Hire a temporary foreign agricultural worker

COVID-19

Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, there are changes to this program.

Please read our latest notices:

Note:

Effective January 12, 2022 and until June 30, 2022, Employment and Social Development Canada will suspend minimum advertising requirements for employers applying for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire temporary foreign workers in primary agriculture. Employers are expected to continue efforts to recruit Canadians and permanent residents. However, employers will not be required to meet TFWP minimum advertising requirements or submit proof with their LMIA application.

You can only hire a temporary foreign agricultural worker in occupations and activities related to primary agriculture.

Primary agriculture

Primary agriculture is defined as work duties that must:

be performed within the boundaries of a farm, nursery or greenhouse
involve at least one activity, such as:
- operation of agricultural machinery
- boarding, care, breeding, sanitation or other handling of animals, other than fish, for the purpose of obtaining raw animal products for market
- collection, handling and assessment of those raw products, or the planting, care, harvesting or preparation of crops, trees, sod or other plants for market
be consistent with one of these National Occupational Classification codes: 0821, 0822, 8252, 8255, 8431, 8432, and 8611