Canada Opens Applications For New Agri-Food Immigration Pilot

Applications are now being accepted for Canada’s new Agri-Food Immigration Pilot.

Federal Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino made the announcement on Friday, May 15, 2020.

The AFIP is a three-year pilot that will see Canada test an industry-specific approach to immigration.

The pilot, targeting labour shortages in the meat processing, year-round mushroom and greenhouse crop production and livestock raising industries, had been due to open during March 2020 but was delayed due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

Under the AFIP, 2,750 applications will be accepted annually, primarily providing a pathway to permanent residence for many temporary foreign workers already in Canada.

“The Agri-Food Pilot will attract applicants for permanent residence who have worked in Canada, who can economically establish in Canada, and who support the labour needs of farmers and processors,” Mendicino said.

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot is one of a number of pilots operated by the federal government. Others include the Atlantic Immigration Pilot and the Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot.

What Industries Are Eligible For the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot?

Eligible industries are classified by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).

1. Meat product manufacturing (NAICS 3116)
2. Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114)
3. Animal production, excluding 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 B 6331: Retail butchers
NOC C 9462: Industrial butchers
NOC B 8252: Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
NOC D 9617: Food processing labourers

2) Greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production (NAICS 1114)

NOC B 8252: Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
NOC C 8431: General farmworkers
NOC D 8611: Harvesting labourers

3) Animal production, excluding aquaculture (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124 or 1129)

NOC B 8252: Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
NOC C 8431: General farmworkers

Application Limits By Eligible Job

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot features annual application limits for each eligible occupation.

Agri-Food Immigration Pilot: Candidate Requirements

• 12 months of full-time, non-seasonal Canadian work experience (at least 1,560 hours in the past 3 years) in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, in an eligible occupation.
• Canadian Language Benchmark level 4 in English or French in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
• Education at the high school level or greater (Canadian equivalency).
• Indeterminate job offer for full-time, non-seasonal work in Canada, outside of Quebec, at or above the prevailing wage.
• The required settlement funds for candidates and dependents, unless already working in Canada.