Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Agriculture

Q: How much funding can be received?

There is no informations about how much funding can be received.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program was June 30, 2025.

Q: Is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Agriculture a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Agriculture is a Other Support

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Agriculture?

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Agriculture is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Government of Canada

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Agriculture?

You can contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Q: Where is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Agriculture available?

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Agriculture program is available across Canada.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Hire foreign workers for agriculture jobs

At a glance

Eligible Funding

No Condition

Timeline

Open Date : January 12, 2022
Closing date : June 30, 2025

Financing Type

Other Support

Expert Advice

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program — Agriculture allows employers to hire temporary foreign workers for occupations related to primary agriculture, with activities falling under specific National Occupational Classification codes. Employers are exempt from meeting minimum advertising requirements for hiring in agriculture until June 30, 2025; the program supports sectors including crop production, animal care, and agricultural machinery operation.

Activities funded

Operation of agricultural machinery on a farm, nursery, or greenhouse.
Care and handling of animals for the purpose of obtaining raw animal products.
Activities related to the planting, care, harvesting, or preparation of crops, trees, sod, or other plants for market.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 51,200

Recruiting seasonal dairy farm workers for milking operations

$ 32,000

Recruiting low-wage foreign farmworkers for strawberry picking

$ 86,400

Bringing in temporary foreign workers for poultry processing

$ 120,000

Bringing in high-wage specialists for greenhouse operations

$ 64,000

Hiring seasonal workers for vegetable harvesting

$ 40,000

Hiring seasonal foreign workers for apple picking

Eligibility

Eligibility for hiring a temporary foreign agricultural worker under the specified streams is based on several criteria related to the type of agriculture and employee origin.

Work duties must be performed within the boundaries of a farm, nursery, or greenhouse.
Job activities must involve operation of agricultural machinery, animal handling for raw product market, or plant care for market.
The job must be consistent with specified NOC codes: 80020, 80021, 82030, 82031, 84120, 85100, 85101, and 85103.
Employers must hire temporary foreign workers under one of the specified streams: Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, Agricultural stream, Stream for high-wage positions, or Stream for low-wage positions.
For the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, the worker must be from Mexico or participating Caribbean countries and the production must be on the National Commodities List.
For the Agricultural stream, the worker can be from any country but the production must be on the National Commodities List.
For the Stream for high-wage and low-wage positions, the production does not need to be on the National Commodities List.

Who is eligible?

Eligible companies for the grant to hire temporary foreign agricultural workers in Canada include those involved in primary agriculture activities such as farm operations, animal handling, and crop preparation. Employers must meet specific criteria related to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes and production types.

Companies engaging in primary agriculture activities
Employers with job positions aligned with National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes related to agriculture

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain companies and industries based on their primary activities not related to primary agriculture. These restrictions ensure compliance with the grant’s focus on the agricultural sector.

Companies whose main activities are not performed within the boundaries of a farm, nursery, or greenhouse.
Organizations not involved in the operation of agricultural machinery, animal care for raw animal products, or crop-related activities.
Industries that do not fall under the specified National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes.

Eligible expenses

The program supports agricultural employers in hiring temporary foreign workers for roles within primary agriculture, adhering strictly to designated activities and occupational classifications. This initiative helps address labor shortages by supplementing the workforce with suitable candidates from abroad.

Operation of agricultural machinery within farms.
Handling and care of animals for raw product market preparation.
Planting and harvesting crops, trees, or plants within specified locations.
Preparing sod and other plant products for market within agricultural boundaries.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available for companies hiring temporary foreign agricultural workers in Canada. There are no specific geographical restrictions mentioned, indicating flexibility in eligible locations across the country.

Selection criteria

Employers applying for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire temporary foreign agricultural workers (TFWs) in primary agriculture are expected to demonstrate efforts to recruit Canadians and permanent residents. The evaluation and selection criteria include:

Evidence of efforts to recruit Canadians and permanent residents for the position
Demonstration of compliance with program requirements and regulations
Relevance of the position to primary agriculture activities

How to apply

Choose the Appropriate Stream

Determine the correct stream for hiring a temporary foreign agricultural worker based on your production type and wage offering, such as the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, Agricultural Stream, Stream for high-wage positions, or Stream for low-wage positions.

Understand and Prepare LMIA Requirements

Gather necessary details for the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), though minimum advertising requirements are suspended until June 30, 2025.
Ensure all job offers align with the NOC codes relevant to primary agriculture.

Submit LMIA Application

Complete the LMIA application form through Employment and Social Development Canada's online portal or submit via the instructed method.
Attach all supporting documents required for the chosen stream.

Await LMIA Decision

Receive a decision from Employment and Social Development Canada on your LMIA application.
Ensure compliance with any additional requests or documentation from the agency.

Facilitate Worker Entry

Upon receiving a positive LMIA, facilitate the worker’s entry by ensuring they comply with all immigration entry requirements, including biometrics expansion notices if applicable.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

As of January 12, 2022, and until June 30, 2025, there is a temporary suspension of minimum advertising requirements for employers applying for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for hiring temporary foreign workers in primary agriculture.
Employers are still expected to make efforts to recruit Canadians and permanent residents, although the same stringent proof of such activities is not required for the LMIA application during the suspension period.
The grant can be applied to workers in primary agriculture who fit within specific NOC codes updated to the 2021 version.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Agriculture Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Agriculture. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Agriculture?

How much funding can be received?

What expenses are eligible under Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Agriculture?

This initiative allows employers in the agricultural sector to hire temporary foreign workers to perform essential tasks within primary agriculture. The focus is on activities that support the agricultural production and operations integral to the Canadian economy. Operation of agricultural machinery on a farm, nursery, or greenhouse. Care and handling of animals for the purpose of obtaining raw animal products. Activities related to the planting, care, harvesting, or preparation of crops, trees, sod, or other plants for market.

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Agriculture a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Agriculture?

Who is eligible for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Agriculture program?

To be eligible for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) — Agriculture program, you must: The company can hire a temporary foreign worker only for occupations related to primary agriculture. Work duties must align with specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 80020, 80021, 82030, 82031, 84120, 85100, 85101, and 85103. The production must be included on the National Commodities List for certain streams.