AGRI-FOOD PILOT
The Agri-Food Pilot is designed to fulfil the labour demands within the Canadian agri- food sector. This pilot program offers a route to attain permanent residency for skilled workers with experience in specific industries and occupations that are non-seasonal in nature.
Applications will be accepted until May 14, 2025.
To be eligible for permanent residency through the Agri-Food Pilot, you must meet the following criteria:
1. Possess eligible Canadian work experience within one or more of the designated industries and occupations.
2. Secure a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a Canadian employer operating
within one of the specified industries and occupations (excluding Quebec).
3. Meet or surpass the language proficiency requirements.
4. Fulfil or exceed the educational prerequisites.
5. Demonstrate the availability of settlement funds, if applicable.
6. Maintain your temporary resident status if you are already present in Canada.
Eligible industries and occupations
To apply to the Agri-Food Pilot, you need to
Show eligible work experience in an eligible industry and eligible occupation, and Have a job offer for full-time, non-seasonal work in an eligible industry and occupation in Canada (outside of Quebec)
Eligible industries
Industries are classified by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). You can see specific industry definitions by searching the industry codes below on the NAICS website (https://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p3VD.pl?Function=getVD&TVD=1181553 )
Note: Your employer needs to include the industry code in your job offer.
Eligible industries under the pilot are:
- Meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116)
- Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114)
- Animal production, excluding aquaculture
- Cattle ranching and farming (NAICS 1121)
- Hog and pig farming (NAICS 1122)
- Poultry and egg production (NAICS 1123)
- Sheep and goat farming (NAICS 1124)
- Other animal production (NAICS 1129)
Occupations are classified by the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. You can check the duties for each occupation by searching the NOC website (
https://noc.esdc.gc.ca/ )
Eligible occupations for each eligible industry are listed below.
For meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116), eligible occupations are:
-NOC 63201 – Butchers – retail and wholesale
-NOC 65202 – Meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale
-NOC 94141 – Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related
workers
-NOC 82030 – Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
-NOC 84120 – Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
-NOC 85100 – Livestock labourers
-NOC 95106 – Labourers in food and beverage processing
For animal production, excluding aquaculture (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124
and 1129), eligible occupations are:
NOC 82030 – Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
NOC 84120 – Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
NOC 85100 – Livestock labourers
NOC 85101 – Harvesting labourers
-Maximum limit of 2,750 applications each year. Annual limits for individual
occupations are no longer available.
-Starting on January 1 of each year, we’ll process applications on a first-come, first-
served basis.
-If your application is rejected because the annual limit has been reached, you’ll be
refunded for your application fees.
Who can apply?
As of August 18, 2023, union reference letters will be accepted as proof of work
experience.
Your Canadian work experience must fulfil the following conditions:
– Accumulate a minimum of one year of continuous, non-seasonal, full-time
employment within the past three years (equivalent to at least 1,560 hours).
– Work in one or more of the eligible occupations listed under the specified
industries.
– Your employment must have been through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program,
with your employer submitting a labor market impact assessment (LMIA) valid for at
least 12 months upon your hiring. You can verify this with your former or current
employer.
You will need to provide proof of your work experience, such as an employer or
union reference letter, a letter of employment, T4 forms, or pay stubs.
If you currently possess an open work permit and previously held a work permit
through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, your work experience may be
considered. However, any experience gained while holding an open work permit will
not be counted.
– Count hours worked in full-time positions.
– Hours can be across different eligible occupations and employers.
– The cumulative hours must span at least 12 months (note: working over 30 hours
per week does not shorten this period).
– Do not count hours from unpaid activities, self-employment, part-time or seasonal
positions, or unauthorized work.
Your job offer must meet the following criteria:
– The job must fall within an eligible occupation listed under one of the qualified
industries.
– It must be full-time employment, requiring at least 30 paid hours per week.
– The job should be non-seasonal, with consistent paid employment throughout the
year.
– Employment must be of a permanent nature.
– Unionized positions must adhere to the applicable collective agreement regarding
wages.
– Non-unionized positions must meet or exceed the Job Bank’s median wage for the
occupation, either at the provincial or national level, depending on availability.
– The job must be situated in Canada, excluding Quebec.
You should possess either a Canadian high school diploma or an educational
credential assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization or professional
body, confirming the completion of a foreign credential at or above the secondary
school level.
The ECA report must be less than five years old at the time of your application and
issued after the organization’s designation date.
You must provide evidence of adequate financial resources for settling in Canada,
sufficient to support yourself and any family members, even if they are not
accompanying you to Canada.
If you are already working in Canada with a valid work permit during your application,
you are exempt from demonstrating settlement funds.
Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for this program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have relevant work experience that meets the eligibility criteria.
