The Canadian Government has specifically designed the Agri-Food Pilot to support the Agriculture and Food sector of Canada. This pilot helps to fulfill the labour shortages in specific sectors of food and agricultural industries. Moreover, with this program, the economic, labour, and demographic needs of the agricultural industry are covered.
With the help of this pilot, experienced and non-seasonal workers from specific industries and occupations can become permanent residents of Canada. This is a 3-year program aimed to support the agri-food sectors.
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Application Limit
The Agri-Food Pilot allows the agricultural sector workers to become permanent residents in Canada. Likewise, the other skilled worker programs, this program is only restricted to agriculture sector workers.
The industrial sectors of Canada have been struggling with labour shortages; therefore, the Canadian Government launched this pilot to provide Permanent Residence to Agriculture sector workers. This immigration program will invite workers to Canada by offering permanent residence opportunities to workers and their families.
In the initial announcement, a maximum of 2,750 applicants along with their families will be invited to Canada each year. Moreover, a total of 16,500 applicants will be accommodated in Canada in the 3-year duration.
Moreover, the Agricultural employers participating in this program will be eligible for a 2-year Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
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Application Process
In order to apply for Permanent Residence under the Agri-Food Pilot, these are essential steps to follow:
- Eligible Canadian Work Experience
- Full-Time Job
- Language Proficiency
- Educational Requirements
- Settlement Funds
- Temporary Resident Status
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Eligible Industries
The eligible industries in this pilot are classified by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). The Eligible industries under the pilot are:
- Meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116)
- Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114)
- Animal production, excluding aquaculture
- Cattle ranching and farming (NAICS 1121)
- Hog and pig farming (NAICS 1122)
- Poultry and egg production (NAICS 1123)
- Sheep and goat farming (NAICS 1124)
- Animal production (NAICS 1129)
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Eligible occupations
The occupations in Canada are classified by the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. The eligible jobs for each industry under this pilot are given.
| Occupations | Eligible |
| 1) Meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116) | Ø NOC B 6331 – Retail butchers
Ø NOC C 9462 – Industrial butchers Ø NOC B 8252 – Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers Ø NOC D 9617 – Food processing labourers |
| 2) Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114) | Ø NOC B 8252 – Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
Ø NOC C 8431 – General farmworkers Ø NOC D 8611 – Harvesting labourers |
| 3) Animal production, excluding aquaculture (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, and 1129)
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Ø NOC B 8252 – Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
Ø NOC C 8431 – General farmworkers |
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Job Limit
There is an annual limit for each job; it has been listed below.
| Eligible Occupation | Number of Applications |
| Farm supervisor or specialized livestock worker (NOC B 8252) | 50 |
| Industrial butcher (NOC C 9462) or retail butcher (NOC B 6331) | 1470 |
| Food processing labourer (NOC D 9617) | 730 |
| General farm worker (NOC C 8431) | 200 |
| Harvesting labourer (NOC D 8611) | 300
|
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Candidate Requirements
In order to meet the eligibility criteria for Agri-Food Pilot, the candidates are required to complete the following requirements. If the applicants are able to meet these selection factors, then they can apply for this program.
The requirements include:
Skilled work experience
- The applicant must possess one year of continuous, full-time, and skilled work experience in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) job groups.
- The work experience must be in Canada.
- It must be in the eligible occupations.
- The work experience must be through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
- A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) having a 12-month duration must be submitted by the employer.
Moreover, the work experience candidates possess must be paid, continuous, and not be a volunteer.
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Job Offer
The candidates must possess a valid job offer that must meet the following criterion.
- The job must be in an eligible profession and industry.
- It must be full-time, paid, and non-seasonal.
- The job must be permanent, and it should not be contractual.
- The job offer must be made in Canada outside the Quebec province.
Language Proficiency
The applicants are required to undertake the approved language tests for the language proficiency checkup. The language tests are for the assessment of the candidates in the following sectors of the English or French language:
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Speaking
The minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in all the abilities is required. The test must be taken within the previous two years, and the test should be valid when you apply for the application.
The most commonly taken language test is IELTS.
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Education
For education, a Canadian high school diploma or any foreign equivalent degree is required. In the case of foreign education, the candidates are required to undergo an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). There are various degree assessment organizations from where you can get an equivalency of your degree.
These credential assessment bodies in Canada can provide equivalence:
- WES
- ICAS
- IQAS
- CES
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Proof of funds
The primary applicant must demonstrate sufficient funds to support himself or his family members when they arrive in Canada. Moreover, the amount should not be borrowed; this amount should be utilized on living standards
The amount according to the number of members has been listed:
| Number of Family Members | Funds Required : |
| 1 | $13,213 (CAD) |
| 2 | $16,449 (CAD) |
| 3 | $20,222 (CAD) |
| 4 | $24,553(CAD) |
| 5 | $27,847 (CAD) |
| 6 | $31,407 (CAD) |
| 7 | $34,967 (CAD) |
| For an additional member | $3,560 (CAD) |
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Residence in Canada:
The applicant must have an intention to live outside the Quebec province of Canada.
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Admissibility in Canada:
The applicant must be admissible to Canada; they do not pose any threat to the country.
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Apply For Permanent Residence
These steps enable the applicants to complete their application for Agri-Food Pilot.
- Complete the application package.
- Complete the Biometric process
- Pay your fees
- Submit your application
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