Agri-Food Immigration Pilot: Your Complete Guide

What Is the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot?

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot is a Canadian immigration program designed to address chronic labour shortages in the agriculture and food processing sectors. Launched in May 2020, the pilot provides a pathway to permanent residency for experienced, non-seasonal workers in specific agri-food occupations and industries.

Canada's agri-food sector is vital to the country's economy, but many employers in this industry struggle to find and retain workers, especially in rural areas. The pilot recognizes the essential contributions of agri-food workers and offers them and their families the chance to settle permanently in Canada.

The program is managed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). For the most up-to-date information, visit the official Agri-Food Immigration Pilot page.

Eligible Industries and Occupations

Not all agri-food jobs qualify for the pilot. You must work in a specific combination of industry and occupation to be eligible.

Eligible Industries

• Meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116)
• Greenhouse, nursery, and floriculture production (NAICS 1114)
• Animal production (excluding aquaculture) (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, 1129)

Eligible Occupations (NOC Codes)

• Retail butchers: NOC 63201
• Industrial butchers: NOC 94141
• Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers: NOC 82030
• Food processing labourers: NOC 95106
• General farm workers: NOC 85100
• Harvesting labourers: NOC 85101

You must be working in one of these occupations within one of the eligible industries. For example, a general farm worker at a greenhouse operation would qualify, but a general farm worker at a grain farm may not, depending on the NAICS code.

See also: How to Find Your NOC Code

Eligibility Requirements

1. Canadian Work Experience

You must have at least one year (1,560 hours) of non-seasonal Canadian work experience in an eligible occupation within an eligible industry. This experience must have been gained within the three years before you apply. Key points:

• The work must have been authorized (you had a valid work permit).
• Self-employment does not count.
• The experience must be non-seasonal, meaning you were employed on a year-round basis.
• Part-time hours count, as long as the total adds up to 1,560 hours.

2. Job Offer

You need a genuine, full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a Canadian employer in an eligible industry and occupation. The job offer must be for permanent employment with no set end date. The employer does not need to obtain an LMIA specifically for the pilot application, but you will have needed a valid work permit (which may have required an LMIA) to gain your qualifying Canadian work experience.

3. Language Proficiency

You must meet the following minimum language levels:

• CLB/NCLC 4 for TEER 4 and 5 occupations (most agri-food occupations fall into these categories)
• CLB/NCLC 5 for TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations

Use an IRCC-approved test: IELTS General Training, CELPIP General (English), TEF Canada, or TCF Canada (French).

4. Education

You must have at least a Canadian high school diploma or its foreign equivalent, confirmed through an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if your education was completed outside Canada.

5. Settlement Funds

You must show you have enough money to support yourself and any family members, unless you are already working in Canada.

How to Apply: Step by Step

Step 1: Gain Qualifying Work Experience

If you are not already working in an eligible agri-food occupation in Canada, you will need to first enter Canada on a temporary work permit. Many agri-food workers arrive through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) with an LMIA-supported work permit. Work for at least one year (1,560 hours) in an eligible occupation and industry to meet the experience requirement.

Step 2: Secure a Qualifying Job Offer

Ensure you have a full-time, non-seasonal, permanent job offer from your current employer or another employer in an eligible industry and occupation. The offer must be on official company letterhead and include details about the position, duties, salary, and employment terms.

Step 3: Take a Language Test

Book and complete an IRCC-approved language test. Make sure your results meet the minimum CLB/NCLC level required for your occupation. Language test results are valid for two years, so time your test appropriately.

Step 4: Get Your Educational Credentials Assessed

If your education is from outside Canada, obtain an ECA from a designated organization like WES or ICES. This confirms that your foreign education is equivalent to at least a Canadian high school diploma.

Step 5: Gather Supporting Documents

Collect all required documents, including:

• Passport and travel documents
• Language test results
• ECA report
• Job offer letter
• Proof of Canadian work experience (pay stubs, T4 tax slips, employment records)
• Police clearance certificates from every country you have lived in for six months or more
• Medical examination results from a panel physician
• Proof of settlement funds

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Apply for permanent residency through the IRCC online portal. The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot has its own application stream, so make sure you select the correct program when applying.

Processing Times and Annual Caps

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot has annual caps on the number of applications accepted. These caps are divided among the eligible occupations. Once the cap for your occupation is reached, no more applications will be accepted for that year. This means it is important to apply as early as possible. Processing times typically range from 12 to 18 months, but can vary depending on the volume of applications and the completeness of your submission.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not verifying the NAICS code: Your employer's industry must match an eligible NAICS code. Ask your employer to confirm their NAICS classification before you apply.
• Counting seasonal work: Only non-seasonal work experience counts. If you came to Canada on a seasonal agricultural worker program and then transitioned to year-round employment, only the year-round portion counts.
• Insufficient proof of work experience: Keep detailed records of your work hours, pay stubs, and T4 tax slips. These are critical for proving you have met the 1,560-hour requirement.
• Missing the annual cap: Apply early in the year or as soon as you are eligible. Waiting too long can mean the cap has already been reached.

Life as an Agri-Food Worker in Canada

Agri-food work can be physically demanding, but it offers a stable career and a direct pathway to permanent residency. Many employers in this sector value their workers and provide benefits such as employer-sponsored housing, transportation, and health insurance while you are on a temporary work permit.

Rural and agricultural communities in Canada are often welcoming to newcomers and may have immigrant support services available through local community organizations.

Additional Resources

For information about other immigration pathways suitable for workers in smaller communities, check out our guide on the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), which offers another route to permanent residency in smaller Canadian communities.

Final Tips

Settlement Support for Agri-Food Workers

As an agri-food worker in Canada, you have access to various settlement services that can help you adjust to your new life. Many immigrant-serving organizations across Canada offer free services including language classes, job search help, community orientation, and assistance with government paperwork. In rural areas where many agri-food jobs are located, organizations like the YMCA, local libraries, and community centres may also offer programs for newcomers. Additionally, the Government of Canada funds settlement services through IRCC that are available to all permanent residents and approved applicants. These services can be found on the IRCC New Life in Canada page.

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot is a valuable opportunity for workers already contributing to Canada's food supply chain. If you are working in an eligible occupation and industry, start gathering your documents now. Pay close attention to the annual caps and apply as early as possible. Keep thorough records of your work hours and earnings, and make sure your language test results are current. With careful preparation, this pilot can be your pathway to permanent residency and a stable future in Canada.

See also: How to Get Your SIN Number in Canada

See also: How to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residence

See also: Indeed Canada Job Search Guide