The Agri-Food Pilot

What is the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot program?

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot in Canada is currently accepting applications and will remain open until at least May 14, 2025. This pilot program is designed to address labor shortages, particularly in meat processing and mushroom production, within the agri-food sector, contributing to Canada’s ambitious export targets. The agriculture and agri-food industry play a vital role in Canada’s economic growth, supporting approximately one in eight jobs in the country.

The goal is to assist the agri-food sector in recruiting full-time, non-seasonal foreign workers to fill the growing labor gaps. This pilot aims to attract and retain workers by offering them a pathway to permanent residency after an initial two-year period on a temporary work permit, eliminating the need for repeated work permit renewals.

A maximum of 2,750 principal applicants, along with their family members, will be accepted for processing in any given year.

Qualifying Work Experience

To be eligible, you need to have at least one year of Canadian work experience, totaling a minimum of 1,560 hours within the past three years. This Canadian work experience must meet the following criteria:

• Non-seasonal
• In an eligible occupation within an eligible industry
• Obtained through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (supported by an LMIA with a minimum 12-month duration), or
• Through an Open Work Permit for applicants considered vulnerable workers

The eligible industries for the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot include:

• Meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116)
• Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114)
• Animal production, excluding aquaculture (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, or 1129)

These industries are classified according to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). You can find specific industry definitions by searching the industry codes on the NAICS website.

Eligible jobs for the pilot are categorized by the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. You can review the duties for each job by searching the NOC database.

For meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116), eligible jobs 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 greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114), eligible jobs 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

For animal production, excluding aquaculture (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124 and 1129), eligible jobs 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

Qualifying Job Offer

 To qualify, you need a genuine job offer from a Canadian employer that meets the following criteria:

• It must be in an eligible occupation within an eligible industry (as mentioned above)
• The job offer should be full-time, non-seasonal, and permanent
• For unionized positions, the wage must comply with the applicable collective agreement
• For non-unionized positions, the wage must meet or exceed the prevailing wage for your job

• offer's occupation according to the Job Bank, either at the provincial level or nationally if no provincial rate is available
• The job offer must be located in Canada but outside the province of Quebec.

Minimum Language Requirements

 You are required to achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of Level 4 on an approved language test in either English or French.

Minimum Education Requirements

 You must have completed education equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma or higher. Education completed outside Canada must be supported by a valid Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA).

Settlement Funds Requirement

You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family members upon settling in Canada. Applicants already working in Canada with a valid work permit are exempt from providing proof of funds.

Contact Visa Nexa for Immigration Assistance

Need Canadian immigration assistance for The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot? Visa Nexa Inc. is here to help. We can assess your eligibility and submit your application to the Canadian government. With over 10 years of expertise, Visa Nexa in Mississauga, Ontario has been helping clients achieve their dream of becoming Canadians. Our head offices are in Delhi (VISAWALK) and Chandigarh (The Mentors). Reach out to us today and take the first step toward your new life in Canada!

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