Agri Food Pilot
The Agri-Food Pilot program is specifically planned to assist and overcome labor shortages in precise agriculture and food-related industries in Canada.
The three-year pilot program was launched and initiated on May 15, 2020, and will be applicable until May 14, 2023.
The pilot is precisely targeted at the meat handling, year-round mushroom and greenhouse crop cultivation, production, and livestock raising industries.
Applicants need Canadian-qualified work or job experience and a valid job offer letter from a Canadian employer to qualify for this pilot program.
What Industries Are Eligible for the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot?
Appropriate industries are categorized by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
- Meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116)
- Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production, comprising mushroom creation (NAICS 1114)
- Animal production, but not including aquaculture (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, or 1129)
What Jobs Are Eligible For the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot?
1) Meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116)
- NOC 63201 – Butchers or slaughters– retailers and wholesalers
- NOC 65202 – Meat cutters and fishmongers – retailers and wholesalers
- NOC 94141 – Industrial butchers or slaughters and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers
- NOC 82030 – Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
- NOC 84120 – Specified livestock employees and farm machinery operators or employees
- NOC 85100 – Livestock labourers
- NOC 95106 – Labourers in food and liquid drinks or beverage processing
2) Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114)
- NOC 82030 – Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
- NOC 84120 – Specified livestock employees and farm machinery operators
- NOC 85100 – Livestock labourers or workers
- NOC 85101 – Harvesting labourers or workers
3) Animal production, excluding aquaculture (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124 or 1129)
- NOC 82030 – Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
- NOC 84120 – Specified livestock employees and farm machinery operators
- NOC 85100 – Livestock labourers or workers
- NOC 85101 – Harvesting labourers or workers
Application Limits
Canada accepts a limit of 2,750 applications each year for this program.
Agri-Food Immigration Pilot: Candidate Requirements
- One year of full-time, non-seasonal Canadian job or work experience (at least 1,560 hours in the previous 3 years) in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, in an entitled profession.
- Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 is required in an official language like English or French for reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
- Schooling for this program is required at a minimum at the high school level or more (Canadian equivalency).
- Uncategorized job offer letter for full-time, non-seasonal work in Canada, outside of Quebec, at or above the main wage.
- The mandatory settlement budget for applicants and dependents, except candidates who are already working in Canada,.