time, non-seasonal employment
Employer support
Minimum work experience
Language results
Long-term intention to live in the province
Seasonal employment may not satisfy these requirements.
Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program generally requires an eligible offer from a designated employer and an occupation meeting its skill-level rules. Basic fruit-picking positions under TEER 5 do not ordinarily qualify.
Closed Agri-Food Pilot
The federal Agri-Food Pilot ended on May 14, 2025 and is no longer accepting applications. Websites advertising new 2026 applications under this program are outdated. IRCC closure notice
Required Documents
Prepare:
Valid passport
Employment contract
LMIA information
Work-permit application forms
Employment references, if applicable
Educational documents
Police certificate, when requested
Medical examination
Biometrics
Proof of funds
Marriage and birth certificates for accompanying relatives
Certified translations
Canadian High Commission and Visa Verification
High Commission of Canada in Abuja
13010G, Palm Close, Diplomatic Drive
Central Business District, Abuja, Nigeria
Telephone: +234 (209) 461 2900
Email: abuja@international.gc.ca
Website: Official High Commission page
The High Commission does not recruit farm workers. Biometrics and passport services may be handled through authorised Visa Application Centres in Abuja and Lagos.
Immigration and Employment Mistakes to Avoid
Believing CAD 40,000 is guaranteed
Paying for an LMIA or job offer
Applying to jobs closed to foreign candidates
Confusing the Agricultural Stream with SAWP
Assuming Nigerian citizens qualify for SAWP
Ignoring seasonal contract dates
Accepting undisclosed housing deductions
Sending money to personal accounts
Providing false farm experience
Travelling on a visitor visa to work
Assuming farm work automatically provides PR
Applying to the closed Agri-Food Pilot
Conclusion
Fruit picker jobs in Canada can be accessible to foreign workers without formal certificates. The current national median wage is approximately CAD 18 per hour, making CAD 40,000 achievable mainly through year-round employment, higher regional wages or overtime.
The legal route normally involves an employer obtaining an LMIA under the Agricultural Stream, followed by the worker’s employer-specific work-permit application. Permanent residence is more limited than many advertisements suggest. RCIP and selected provincial programs may provide options, but only where the employer, occupation and worker meet specific requirements.
