Everything You Need to Know About the Agriculture Stream LMIA in Canada

 If you’re an employer in Canada’s farming or food production sector, or someone looking to work on a Canadian farm, you’ve probably heard of the agriculture stream LMIA. But what does it really mean, and how does it work?

In this blog, we’ll explain the agriculture stream LMIA in simple terms. Whether you’re a Canadian employer wanting to hire foreign workers, or a worker hoping to come to Canada, this guide will help you understand how the process works — and what makes the agriculture stream different from other LMIAs.


What is an LMIA?

Let’s start with the basics.

LMIA stands for Labour Market Impact Assessment. It’s a document that Canadian employers sometimes need before they can hire a foreign worker. The purpose of an LMIA is to show that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is available to do the job — and hiring a foreign worker won’t negatively impact Canada’s job market.

In short: an LMIA is permission from the government to bring in foreign workers when needed.


What is the Agriculture Stream LMIA?

The agriculture stream LMIA is a specific type of LMIA designed for jobs in Canada’s farming, livestock, and food production industries.

It allows Canadian employers to hire temporary foreign workers (TFWs) for full-time jobs in primary agriculture. This stream was created because agriculture is such an essential part of Canada’s economy — and many farms rely on seasonal or full-time foreign workers to keep up with demand.

If you’re an employer hiring farm workers, greenhouse workers, livestock workers, or others in primary agriculture, you’ll likely need to apply under the agriculture stream LMIA.


Which Jobs Are Covered Under the Agriculture Stream LMIA?

Not every job on a farm qualifies under this stream. The agriculture stream LMIA only applies to primary agriculture, which the government defines very specifically.

Here are the general requirements:

✅ The work must be performed on a farm, greenhouse, nursery, or other primary agricultural site.
✅ The production must be in one of the eligible sectors, such as:

  • Raising livestock

  • Growing vegetables, fruits, grains, oilseeds, or other crops

  • Operating a greenhouse or nursery

Ineligible jobs — like food processing or restaurant work — don’t qualify for the agriculture stream LMIA.


Why Choose the Agriculture Stream LMIA?

So why would an employer choose this LMIA stream instead of a regular one?

Here are some of the benefits:

🌾 It’s designed for agriculture — The application process and requirements take into account the unique nature of farming and food production.

🌾 Year-round and seasonal jobs are eligible — Unlike some other programs, the agriculture stream LMIA isn’t limited to seasonal work.

🌾 Faster processing in some cases — Because agriculture is a priority sector, applications under this stream are often processed more quickly.

For workers, the agriculture stream LMIA is also good news. It opens up opportunities for jobs in Canada’s vibrant farming sector, often with full-time contracts and the chance to gain valuable Canadian work experience.


How Does the Application Process Work?

If you’re an employer, here’s a quick overview of how to apply for an agriculture stream LMIA:

1️⃣ Advertise the job — Before you can apply, you’ll usually need to advertise the position in Canada to show that no Canadian or permanent resident is available.

2️⃣ Submit an LMIA application — Fill out the appropriate forms and send them to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Make sure to choose the agriculture stream LMIA option.

3️⃣ Pay the processing fee — As of now, the fee is usually $1,000 per position.

4️⃣ Wait for a decision — If approved, you’ll receive a positive LMIA, which you can then send to your chosen foreign worker so they can apply for a work permit.

For workers, once the employer has a positive agriculture stream LMIA, you can use it to apply for your Canadian work permit.


Tips for Employers Applying for an Agriculture Stream LMIA

✅ Make sure the job and work site qualify as primary agriculture.
✅ Keep records of your recruitment efforts in Canada.
✅ Submit a complete and accurate application to avoid delays.
✅ Plan ahead — even though processing times can be faster in agriculture, it still takes time.


Final Thoughts

Canada’s agriculture sector depends on hardworking, skilled workers — and sometimes those workers come from outside Canada. The agriculture stream LMIA is a vital tool that helps Canadian employers fill labour shortages while offering great opportunities to foreign workers.

If you’re an employer, be sure to understand the rules and responsibilities that come with hiring through this stream. And if you’re a worker dreaming of gaining Canadian experience on a farm or greenhouse, the agriculture stream LMIA might be your pathway to Canada.


Key Takeaways:

🌱 The agriculture stream LMIA allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers for jobs in primary agriculture.
🌱 It covers jobs on farms, greenhouses, and nurseries, producing crops or raising livestock.
🌱 Employers must prove they couldn’t find a Canadian for the job and apply to ESDC.
🌱 Workers can use a positive agriculture stream LMIA to apply for a Canadian work permit.

Whether you’re planting the seeds of a new career in Canada or growing your business by hiring the right workers, the agriculture stream LMIA is here to help.


If you’d like help with your application or want to know more about eligibility, speak with an immigration consultant or lawyer who’s familiar with the agriculture stream LMIA.

Canada needs you — and your hard work — to keep its farms flourishing!


Keywords used in this blog post:
✅ agriculture stream LMIA (naturally throughout)
✅ LMIA
✅ Canadian employer
✅ temporary foreign workers
✅ primary agriculture
✅ work permit

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