published on 25 August 2025 @ 10:50 am · COMMENT

LMIA Advertising Exemption for Primary Agriculture Ending on December 31, 2025

A quiet but important change is on the horizon for agricultural employers using the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Since early 2022, employers of primary agricultural workers have benefited from a streamlined LMIA process thanks to a temporary suspension of advertising requirements. This measure reduced delays and helped farms bring in much-needed foreign workers more efficiently.

After being extended annually for the last 3 years, this exemption is now set to expire on December 31, 2025. Beginning January 1, 2026, all agricultural employers will once again need to meet advertising obligations before applying for an LMIA. With the deadline for the advertising exemption now set, employers accustomed to the simplified process who wait to apply for LMIAs will face a significantly more cumbersome process in the new year.

While the expiry date of the advertising exemption may seem distant, the return of normal LMIA recruitment requirements will mean longer lead times and additional compliance steps for employers that depend on foreign agricultural workers. Employers who are planning ahead to meet labour needs in upcoming years should keep this timeline in mind when considering their workforce strategies.

filed under: IMMIGRATIONPERMANENT RESIDENCE