Agriculture Stream LMIA
Hire Temporary Foreign Workers for Your Critical Workforce Needs
Canada’s Agriculture Sector: The Backbone of Our Food Supply
Canada’s agriculture industry is the heart of our nation’s food supply, from greenhouses and orchards to dairy farms and fisheries. However, it faces an ongoing labor shortage due to the demanding nature of agricultural work—long hours, rural locations, seasonal demand, and competitive wages in other industries. With an aging workforce and fewer young people pursuing farming careers, the need for efficient workforce placement has never been more critical.
To bridge this gap, Canadian farmers increasingly rely on the Agricultural Stream LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). By streamlining the recruitment of global workers, this program ensures agricultural businesses maintain productivity and thrive. Recognizing the significance of agriculture to Canada’s economy, the government waives LMIA fees for farmers and offers priority processing for applications. Programs like the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP), established in 1966, have been pivotal in addressing labor shortages, ensuring food security, and supporting economic stability.
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Eligibility for the Agricultural Stream LMIA
Specific Commodity Sectors
Employers seeking to hire through the Agricultural Stream LMIA must operate within the national commodity list, which includes a wide range of agricultural sectors such as apiary products, bovine, dairy, duck, flowers, fruits and vegetables (including the canning/processing of farm—grown products), grains, horse, maple syrup, mink, mushrooms, nursery-grown trees (including Christmas trees), greenhouses/nurseries, oil seeds, pedigreed canola seed, poultry, seed corn, sheep, sod, swine, and tobacco.
On-Farm Primary Agriculture Activities
Work under the Agricultural Stream LMIA must meet the definition of primary agriculture, which refers to tasks performed within the boundaries of a farm, nursery, or greenhouse. These duties include operating agricultural machinery, boarding, caring for, breeding, sanitizing, or otherwise handling animals (excluding fish) to produce raw animal products for the market. It also encompasses activities related to the collection, handling, and assessment of these products. Additionally, primary agriculture involves the planting, care, harvesting, or preparation of crops, trees, sod, or other plants for sale.
To qualify, the work must align with one of the designated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 80020, 80021, 82030, 82031, 84120, 85100, 85101, or 85103. These codes cover a range of agricultural roles that ensure the smooth operation of farms and related businesses. By adhering to these guidelines, employers can demonstrate that their labor needs meet the criteria for primary agriculture under the Agricultural Stream.
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program
Temporary foreign worker must be from Mexico or the participating Caribbean countries (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, and Tobago) and duration of LMIA is for maximum period of 8 months.
Key Requirements and Benefits
Transportation and Housing: Employers must cover transportation costs and provide suitable housing.
Health and Workplace Safety: Mandatory health insurance and workplace safety insurance coverage.
Wages and Working Conditions: Fair wages and conditions, matching those of Canadian workers in similar roles. Duration of LMIA Application: Up to 2 years for standard positions and 3 years for high—wage roles.
Application Fee: To support the sector, ESDC does not charge any fee for processing Agricultural Stream LMIA applications.
Priority Processing: These applications are often processed on a priority basis to ensure timely availability of labor.
Key Benefits for Canadian Agricultural Employers
No Application Fees: LMIA applications under the Agricultural Stream are fee-exempt, making recruitment cost-effective.
Priority Processing: Applications are processed quickly, ensuring timely hiring solutions.
Comprehensive Support for Workers: Employers provide transportation, affordable housing, mandatory health insurance, and workplace safety coverage.
Flexible Terms: LMIAs can last up to 2 years for standard positions or 3 years for high-wage roles, ensuring long-term workforce stability.
Fair Employment Practices: Wages and working conditions must match those of Canadian workers in similar roles, fostering ethical recruitment.
Ready to Simplify Your LMIA Process
For over a decade, Can X have been a trusted partner for businesses across Canada, offering fast, affordable, and reliable LMIA solutions. From eligibility assessments to crafting compliant job postings, preparing detailed LMIA applications, and representing you with ESDC, our expert team ensures every step is handled with precision and care. We understand the challenges of the LMIA process and are here to simplify it, helping your business secure the talent it needs to succeed. Contact us today to start your seamless LMIA application journey.
FAQs About Agriculture Stream LMIA
The Agricultural Stream LMIA is a program under Canada’s TFWP that allows agricultural employers to hire temporary foreign workers when Canadian and permanent residents are not available.
No! ESDC does not charge a fee for processing Agricultural Stream LMIA applications.
Yes! Employers must provide suitable, affordable housing that meets Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation standards.
It’s a part of the Agricultural Stream where temporary foreign workers from Mexico or participating Caribbean countries are hired for a maximum period of 8 months.
It addresses labor shortages, ensures steady workforce availability, and maintains productivity.
Employers in specific commodity sectors like apiary products, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and more, involved in on-farm primary agricultural activities, qualify for this stream.
The maximum duration is up to 2 years for standard positions and can extend up to 3 years for high-wage positions.
Yes! Employers are required to cover round-trip transportation costs for temporary foreign workers to and from their country of residence.
Employers must provide mandatory health insurance and ensure workplace safety insurance for temporary foreign workers.
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