The Federal Government has launched the Agri-Food Pilot Immigration Pilot for addressing the scarcity of workers in the agricultural sectors. The 3 year Pilot will accept applications until 14th May 2023 as per the press release of the IRCC.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada will accept a maximum of 2,750 Primary applicants along with their family members every year for the next 3 years. This means possibly 16,500 fresh Permanent Residents to Canada in this period.
Agri-Food Immigration Pilot offers Canada Permanent Residence pathway to workers in the Agriculture sector in Canada. Agri-food and Agriculture industries in Canada are struggling in recent years to address the scarcity of labor.
Meanwhile, workers are dependent on seasonal and short-term Work Permits for finding employment. The program aims at attracting and retaining workers by providing a route to Canada Permanent Residence. It will permit workers to reside and work in Canada along with their family members as long as they wish to.
Employers in Canada that participate in the pilot will qualify for a 2-year LMIA - Labor Market Impact Assessment.
The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot aims at addressing the labor demand of employers in Canada in the Livestock-raising, Mushroom and Greenhouse Production, and Meat Processing industries. Skilled workers who are already in Canada having a Visa under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program can apply for Permanent Residence through the program.
The Agri-food and Agriculture industry supports 1 out of 8 jobs in Canada. Exports in Agriculture achieved a record of $67 Billion in 2019.
Immigration Minister of Canada Marco Mendicino has said that it is essential to attract and retain skilled workers for economic growth and improve the standard of living of all Canadians. Skilled workers who have worked in Canada can apply for Permanent Residence through the Agri-Food Pilot. They must be able to support the labor demands of the Processors and Farmers and establish themselves economically in Canada, added Mendicino.
Candidates who wish to apply for Permanent Residence through Agri-Food Pilot Program must fulfill the following requirements:
12 months non-seasonal full-time work experience in Canada in an eligible occupation under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in raising livestock, meat products, growing greenhouse crops, or mushrooms.
CLB - Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 in French or English.
High School level or higher education in Canada or overseas equivalent.
A full-time, indeterminate job offer for non-seasonal work in Canada excluding Quebec at prevailing wage rate or higher.
To apply for Permanent Residency through the Agri-Food Pilot you must have a valid offer of a job in Canada. You must demonstrate that you have experience of working in one of the specified occupations in the Agricultural and Meat Production sector. Here is a brief overview of the stages involved in obtaining Permanent Residency through this Pilot:
Industries in North America are categorized through the North American Industry System – NAICS. You have to obtain the NAICS code from your prospective employer as it will be needed while applying for the job. The industries that qualify through the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot are:
Your job is classified according to the code in the NOC - National Occupational Classification. Here are the qualifying occupations that are included in the new Agri-food Immigration Pilot:
| Occupation | Annual Application Limits | NOC Code |
Retail Butchers Industrial Butchers Farm Supervisors and Specialized Livestock Workers Food Processing Laborers | 1,470 1,470 50 730 | Meat Product Manufacturing Industry
(NOC B 6331) (NOC C 9462) (NOC B 8252) (NOC D 9617) |
Farm Supervisors and Specialized Livestock Workers General Farm Workers Harvesting Laborers | 50 200 600 | Greenhouse, Floriculture Production and Nursery Industries (NOC B 8252)
(NOC C 8431) (NOC D 8611) |
Farm Supervisors and Specialized Livestock Workers General Farm Workers | 50 200 | Animal Production Industry (NOC B 8252) (NOC C 8431) |
You will have to fulfill all the below-specified criteria in order to qualify for the Agri-food Immigration Pilot:
You have to fulfill all these requirements as well as provide all the supporting documentation while filing the application. This is essential for avoiding any delays in your Canada PR Visa application.
You must demonstrate that you have adequate cash for supporting yourself along with members of your family for settling in Canada. Those already employed in Canada with a legal work permit need not offer proof of funds. If you are not employed already in Canada, the requirement for settlement funds is as specified here:
| Number of family members | Funds Required in CAD |
| 1 (sole applicant) | 13,213 |
| 2 | 16,449 |
| 3 | 20,222 |
| 4 | 24,553 |
| 5 | 27,847 |
| 6 | 31,407 |
| 7 | 34,967 |
| For each extra family member add | 3,560 |
You can file your Canada PR Visa application with IRCC if you fulfill all the above-specified requirements. For applying you must compile an exhaustive application as per the application guide and forms specified on the official webpage of the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot. You must offer evidence through documents that you fulfill all the requirements of the program.
After completing the application you must submit the hard copy through mail to the address specified on the webpage of the program.
Permanent Residence status provides overseas workers with access to additional social programs that they contribute towards through paying taxes. It includes Pension Plan and Employment Insurance in Canada. Agri-Food Immigration Pilot will enable more overseas workers to plan long-term settlements in Canada. This is better than a temporary stay with no pathways for transitioning to a Permanent Residence.
Organizations such as the Canadian Federation of Agriculture had welcomed the proposal to launch Agri-Food Immigration Pilot when it was first discussed in 2019. Mary Robinson CFA President had said that farmers in Canada will be disinterested in making investments in agriculture if they do not have adequate workers. They would also be unable to expand their business. It is well known that the unavailability of labor is an obstacle for many agricultural industries in Canada. As per reports roughly 24,000 job openings remained unfilled in 2014 that resulting in losses of 1.5 Billion Dollars, pointed Robinson.
The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot has been launched as a partnership between Employment and Social Development Canada and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada.
Nationwide Visas is the trusted brand in the Immigration industry with 15 plus years of experience. We have helped several thousands of aspiring candidates to successfully immigrate to Canada and now you can be one among them. You can avail of immigration advice and guidance from our accredited ICCRC Canada Immigration Consultants.
The success rate of your Canada PR Visa application increases by having accredited immigration experts to work on your case. This is because they will ensure that your application is error-free and 100% documentation compliant.
The first step after you choose to avail of our immigration services is the exhaustive online assessment of your profile. It will help you in exploring your diverse options for immigration to Canada including your eligibility for the Agri-food Immigration Pilot. Our experienced and competent Immigration Consultants will provide you with a detailed report outlining your immigration pathways with a high success rate.
Optimize your chances of successful Canada PR Visa application and book your consultation with our experts today!
We at Nationwide Visas have assisted thousands of individuals to successfully Immigrate To Canada with their families through the Express Entry Program. Our qualified and experienced Immigration Experts are equipped with the proficiency to accurately assess your case and advise the most suitable course of action for best serving your needs.
Nationwide Visas has accumulated a treasure of goodwill and exhaustive experience over the last 17 years in this dynamic immigration industry and has constantly facilitated a wide range of aspiring immigrants to achieve their overseas goals.
We are among the top-most brands in the Immigration sector being a highly reliable immigration firm with an outstanding track record of several thousands of triumphant PR Visa applications. The following major factors make us the Best Immigration Consultant for a Canada PR Visa:
Get a call within 55 seconds
Points Calculator
Get a call within 55 seconds
Our Media Mentions
Our Media Mentions
.webp-61728368848.webp)
Check Your Eligibility In 60 Seconds!
