Immigrate to Canada as a Harvesting Laborer – Full Guide

Have you ever worked in the agricultural sector, or are you now working in the agricultural sector, but would you like to experience working in a different environment or culture? If so, Canada may be the best place for you. This step-by-step guide describes everything you need to know when immigrating to Canada as a Harvesting laborer.

Canada is the world’s leading agricultural producer and exporter. There are approximately 36,952 farms that have contributed more than $ 42,003 million to Canada’s GDP this year.

Canada desperately needs skilled agricultural workers of all levels to address the current labor shortages in the market. In short, the chances of working as an agricultural worker in Canada have just increased.

Generally, the need for agricultural workers is a global issue due to population growth, and Canada is doing its best to fill the void by hiring new harvest workers as the current workforce declines. 

In addition, the majority of Canadian workers have reached retirement age. To address this issue, the Government of Canada has launched programs to encourage foreign agricultural workers to relocate to the country.

What do Harvest Laborers do?

Harvesting laborers assist other farmworkers to harvest, sort and packing crops. In addition, each profession listed on the Canadian NOC is assigned a code, and the code for harvest workers planning to immigrate to Canada is 8611.

Harvest Laborers Job Descriptions/Duties

Harvest laborers do the following:

• Pick row and orchard crops
• Sort, weigh and pack fruit and vegetables at the farm.
• Load, unload, and transfer crates, supplies, farm produce, and products for transport.
• Clean up racks, trays, and harvest bins and general clean up of growing, producing, and packing areas.
• Assist with general farm maintenance and maintenance of equipment and tools.
• May assist in preparing garden beds for planting.
• May write daily progress reports of inventory harvested.

Examples of jobs under a harvest laborers role

Generally, harvesters are employed in many occupations. A typical harvest worker has a variety of job titles. To qualify as a Harvest Worker, you can work or be hired in one of the following positions or job descriptions:

• apple picker
• berry picker
• crop farm laborer – harvesting
• cucumber picker
• field-grown crop farm laborer – harvesting
• fruit harvest worker
• fruit harvester
• fruit harvesting laborer
• fruit or vegetable picker
• fruit packer – farm
• fruit picker
• fruit sorter – farm
• harvest hand
• harvest worker
• harvesting laborer
• mushroom picker
• small fruit picker
• tobacco cutter – tobacco harvesting
• tobacco picker
• tobacco stripper – tobacco harvesting
• tomato picker
• vegetable packer – farm
• vegetable picker
• vegetable sorter – farm
• worm harvester
• worm packer
• worm picker
• worm picker-packer

Requirements to work in Canada as a Harvest laborer

There are no specific educational or training requirements.

Exclusions under Harvest laborer

• Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors, and specialized livestock workers (See 8252 Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors, and specialized livestock workers)
• General farm workers (See 8431 General farm workers)
• Managers in agriculture (See 0821 Managers in agriculture)

Requirements to immigrate to Canada as a harvest laborer

To move to Canada as a harvest worker, you must meet both the general and specific requirements for working as an agricultural worker in Canada.

General Requirements 

These general requirements apply to foreigners planning to move to Canada. They are very easy to get through. Let’s take a look at these below :

1. Language Requirements 

To move to Canada as a harvest laborer, you must be able to speak English and French. These are the languages ​​spoken in Canada. 

To prove this, you need to take a test to confirm your language proficiency. 

2. Age requirements 

Like all job requirements, you must be legally old to move to Canada as an employee. Those who do not meet this requirement will be rejected.

3. Education  

There are no specific educational or training requirements to immigrate to Canada as a harvest laborer.

 4. Jobs / Temporary Jobs 

This is not mandatory. However, it’s a good idea to have a job when you submit your application. If a job as a harvest laborer is waiting for you, your approval will be even faster. 

Therefore, it is generally advisable to apply for a job before or during the application to the Canadian Immigration Department. 

5. Environmental adaptability 

Most people cannot adapt when moving to a new environment. And for a stressful job as a harvest laborer, you have to be healthy. 

In addition, winters in Canada can be very cold. For this reason, you must get a medical report before you move to Canada as a harvest laborer. 

6. Work Experience 

Canadian harvest laborers employ foreigners with work experience. The more experienced you are, the higher your chances are. 

