Canada’s Agri-Food Immigration Pilot
Canada’s Agriculture and Agri-Food industry plays a crucial role in the Canadian economy, contributing over $110 billion annually to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
To support this industry and address labor shortages, the Canadian government has introduced the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot. This pilot program offers eligible temporary foreign workers in the agriculture and agri-food sector a pathway to Canadian permanent residence. Each year, a maximum of 2,750 applications are accepted under this pilot program.
The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot aims to attract and retain experienced workers in various occupations related to agriculture and agri-food. These occupations include farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers, farm managers and farm workers, food processing laborers, and industrial butchers.
To be eligible for the pilot program, applicants must meet specific criteria, including having full-time, non-seasonal job offers from eligible employers in Canada, meeting minimum language requirements, having one year of non-seasonal work experience in the industry, and meeting educational requirements.
Successful applicants will receive a work permit and will be able to work for the designated employer in Canada. After obtaining the required work experience, they can then apply for Canadian permanent residence through the pilot program.
The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot recognizes the importance of the agriculture and agri-food industry to Canada’s economy and aims to address labor shortages in the sector while providing an opportunity for skilled workers to become permanent residents of Canada.
For detailed and up-to-date information on eligibility requirements, application processes, and other program details, it is recommended to consult the official sources and guidelines provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Under the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot, the following occupations and industries are eligible:
1. Meat processing
2. Retail butcher
3. Industrial butcher
4. Food processing laborer
5. Harvesting laborer for year-round mushroom production and greenhouse crop production
6. General farm worker for year-round mushroom production, greenhouse crop production, or livestock raising
7. Farm supervisor and specialized livestock worker for meat processing, year-round mushroom production, greenhouse crop production, or livestock raising
To be considered for Canadian permanent residence under the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot, candidates with work experience in the above occupations must meet the following eligibility requirements:
1. Have 12 months of full-time, non-seasonal Canadian work experience in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in one of the eligible occupations.
2. Possess a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 in English or French.
3. Hold the foreign equivalent of a high school level education or higher.
4. Have an indeterminate job offer for full-time, non-seasonal work in Canada (outside of Quebec) at or above the prevailing wage.
In the case of eligible employers in the meat processing sector utilizing the pilot program, a two-year Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) will be issued to them. To be eligible, meat processors must outline their plans to support the temporary foreign worker in obtaining permanent residency. Unionized meat processors will require a letter of support from their union, and non-unionized meat processors will have to meet additional requirements to ensure the protection of the labor market and migrant workers, as specified by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).
It’s important to consult official sources and guidelines provided by IRCC for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding eligibility criteria, application processes, and other program details.