Seasonal and temporary foreign worker compliance checklist

51 steps from recruiting to the end of the season, for seasonal Canadian hires and temporary foreign workers. Tick them off as you go; your ticks stay in this browser. Each step is explained in the full guide.

Plan the season

• Work out how many seasonal workers you need and whenEveryone

  List each job, the start and end dates and the hours. This tells you whether you can hire locally or need the foreign worker programs, and how much lead time you need. Source

• Check your province's employment standards for seasonal workEveryone

  Look up overtime, vacation pay, public holidays, layoff and final pay rules where the work is done. Farm work may have different hours and overtime rules. Source

• Choose the right stream for each foreign worker jobTemporary foreign workers

  SAWP, Agricultural Stream, low-wage and high-wage positions have different rules on advertising, wages, housing and duration. The low-wage and high-wage line is the median hourly wage in your province or territory plus 20%. Source

• Pick the NOC code that matches the real dutiesTemporary foreign workers

  ESDC classifies every job by its National Occupational Classification code. The code, duties and wage must match across your ad, LMIA and agreement. Source

• Check the refusal-to-process list and your sectorTemporary foreign workers

  Low-wage applications in census metropolitan areas with unemployment of 6% or higher are refused unless your sector is exempt. The list is updated, so check it close to the date you apply. Source

• Check the cap on low-wage foreign workers for your businessTemporary foreign workers

  The general cap is 10% of your workforce, 20% for health care, construction and food processing. Some rural employers can use 15% until 31 March 2027 where their province takes part. Source

• Ask your province whether you must register before recruitingTemporary foreign workers

  British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia require employers to register before recruiting in most cases, and several provinces require recruiters to be licensed. Check your province and keep the proof in your file. Source

Recruit and advertise

• Post the job on Job BankTemporary foreign workers

  Job Bank is the required advertising method for low-wage positions; using another method needs a written reason. Include your operating name, address, duties, terms, wage and contact details. Source

• Run the low-wage ad for at least 8 consecutive weeksTemporary foreign workers

  The 8 weeks must fall within the 3 months before you submit the LMIA application. Source

• Do at least 3 recruitment activities and keep 1 goingTemporary foreign workers

  For low-wage positions, at least 1 activity must continue until ESDC issues a decision. Source

• Invite Job Match candidates rated 2 stars or moreTemporary foreign workers

  For low-wage positions, invite every matched job seeker in the first 30 days of the ad who is rated 2 stars or more. Source

• Show efforts to recruit youth aged 15 to 30Temporary foreign workers

  Low-wage applications must show how you reached and encouraged young people to apply. Source

• For high-wage jobs, advertise for at least 4 consecutive weeks and prepare a transition planTemporary foreign workers

  The 4 weeks must fall within the 3 months before you apply, and 1 recruitment activity must continue until ESDC decides. Most high-wage applications need a transition plan. Source

• Confirm the current advertising minimum for agricultural jobsSAWP employers

  The SAWP and Agricultural Stream have their own minimums. Two ESDC pages gave different lengths when we checked, so confirm before your ad goes up. Source

• Leave Direct Apply on and consider those applicantsTemporary foreign workers

  Turning off Job Bank's Direct Apply, or ignoring those applicants, may mean you haven't met the recruitment requirement. Source

• Save proof of every ad and every applicant decisionTemporary foreign workers

  Keep copies of ads with dates, invitations sent and why each applicant was or wasn't hired, for at least 6 years. Source

• Post seasonal jobs locally earlySeasonal hires

  Ads for seasonal Canadian staff should state the pay, hours and expected season dates. British Columbia and Prince Edward Island require pay or a pay range in public postings, and Ontario does for employers with 25 or more employees. Source

Apply for the LMIA

• Set the wage the program requires for your streamTemporary foreign workers

  For low-wage and high-wage positions, pay at least the prevailing wage: the Job Bank median for the occupation and economic region. Pay it for the whole period, plus provincial overtime and vacation pay. Source

• Get the housing inspected before you applySAWP employers

  For the SAWP, the inspection must be done within the 8 months before Service Canada receives your application, and the report must state the maximum number of workers per unit. Source

• In British Columbia, use the BCAC inspection formSAWP employers

  SAWP employers in British Columbia must use the British Columbia Agriculture Council form and a BCAC-sanctioned inspector. Source

• Pay the LMIA processing fee unless your positions are exemptTemporary foreign workers

  The fee is $1,000.00 for each position requested. Primary agriculture positions, including the SAWP and the Agricultural Stream, are exempt. The fee isn't refunded if the LMIA is negative. Source

• Submit the LMIA application with matching detailsTemporary foreign workers

  The job title, NOC code, duties, wage, hours and location must match your ads and agreement. Source

• Count back from the first day of the seasonTemporary foreign workers

  Advertising, processing, the work permit application and travel all need to fit before work starts. Check current processing times on canada.ca. Source