This is also true if you want to move to Canada as a harvest laborer. Learn how to understand the CRS results of Express Entry as a harvest laborer.

Specific Requirements to Immigrate to Canada as a Harvest Laborer

There are no specific educational or training requirements to immigrate to Canada as a harvest laborer.

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Pathways to Immigrate to Canada as a Harvest Laborer

There are many ways to immigrate to Canada as a harvest laborer. They are:

• Express entry program
• Provincial nominee program
• In-demand occupation
• Job offer

Express Entry Programs 

The Express Entry Area offers programs for skilled workers who move to Canada to become harvest workers. Therefore, make sure you qualify for these programs. 

Provincial nominee program

Each Canadian state may have a provincial nominee program. If you are considering moving to Canada as a harvest laborer, you can take advantage of one of these programs. But, you must choose to live and work in the state before taking advantage of the provincial nominee program.

In-demand occupation

The harvest laborer is eligible for in-demand employment in Canada. Many companies are also looking for harvest laborers. Therefore, you can use this route to immigrate to Canada.

Job offer

This is an easy way to move to Canada as a harvest laborer. However, if you plan to move to Canada as a harvest laborer, you will need to receive a significant number of jobs from your Canadian boss. 

If you’re lucky enough, the job might just come knocking at your door. Lots of people have had their chances of immigrating to Canada through job offers. It is the easiest way to immigrate to Canada because everything you’ll need for the job will be provided by either your Canadian boss or the firm offering you the job.

Steps to immigrate to Canada as a harvest worker 

To ensure that your transition to Canada as a harvest worker is smooth and easy, you must carefully follow these steps one by one:

Step 1: Open an Express Entry Profile 

You have to first create an Express Entry profile to immigrate to Canada as a harvest worker. 

Creating an express entry profile alone may be useless except you create the best possible express entry profile by meeting Canadian immigration standards, which will offer you those all-important Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.

Step 2: Decide on a program

When creating an Express Entry program profile, you need to have a clear idea of ​​the program you’re applying for. There are many options available. Below are some programs:

• Canadian Experience Class
• Federal skilled trade program
• A federal skilled worker program

Step 3: Obtain a job offer from a Canadian employer

If you plan to move to Canada as a harvest laborer, finding a valid job offer from a Canadian company or employer is the next step. An assessment of the impact on the labor market requires the approval of the employer’s application. 

In addition, the company or employer must provide evidence that a Canadian citizen or permanent resident is unable to take up the position.

Step 4: Get an invitation to apply

If you meet the requirements of one of the Express Entry programs, you will receive an invitation to apply. A comprehensive ranking system is used to rate your profile. 

Age, language, work history, and other criteria are considered by the CRS. Documents and applications should always be at hand.

Step 5: Submit your application and supporting documents

After receiving the application (ITA), you have only 60 days to submit the application and supplementary documents. 

Job Letters, Language Exam Results, ID Cards, Proof of Financial Resources, and Proof of Work Experience are supplementary documents that should accompany your application. You will also need to pay a registration fee of CAD 150.

Step 6: Obtain your work permit

You will need to apply for your work permit on time and get it at the entry portal before coming into Canada. This is very important as you will not be able to work in Canada if you do not have your work permit.

Step 7: Welcome to Canada

This is the final stage before getting what you’ve been waiting for.

Once your application is approved, you can finally enter Canada. Be sure to receive a work permit across the Canadian border. Again, you can’t work in Canada without this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible to work as a harvest laborer in Canada? 

Yes, when you reach the first phase of an immigration process to Canada, if you have professional and educational qualifications to move to Canada as a harvest worker, then you are eligible.

Is it possible for my family to join me in Canada while I work as a harvest worker?

Yes, the rights and privileges granted to the primary visa holder are automatically passed on to the spouse and children. Your spouse’s or partner’s skills, education, and qualifications can enhance your overall visa application.

Conclusion

Attempting to immigrate to Canada as a harvester is a great opportunity and a wonderful experience for those who can meet Canadian immigration regulations.

Also adapting to the nature of your new job to gain more experience to function as you ought to may help you thrive. Everything takes time and processes but the faster the process the bigger your chances of great results.

There is nothing to be scared of about taking a step to a new life. Anticipate success in this journey of yours and you will find it because Canada is just the right place for you to do this.