How to Qualify for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (Agriculture Stream)

How to Qualify for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (Agriculture Stream)

Finding enough local workers for farm jobs is a real challenge across Canada. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (Agriculture Stream) helps with this problem. It lets eligible farm employers hire temporary foreign workers when Canadians or permanent residents are not available.

This guide explains who can use the program, which jobs are eligible, and how the process works. Use it to see if this program fits your farm or greenhouse.

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What Is the Agriculture Stream?

The Agriculture Stream is one part of the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). It is managed by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). This program does not give money to employers. Instead, it helps employers hire workers from other countries when they cannot find Canadians for the job.

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Eligibility and Requirements

Who Can Apply as an Employer?

You may qualify if all of these apply:

• You are a Canadian employer working in primary agriculture.
• The work takes place on a farm, in a nursery, or in a greenhouse.
• You can show that there are no qualified Canadians or permanent residents for the job.
• You are ready to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Primary agriculture means work that is directly related to growing crops or raising animals. Jobs in processing plants, retail stores, or off-farm locations do not qualify.

What Types of Jobs Qualify?

Only certain agricultural jobs are allowed under the Agriculture Stream. These jobs must match approved National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes set by the government:

• 80020 – Managers in agriculture
• 80021 – Managers in horticulture
• 82030 – Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
• 82031 – Contractors and supervisors, landscaping and grounds maintenance
• 84120 – Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
• 85100 – Livestock labourers
• 85101 – Harvesting labourers
• 85103 – Nursery and greenhouse labourers

Examples of eligible work include:

• Planting and harvesting crops
• Caring for and feeding livestock
• Operating farm machinery
• Working in greenhouses and nurseries

If the job does not fit one of these codes, it is not eligible for this program.

LMIA: A Required Step

To use the Agriculture Stream, you must get a positive LMIA. This is a document from the government that shows:

• You tried to hire Canadians first.
• Hiring a foreign worker will not hurt the Canadian labour market.
• Wages and working conditions are fair and meet all rules.

Without a positive LMIA, the foreign worker cannot apply for a work permit.

Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you quickly check which labour programs fit your province and industry.

Important Program Limits

• This program does not give funding or wage subsidies.
• Employers must pay wages, provide housing (if needed), and follow transportation rules.
• Government inspections are common for agricultural employers.

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How to Apply

Applying for the Agriculture Stream involves several steps:

1. Recruitment efforts: Try to hire Canadians or permanent residents first. Keep records of your efforts.
2. LMIA application: Apply to ESDC for a Labour Market Impact Assessment. Use the correct NOC code for your job.
3. Job offer: Write a clear job offer for the foreign worker, including wages, duties, and working conditions.
4. Worker applies for permit: After you get a positive LMIA, the foreign worker can apply for a work permit.
5. Follow-up: Be ready for inspections and keep records showing that you follow program rules.

For more details, see the Government of Canada’s official guide.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Choosing the wrong NOC code
   Using an ineligible NOC code is a top reason LMIA applications are refused.

2. Applying for non-farm work
   The job must take place on a farm, nursery, or greenhouse. Off-site or processing jobs do not qualify.

3. Skipping recruitment steps
   You must show that you tried to hire Canadians before you hire foreign workers.

4. Thinking it is a grant
   The Temporary Foreign Worker Program does not provide money. Make sure you budget for wages and other costs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (Agriculture Stream) a grant?
No. It does not give funding or pay wages. It is a federal program that lets you hire temporary foreign workers when you cannot find local workers.

Q: Do greenhouses and nurseries qualify?
Yes. Greenhouses and nurseries can use the program if the work is primary agriculture and matches the approved NOC codes.

Q: Is an LMIA always required?
Yes. Employers must get a positive LMIA before a worker can apply for a work permit.

Q: How long can workers stay in Canada under this stream?
The length of stay depends on the LMIA and the work contract. Many jobs are seasonal, but some extensions are possible.

Q: Can Quebec employers use this stream?
Yes, but Quebec has extra provincial steps. See also: How Quebec employers hire temporary foreign workers.

GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant and workforce programs across Canada. You can check which ones match your business profile.

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Next Steps

If your farm or greenhouse meets the rules, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (Agriculture Stream) can help you fill important labour gaps. The key steps are checking your NOC codes, job location, and getting ready for the LMIA before you apply.

If you are also looking for other workforce or HR support, see:

• How to Use Job Bank and Labour Market Programs to Hire and Retain Workers in Canada
• Do You Need HR, Foreign Workers, or Management Advisory Support?

GrantHub helps you compare labour programs with grants and wage supports, so you can choose the right option for your agricultural business.