Canadian farms depend on seasonal and year-round workers to keep running. When you cannot find enough Canadians or permanent residents, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program — Agriculture offers a legal way to hire foreign workers for primary farm jobs.
This guide explains who can use the program, what counts as agricultural work, and the steps to hire temporary foreign workers for agriculture in Canada.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) — Agriculture is run by the federal government. It lets agricultural employers hire foreign workers for a limited time when no qualified Canadians are available. This program is not a grant or subsidy. There is no direct funding, but it helps farms fill job gaps.
To use the Agriculture stream, both your business and the job must meet certain rules.
You must:
The job must:
Eligible NOC codes include:
If your job does not fit these codes, you may need another TFWP stream.
Check that your farm or business is in primary agriculture. The job must be at an eligible location and meet federal standards for pay, housing, and working conditions.
Most employers must get a positive LMIA. This shows that hiring a foreign worker will not harm the Canadian job market.
You must:
Not meeting LMIA requirements is a common reason for refusal.
If approved, you will receive a positive LMIA letter. This letter is required. Your worker cannot apply for a work permit without it.
After you give the LMIA and job offer, the worker applies for a work permit through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Processing times can be long, especially during busy seasons.
Do not let the worker start until the permit is approved.
Once the worker arrives, you must:
You can use tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher to quickly see which labour and hiring programs fit your farm’s needs, including options beyond the TFWP.
Hiring for jobs that do not qualify
Office, processing, or retail work is not covered by the Agriculture stream.
Using the wrong NOC code
If you use the incorrect NOC, your LMIA may be refused or you may face penalties.
Misjudging processing times
LMIA and work permit applications can take months, especially at peak times.
Thinking the program covers costs
The TFWP does not pay for wages or housing. All costs are your responsibility.
Q: Is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program a grant?
No. The TFWP lets you hire foreign workers but does not give financial help or wage subsidies.
Q: Can greenhouses and nurseries use this program?
Yes. If the work is primary agriculture and done on-site, greenhouses and nurseries qualify.
Q: Is an LMIA always needed for agriculture jobs?
Almost always. A positive LMIA is usually required before a worker can get a permit.
Q: How long can foreign agricultural workers stay in Canada?
Work permits are usually seasonal or up to one year, with possible extensions.
Q: Can workers become permanent residents through this program?
Not directly. Some may qualify for other federal or provincial programs, but the TFWP does not give permanent status.
Hiring temporary foreign workers for agriculture in Canada takes careful planning and attention to detail. Missing a requirement can delay your season or cause problems for your business.
GrantHub tracks many active labour, hiring, and workforce programs across Canada. Before you apply, see which programs match your farm’s location, crop type, and staffing needs.
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