After approval

• Send the worker your LMIA decision and job offerTemporary foreign workers

  The worker needs them to apply to IRCC for a work permit. Source

• Make sure the worker applies for the work permit within 6 monthsTemporary foreign workers

  A positive LMIA is valid for 6 months after it is issued. Source

• Prepare the employment agreementTemporary foreign workers

  State the job, wages including overtime, hours and vacation, matching the LMIA. SAWP employers use the contract for the worker's country. Source

• Sign the agreement on or before the first day and give the worker a copyTemporary foreign workers

  Both you and the worker must sign it on or before the first day of work, and the worker must get a signed copy. Source

• Give seasonal hires a written offerSeasonal hires

  Set out the start date, expected end date, pay, hours and what happens if the season ends early. Ontario requires basic terms in writing before the first day. Source

• Book and pay for round-trip travelTemporary foreign workers

  Low-wage, Agricultural Stream and SAWP employers pay round-trip transportation. Low-wage and Agricultural Stream employers may not recover the cost. Source

• Buy private emergency health insurance where it is requiredTemporary foreign workers

  For low-wage positions, cover emergency care from the first day of work until provincial coverage starts. You pay; the worker doesn't. Source

• Get a written no-fee promise from any recruiterTemporary foreign workers

  You may not charge or recover recruitment fees from a foreign worker, and you must make sure a recruiter acting for you doesn't either. SAWP employers can't use a private recruiter to select workers. Source

First week

• Read each worker's work permitTemporary foreign workers

  Check the employer name, occupation, location and end date match the job. Contact IRCC before the worker starts if anything is wrong. Source

• Give the current information about workers' rightsTemporary foreign workers

  Provide it on or before the first day, in the official language the worker chooses. Download the current version from canada.ca each season. Source

• Walk through the housing before workers move inTemporary foreign workers

  Housing must be adequate, suitable and affordable (CMHC definition), and occupancy must not exceed the inspected maximum. Source

• Arrange local transport between housing and workTemporary foreign workers

  Agricultural Stream employers must provide it at no cost where it is needed. Source

• Give safety training in a way the worker understandsEveryone

  Cover the real hazards of the job and how to refuse unsafe work, and keep a record of who was trained and when. Source

• Show workers how to get health careTemporary foreign workers

  You must make reasonable efforts to provide access to health care if a worker is injured or ill at work. Source

• Set up payroll with the required deductionsEveryone

  Deduct income tax, CPP or QPP and EI, plus only the deductions your stream and province allow. Source

During the season

• Pay the LMIA wage for all hours workedTemporary foreign workers

  Keep the job, wage and conditions the same as, or substantially the same as, the offer and LMIA. Source

• Pay overtime and vacation pay under your provincial rulesEveryone

  These apply to every employee, including temporary foreign workers. Source

• Never take or keep passports or work permitsTemporary foreign workers

  Employers may not take a worker's identification documents, even for safekeeping. Source

• Make reasonable efforts to keep the workplace free of abuseTemporary foreign workers

  Abuse includes physical, sexual, psychological and financial abuse, and reprisal against a worker who raises a concern. Source

• Give workers a way to raise concerns safelyEveryone

  Name someone other than the direct supervisor and handle complaints promptly and fairly. Source

• Compare actual work with the LMIA every monthTemporary foreign workers

  Check duties, hours, wage and location against the LMIA and agreement, and fix gaps right away. Source

• Check layoff rules before any shutdownSeasonal hires

  A layoff past your province's limit may count as a termination, which can trigger notice or pay in lieu. Source

End of season

• Pay final wages and vacation pay on timeEveryone

  Each province sets its own final pay deadline. Pay foreign workers before they leave Canada where you can. Source

• Issue a Record of EmploymentEveryone

  Electronic ROEs for weekly, biweekly or semi-monthly pay are due within 5 calendar days after the end of the pay period in which the interruption occurs. Source

• Book return travel homeTemporary foreign workers

  Low-wage, Agricultural Stream and SAWP employers pay for the return trip. SAWP workers must return home by 15 December unless there are extraordinary circumstances. Source

• Write down recall plans for next seasonSeasonal hires

  Tell seasonal staff in writing whether and when you expect to bring them back. Source

• Keep TFWP records for at least 6 yearsTemporary foreign workers

  Include the LMIA, ads, agreement, payroll, travel receipts, housing reports and insurance. Inspectors can look back 6 years. Source

• Keep your copy of each ROE for 6 yearsEveryone

  Service Canada requires employers to keep ROE copies for 6 years. Source

General information for Canadian employers, not legal or immigration advice. Temporary Foreign Worker Program rules change often; check the current requirements on canada.ca, and with your provincial employment standards office, before you act. Checked against official sources on 5 November 2026.