Agri-Food Pilot is to address the labour shortage of the Canadian agri-food sector. The pilot provides a pathway to permanent residence for experienced, non-seasonal workers in specific industries and occupations. The 3-year economic immigration pilot program is for temporary foreign workers (TFW) who are already in Canada and working in the meat processing, mushroom, greenhouse production and livestock-raising industries. The pilot will run until May 2023.
Eligible industries and occupations under the pilot
Industry |
Occupation |
Meat Product Manufacturing (NAICS 3116) | 6331 (Retail Butchers) NOC B |
9462 (Industrial Butchers) NOC C | |
8252 (Farm Supervisors & Specialized Livestock Workers) NOC B | |
9617 (Food Processing Labourers) NOC D | |
Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114) | 8252 (Farm Supervisors & Specialized Livestock Workers) NOC B |
8431 (General Farm Workers) NOC C | |
8611 (Harvesting Labourers) NOC D | |
Animal Production (excluding aquaculture) (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124 and 1129) | 8252 (Farm Supervisors & Specialized Livestock Workers) NOC B |
8431 (General Farm Workers) NOC C |
Program Requirements
Work Experience
Job Offer
Temporary resident status
The applicant is required to maintain his/her temporary resident status during the processing of the application for permanent residence.
Education
The applicant must have a high-school diploma, post-secondary certificate or degree that is valid and equal to a Canadian equivalent. For overseas education, the applicant is required to provide an
 for overseas education.
Language
The applicant must meet the minimum language requirements in the  or the  for listening, speaking, reading and writing at level 4 (or above) across all language abilities.
Settlement funds
You must prove that you have enough money to support any family members, even if they are not coming to Canada with you. You are exempt from the settlement funds requirement if you are already working legally in Canada at the time of application.
Number of family members (including those you support and are not accompanying with you) |
¹ó³Ü²Ô»å²õÌý (in Canadian dollars) |
1 | $12,960 |
2 | $16,135 |
3 | $19,836 |
4 | $24,083 |
5 | $27,315 |
6 | $30,806 |
7 | $34,299 |
For each additional family member | $3,492 |
The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot will test a new, industry-specific approach to help address the labour needs of the Canadian agri-food sector, particularly in meat processing and mushroom production. While immigration in the agricultural sector is largely based on seasonal workers, this pilot aims to enhance the benefits of economic immigration to the agri-food sector by testing a new pathway to permanent residence.
How we can help?
If you have at least one year of experience in an eligible occupation and a job offer from your employer, we may help you throughout the application process (e.g., applying for work permit, extension, and permanent residency).