Closed
Source verified July 9, 2026
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW)
Temporary hiring pathway for foreign workers
Latest source updateLast Update: June 30, 2026Latest change: The Temporary Foreign Worker Program pages now show updated agricultural wage rates, recruitment guidance, and a changed LMIA Online access link.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: June 30, 2026
Latest change: The Temporary Foreign Worker Program pages now show updated agricultural wage rates, recruitment guidance, and a changed LMIA Online access link.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program updates
The agricultural wage reference page now reflects wage tables effective June 1, 2026 instead of January 1, 2026, with updated provincial rates across several commodities, especially in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Yukon. Recruitment guidance was also revised on the agricultural and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program pages: the Jan. 1, 2026 proof-of-advertisement reinstatement notice was removed, and the instructions now emphasize hiring or training Canadians and permanent residents, plus a replacement-worker exception in the agriculture stream. The LMIA Online application page also shows a changed Apply now access link, and the login page no longer displays the planned outage notice for June 12, 2026, at 8:00 pm to June 13, 2026, at 10:00 am (ET).
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
September 16, 2024
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program helps Canadian employers hire temporary foreign workers when Canadians or permanent residents are unavailable. It includes LMIA applications, offer-of-employment submissions, and work permit extensions, with special rules for Quebec employers and some stream-specific hiring pathways.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Attract or retain talent
- Increase production or service capacity
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Newcomers to Canada
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Documents Needed
- Individual housing inspection reports for LMIA applications.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian employers who want to hire temporary foreign workers.
- Quebec employers who want to hire temporary foreign workers.
- Employers referred by a designated referral partner for the Global Talent Stream.
Who is not eligible
- Employers that regularly offer services in the sex industry, including striptease, erotic dance, escort services or erotic massage.
- New applications to participate in the Recognized Employer Pilot are no longer accepted as of September 16, 2024.
Selection criteria
- Proof of providing a good or service.
- Reasonable employment need.
- Ability to fulfill the terms of the job offer.
- Compliance with federal or provincial/territorial laws.
Processing and Agreement
- Service Canada assesses the LMIA application once all required information has been received.
- During assessment, Service Canada ensures the employer has met all program requirements.
- Service Canada may temporarily suspend LMIA processing when there is reason to suspect non-compliance or a health or safety risk for temporary foreign workers.
- After a positive LMIA, the employer must remain compliant with the LMIA letter, annexes, and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
- Employers may voluntarily disclose compliance issues before an inspection is launched and may be required to take corrective action.
Additional information
- Most employers need an LMIA before hiring a temporary foreign worker.
- An LMIA application can be submitted before a foreign worker has been identified.
- New applications to participate in the Recognized Employer Pilot are no longer accepted as of September 16, 2024.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) Program
What is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW)?
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program helps Canadian employers hire temporary foreign workers when Canadians or permanent residents are unavailable. It includes LMIA applications, offer-of-employment submissions, and work permit extensions, with special rules for Quebec employers and some stream-specific hiring pathways.
Who can I contact for more information about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW)?
You can contact Government of Canada by email at none or by phone at none.
Where is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) available?
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW)?
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) is funded by Government of Canada