Launched in March 2020, the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot is an industry-specific pilot that aims to encourage economic immigration of non-seasonal foreign workers to the agri-food sector in order to produce food agriculturally. The new pilot opened up over 2,750 employment opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled foreign workers wanting to immigrate to Canada.
This pilot was an important opportunity, especially for industries that have been facing a labor shortage for a long time. These industries can now enjoy the benefits of economic immigration. This program will be in operation until May 2023 until any further changes are announced.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot?
You will be required to meet the following requirements to qualify for this pilot:
- Have at least 1 year or 1,560 hours of work experience in the same industry you are applying for
- Have a valid job offer for a full-time permanent position in Canada with a wage offer that exceeds the prevailing wage rate
- Demonstrate language proficiency with a level 4 on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for English or French
- Have at least a Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent accredited by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report
- Have sufficient settlement funds to support yourself and your family, irrespective of whether they are accompanying you or not
If the applicants are already working in Canada with a valid temporary work permit, then they will not be required to demonstrate settlement funds.
Which Occupations and Industries Are Eligible for the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) has identified the following industries eligible for this pilot:
- Greenhouse, Nursery and Floriculture Production, including Mushroom Production- NAICS 1114
- Cattle Ranching and Farming- NAICS 1121
- Hog and Pig Farming- NAICS 1122
- Poultry and Egg Production- NAICS 1123
- Sheep and Goat Farming- NAICS 1129
- Meat Product Manufacturing- NAICS 3316