Agri-Food Pilot

Overview

The Agri-Food Pilot is a Canadian federal immigration program designed to provide a pathway to permanent residence for experienced, non-seasonal foreign workers already in Canada's agri-food sector. Launched in 2020, this pilot program addresses labor shortages in specific industries and occupations within the agri-food industry, ensuring a stable workforce for these vital sectors.

How it works

The pilot operates by allowing eligible foreign nationals who have recent Canadian work experience in designated agri-food occupations to apply for permanent residence. Applicants must also meet language proficiency requirements, educational criteria, and have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer in an eligible industry. The program has specific caps for each eligible occupation, and applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Successful applicants receive permanent resident status, enabling them to live and work anywhere in Canada.

Who it's for

This program is intended for temporary foreign workers who are currently working in Canada and have gained substantial experience in key agri-food sectors such as meat processing, horticulture, and animal production. It is particularly suitable for individuals who wish to settle permanently in Canada and contribute to the economic growth of the country's agricultural and food processing industries. It serves as a targeted solution for retaining essential workers who have already demonstrated their capabilities within Canada's labor market.

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

• Canadian Work Experience: Applicants must have at least one year of full-time, non-seasonal work experience in Canada within the past three years in an eligible occupation. This experience must be obtained through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

• Job Offer: A genuine, full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a Canadian employer in an eligible agri-food industry and occupation is required. The job offer must be for a position outside Quebec, and the wage must meet or exceed the prevailing wage for that occupation in the province of employment. The employer must also be actively operating in one of the eligible industries.

• Language Proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 4 in all four abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).

• Educational Requirements: A Canadian high school diploma or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for a foreign diploma, certificate, or degree, verifying its equivalency to Canadian secondary education, is required.

• Settlement Funds: Applicants must provide proof of sufficient funds to support themselves and their family members upon landing in Canada, unless they are already working in Canada with a valid work permit and a valid job offer.

Applicants for the Agri-Food Pilot must prepare and submit a comprehensive set of documents, including:

• Proof of Canadian Work Experience: Employment letters, pay stubs, Records of Employment (ROE), and T4 slips to demonstrate at least one year of eligible work experience.
• Valid Job Offer: A copy of the IMM 5983 form (Offer of Employment to a Foreign National) from an eligible Canadian employer. This must be a genuine, full-time, non-seasonal job offer.
• Language Test Results: Official results from a designated language testing organization (e.g., IELTS or CELPIP for English, TEF or TCF for French) demonstrating CLB 4 or higher.
• Educational Credentials: Canadian high school diploma or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization (e.g., WES, ICAS).
• Identity and Civil Status Documents: Birth certificates, marriage certificates (if applicable), valid passports, and identity documents for all accompanying family members.
• Police Certificates: Original police certificates from all countries where the applicant has lived for six months or more since the age of 18.
• Medical Examination: Proof of upfront medical examination from an IRCC-approved panel physician.
• Proof of Funds: Bank statements or other financial documents demonstrating sufficient settlement funds (unless exempt).

The application process for the Agri-Food Pilot involves several key steps:

1. Meet Eligibility Criteria: Ensure you meet all the requirements related to work experience, job offer, language proficiency, and education.
2. Gather Documents: Collect all necessary supporting documents, including proof of work experience, job offer, language test results, educational credentials, and identity documents.
3. Complete Application Forms: Fill out all required IRCC application forms accurately and completely. This includes generic application forms for Canada, additional family information, and schedule A background/declaration.
4. Pay Fees: Pay the applicable government processing fees and the Right of Permanent Residence Fee online through the IRCC portal.
5. Submit Application: Submit the complete application package, including all forms and documents, to IRCC. Ensure all sections are filled out and signed where required.
6. Receive Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR): IRCC will send an AOR once your application has been received and entered into their system.
7. Biometrics and Medical Examination: Follow instructions for providing biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and undergo a medical examination with an IRCC-approved panel physician.
8. Respond to Requests: Respond promptly to any requests from IRCC for additional information or documents.
9. Final Decision: Await a final decision on your application. If approved, you will receive confirmation of permanent residence.

Applicants approved under the Agri-Food Pilot can include their family members in their application for permanent residence. Eligible family members include:

• Spouse or common-law partner.
• Dependent children (under 22 years old and not married or in a common-law relationship).

All accompanying family members must meet Canada's admissibility requirements, including medical, security, and criminal checks. If approved, family members will also receive Canadian permanent resident status.

Upon approval of permanent residence through the Agri-Food Pilot, individuals and their accompanying family members will have the right to work in Canada without the need for a separate work permit. As permanent residents, they can work for any employer in any occupation across Canada, subject to standard provincial/territorial licensing or certification requirements for regulated professions. Until permanent residence is granted, applicants typically maintain their status under their existing work permits.

The Agri-Food Pilot is, by its design, a direct pathway to permanent residence in Canada. Successful applicants and their eligible family members are granted permanent resident status. This status allows them to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada, access most social benefits, and eventually apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting the residency obligations. The program is specifically structured to transition experienced temporary foreign workers in the agri-food sector into permanent residents, addressing both their desire for settlement and Canada's need for a stable, skilled workforce in critical industries.

Common reasons for refusal under the Agri-Food Pilot include:

• Incomplete Application: Missing documents, forms, or information can lead to refusal.
• Ineligible Work Experience: Not meeting the specific requirements for eligible work experience in terms of duration, occupation, or industry.
• Invalid Job Offer: A job offer that does not meet the program's criteria (e.g., not full-time, seasonal, or from an ineligible employer).
• Failure to Meet Language Requirements: Not achieving the minimum CLB Level 4 in all language abilities.
• Misrepresentation: Providing false or misleading information on the application.
• Inadmissibility: Failing medical, security, or criminal background checks.
• Caps Reached: Applications may be refused if the occupational cap for the specific stream has been filled before the application is processed.