Before you come to Ontario
Working in the agri-food sector in Ontario
You need a work permit from the Government of Canada to temporarily work in Ontario’s agri-food sector.
Learn more about working temporarily in Canada:
You must apply for a work permit from your home country before coming to Canada.
Know your rights
Know your rights while living and working in Canada and where to get help if needed.
The Employment Protection for Foreign Nationals Act, 2009 (EPFNA) applies to you if you are working (or are looking for work) in Ontario under immigration or temporary foreign worker programs (such as the Temporary Foreign Worker Program).
Under the EPFNA, employers and recruiters cannot:
- take your property (such as a passport or work permit)
- charge fees or recover costs from you related to being hired
- intimidate or penalize you for asking about or asserting your rights under the EPFNA
You may also have rights under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) which covers employment standards such as minimum wage and limits on hours of work.
EPFNA requires that employers and recruiters provide you 2 information sheets. These information sheets explain the minimum rights and obligations established under the ESA and EPFNA.
Learn more about the rights and obligations established under EPFNA or contact the Employment Standards Information Centre at
Be aware of job recruitment scams
It is illegal for recruiters or employers to ask for payment to guarantee a job in Ontario.
Warning signs that a job offer could be a scam include:
- urgency to sign documents or complete steps
- request for upfront payment or fee directly to an individual, such as purchasing gift cards
- wages or signing bonuses that seem higher than expected or unrealistic
- spelling and grammatical errors in job offers or correspondence
- emails from a personal or generic domain (for example, Gmail or Yahoo)
- recruiter asks for passwords, your banking information or other personal information not relevant to the job
- not enough details provided or a vague job description
- promises of citizenship, permanent residency or fast-tracking citizenship paperwork
Learn more about how to identify a scam or fraud and job and employment scams.
Pre-departure checklist
Bringing items
Check with your airline for restrictions with carry-on and checked baggage. If you want to bring items with you, such as prescription medications, confirm what is restricted or prohibited and what health products for personal use can be brought into Canada.
If you have an International Driver’s Permit, bring that with you if you intend to drive in Ontario.
Learn more about what you can bring into Canada when you arrive at the airport.
Important documents for the border
You will be asked to show the following documents to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers at the Canadian port of entry (for example, Toronto Pearson International Airport):
- your offer of employment from the employer
- a copy of your employer’s positive labour market impact assessment (LMIA)
- travel arrangements, such as plane tickets or boarding pass
- a valid passport
- Check with your home country’s passport office or visa application centre for travel requirements such as biometrics (for example, fingerprints or photo), passport or other visa requirements
- if you were hired through a stream other than the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, you may be asked for a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that is sent when you have applied for a work permit online
Find out if you need a medical exam.
Learn more about what to expect when you arrive in Canada.
Translation support and settlement services
If you will need translation or interpretation support when you arrive in Ontario, refer to the list of support organizations active in different regions and communities across Ontario that can provide assistance.
Learn more about settlement services in Ontario and how to get assistance with language training and translation, and where to find essential services in the region of your employment location.
Prepare for the weather in Ontario
December to March (winter)
Winter temperatures can range from +5°C to -25°C.
Winter clothing can be expensive, but you will need:
- a winter-rated jacket
- warm clothing such as sweaters or wool layers
- a scarf
- a warm hat
- gloves
- thicker socks
- insulated winter boots that are waterproof or water resistant and rated for icy surfaces
Learn more about working in the cold and preparing for Canadian winters.
April to May (spring) and October to November (fall)
Spring and fall temperatures can range from +10°C to -10°C.
You will need:
- a warm jacket that is water/rain resistant
- layers of warm clothing
- a scarf
- a hat
- gloves
If you work outside during these months, boots that are water resistant and warm socks are also suggested.
June to September (summer)
Expect moderately warm weather to potentially extreme heat conditions over the summer months.
Temperatures typically range from +15°C to +29°C with extremely hot days over +30°C possible and an increased risk of heat related illness.
Learn more about the signs of heat stress and how to be safe in extreme heat.
Using data or phone plans in Ontario
There is free wi-fi available at the Toronto Pearson International Airport when you land in Ontario. Some locations and businesses in Ontario will also offer free wi-fi while in their location.
Consider using a mobile plan offered in your home country if a Canadian cellular carrier supports it. Contact your mobile plan provider for more details.
As of July 31, 2025, 3G networks are no longer available in Canada and will impact users of older-model cellular phones. Learn more about which cellular networks you can use in Canada.
An international pay-as-you-go SIM card (physical or digital) may also be an option and can be topped up for data or minutes as needed. These SIM cards can be purchased:
- online
- at airports
- from a Canadian cell phone provider
Mobile messaging apps can be used for communication while in another country. However, you may not be able to call emergency numbers or toll-free numbers (numbers that start with 1-800 or 1-866) within Canada using a free mobile messaging app (such as WhatsApp).