Canada’s Agri-Food Pilot Implements New Changes Starting February 2024
Get ready to delve into the evolution of Canada’s Agri-Food Pilot Program as it ushers in a wave of fresh updates, poised to reshape the landscape of agricultural immigration. Set to roll out in February 2024, these new changes promise to redefine pathways to permanent residency for aspiring candidates.
What are the two significant changes to the Canada Agri-Food Pilot for permanent residency (PR) introduced in February 2024?
- Applicants residing in Canada during the application process can now fulfill either the job offer or educational requirement.
- Vulnerable foreign workers will have their work experience under an open work permit credited towards meeting the work experience criteria by the IRCC.
Furthermore, Canada has extended the Agri-Food pilot, initially launched as a three-year program in 2020, until May 14, 2025, as of May 2023.
In addition, previous adjustments introduced in August 2023 include permitting open work permits for family members of Agri-Food pilot applicants and accepting union reference letters as an alternative to employer reference letters for demonstrating work experience.
Find out if you are eligible to get in Canada →
Eligibility Criteria for the Canada Agri-Food Pilot
For applicants living in Canada or abroad:
Work experience requirement:
- Accumulate at least one year of cumulative, non-seasonal, full-time experience within the past three years (equivalent to 1,560 hours over 52 weeks).
- The experience must be in one or more qualifying agri-food jobs within relevant industries.
- This experience should have been acquired through a minimum 12-month LMIA-based work visa.
Job Offer:
Receive an offer for a full-time, permanent, non-seasonal position in a qualifying occupation within the agri-food industry.
Education Requirement:
Hold an education level equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma.
Settlement Funds:
- Demonstrate sufficient settlement funds to support yourself and your family, if applicable, during the establishment period in Canada.
- If currently employed under a work permit, presenting settlement funds is not required.
Residency Status:
Maintain valid temporary resident status if you are already residing in Canada.
Language Proficiency:
Attain the minimum required score on one of the listed language proficiency exams.
Canada Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)
In the following, we’ll discuss the requirements for the Canada Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP):
- Job Offer: Obtain an offer for a full-time, permanent, non-seasonal position in a qualifying occupation within the agri-food industry.
- Education Requirement: Possess an education level equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma.
- Settlement Funds: Demonstrate sufficient settlement funds to support yourself during the establishment period in Canada.
- Residency Status: Maintain valid temporary resident status if you are already residing in Canada.
- Language Proficiency: Achieve the minimum required score on one of the listed language proficiency exams.
Eligible occupations for the Agri-Food Pilot
The eligible occupations for the agri-food pilot are:
Meat Product Manufacturing (NAICS 3116):
- NOC 63201: Butchers – Retail and Wholesale
- NOC 65202: Meat Cutters and Fishmongers – Retail and Wholesale
- NOC 94141: Industrial Butchers and Meat Cutters, Poultry Preparers, and Related Workers
- NOC 82030: Agricultural Service Contractors and Farm Supervisors
- NOC 84120: Specialized Livestock Workers and Farm Machinery Operators
- NOC 85100: Livestock Labourers
- NOC 95106: Labourers in Food and Beverage Processing
Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production, including Mushroom 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 Labourers
Animal Production, Excluding Aquaculture (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 Labourers
What makes the Agri-Food Pilot stand out?
Applicants for this pilot program are only required to achieve CLB level 4 in either English or French, which is the minimum requirement in language exams like IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF.
Regarding education, only a high school diploma is required.
For those who studied outside of Canada, an educational credential assessment (ECA) report from a recognized organization or professional body is necessary, confirming completion of a foreign credential at the secondary school level or higher.
In closing, the impending changes to Canada’s Agri-Food Pilot Program mark a pivotal moment in the country’s immigration landscape. As we look ahead to February 2024, these updates promise to streamline pathways to permanent residency for eligible candidates while bolstering the agricultural sector with skilled labor and innovation. With a focus on adaptability and inclusivity, these changes signify Canada’s ongoing commitment to fostering growth and sustainability within its agri-food industry.
