Canadian Immigration News

Which Occupations Are Eligible for the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot?

2.5 minute read
"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."
Written by My Visa Source Team
Published on:  Dec 8, 2021
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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

The eligible occupations are classified by the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. Based on each industry, the eligible jobs are as follows:

Greenhouse, Nursery and Floriculture Production, including Mushroom Production

NAICS 1114 

Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers

NOC B 8252

General farm workers

NOC C 8431

Harvesting labourers

NOC D 8611


Animal Production, Excluding Aquaculture

NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124 and 1129

Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers

NOC B 8252

General farm workers

NOC C 8431


Meat Product Manufacturing

NAICS 3316

Retail butchers

NOC B 6331

Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers

NOC B 8252

Industrial butchers

NOC C 9462

Food processing labourers

NOC D 9617


There are also annual limits on the number of applications that can be accepted for certain occupations.

Occupations

Number of Applicants

Retail Butcher (NOC B 6331) or Industrial butcher (NOC C 9462)  

1470

Farm Supervisor or Specialized Livestock Worker (NOC B 8252)

50

General Farm Worker (NOC C 8431)

200

Harvesting labourer (NOC D 8611)

300

Food processing labourer (NOC D 9617)

730


Is the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Available In Quebec?

No, this pilot is not available for immigration to Quebec. However, foreign workers can still find nonseasonal employment in Quebec through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Quebec employers can obtain a 2-year Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The applicant will be required to have a job offer in one of the occupations eligible for the program. 

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