
Agricultural Stream
The Canada LMIA Agricultural Stream is a program that allows Canadian agricultural employers to hire foreign workers to fill their labor shortages in the primary agricultural sector, including farming, livestock raising, and greenhouse production. Under this stream, employers can apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to demonstrate that they have made efforts to hire Canadian workers but were unable to find qualified and available candidates.
The LMIA Agricultural Stream provides employers with access to foreign workers who have the necessary skills and experience to fill the labor gaps in the agricultural industry. This program helps to ensure that Canadian farmers and producers can continue to operate their businesses and contribute to the Canadian economy.
The LMIA Agricultural Stream has specific requirements and criteria that both employers and foreign workers must meet to be eligible for the program. The specific eligibility criteria and document requirements may vary depending on the individual circumstances of the employer and the foreign worker. It is important to check the most up-to-date information on the program requirements on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
The Canadian agricultural employer must apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to prove that they have made efforts to hire Canadian workers but were unable to find qualified and available candidates. The employer must provide detailed information about the job vacancy, including the job duties, qualifications required, and wages offered.
The employer must make efforts to recruit Canadian citizens and permanent residents for the job position before hiring foreign workers. This includes advertising the job vacancy on multiple platforms and conducting interviews with potential Canadian candidates.
The employer must submit the LMIA application to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). If the LMIA application is approved, the employer must provide a job offer to the foreign worker. The job offer must include details of the job position, wages, and working conditions.
The foreign worker must apply for a work permit with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and provide the LMIA approval along with other supporting documents.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be eligible for the Canada LMIA Agricultural Stream, both employers and foreign workers must meet certain eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria for the program are as follows:
- Employers:
- Must be engaged in primary agriculture, such as farming or raising livestock
- Must have a valid business license or registration
- Must have a positive record of compliance with Canadian laws and regulations
- Must have sufficient resources to pay wages and provide working conditions that meet provincial labor laws and standards
- Must demonstrate that they have made efforts to recruit Canadian citizens and permanent residents for the job position but were unable to find qualified and available candidates
2. Foreign Workers:
- Must have a valid job offer from a Canadian agricultural employer through the LMIA Agricultural Stream
- Must have the necessary skills and qualifications to perform the job duties required
- Must meet the requirements for a work permit application, such as passing a medical exam and security clearance
DOCUMENT REQUIREMENT
The document requirements for the Canada LMIA Agricultural Stream can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the employer and the foreign worker. However, here are some of the common documents that may be required:
For Employers:
- Proof of business registration or license
- Proof of compliance with Canadian laws and regulations
- Evidence of recruitment efforts to hire Canadian citizens or permanent residents
- Job description and wage rate
- Proof of sufficient resources to pay wages and provide working conditions that meet provincial labor laws and standards
For Foreign Workers:
- Valid passport
- Education and training certificates or diplomas
- Resume or CV
- Language proficiency test results
- LMIA job offer letter from the Canadian agricultural employer
- Proof of medical exam
- Police clearance certificate or other security clearance documentation, depending on the job requirements