Agri-Food Pilot Program: Your Pathway to Canadian Permanent Residency

Canada’s agriculture and food-producing sectors have a substantial impact on the country’s economy and food security. However, certain industries commonly have labour shortages, which can reduce productivity. The Canadian government established the Agri-Food Pilot Program (AFP) to address this issue. For experienced, non-seasonal foreign workers in specific areas and occupations within Canada’s agri-food sector, this project provides a path to permanent residency.

This blog will cover everything you need to know about the Agri-Food Pilot, including its goals, qualifying requirements, and supported sectors and professions. Whether you are a prospective applicant or an employer seeking talent, this handbook has all the necessary information.

What Is the Agri-Food Pilot?

The Agri-Food Pilot, which was launched to fulfill the ongoing employment demands of the Canadian agri-food sector, fills essential shortages by allowing experienced foreign workers to become permanent citizens. The initiative focuses on non-seasonal workers employed in specialized agri-food businesses, providing a steady and permanent workforce to help the sector grow and stabilize.

The pilot program offers a pathway for persons with experience in critical agricultural jobs such as meat processing, animal husbandry, and mushroom production. Its purpose is to retain experienced workers who contribute to Canada’s agricultural sector, giving them and their families a better future in Canada.

Recent changes to the program 

As of February 10, 2024, the Agri-Food Pilot program underwent additional changes to make it even more accessible to candidates. These changes indicate Canada’s ongoing commitment to addressing manpower shortages in the agri-food industry. The following are some important updates:

• Flexibility in Meeting the Job Offer or Education Criteria: Applicants living in Canada can now choose whether to satisfy the job offer or educational criteria when submitting their application.
• Increased Work Experience Eligibility: Applicants with multiple work permits may now be more easily qualified.

Who Can Apply for the Agri-Food Pilot?

The Agri-Food Pilot Program has specific qualifying standards to ensure that only experienced and dedicated staff submit applications. The requirements are organized as follows:

1. Job Offer or Education Requirements: Applicants must have received an acceptable job offer from a Canadian business. If you live in Canada at the time of your application, you can opt to meet either the employment offer or the educational requirement.
2. Work Experience: You must have at least one year of non-seasonal, full-time experience in an appropriate occupation or industry. This experience can now include time spent on an open work permit for vulnerable workers.
3. Language Proficiency: Applicants must have specific language standards in English or French. This ensures that employees can successfully integrate into the Canadian workforce.
4. Proof of Funds (if applicable): You may need to demonstrate that you have enough money to maintain yourself and your family after arriving in Canada. This criterion may not apply if you are already working in Canada.
5. Maintaining Temporary Resident Status: If you already live in Canada, you must have valid temporary resident status.

Eligible industries and occupations for the Agri-Food Pilot

To be eligible for the Agri-Food Pilot Program, you must have prior job experience in one of the authorized industries or occupations. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) classifies these industries, whereas the National Occupational Classification (NOC) identifies the jobs.

Here’s a closer look at the sectors and occupations eligible for the pilot.

Eligible Industries

• Meat Products Manufacturing (NAICS 3116): This includes the manufacture of meat products such as beef, hog, chicken, and other meats.
• Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production (NAICS 1114): Includes the cultivation of plants, flowers, and mushrooms in regulated conditions.
• Animal production (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, and 1129): Includes cattle ranching, hog farming, poultry and egg production, sheep and goat farming, and other animal farming activities.

Eligible occupations for the Agri-Food Pilot

The program covers specific occupations in these fields. Some of the common employment roles are:

Meat Products Manufacturing (NAICS 3116):

• NOC 63201: Butchers, Retail and Wholesale
• NOC 65202: Meat Cutters and Fishmongers—Retail and Wholesale
• Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers, and related workers (NOC 94141)
• NOC 82030: Agricultural Service Contractors and Farm Supervisors.
• NOC 84120: Specialized Livestock Workers and Farm Machinery Operators.
• NOC 85100: Livestock Labourers.
• NOC 95106: Workers in Food and Beverage Processing

Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production (NAICS 1114):

• NOC 82030: Agricultural Service Contractors and Farm Supervisors.
• NOC 84120: Specialized Livestock Workers and Farm Machinery Operators.
• NOC 85100: Livestock Labourers.
• NOC 85101: Harvesting Laborers.

Animal production (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, and 1129):

• NOC 82030: Agricultural Service Contractors and Farm Supervisors.
• NOC 84120: Specialized Livestock Workers and Farm Machinery Operators.
• NOC 85100: Livestock Labourers.
• NOC 85101: Harvesting Laborers.

Benefits of the Agri-Food Pilot

• Path to Permanent Residence: One of the most notable advantages of the Agri-Food Pilot is that it allows employees to apply for permanent residence in Canada. This not only ensures job security but also helps workers to support their families in Canada.
• Stability for Employers: The initiative ensures that employers in the agri-food sector have access to a consistent and permanent workforce, thereby addressing labour shortages and increasing productivity in these critical industries.
• Flexibility for workers: Workers resident in Canada can now pick between meeting the job offer or the education requirement, providing them more flexibility when applying for the program.

How to Apply to the Agri-Food Pilot Program

If you match the eligibility conditions and want to apply, follow these steps:

• Secure an Eligible Job Offer: If you’re not from Canada, getting a job offer from an eligible firm is critical. Those who live in Canada may choose to meet the educational requirement instead.
• Gather documents: Make sure you have all of the essential documentation, such as proof of work experience, language test scores, and proof of funding, if applicable.
• Submit your application: Applications can be submitted online or by mail. To avoid delays, carefully follow the instructions and double-check that all necessary documents are included.

Conclusion:

The Agri-Food Pilot Program provides an excellent chance for skilled agricultural workers to obtain permanent residency in Canada. By tackling workforce shortages in important areas, the program not only helps Canada’s agri-food economy, but it also provides a solid future for workers and their families.

If you work in one of the qualifying industries or occupations, this pilot program could be your ticket to a new life in Canada. Take advantage of the program’s flexibility and new modifications to apply and establish your future in a country that recognizes your accomplishments.

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