Online LMIA Application Process

The Online LMIA Application process is now fully implemented for the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). The only exemption to submitting an LMIA Online is for those employer/operators who have no access to internet or working knowledge of computers. Only in these specific cases will an LMIA paper copy be accepted. Employers should contact F.A.R.M.S. should this apply to you.
TAKE NOTE: F.A.R.M.S. will not receive your LMIA Online application if you have not set F.A.R.M.S. up as your Third Party on Job Bank (third party applies to SAWP only). Employers who need assistance in setting up F.A.R.M.S. as a Third Party are asked to contact the F.A.R.M.S. office.

NAMED WORKER or SUBSTITUTE WORKER

TAKE NOTE: ON THE LMIA ONLINE APPLICATION, A ‘SUBSTITUTE CHECK BOX’ IS THERE. IF YOU WANT ONLY A REQUESTED NAMED WORKER AND DO NOT WANT A ‘SUBSTITUTE’ WORKER TO TRAVEL IN PLACE, OF A NAMED WORKER, THIS BOX MUST BE CHECKED. IF IT IS NOT CHECKED A SUBSTITUTE WORKER MAY ARRIVE. THIS IS AN EMPLOYER DECISION.  YOU MUST MAKE THIS DECISION BEFORE THE LMIA APPLICATION IS APPROVED AND SENT TO THE SUPPLY COUNTRY.

Deadline to Place a LMIA:
LMIA’s ARE REQUIRED TO BE RECEIVED AT F.A.R.M.S. 12-14 WEEKS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL DATE. See chart below

F.A.R.M.S. LMIA Process:
Employers are requested to fill out the SAWP LMIA application via the Service Canada LMIA Online portal: https://tfwp-jb.lmia.esdc.gc.ca/employer/

The Online Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) will require you to select a Third Party, in the case of SAWP employers, you must select F.A.R.M.S. On making this selection you are submitting the LMIA to F.A.R.M.S. via the LMIA Online portal. In turn F.A.R.M.S. will receive a notice by email that your LMIA Online application is ready for review. The application goes through a clearance process and when complete with all attachments uploaded it is sent to Service Canada. F.A.R.M.S. is available to assist you with completing the
initial and subsequent applications if necessary.

A SEPARATE APPLICATION IS REQUIRED FOR EACH TYPE OF REQUEST AND COUNTRY.

List of Arrived Workers
At the end of each year a summary of all the workers employed in that season is mailed to each employer. Employers are asked to use the summary to identify named workers on future LMIA’s. Where multiple start dates are requested place the job start date beside the worker name. Draw a line through the names not being requested for that date or who may be requested on a separate order. Upload the summary of worker names as an attachment to your LMIA Online application at the time of completion. DO NOT PUT SIN OR HEALTH NUMBERS ON THE SUMMARY, BLOCK THEM OUT.

The Employment Contract:
The Caribbean Employment Contract for the countries of Barbados, Eastern Caribbean, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago and the Mexico Employment Contract is not required to be submitted with the LMIA. Employers must retain a signed copy on file for each temporary worker in their employ.

F.A.R.M.S. Appointment of Representative:
A valid F.A.R.M.S. Appointment of Representative, completed and signed is required to be on file for each employer. This document provides authorization to F.A.R.M.S. to undertake on behalf of the employer the necessary steps to edit, process and disseminate order information locally and abroad.

2025 DEADLINE TO PLACE A REQUEST FOR SEASONAL WORKERS

YOUR COOPERATION IN MEETING THESE DEADLINE REQUIREMENTS WILL BE OF GREAT ASSISTANCE IN FULFILLING YOUR LABOUR REQUEST. NOTE: – PROCESSING APPLICATIONS IS DEPENDANT ON COMPLETENESS AND VOLUME RECEIVED, PARTICULARLY IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER.