Agri Food Pilot Program for Permanent Residency Canada

Agri-Food Pilot Program

The Agri-Food pilot program is a pathway to permanent residence for experienced, non-seasonal workers in specific industries and occupations. The 3-year pilot will test an industry-specific approach to help employers in the meat processing, mushroom and greenhouse production, and livestock-raising industries fill ongoing labour needs for full-time, year-round employees.

What are the Eligible industries under Agri Food Pilot?

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)
other animal production (NAICS 1129)

Eligible Occupations

For meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116), eligible jobs are

NOC B 6331 – Retail butchers
NOC C 9462 – Industrial butchers
NOC B 8252 – Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
NOC D 9617 – Food processing labourers

For greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114), eligible jobs are

NOC B 8252 – Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
NOC C 8431 – General farm workers
NOC D 8611 – Harvesting labourers

For animal production, excluding aquaculture (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124 and 1129), eligible jobs are

NOC B 8252 – Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
NOC C 8431 – General farm workers

What is the Eligibility for Agri-Food Pilot Program?

One Year Eligible Work Experience

One should have a minimum of 1 year of non-seasonal, full-time work in the past 3 years (at least 1,560 hours) in 1 or more of the eligible occupations listed under 1 of the eligible industries through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (12 Months LMIA)

Have an eligible job offer

Your job offer must be for a job in Canada outside of Quebec.
The job must be non-seasonal and full time.
Your employment is permanent.
The job must be in an eligible occupation of the eligible industries.

Language Requirements

The minimum language requirements are Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) Level 4 in :

reading
writing
speaking
listening

Educational Requirements

You must have at least a Canadian high school diploma, or an educational credential assessment (ECA) report for completed a foreign credential at the secondary school level or above.

Funds Requirements

You must prove that you have enough money to settle in Canada. You’ll need to prove that you have enough funds to support yourself and any family members you may have, even if they’re not coming to Canada with you.

If you’re already working in Canada with a valid work permit when you apply, you don’t need to provide proof of settlement funds.

How many application will be accepted under Agri-Food Pilot Program?

There are annual limits on the number of applications that will be processed for each eligible occupation.

Starting on January 1 of each year, applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. This pilot will last for 3 years.

Eligible occupation	NOC	Number of applications accepted per year
Farm Supervisor or Specialized Livestock Worker	NOC B 8252	50
Industrial Butcher or Retail Butcher	NOC C 9462 NOC B 6331	1470
Food Processing Labourer	NOC D 9617	730
General Farm Worker	NOC C 8431	200
Harvesting Labourer	NOC D 8611	300