Agri-Food Pilot

The Agri-Food Pilot is designed to help address labour shortages in specific agriculture and food-related industries.

The three-year pilot opened on May 15, 2020 and will run until May 14, 2023.

The pilot is specifically aimed at the meat processing, year-round mushroom and greenhouse crop production and livestock raising industries.

Candidates require Canadian eligible work experience and a job offer from a Canadian employer to qualify for the 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 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

2) 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

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

Application Limits

Canada receives a limit of 2,750 applications each year.

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 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.