Agri-Food Pilot

• The Agri-Food Pilot will run for three years until May 2023. The annual limits on the number of applications accepted for each eligible occupation are 2,750 plus family members. This represents a total of approximately 16,500 possible new permanent residents over the 3-year duration of the pilot.
• The agriculture and agri-food industry is an essential contributor to Canada’s economic growth and vitality, supporting 1 in 8 jobs across the country. In 2018, agricultural exports were said to hit a new record reaching $66.2 billion.
• To apply to the Agri-Food Pilot, an applicant must show eligible work experience in a qualified industry and eligible occupation and have a job offer for full-time, non-seasonal work in a qualified industry and occupation in Canada. The employer needs to include the industry code in the job offer. Applicants must equally plan to live outside of Quebec.
• See the list of eligible industries.

Mandatory/ Minimum Requirements:

• Applicants must have eligible work experience.
• Applicants must have an eligible job offer.
• Applicants must meet the language requirements.
• Applicants must meet the educational requirements.
• Applicants must prove they have enough money to settle in Canada (if applicable).
• Applicants must have maintained their temporary resident status (if already in Canada).

Supportive Requirements:

Data Source: Notice – Supplementary Information 2020-2023 Immigration Levels Plan – Canada.ca

• Candidates for the Agri-Food Pilot program are classified by the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. Eligible jobs are Retail butchers, Industrial butchers, Farm supervisors, specialized livestock workers, Food processing labourers, Farm supervisors, and specialized livestock workers, General farm workers, and Harvesting labourers.

Certain steps should be completed before you submit your application.

• Determine that you meet the eligibility requirements concerning work experience. Your work experience must be at least one year of 1,560 hours, full-time, non-seasonal work experience in Canada within the last three years under a valid work permit. It must be in one or more eligible combinations of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) (see below list of eligible occupation (NOC) and eligible industry (NAICS).
• Job Offer: Check that your job offer is valid and that it meets the requirements. The job must be in an eligible occupation listed under one of the eligible industries. It must be a paid full time of at least 30 paid hours per week. The job offer must be for a job in Canada outside of Quebec. Check if your job offer meets the eligibility requirements.

• Meet the education requirements: You must have a high-school diploma, post-secondary certificate, or degree that is valid and equal to a Canadian equivalent. If you completed your studies outside Canada, you would need an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) to show that your studies are equal to a Canadian secondary or post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree.

Different designated organizations can help evaluate your credentials.

List of designated organizations for ECA:

• World Education Services
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada.
• Comparative Education Service: University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
• International Credential Services
• Meet the language requirement:

English and French are the official languages in Canada. Applicants for the program are required to take a language test to prove their language skills. Get minimum Canadian Language Benchmark CLB 4 in English or NLCL 4 in French in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Language Test results are valid for 2 years.

 Acceptable English language test:

• Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP). Note: Register for the CELPIP-General test.
• International English Language Testing System ( IELTS). Book your test at British Council IELTS Online Application. Note: Register for the IELTS English General Training Test.

    Acceptable French Language Test:

• Test d’evaluation de français (TEF)
• Test de connaissance du français (TCF)

   Link to Language requirement.

• Proof of Funds: Applicants must submit proof that they have enough money to support themselves and their families after you arrive in Canada. Examples of documents you can submit are current bank statements or certification letter, proof of your savings balance, deposit statements. The amount of money required is based on your family’s size and is based on 50% of the low-income cut-off totals for urban areas. The money must be readily available to you when you submit your application and receive your Visa. Follow this link to view the most up to date funds required. Find below a breakdown of the minimum funds you must have to immigrate to Canada.

• PAPER – Based application

• Fill out your application forms completely on a computer, validate the forms, print out all the forms, including the barcode page, date, and sign the forms. Get the instructions guide and document checklist to guide you through the filling process of your application.
• Pay your application fees. The estimated cost per Adult is $1,325 per Adult. Follow the link to make payment for your application, print the receipt of payment, and attached it to your document. See the break down below:

See the breakdown of the fee.

Submit your application by mailing it to the mailing address.

• Biometrics:

Applicants may be required to give their biometrics for permanent residence applications. You must give your fingerprints and photos.  Visit this link to learn more about how to give your Biometrics. Estimated Cost – $85 Individual, $170 Family.

On July 12, 2019, Canada launched the new 3-year economic immigration pilot to fill labour shortages, particularly in meat processing and mushroom production, within the agri-food sector and help meet Canada’s ambitious export targets. The agri-food pilot aims to attract and retain workers by providing them with an opportunity to become permanent residents—news