- Secure a legitimate job offer.
- Meet or exceed language proficiency requirements.
- Meet or exceed educational prerequisites.
- Provide evidence of financial capacity for settling in Canada if necessary.
- Maintain your temporary resident status in Canada if you are already in the country.
Apply for permanent residence.
1. To request your fingerprints and photo (biometrics).
2. To confirm the review of your application.
3. To request additional documents if needed.
4. To schedule an interview if necessary.
5. To inform you of the next steps in the process.
-You will be required to provide biometrics if you are aged between 14 and 79, even
if you have provided biometrics in the past and they are still valid. Ensure you pay
the biometric fee promptly upon receiving the request letter, and you have 30 days to
provide your biometrics.
-Keeping your contact information and application details up to date is crucial to
avoid processing delays. Notify of changes in your application, such as marriage,
divorce, birth, death, or contact information updates.
-Once we receive your biometrics, we begin processing your application. If further
information is needed, we will reach out to you.
-You and your family must undergo medical exams before settling in Canada, and
the instructions for submitting these documents will be provided.
-Please note that providing false information in your application may result in
application refusal, inadmissibility, and a ban from applying to come to Canada for
up to 5 years.
The decision on your application is based on your eligibility for the program and your
admissibility to Canada, determined through medical exams and background checks.
You will receive a notification of the decision through your online account.
You will receive a letter explaining the reasons. To be reconsidered, you must submit
a new application, meet eligibility criteria, be admissible to Canada, and fit within the
annual occupational caps.
1. Ensure you pay the right of permanent residence fee if you haven’t already.
2. Find out the next steps in the process.
If you are currently employed in Canada and your existing work permit is nearing its
expiration, you might qualify for a bridging open work permit. This special permit
enables you to continue working while awaiting a final decision on your permanent
residence application.
This type of permit allows them to:
1. Join you in Canada.
2. Work in any occupation for any employer, with some exceptions, while we process
your permanent residence application.
If you are in a TEER 2 or 3 occupation and have applied for permanent residence
through the Agri-Food Pilot.
Your family members can apply for an open work permit if these three
conditions are met:
1. You have a valid work permit with at least 6 months of validity remaining when we
receive your family member’s open work permit application.
2. Your family member is eligible for a work permit.
For those in TEER 4 or 5 occupations who have applied for permanent residence
through the Agri-Food Pilot.
Online application submission is now a requirement.
Effective from October 14, 2022, applying online is obligatory.
Should you face challenges with online application submission and require special arrangements due to a disability or other reasons, you may request an alternative application format, such as paper, braille, or large print. Sign in or create a Permanent residence online application portal account. The Instruction Guide (IMM 0117) will help you fill out the forms properly.
- You must fill out the digital forms online.
- You must also fill out the PDF forms.
- Complete and sign the PDF forms, if they apply to you.
- Fill out forms of employer.
- Get your fingerprints and photo taken.
- Pay your fees online.
- Submit your online application.
Advise: Our immigration consultant is available to provide guidance and assist you
throughout your application process.
After you submit your application for permanent residence,
these are the following checks:
- Verify that your application is complete and accurate.
- Ensure your application was submitted before the annual limit for your occupation was reached.
- Confirm that you’ve paid the processing fee.
- Check if you meet all the requirements.
- Verify that you’ve included all the necessary documents.
Your family members can apply for an open work permit if these four requirements are met:
– If you’re outside Canada, a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, if
necessary, a permanent resident visa will be sent to you.
– If you’re already in Canada, an electronic COPR (e-COPR) through the Permanent
Residence Portal will be provided to you.
-Check your COPR for accuracy; contact support if there are errors. Use it before it
expires.
-Keep your information updated, especially contact details.
-Confirm your permanent resident (PR) status online through the Permanent
Residence Portal.
-For PR cards, the process will initiate and provide instructions; no need to apply
separately.
-Before arriving, prepare with pre-arrival services. Upon arrival, carry necessary
documents and funds.
CBSA officers will verify your identity upon arrival; false information may lead to
denial.
-Children under 18 have entry requirements too.
-Declare funds over CAN$10,000; failure may result in penalties.
-Review CBSA guidelines for items you can bring into Canada.
-After arrival, seek immigrant services and read the Welcome to Canada guide for
assistance.
- You have applied for permanent residence.
- You have received an acknowledgment of receipt letter.
- Your work permit remains valid for at least 6 months when we receive your family member’s open work permit application.
- Your family member is eligible for a work permit.
Your family member must apply online for an open work permit.
It’s important to note that there is no minimum age requirement for open work permits. Minor children who wish to obtain an open work permit must submit an application. Work permit holders, legal guardians, and employers must adhere to provincial or territorial labour laws, including those related to minimum working age.
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