Agricultural Stream

The Agriculture stream of the LMIA refers to the specific LMIA process for employers in the agriculture sector who wish to hire foreign workers. This stream is designed to meet the workforce needs of the Canadian agriculture industry, which often faces labor shortages, particularly in seasonal or farm-related positions. Under this stream, employers in the agriculture sector can hire temporary foreign workers (TFWs) for up to 24 months. To qualify, employers must meet two primary conditions:

1. Production in Specific Sectors: Eligible commodities include products such as fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, flowers, greenhouse and nursery plants, and various livestock like poultry, sheep, and dairy.

2. On-Farm Primary Agriculture Activities: Work must occur on farms, nurseries, or greenhouses and involve primary agricultural tasks. These may include operating farm machinery, caring for animals, handling or processing raw animal products, or managing crops and plants for market. The position must align with certain National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes.

Types of Jobs Eligible Under the Agriculture LMIA

The Agriculture LMIA typically covers jobs in the following categories:

• Farm workers: Including general farm laborers, crop workers, or livestock caretakers.

• Harvesting workers: Employees involved in the picking, sorting, and processing of crops.

• Greenhouse workers: Those working in greenhouses or nurseries, tending plants and crops.

• Food processing workers: Jobs in food production and packaging, often tied to agricultural output.

• Farm supervisors: Workers with some managerial responsibility overseeing agricultural operations.

Key Program Requirements:

• Transportation Costs: Employers must cover round-trip transportation for TFWs, whether they arrive from abroad or relocate within Canada.

• Daily Transportation: Employers must ensure no-cost daily transport from housing to work sites if necessary.

• Housing and Inspections: Employers are required to provide affordable and suitable housing and must submit an inspection report confirming compliance with provincial or municipal standards.

• Health and Safety: Employers need to provide private health insurance until TFWs qualify for provincial health plans and ensure registration with workplace safety boards.

• Employment Contract: A written contract must clearly outline worker rights and duties, signed before arrival in Canada.

• No Processing Fee: There’s no LMIA fee for primary agricultural jobs under specific NOC codes.

Hiring Streams:

• Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP): This option is open to TFWs from Mexico and certain Caribbean nations for up to 8 months.

• General Agricultural Stream: Open to TFWs from any country for up to 2 years.

• High-Wage and Low-Wage Streams: For roles not on the National Commodities List, high-wage or low-wage agricultural positions can be filled with TFWs as per wage requirements.

These guidelines ensure that agricultural employers meet Canadian standards in their hiring and workplace practices.