Agri-Food Immigration Pilot is a groundbreaking initiative designed to attract dedicated individuals like yourself to contribute to the growth and prosperity of Canada’s agri-food sector.

Overview of the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot:

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot is a unique program introduced by the Government of Canada to address the labor shortages faced by the agri-food industry and provide pathways for skilled workers to settle in Canada permanently. This pilot program is specifically tailored to meet the needs of the agricultural and food processing sectors, ensuring that talented individuals with relevant experience can build fulfilling careers in a vibrant industry. The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot will test a new, industry-specific approach to help address the labor 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.

The pilot will seek to attract experienced, non-seasonal workers who can economically establish themselves in Canada, and who support the ongoing labor needs of the agri-food sector.

In particular, the pilot will focus on attracting retail butchers, industrial butchers, food processing laborers, harvesting laborers, general farm workers, farm supervisors, and specialized livestock workers.

The occupations and industries eligible under the pilot include:

• meat processing
  • retail butcher
  • industrial butcher
  • food processing laborer
• harvesting laborer for year-round mushroom production and greenhouse crop production
• general farm worker for year-round mushroom production, greenhouse crop production, or livestock raising
• farm supervisor and specialized livestock worker for meat processing, year-round mushroom production, greenhouse crop production, or livestock raising.

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible for the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Job Offer: You must have a genuine and valid job offer from a Canadian employer in an eligible occupation within the agri-food sector. The job offer should meet certain requirements to ensure fair and equitable employment.
2. Work Experience: You must have at least one year of full-time, non-seasonal work experience in a qualifying occupation within the past three years. This experience should be directly related to the job you are offered.
3. Language Proficiency: Demonstrating proficiency in English or French is crucial for successful integration into Canadian society. You will need to provide proof of language proficiency by taking a designated language test approved by the Canadian government.
4. Education: While a specific level of education is not mandatory, having a higher education qualification can enhance your application and increase your chances of success.
5. Settlement Funds: To support yourself and any accompanying family members upon arrival, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds based on the size of your family unit. This requirement ensures that you can transition smoothly into your new life in Canada.