The LMIA Agricultural Stream is the standard pathway for Canadian primary agriculture employers — farms, greenhouses, nurseries, and related operations — that need to hire foreign workers outside the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). Unlike most LMIA streams, agricultural employers pay no LMIA fee ($0 per position), and there is no cap on the percentage of their workforce that can consist of TFWs. This reflects the seasonal, labour-intensive nature of Canadian agriculture and the persistent difficulty of filling field and farm positions with Canadian workers.

The Agricultural Stream is distinct from the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, which is governed by bilateral government-to-government agreements with Mexico and Caribbean nations. The LMIA Agricultural Stream covers positions that fall outside SAWP criteria — for example, year-round agricultural positions, workers from non-SAWP countries, or employers who need workers beyond SAWP’s eight-month maximum stay.

Eligibility Requirements

• For primary agriculture positions (crops, animals, greenhouses, nurseries)
• Employer LMIA fee is waived for primary agricultural positions
• Separate from the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)
• No cap on number of agricultural TFWs per employer (compared to low-wage cap)
• Workers often recruited through Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program agreements
• Employer must provide transportation, accommodation, and health insurance

Eligibility and Qualifying Agricultural Operations

The Agricultural Stream covers primary agriculture positions — roles directly involved in growing, harvesting, or tending agricultural products. Eligible operations include:

• Field crop and vegetable farms
• Fruit orchards and vineyards
• Greenhouse and nursery operations
• Livestock and dairy farms
• Apiaries and fish hatcheries (in some cases)

Secondary or processing operations — such as packinghouses, food processing plants, or agricultural equipment dealers — are not primary agriculture and use the standard LMIA High-Wage or Low-Wage Stream. Employers must be honest about the classification of their operation; misclassifying a processing role as agricultural to avoid the $1,000 LMIA fee is a compliance violation.

Employer Obligations

Agricultural employers using the LMIA Agricultural Stream must provide or fund the following, as required by TFWP conditions:

• Return transportation (airfare or other) from the worker’s home country to Canada and back at the end of employment
• Accommodation that meets provincial housing standards — ESDC will verify the housing plan
• Private health insurance for the first period of employment (before provincial health coverage kicks in, which varies by province)
• Employment contract that specifies all conditions, wages, hours, and benefits

Provincial minimum wage standards apply. Agricultural workers — even those on temporary permits — are entitled to employment standards protections under applicable provincial legislation, which increasingly covers agricultural workers who were historically excluded.

Application Process and Timeline

The Agricultural Stream LMIA process is similar to other streams but benefits from fee exemption and faster processing:

1. Employer confirms the position is primary agriculture and selects the Agricultural Stream.
2. Employer advertises the position on Job Bank and through appropriate agricultural channels for at least 4 weeks.
3. Employer documents recruitment efforts and submits the LMIA application to Service Canada. No $1,000 fee is payable.
4. Service Canada processes the application — target: approximately 15 business days.
5. Positive LMIA issued to employer.
6. Worker applies to IRCC for work permit — $155 work permit fee + $85 biometrics if applicable. Processing typically 2–8 weeks depending on the worker’s country.

Employers should begin the process at least 3 months before the intended work start date to account for advertising, LMIA processing, and work permit processing timelines.

How VGIS Can Help

Agricultural employers often manage multiple worker applications simultaneously and across multiple seasons. Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308, and the VGIS team help agricultural operations with LMIA filings, work permit applications for their farm workforce, and compliance with TFWP housing and transportation obligations. Book a paid consultation to discuss your farm’s seasonal or year-round staffing needs.

Fees & Costs

Fee Component	Amount (CAD)
Government Fee	Employer LMIA fee: $0 for primary agriculture (fee-exempt). Worker work permit: $155.
Biometrics	$85 individual

Fees current as of 2026. IRCC may update fees periodically — confirm on the official source link below before paying.

Key Documents Required

• LMIA application for agricultural position
• Agricultural business registration
• Employment contract with all TFWP conditions
• Worker’s credentials and passport
• Housing documentation
• Health insurance coverage proof

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Agricultural Stream for a farm manager position?

Farm managers who directly manage primary agricultural operations may qualify under the Agricultural Stream. If the manager’s role is primarily administrative or business-focused rather than directly involved in farming operations, the High-Wage LMIA Stream may be more appropriate. The nature of the duties, not just the job title, determines stream eligibility.

Is there a limit to how many agricultural TFWs I can employ?

No. Unlike the Low-Wage Stream (which caps TFWs at 10% of the workforce), the Agricultural Stream has no workforce cap. Agricultural employers can fill as many positions through the Agricultural Stream as they can obtain positive LMIAs for, provided each application is properly supported.

How is the Agricultural Stream different from the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)?

The SAWP is a bilateral government programme for workers from Mexico and select Caribbean countries, with standardised contracts and an eight-month maximum stay. The Agricultural Stream LMIA covers positions that fall outside SAWP — workers from non-SAWP countries, year-round positions, and situations where SAWP bilateral agreements do not apply. Some employers use both programmes simultaneously.

Do I still need to advertise the agricultural position to Canadians?

Yes. The fee exemption and absence of a workforce cap do not eliminate the recruitment advertising requirement. Employers must still advertise the position on the Job Bank and demonstrate that no qualified Canadian worker was available. Agricultural positions may use sector-specific job boards as secondary advertising channels.

Can agricultural workers apply for permanent residence in Canada?

Some agricultural workers have pathways to permanent residence, though options are more limited than for NOC TEER 0–3 workers. The Agri-Food Pilot (when available) and certain PNP streams in rural provinces have targeted agricultural workers. The Express Entry Agriculture category-based draws target workers in specific agricultural NOC codes and may offer a direct federal PR route for qualifying candidates.

Official Government Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/agricultural.html

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Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration laws and IRCC policies change frequently. For advice specific to your case, please book a paid consultation with our licensed RCIC-IRB. VG Immigration Services Inc. — Dimple Verma, RCIC-IRB #R708308.