Agricultural LMIA

For on-farm primary agriculture positions, fee-waived under two sub-paths

Who Qualifies

• Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP): a bilateral program open only to workers from Mexico and participating Caribbean countries, for on-farm primary agriculture work of up to 8 months per year, between January 1 and December 15.
• Primary Agriculture / Agricultural Stream: open to workers from any country, with permits of up to 2 years, covering on-farm work such as crop production, animal husbandry, and greenhouse and nursery work under the National Commodities List.
• Employers who can provide housing that meets federal inspection standards, either on-farm or suitable off-site accommodation.

Key Requirements

• The $1,000 LMIA application fee is waived for positions on the National Commodities List under the primary agriculture stream, including SAWP. Positions not on the list are processed under the high-wage or low-wage stream instead, where the standard fee applies.
• Primary agriculture LMIA applications are exempt from the census metropolitan area (CMA) 6% unemployment processing restriction that applies to the low-wage stream. Applications can be processed even for worksites in an otherwise-restricted CMA.
• Employer-provided housing must meet federal inspection standards and must be inspected and approved before workers arrive, whether on-farm or off-site.
• Employer must cover transportation costs for the temporary foreign worker. These costs cannot be deducted from wages or made a condition of employment.
• Employer must provide health insurance coverage and workplace safety coverage for the worker.
• Wages and working conditions must match those of Canadian workers performing similar roles at the same worksite.
• Proof of recruitment for Canadian workers is required, reinstated as of January 1, 2026.
• Employer must register with the ESDC Employer Portal before submitting the application.

Application Process

1. 1Confirm the position is on the National Commodities List for the primary agriculture stream, or determine whether SAWP applies based on the worker's country of origin.
2. 2Conduct and document recruitment for Canadian workers.
3. 3Arrange housing that meets federal inspection standards and schedule inspection and approval before workers arrive.
4. 4Confirm health insurance and workplace safety coverage are in place for the worker.
5. 5Submit the LMIA application through the ESDC portal. No fee applies for eligible primary agriculture and SAWP positions.
6. 6Upon a positive LMIA, the foreign national applies for the work permit. SAWP workers follow the bilateral program process managed with the sending country's government.
7. 7Retain all recruitment, housing, and wage records for compliance inspections.

Where Most Applicants Go Wrong

• Housing does not meet federal inspection standards, or inspection and approval were not completed before workers arrived. This is the most common refusal reason in this stream.
• Employer cannot demonstrate a valid business in primary agriculture, such as missing GST/HST registration for farm operations or no proof of land ownership or lease.
• Position is not on the National Commodities List and was filed under the wrong stream.
• Recruitment for Canadian workers was not conducted or was inadequately documented.
• Wages or conditions do not match those offered to Canadian workers in similar roles at the same worksite.