Canada Invites 600 Express Entry Candidates with Agriculture and Agri-Food Experience

Canada has invited 600 Express Entry candidates with experience in agriculture and agri-food occupations. This is the first-ever category-based Express Entry draw for this sector.

The draw was held on September 28, 2023, and the minimum CRS Cut-off  was 354 Points. Here are the comprehensive details of this specialized draw:

• Invitations Issued: 600
• Minimum Rank for Invitation: 600 or higher
• Date and Time of Draw: September 28, 2023, at 16:45:09 UTC
• CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Invitee: 354
• Tie-Breaking Rule: June 12, 2023, at 10:23:21 UTC

Through these targeted invitations, Canada aims to attract skilled individuals crucial to the agriculture and agri-food sectors, including roles such as retail and wholesale butchers, farm supervisors, and agricultural service contractors.

This unique Express Entry draw focuses on candidates with a minimum of 6 months of experience in the following occupations:

• 82031 – Contractors and Supervisors, Landscaping, Grounds Maintenance, and Horticulture Services
• 82030 – Agricultural Service Contractors and Farm Supervisors
• 63201 – Butchers – Retail and Wholesale

Example job titles for each category include:

82031 – Contractors and Supervisors, Landscaping, Grounds Maintenance, and Horticulture Services:

• Greenhouse Supervisor
• Grounds Maintenance Contractor
• Horticulture Workers Supervisor
• Landscaping Foreman/Woman
• Park Maintenance Supervisor
• Tree Service Contractor, and more.

82030 – Agricultural Service Contractors and Farm Supervisors:

• Crop Harvesting Service Contractor
• Farm Supervisor
• Livestock Breeding Service Contractor
• Poultry Farm Foreman/Woman
• Ranch Foreman/Woman, and more.

63201 – Butchers – Retail and Wholesale:

• Apprentice Butcher – Retail or Wholesale
• Head Butcher – Wholesale
• Retail Butcher, and more.

By prioritizing candidates with hands-on experience in agriculture and agri-food roles, Canada aims to fill critical positions, addressing the ongoing demand for skilled talent in farming and food processing industries.

Express Entry Category-Based Selections Explained:

Former Immigration Minister Sean Fraser introduced category-based selection on May 31, 2023. This innovative procedure increases the chances of qualified immigrants with work experience in 82 occupations to become permanent residents. This strategy targets labor market gaps in key sectors:

• Healthcare Occupations
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Occupations
• Trade Occupations
• Transport Occupations
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Occupations