Canada Agri-Food Program: New Application Intake Opens on January 1

The Canada Agri-Food Pilot is set to accept new applications starting January 1, 2024, with an annual cap of 2,750 applications. This initiative provides experienced non-seasonal workers in specific industries a pathway to permanent residency.

Key Updates and Modifications:

• Extended Duration: Originally introduced as a three-year experiment in 2020, the Agri-Food Pilot has been extended until May 14, 2025, as of May 2023.
• Family Benefits: Family members of Agri-Food Pilot applicants can now apply for Canadian open work permits.
• Reference Letter Flexibility: Union reference letters are now accepted in place of employer reference letters, validating an applicant’s work experience.

Eligibility Criteria for Canada Agri-Food Pilot

To be eligible for permanent residency under the Agri-Food Pilot, individuals must meet the following criteria:

• Work Experience:
  • Accumulate at least one year of cumulative, non-seasonal, full-time experience in the last three years (equivalent to 1,560 hours over 52 weeks) in eligible agri-food occupations.
  • This experience should be acquired through a minimum 12-month LMIA-based work permit.
• Job Offer:
  • Secure a job offer for a full-time, permanent, non-seasonal position in a qualifying occupation within eligible agri-food industries.
• Education:
  • Possess a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent education assessment.
• Settlement Funds:
  • Have sufficient settlement funds to support oneself and family members in Canada, unless presently employed under a work permit in Canada.
• Language Proficiency:
  • Demonstrate a minimum language proficiency (English or French) of CLB or NCLC Level 4.

Accepted Proofs of Work Experience

• Employer or union reference letter (union reference for unionized positions).
• Letter of employment.
• T4 or paystubs.

Occupations Eligible for the Agri-Food Pilot

For Meat Product Manufacturing (NAICS 3116):

• Butchers: retail and wholesale (NOC 63201)
• Meat cutters and fishmongers, retail and wholesale (NOC 65202)
• Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers, and related workers (NOC 94141)
• Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors (NOC 82030)
• Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators (NOC 84120)
• Livestock Labourers (NOC 85100)
• Labourers in food and beverage processing (NOC 95106)

For Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production, Including Mushroom Production (NAICS 1114):

• Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors (NOC 82030)
• Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators (NOC 84120)
• Livestock Labourers (NOC 85100)
• Harvesting Labourers (NOC 85101)

For Animal Production, Excluding Aquaculture (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, and 1129):

• Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors (NOC 82030)
• Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators (NOC 84120)
• Livestock Labourers (NOC 85100)
• Harvesting Labourers (NOC 85101)

How to Apply for the Canadian Agri-Food Pilot

If you meet the eligibility criteria, visit the official IRCC website using this link to download the comprehensive application guide.

Overview of the Canadian Agri-Food Pilot for Immigration

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot aims to provide a pathway to permanent residence in Canada for qualified temporary foreign workers in the industry. The program accepts up to 2,750 applications annually.